[Deadtree]

Hello all and thanks in advance for any advice

I recently began using a 16x19 heat press to put my photos on aluminum. the first attempts have been successful.

I would like to put my photos on tiles. I bought some 4x4 glossy white tiles from home depot. when I tried to sublimate, the ink just wipes off. It is the same dyes sub ink that i used for my photos.

do I have to get special tiles? can i prepare the home depot tiles?


last question I also tried using a regular piece of aluminum but no go.... is there something i could put on the aluminum to prep it for ink?

thanks David

 

[john221us]

yes, the aluminum and tiles that are meant for this have a polymer coating. Dye sublimation only works with polymers (such as a polymer coating or polyester fabric).

 

[mfatty500]

You need to buy them from a vendor that has them ready for sublimation.

 

[Amw]

You need to buy them from a vendor that has them ready for sublimation.

What he said, or coat them yourself (not usually worth the hassle).

 

[proworlded]

David,

To print sublimation the surface must be coated to accept the inks. here are hundreds of products that are available.