Värisublimaatiopainatus

värisublimaatiopainatus is a form of indirect printing in which a full‑color design is transferred onto a substrate using a sublimation ink that turns into gas and bonds with the surface. The process begins with a screen or digital file that is printed onto a special sublimation paper with sublimation‑grade inks. The paper is then placed on the substrate, typically polyester or a polyester‑coated material, which is heated to between 160 and 200 °C. At this temperature the ink crystallizes into a gas and penetrates the fibers of the fabric or the coating of the substrate, resulting in a permanent, vivid image that is integrated into the material rather than resting on top of it.

The technique was first commercialised in Japan during the 1980s for apparel and later adapted by American and European manufacturers. Värisublimaatiopainatus is widely used for custom apparel, flags, banners, heat‑transfer gifts, and industrial signage. The main advantages of the method are excellent colour saturation, fine detail, and wash stability because the ink becomes part of the substrate. Disadvantages include a limited range of suitable substrates – polyurethane and polyester are necessary – and higher initial equipment costs for the print and heat‑sealing units.

Equipment commonly consists of a sublimation printer or screen printer, a heat press or sublimation oven, and sublimation inks that contain dyes and a polyamic acid binder. The digital workflow allows rapid design changes and small‑batch production, making the technology appealing to both large scale manufacturers and niche custom print shops.