Sublimation
imprinting is something of an art. We have been using
this form of printing for over 10 years and can produce
soft surface Counter Mats with incredible color.
To explain this form of printing
we need to start with a few basics. Sublimation ink is a
solid. When heated it turns to a gas and migrates. When
it cools, it turns back into a solid. If you add pressure,
it will migrate into another surface. If that surface is
a man-made surface such as polyester or nylon, it will dye
that surface. However if it is cotton or regular metal or
tile, it will migrate but will not dye the surface, thus
leaving a shadow that will wash out. Since the ink is dying
the surface, you must work with the original surface color.
You cannot sublimate the color "white", so your
best option is to start with a white surface. We create
a transfer in reverse using sublimation ink and offset presses,
then we heat apply it to a white mousepad using the right
time and pressure. Creating an exact replica can be tricky
because each color has a different dot gain. Quite often
there is no constant rule, but rather experience with the
ink will be the only guideline available. Too much ink can
make the image look muddy or dirty, or even the text to
fill in. If you have ever seen poor sublimation you realize
that it can look as bad as it can good.
Because of our experience with
Offset Sublimation, we have produced some of the most beautiful
Counter Mats in the industry. You can trust that we know
what we are talking about, and we will work to gain your
complete satisfaction.