What GSM paper is best for sublimation?

Author: Hou

May. 06, 2024

What is Sublimation Paper? Which One is Best For Your ...

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Learn which sublimation works best for which projects … and how it compares to copy paper!

Sublimation paper is a coated specialty paper designed to hold and release dye sublimation ink onto surfaces. There’s an extra layer on the paper designed just for holding, rather than absorbing, sublimation ink. This special coating paper is formulated to hold up in the sublimation printer, withstand the high heat of a heat press, and create beautiful, vibrant sublimation transfers to your surfaces.

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Learn all about sublimation paper in this helpful video:

You should know that sublimation transfer paper is NOT the same as that plain copy paper you might already have in your copier or regular inkjet printer, even though it might look the same at first. A good sublimation paper has three things:

1. It holds the sublimation ink well without allowing the micro ink dots from your printer to blur together.
2. It withstands the high heat of your heat press machine.
3. It efficiently releases the dyes into your surface when heated.

Each of these is important for the sublimation process and getting the best results!

There are a lot of different sublimation papers out there, and you may be wondering what’s best to use and what’s better off avoided in your heat transfer printing projects.

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I have a variety of sublimation papers here in my studio — I have A-SUB 125G, A-SUB 120G, A-SUB 105G, A-SUB ECO, TruePix paper, DyeMaster-R, and Printers Jack. And there are a LOT more papers out there, too. So what’s the difference between them all? Most all of these are general sublimation papers that will work for a variety of surfaces. There are OTHERS that get more specialized, but these SHOULD all work for most sublimation jobs.

Let’s take a look at a piece of A-SUB paper. This is the BACK side of A-SUB paper, which as the word “A-SUB” print on it — be sure to print on the other side of it. The “right side” of sublimation paper is the one that is pure white, without any printing on it.

So then how do you decide which is the best sublimation paper to use? One important thing I want you to pay attention to is the paper weight, like how A-SUB comes in a wide range of weights, including 125g, 120g, 105g, and ECO. These numbers refer to the WEIGHT of the paper.

A-SUB 125 g stands for 125 grams per square meter and it’s the heaviest sublimation paper. The heavier the paper and the thicker the coating, the better it will hold the ink and saturate your surface — if you want full color, vibrant designs, go for the heavier weight. This paper is my favorite and the go-to for nearly every project. It works great in my Epson printer, the printed image looks great, and has a true color. It also has a very high transfer rate, meaning that most of the sublimation ink will transfer from the paper to the surface. 125g sublimation paper also has a greater durability than the thinner paper, and it holds up under all the heat presses I’ve tried.

Tip: I’ve found the 120 g sublimation paper is just as good as the 125 g paper, and often less expensive!

If you use the 125 or 120 gram paper and get wheel marks, however, you may want a lighter paper, like 105 gsm. This heavier paper can also cause issues with rigid and hard surfaces (hard substrate), as the ink has no where to go and can blur or ghost — if this happens, again, go with a thinner paper.

A-SUB 105g is the one hundred and five gram paper, and it’s the lightest sublimation paper. So now you may be wondering why we’d want lighter paper if heavier gives the best and most saturated color. Well, it turns out that light sublimation paper like holds a little less ink and this is better when you’re making seamless designs, like our full-color sublimation doormat or even a sublimation tumbler. The lighter paper is ALSO better for some printers that can get wheel lines or pick up extra ink when going through the printer. For example, when I switched to 105 gram paper on my Epson Workforce, it worked much better. The catch with 105 gram paper is that it is more likely to curl with high temperatures, and it doesn’t do as well with heavy ink saturation — the low weight of the paper is more likely to cause moving, bleeding, and ghosting, And if your surface just looks dull and faded, like a T-shirt, it could also be related to the low weight of the paper — use the heavier paper to get more ink on it and more ink on your surface.

But what about the ECO paper by A-SUB? It’s basically less expensive sublimation paper. So if you’re doing a LOT of sublimation printing, you could use this, but it’s really only a little less money … I’m not sure it’s worth it, personally, unless you’re working in volume. I test out whether this paper is the same as the other papers in my video.

So WEIGHT of sublimation paper is a big factor. Another factor can be the compatibility of the paper with your printer. For example, TruePix paper is optimized to work with Sawgrass sublimation printers. It’s 120 grams and works on a variety of surfaces.

DyeMaster-R sublimation paper is optimized to work for Epson and it’s 105 grams. I am not sure why it’s so thin, but it could be because the Epson Workforce, which is one of the first printers people began converting to sublimation years ago, really needs a thinner paper.

Now, you may have heard of people using regular paper for sublimation, for example laser copy paper. It’s possible to use laser copy paper because it’s formulated to withstand the high heat of your heat press. The question is if inkjet heat transfer paper can hold and release the ink well enough, however.

So I thought we should do a TEST of six different papers — three A-SUB papers, TruePix paper, Laser Paper, and a regular Copy Paper, just so you can see what it looks like for each one. Here’s what each one looks like pressed onto polyester fabric (I used garden flag sublimation blanks):

The top results are what I think are the best sublimation paper — A-SUB 125G and A-SUB 105G. It’s always a good idea to do a test like this when you’re first learning to use your dye sublimation printer or are trying out a new sublimation project or special paper.

Get my Subliflower Design for free!

I also have a group just for sublimation crafting where you can get help and tips from other crafters who love to sublimate, too! Come join us at jennifermaker.com/sublimationgroup to ask questions, share ideas, and get inspired!!

I hope this helps you find the right sublimation paper for your next project. Watch for more sublimation tutorials and please ask any questions you have in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.

Love,

Choosing the Best Weight of Paper in Sublimation Printing

Introduction

Whether you desire to profit from your sublimation business or sublimation printing is just one of your many hobbies, you’ll want to use actual sublimation paper.

Sublimation paper usually has unique coatings to aid the printing process, unlike regular paper. This attribute often produces excellent image quality and brilliant finishing.

However, knowing to use this unique type of paper in the innovative sublimation printing method is not enough. It would be best to use the appropriate weight of sublimation paper.

What do we mean by the weight of sublimation paper? And how can you identify the precise weight for any specific printing task?

We’ll answer these questions in this guide. Then, you will learn how to identify the weight of any given sublimation paper product. And, we will direct you on learning to utilize the right paper according to your project’s needs.

Defining Paper Weight in Sublimation Printing

When buying any sublimation paper product, it is common to see relevant information about the brand name, paper size, amount of sheets packed, and the weight of the paper.

Perhaps the most critical information for you should be the weight of the sublimation paper. This information is crucial in sublimation printing, which we’ll discuss in detail as you read on.

Product pages usually denote the weight of a sublimation paper in units of g, or gram, or gsm. For instance, 120 g for the product shown below.

So, what does this product attribute mean?

120 g, or gsm, or gram, indicates the product’s weight per square meter of paper. This means the heaviness of the product before it is cut to size and packaged.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit transfer paper jumbo roll.

Examples of paper sizes are 8.5 by 11 inches or 11 by 19 inches, and manufacturers often pack papers in 50 or 110 sheets.

So, one square meter of a 120-gram product weighs 120 grams on the scale. This information is accurate for all other weights of sublimation paper.

Therefore, one square meter of 105 and 125 grams of sublimation paper weighs 105 and 125, respectively.

How Do You Choose the Right Paper Weight?

Now, you understand what the weight of a sublimation paper means.

It is necessary to comprehend what any sublimation paper’s weight indicates is not the final step. This knowledge requires that you use the printing paper according to its respective use.

Popular Opinions and Assumptions

Most printers opine that heavier sublimation papers are appropriate for sublimation projects that involve high color saturation. However, these projects often require a large volume of ink that may bleed through lighter sublimation papers.

Conversely, experts suggest you use lightweight printing papers in lighter sublimation projects. These may include more straightforward tasks of transferring minor designs to smaller items.

Asides from these opinions, you’ll find lots of information about the proper uses of sublimation paper at different weights.

So, how do we use sublimation paper in different weights appropriately?

Application of Lightweight Sublimation Paper

Firstly, the lighter sublimation papers refer to products that weigh between 105 grams to 113 grams.

Primarily, these papers find use in printing on fabrics with at least 30 percent of polyester content. These items include clothing items, curtains, and other textile products.

The possible print products are not limited to material items. For example, a printer can use light sublimation papers to design items such as ceramic mugs, key chains, and mouse pads.

When Do You Use Heavier Sublimation Paper?

Sublimation papers weighing between 120 to 125 grams make up the heavier weight group of papers.

Generally, they are applied in high-definition sublimation projects. These involve the creation of aluminum and MDF blanks.

In all, we can apply sublimation papers for diverse purposes. Different weights of paper may have advantages in specific situations, like heavier papers in high color printing projects.

Still, printers can interchange their purposes for various tasks. For instance, if you prioritize color and clarity in your final prints, lighter sublimation papers can serve your needs adequately.

Yet, a user cannot verify this benefit for all sublimation paper brands. That’s why we bring you the best sublimation brand; A-SUB.

A-SUB Sublimation Paper: The Standard Bearer

Light and heavy sublimation paper products have their applications in various tasks. Another

So, what makes A-SUB sublimation paper different from the rest of the market?

Microporous Multilayer Technology

Ink transforms from the solid state to a gaseous form in sublimation printing. Unlike traditional heat transfer printing that creates an additional layer, this change allows the printed material to absorb the ink seamlessly.

This form of design transfer is why the sublimation process involves the use of coated inkjet papers. These sublimation papers have a receptor layer to support receiving the inks and transfer them quickly.

Though they closely resemble regular print papers, coated papers provide a higher range of colors (especially for pigment-based inks), better image quality, excellent brightness, and ink stability, reducing ink bleeding.

There are two prominent types of sublimation paper in the market. We classify papers by the inherent coating technology that enables them to absorb the printing ink.

Swellable Paper

This sublimation paper is made by coating it with organic polymers, like gelatin. This coating swells up to surround the sublimation ink once the ink strikes the paper.

After the coating swells, only a thin layer of ink is directly exposed to air, protecting the rest of the ink. As a result, swellable coatings tend to produce either a glossy or lustrous finish.

Some positives to the swellable paper include an excellent image finish and increased print permanence as the coating isolates the ink drops.

However, swellable paper is more sensitive to contact with water and highly humid environments. Therefore, the produced print requires a much longer drying period, too.

This posed a problem as inkjet printers tended to print faster than the sublimation ink could dry. Consequently, another form of paper has gained prominence.

Microporous Paper

As a solution to the issue resulting from swellable papers, microporous coatings were developed to prevent the ink from spreading.

Microporous coatings are alumina or silica in tiny, inorganic particles that create voids or cavities in the coating. The sublimation ink is then absorbed into these cavities by capillary action.

As a result, microporous papers help produce rapidly drying prints that you can handle immediately. In addition, microporous papers have high resistance to moisture and humid conditions.

However, the open areas of the microporous coatings still expose the sublimation ink to contact with air. So, the prints are vulnerable to contact with contaminants in the atmosphere.

Microporous Multilayer Paper

Swellable and microporous papers yield designs with brilliant image quality and a vibrant finish. Still, each come with their obvious disadvantages in producing beautiful prints.

The heavier A-SUB sublimation papers are the most vibrant and most vividly colored sublimation paper around the globe.

The lighter A-SUB papers are not left out. These sublimation papers can withstand high-volume printing. And unlike sublimation paper products from other brands, they do not experience ink bleeding through the paper.

The key benefits of the A-SUB sublimation paper are:

Fast-drying, to allow immediate use of prints,
Multiple layers of the paper accommodate a wide range of sublimation ink,
Anti-transparent printing,
The excellent flatness of the design on the finished print,
The transferred designs are resistant to harsh weather conditions and prolonged washing.

Quality Product, Quality Brand

A-SUB sublimation paper products are of high quality. Not only in their benefits in application, but in the recognition by users and experts across the internet.

Top Sublimation Brand on Google

A-SUB is widely recognized as having the best products in the sublimation paper industry. A quick search on Google for the ‘best sublimation paper’ will reveal this fact.

A host of expert reviews and recommendations from industry professionals list the A-SUB brand at the top of their products lists.

As a consequence of widespread recognition in the online space, A-SUB converts many prospective buyers into brand customers. How do we know this?

Our Brand is #1 Best Seller on Amazon

Amazon is the most prominent digital marketplace in the world. This fact is highlighted by the number of users (buyers and sellers) that make the digital platform for conducting business operations.

On Amazon, A-SUB sublimation paper products are among the best-selling items in the dye sublimation paper category. This ‘Best Seller’ tag denotes that A-SUB paper products have a high amount of sales among sublimation paper products

Consequently, A-SUB has the best sales among sublimation paper producers that cater to Amazon’s far-reaching global audience.

Thus, you can see the remarkable exploits of A-SUB in the worldwide sublimation industry.

FAQs

Can A-SUB produce customized weights of sublimation paper?

The available sublimation paper products are 105 grams, 113 grams, 120 grams, and 125 grams in weight.

However, we can make our products to order according to customer requests. Some possible custom weights of sublimation paper that we can produce are 123 grams and 130 grams.

Can you sublimate on 100% cotton?

No. Sublimation printing works well on fabrics with a high polyester count.

Using A-SUB sublimation paper, though, you can print on materials with as low as 30 percent polyester.

Why does my sublimation print fade after washing?

The principle of sublimation paper denotes that the sublimation ink melts further at high temperatures.

So, if you print with a low-quality transfer paper, the ink will clean after washing and fade out gradually.

Conclusion

Using good quality sublimation paper leads to the creation of excellent print products. Not just good paper, but the correct weight of paper according to the needs of your projects.

And where can you get top-of-the-line sublimation paper? From the finest sublimation brand; A-SUB.

Our sublimation paper uses innovative technology that offers multiple benefits and stands out in the market. And this is true when you use either lightweight or heavier paper products.

Expert reviews and recommendations point to A-SUB as the go-to brand for first-rate, reliable sublimation paper.

So, what wait longer? Use quality A-SUB sublimation paper to produce brilliant prints today.

Want more information on 3.2m large format sublimation paper? Feel free to contact us.

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