These are few factors to be considered while choosing the right sublimation transfer paper.

Link to Million Ton

Ink Capacity and Limits

This is an important factor, higher the ink limit (wet), the heavier the paper should be to accept moisture from the ink without any disturbances like curling and warping.

Ink Pattern

This explains the printing of a very complex design artwork that has mixed heavy and light ink input. This is faced with low-weight papers, with the occurrence of curling and shifting after pressing. To eliminate this the best solution is using 110gsm or more that accept heavy and light inks.

Roll to Roll, or Roll to Sheet

Calendar heat press prefers low-gsm papers. But in heavy ink, limit and capacity are to be considered wisely. Here we consider the limitations of high-capacity production and consequences like warping and curling.

Print Speed

The quality of the paper to be produced depends on what speed it is being printed. Fast printing produces lightweight paper, slow printing produces thick paper.

Low humidity: In the humidity under 45%, it’s better to choose 80gsm. When in low humidity, the paper shrinks, and the print side is hunched up. During the process, the paper absorbs ink, which leads to the “hunch-up”. 100g and 120g paper are harder than 80g, so the “hunch-up” damages the print head. 80gsm is softer, it could relieve the “hunch-up” and protect your print head from damage.

High humidity: In the humidity above 70%. It’s better to choose 110-120 gsm. Since the paper is very easy to become damp with high humidity, it will become softer and stiffness is weak at the same time. If low-weight paper is used, it will be hard to print smoothly because the stiffness and hardness go down. At this time, 110-120 gsm is the best choice.

Apparel: Lycra materials, cycling, Polyamide, Swim & Surfwear, 100% polyester (stretch), running, ice hockey wear, Sports and functional textiles.

Home Usages: Curtains, Blinds, Cushions, Table Covers, Towel Cleaners, etc.

Advertisement: Flags, Banners, Felts, Gaming tables, Home Textiles.

Sublimation paper applies to sublimation transfer, on which one can print images with mirror reversal through inkjet printing, flat printing, screen printing, and gravure printing. Then transfer the image onto the media by heating and pressuring, which makes the ink on the paper become a gaseous state and combine with the media.

Heat transfer paper is applicable to heat transfer, on which images can be printed through flat printing or gravure printing, and then combined with media by heating and pressuring to transfer the image onto media.

Ink and Media
Ink: Sublimation paper is used with sublimation ink. Heat transfer paper is used with sublimation ink, pigment ink, solvent ink or others. Media: Sublimation paper can be transferred onto polyester, mouse pads, banners and hard surfaces, such as mugs, ceramic and aluminium plates. But heat transfer paper is usually transferred onto cotton.

Successful dye sublimation requires the following two-part process:

• Printing graphics onto special transfer paper using sublimation inks.
• Using a heat press to transfer the ink-on-paper to the item to be designed.

Small Format Heat Press

Are you interested in learning more about Sublimation Paper For T-shirt Printing? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

This device is used if you’re planning to sublimate on t-shirts and small items such as caps, mugs, plates, and shoes.

Calendar Heat Press

These heat presses are large format presses that are built for flags, large exterior banners, and other large soft-signage applications, as well as day-to-day soft signage and fabric sublimation. With the addition of a table attachment to your calendar unit, users can cut and sew apparel pieces.

Flatbed Heat Press

Although they can’t effectively manage the kind of rolls and fabric sizes that a Calendar heat press can, flatbed style heat presses are versatile presses that can heat transfer onto fabric as well as aluminium, hardboard, floor mats and other unique media.

3D Vacuum Heat Press

A 3D vacuum heat press is a compact desktop machine that allows heat transfer onto materials with a curved edge or shape. Sublimation blanks and pre-treated objects, such as smartphone covers, mugs, picture frames, sporting goods, buttons and others available for sublimation by this device.

Sublimation Paper Comparison: Which is best?

This post and photos may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Any supplies used may be given to me free of charge, however, all projects and opinions are my own.

I thought I would do a sublimation paper comparison after converting an Epson printer to a sublimation printer. I have really enjoyed getting into sublimation crafts and wanted to make sure I was using the best paper possible. Is there any difference between sublimation papers? Does one work better than another? Let’s find out!

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Sublimation Paper Comparison

Want to see my entire comparison on video? You can just click play below to watch!

Can’t watch the video or missed some of the steps? You can also read more about the comparison below.

Supplies needed:

I am comparing three different brands of sublimation paper. They are as follows:

• A-Sub
• Printer’s Jack
• DyeMaster (no longer available)

The other supplies I am using for this comparison are:

• Shirt Blank
• Protective Paper
• Heat Resistant Tape
• Heat Press
• Hiipoo Sublimation Ink
• Free Unicorn Image (the one used below is no longer available, but you can search “Unicorn” and find something similar)

How I Compared the Papers

Here are the steps that I used to compare the three papers:

1. Print the same unicorn design on each of the three papers using the same printer with the same settings. I mirrored all three as well.
2. Took note of any issues with printing as well as how the unicorn looked when printed.
3. Pressed all three unicorns on the same blank with the same heat press.
4. I pressed these one at a time with exactly the same settings and was very careful not to get the heat press on the unicorns that were already on the shirt.
5. Then compared the unicorns themselves to each other to look for differences in appearance and quality.

What is the best sublimation paper?

So, after pressing, what are my results? Let’s take a look at each paper and how it performed:

• A-Sub – paper has writing on the back so you can tell the difference between the front and back. I had zero issues with printing and pressing. Overall, great quality.
• Printer’s Jack – paper is a different color on the back which helped to tell the difference between the front and back. Again I had zero issues with printing and pressing.
• DyeMaster – this paper has no way to really differentiate between the front and back when you take it out of the package. The print looked a little weird when printed but it pressed fine.

Overall I didn’t have any major differences between the three brands. So, which should you choose? Which is the best paper for sublimation? With current pricing, Printer’s Jack is more affordable than A-Sub so that is what I would choose currently. I am NOT a fan of the DyeMaster simply because it is hard to tell the front from the back.

Hopefully, this sublimation paper comparison helps you decide what paper to use in your printer.

If you haven’t already, check out my conversion of an Epson Eco-Tank printer to a sublimation printer. You can also see my favorite sublimation blanks here as you get started with dye sublimation. Between all of those posts and this sublimation paper comparison, you should be ready to jump in!

How to Use Flocked HTV on Your Crafts Learn how to use flocked HTV with your Cricut machine. We are covering how to cut it, apply it, and even add sublimation ink over it! Read More Sublimation Stamped Coasters You’ll love learning how to use a sublimation stamp pad to create custom projects! Grab your stamps, sublimation ink pad and start creating! Read More Tumbler And Mug Sublimation Using An Oven If you’re looking for a custom mug. you will want to know how create mug sublimation in an oven! You’ll have custom mugs in no time! Read More How to Make a Sublimation Grocery List Board Get this free kitchen SVG file to make a dry erase board grocery list to organize your kitchen! Perfect for using with your Cricut! Read More

About Angie Holden

For over a decade, I have been sharing Cricut tutorials and craft ideas here as well as on my YouTube channel. My passions include teaching others to be creative and learning as many new things as possible about crafting technology! Click here to read more about me!

For more 100gsm Sublimation paper sheetsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.