So, you're entering the wonderful world of T-shirt making and personalized garments - that's exciting! You may be asking yourself which garment decoration method is better: heat transfer paper or sublimation printing? The answer is that both are great! However, the method you go with depends on your needs and what you're looking to do. Plus, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's dig into the details to help you decide which is the right fit for you and your business.

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The Basics of Heat Transfer Paper

So, what is heat transfer paper exactly? Heat transfer paper is a specialty paper that transfers printed designs to shirts and other garments when heat is applied. The process involves printing a design onto a sheet of heat transfer paper using an inkjet or laser printer. Then, you place the printed sheet on your T-shirt and press it using a heat press (in certain cases, a home iron will work, but heat presses provide the best results). After you've pressed it, you peel away the paper, and your image adheres nicely onto the fabric. Great - you now have a custom T-shirt! That was easy, right?

Garment decoration via heat transfer paper is super easy and carries one of, if not the lowest, start-up costs in the industry. In fact, many decorators get their start using nothing more than the printer they already have at home! A few other important notes about heat transfer paper is that most papers work on both cotton and polyester fabrics - while you'll learn that sublimation only works on polyesters. In addition, heat transfer papers are designed to work for either dark or light-colored garments while sublimation is exclusively for white or light-colored garments.

Ok, How About Sublimation

The sublimation process is quite similar to that of heat transfer paper. Like heat transfer paper, the process involves printing a design onto a sheet of specialty paper - sublimation paper in this case - and pressing it to a garment with a heat press. The difference lies in the science behind sublimation. Ready to get science-y?

Sublimation ink, when heated, turns from a solid to a gas that embeds itself into the polyester fabric. When it cools, it goes back to a solid and becomes a permanent part of the fabric. This means that your transferred design adds no additional layer on top, so there's no difference in feeling between the printed image and the rest of the fabric. This also means that the transfer is incredibly durable, and under normal conditions, the images you produce will last as long as the product itself.

Bonus! Sublimation not only works on polyester fabrics - it also works on a wide variety of hard surfaces with a poly-coating. This opens up an entirely new world of items you can customize - coasters, jewelry, mugs, puzzles and much more.

Heat Transfer Paper vs. Sublimation

By now, we hope you have the gist of heat transfer paper and sublimation, so let's get down to the nitty gritty and compare these two garment decoration methods in a few important areas.

Startup Costs and Equipment Requirements

Garment decoration via heat transfer paper is one of the least expensive methods for starting out. To get started, you will need an inkjet or laser printer (which you may already have), a heat press, heat transfer paper, and the shirts or garments you'd like to decorate. That's it! A hobbyist heat press will typically run you around $300, and that will be your biggest initial investment. If you don't already have a printer, we would recommend an inkjet printer with pigment based ink for starting out - such as the Epson EC-

Sublimation carries a higher start-up cost than heat transfer paper, but that cost has greatly come down in recent years. Sublimation starter packages such as the Sawgrass SG500 contain everything you need to start sublimating - minus the heat press - at a very affordable price. This includes the sublimation printer, sublimation paper, essential software and a sample pack of products you can sublimate. Outside of this, all you need is a heat press, and a hobbyist heat press starts around $300.

For additional information and help picking out your first sublimation printer, check out our other blog, "Which Sawgrass Sublimation System is Right For You?"

Durability and Feel

Sublimation uses a process where the ink becomes part of the fabric rather than adding a layer on top. This results in a transfer that is unmatched in both durability and feel. On the other hand, heat transfer paper adds a layer on top of the garment. This additional layer can be physically felt and is less durable than sublimation and can become faded and cracked over time with numerous wash cycles.

It is important to note that heat transfer papers are not created equally, and you will find some that offer a softer feel and greater durability than other transfer papers. For folks just starting out with an inkjet printer, we recommend JET-PRO Soft Stretch for its soft texture and great durability.

Types of Garments You Can Decorate

With sublimation, you're more limited in the types of fabrics you can decorate compared to heat transfer paper. First, sublimation only works with polyester fabrics. No 100% cotton! This is because sublimation ink only binds to polyester material. You can get away with sublimating on some poly-cotton blends, but the transfer will not be as bright and vibrant as when you use 100% polyester. Because sublimation adds no extra layer on top of the fabric, the material also needs to be white or very light-colored for your transfer to show.

On the other hand, with heat transfer paper, you can decorate on light and dark-colored cotton, polyester and cotton-poly blends.

While heat transfer paper may be the clear winner on the types of fabrics (material and color) that you can decorate, remember that sublimation can also be used on a wide range of hard and soft surface substrates. For the most part, heat transfer paper cannot.

Other Factors to Consider

Colors You Can Produce

Sublimation allows you to print full colors, which is especially great if you are wanting to print photos or have customers that need a very specific color (such as for a company logo). Depending on what type of heat transfer paper you use - inkjet or laser - you may not be able to achieve the same full-color, photo-quality transfers as with sublimation.

For photo-quality prints with heat transfer paper, your best bet will generally be inkjet heat transfer paper for light-colored garments or laser heat transfer paper printed with an OKI white toner laser printer. For more information on this topic, check out our other blog, "3 Things You Must Know Before Buying Heat Transfer Paper."

Weeding

Sublimation is also naturally self-weeding as only the ink is transferred to the fabric. The process is easy as printing, pressing, peeling!

Most heat transfer papers are not self-weeding with the exception of "two-step" laser transfer papers such as FOREVER Laser Dark. With heat transfer paper, a transfer layer carries the print to the garment, and unless you want a noticeable background the shape of the paper on your T-shirt, you will have to trim around the image with scissors or a cutting plotter.

On transfer papers for light-colored garments, the transfer layer is clear and mostly invisible, and trimming is optional. However, if you don't trim it, you will be able physically feel the transfer layer even where the image is not present. On "one-step" transfer papers for darks, unprinted areas will show a white background, so trimming is essential.

Bottom Line

Heat Transfer Paper vs. Sublimation Printing: The Ultimate Guide

The debate between heat transfer paper and sublimation printing is ongoing for small and medium print shops looking to create stunning, full-color designs on various substrates. But what's the ideal technique for your enterprise?

In this blog post, we will dive deep into heat transfer paper and sublimation printing, exploring their advantages, comparing their differences, and evaluating cost considerations. So, buckle up as we take a closer look at these two popular printing techniques!

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1. Heat Transfer Paper: Advantages

Heat transfer paper is perfect for small and medium print shops looking to produce vibrant, full-color prints quickly and cost-effectively. This fantastic option offers numerous advantages:

Wide Range of Applications

Digital heat transfer paper is suitable for most standard office printing equipment, including Color Laser Copiers, Color Desktop Laser Printers, and Color Ink Jet Printers. It can be applied to items like T-shirts, bags, wood boxes, and even mugs.

Compatible with Most Printers

Heat transfer papers are compatible with most desktop inkjet or laser printers, eliminating the need for specialized equipment.

Affordability at Its Finest

Heat transfer paper is cost-effective compared to other printing methods, enabling small businesses to produce quality personalized goods without straining their budgets. The materials are readily available and easy to source.

2. Sublimation Printing: The Ultimate Solution for Top-Notch Quality and Durability

Sublimation printing might just be the answer if you're looking for a process that elevates your printing game. Let’s break down its incredible benefits:

Superior Image Quality

Sublimation printing produces detailed images with exceptional color accuracy and vibrancy on polyester fabrics and coated items. Intricate designs come out looking sharp and true-to-life.

Unmatched Durability

With sublimation printing, the ink dyes the substrate and becomes part of the printed product, ensuring that colors remain vibrant and withstand multiple washes.

Versatility Galore

Sublimation opens a world of possibilities for your print business, allowing you to create designs on mugs, water bottles, cases, and pillowcases.

Eco-Friendly Printing

Using water-soluble dye-based inks, sublimation printing is much more eco-friendly than many other methods that utilize solvents or petroleum-based films.

Eager to learn more? Check out our comprehensive guide on sublimation printing!

3. Heat Transfer Paper vs. Sublimation Printing: Comparison

Let's explore the distinctions between these two techniques to decide which is most suitable for your print shop.

Quality & Detail

Sublimation printing allows for more detailed images with greater color accuracy compared to heat transfer paper.

Durability & Longevity

Sublimation printing results in prints that are more resistant to fading, cracking, or peeling over time than those from heat transfer paper.

Ease of Use & Setup Time

• Heat Transfer Paper:
  1. Easier setup—just print your design and apply it using a heat press.
  2. Ideal for beginners with minimal learning curves.
• Sublimation Printing:
  1. Requires an initial investment in equipment, including a dye-sublimation printer and special inks, but the benefits outweigh the initial costs.

Suitable Materials & Applications

Heat transfer paper works best on cotton or polyester blends, while sublimation printing is better for coated substrates, including ceramics, metal sheets, and glass panels.

In summary: If quality and durability are priorities, go with sublimation printing. For ease of use and quick setup, heat transfer paper might be a better fit.

Cost Considerations: Finding the Right Balance for Your Print Shop

Cost is an essential factor when selecting between heat transfer paper and sublimation printing. Let's break down the financial aspects of both options.

Heat Transfer Paper: The Budget-Friendly Choice

If affordability is key, heat transfer paper is a great option. It requires minimal setup and produces vibrant colors with low-cost materials like Joto's Heat Transfer Paper.

Sublimation Printing: Investing in Quality & Durability

If high-quality prints are a priority, sublimation printing could be worth the investment. While it has a higher upfront cost, the long-term benefits can outweigh these initial expenses.

Finding Your Perfect Balance

The key is finding the right balance between affordability and design quality based on your business needs. If short-term savings are crucial, heat transfer paper is ideal. However, if investing in high-quality prints is essential, consider sublimation printing.

FAQs: Heat Transfer Paper vs. Sublimation Printing

Which is better: Heat Transfer Paper vs. Sublimation Printing?

The choice depends on your specific needs and what you intend to decorate. Heat transfer paper works on various fabrics but may have limited print quality compared to sublimation, which offers higher quality and durability on polyester or coated materials.

What is the difference between heat transfer screen print and sublimation?

Direct Screen Printing applies liquid ink directly onto fabric, while Sublimation uses heat-sensitive inks that bond with polyester fibers. Sublimation provides more vibrant colors and durability without the risk of peeling or fading.

Can you use regular printing paper for sublimation?

No, regular printing paper can't be used for sublimation. Sublimation printing paper has special coatings that allow for proper dye transfer.

What are the disadvantages of sublimation printing?

Sublimation has limitations; it only works well on light-colored polyester fabrics or specially coated substrates. Other methods may provide better results on dark fabrics.

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