Metal sublimation transfer printing process

2025,09,01

Metal sublimation transfer printing process

Core principle: Sublimation ink is in a gaseous state at high temperatures and can only be combined with polymer coatings (i.e. special treatment layers on metal surfaces), rather than with the metal itself.

1. Preparation of substrate: Metal products (such as aluminum plates, cups, keychains, plaques, etc.) must first undergo pre-treatment and be coated with a special thermal sublimation coating on their surface. This coating is the key to the success of transfer printing, as it is responsible for receiving gaseous ink.

2. Printing: Use sublimation ink to print a mirrored (reversed) pattern on metal transfer paper.

3. Transfer printing:

·Tightly adhere the Printed paper to the coated metal surface (usually fixed with high-temperature tape).

·Put it into a flat hot press or oven (for curved objects such as cups, a dedicated cup baking machine is required).

·Heat for a certain period of time (usually 60-120 seconds) under precise high temperature (usually 190-200 ° C) and high pressure (for flat plates).

·Ink sublimates into gas, penetrates paper fibers, and then reacts with the polymer coating on the metal surface, permanently curing.

4. Tear off: After heating, remove the item and tear off the transfer paper before or after cooling (depending on the coating type), and the pattern will be clearly presented on the metal surface.

Comparison between Textile Transfer Printing and Metal Transfer Printing

Characteristic textile transfer printing (such as polyester clothing) metal transfer printing

Metal, ceramic, glass, etc. with specialized polymer coatings on the surface of fabrics coated with polyester fibers or polyester coatings

Universal Sublimation Paper is sufficient for paper requirements, and special paper with extremely high transfer rate and low residue must be used for relatively loose requirements

Transfer printing equipment, drum hot stamping machine, flatbed machine (with relatively low pressure requirements), flatbed hot press machine (requiring uniform high pressure), oven, cup baking machine

Temperature/time approximately 180-200 ° C, 15-50 seconds approximately 190-200 ° C, 60-120 seconds (longer time required for the coating to fully react)

Medium to low pressure is sufficient to ensure complete adhesion between the paper and the hard surface

The finished product has a tactile pattern that is integrated with the fabric, and may have a slight or no tactile sensation. The pattern is completely smooth and integrated with the metal surface.

Author:

Ms. Esther Lin

E-mail:

jiangyinwanbang@outlook.com

Phone/WhatsApp:

+86 13915278820