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What is Dye Subliamtion.

Many people think that the dye sublimation process is a new technology but this is certainly not the case. Originating in the 1950's, dye sublimation technology has in recent times been revolutionised by its application with digital inkjet printing technology.

When invented it was found that synthetic fabrics such as polyester could not be coloured with the dying process used with natural fibres such as wool and cotton.

The process developed to colour synthetic fabrics was to place special dyes on a paper using screen print technology. This paper was then placed on the fabric in a heat press. When heat is applied to the dyes it goes from a solid to a gas without going through a liquid state, a bit like dry ice. The vaporised dye sublimates into the open pores of the fabric and when the heat is removed the dye solidifies thus dyeing it on a permanent microscopic basis. Any polyester garments such as football jumpers, swimwear, kids pajamas etc. are all coloured by this dye sublimation process.

The big was when the dyes have been refined to a stage that they can now be passed through the nozzles of standard ink-jet technology. This eliminated the cost prohibitive set up associated with traditional screen printing. This process was patented by Sawgrass Technologies Inc. worldwide, including Australia, USA and Europe. Artainium is a wholey owned subsidiary of Sawgrass and do not infringe on anyone intellectual properties giving you total piece of mind.

Beside its traditional use on synthetic fabric, dye sublimation can be used to decorate on a vast and growing array of polyester coated products. These coated items include ceramics, metal, wood, jewellery, clocks, coasters, mats, name badges to name a few.