Dye Sublimation Printing Guide

What is Dye Sublimation?

Introduction to Dye Sublimation Print at WSA (Login with University account to view):

Dye sublimation is the method of applying an image to specially coated products and polyester based materials, using a combination of sublimation ink, heat and pressure.

The application of print to material is initiated by heat and controlled with pressure and time.

The recommended Polyester content is 100% - you can use fabrics with less Polyester content however the print will appear paler and will be less colour fast when washed.

Heat Press

The print is applied to the polyester based fabrics using a Heat Press.
The largest Heat Press at WSA is located in Room 2045E.
Maximum dimensions are 140 cm x 80 cm.
This Heat Press will be available Monday - Friday 3.30pm - 4.00pm

Fashion Heat Press : 115 cm x 45 cm
PLEASE NOTE: induction is required before using this equipment.

Prepare your PDF file for upload to SnoWhite

  • Files can be complete images or supplied as a repeat.

Illustrator Seamless Patterns
Photoshop Seamless Repeat

  • Files can be any size - please specify dimensions in Snowhite message box. The price of print is for the full width of roll 1000mm. Please note maximum size of heat press.
  • The recommended colour space for this printer is sRGB.
  • If using Photoshop, you should ensure your file is FLAT.

The RGB Colour Book

The file below is printed onto sample fabrics in Creative Services it can be used to colour pick colour swatches in Photoshop and the RGB colour breakdown used to match in your digital artwork.

Remember the colour on screen is not necessarily the colour that will print on the fabric it is recommended that you do a 10 cm colour test strip prior to a full print. Click on the image to download.

colourBOOKRGBsmall.tif

Uploading to SnoWhite

Go to SNOWHITE.

  1. Login with your University username.
  2. Go to SUBMIT FILE and select 'Choose File'. You must upload a PDF. If you have multiple files that are going on the same media you can combine your PDFs using Acrobat or Preview; see this guide. Please ensure the PDF version is no higher than 1.4 (Acrobat 5.0).
  3. Select the TYPE & MEDIA. Selecting different types will filter the media drop-down.
  4. Set the COPIES. By default it will be 1, adjust if you need more.
  5. Media Specific Options:
    1. LENGTH (Fabric only). Input the exact length of your artwork.
    2. MOUNTED (Paper only). To have your print mounted on foamboard, at extra cost.
    3. BLACK INK (CTF only). Choose between 'Matt Black' and 'Photo Black'
  6. Add any relevant comments such as the source colour profile or custom dimensions, or leave blank.
  7. Set the PAYMENT METHOD. The default is ‘Online Store’, but you can select ‘Subproject Code’ if you have a budget code you want to use.
  8. Click SUBMIT JOB. Your PDF should start uploading. If there is a problem please follow the instructions provided in the error message or contact us for assistance.

Paying on the Online Store

First you must upload your job. Then you must wait for an admin to create a payment reference for your job. You should receive a notification email to indicate this, or you can check your SnoWhite MY PRINTS for a pending payment reference.

Go to SNOWHITE.

  1. Login with your University username.
  2. Go to MY PRINTS.
  3. Then under the heading 'Pending Payments' click PAY HERE.
  4. You will be taken to the Online Store where you must input the cost, add it to your basket and proceed to the checkout to pay for your job.
  5. When you have paid, a SnoWhite technician will check and confirm your payment and then they will set your payment reference to 'Paid' and any associated jobs will be moved to 'Processing' where production will commence.

Collecting your Job

When your job is complete it will have the 'Printed' status in SnoWhite. You can then make an appointment to collect your job: Book an Appointment

Collection locations:

FABRIC - Digital Textiles (1019E)
PAPER - Creative Services Centre (1071E)
SPECIALIST - Creative Services Centre (1071E)

Our ink and paper

Inks
Dyesub paper

Links for supplies

Sublimation Blanks & Consumables
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