Printing of Polyester: Sublimation and Inkjet
topic
Sublimation (transfer) printing of polyester: disperse dye printed on paper → transfer printed face-down on fabric under heat press (190–220°C, 30 s) → dye sublimes from paper and fixes into PET. Produces photographic quality, excellent wash fastness, no effluent. Limited to 100% polyester (not natural fibre blends). Digital direct-to-fabric (DTF) inkjet printing with disperse dye inks: print directly, dry, thermosol fix (200°C, 60 s). Screen printing with disperse paste used for volume production.
Role
Sublimation printing has revolutionised polyester fabric design for sportswear, signage, and fashion. Its mechanism — vapour-phase dye fixation driven by thermodynamics of disperse dye sublimation — is directly based on disperse dye chemistry.