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INKBANK R&D Team · Updated July 2026 · 12 min read
The only dye class capable of solid-to-gas transition at controllable temperatures. Molecular weight 250–450 g/mol. Vaporizes directly into polyester fiber at the molecular level.
Dye particles below 200 nanometers — smaller than visible light wavelengths. Passes cleanly through piezo printhead nozzles with no sedimentation or clogging during production.
Water-based formulation. No harsh solvents. OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT, ZDHC Level 3, GOTS 7.0 certified, plus heavy metal testing. Transfer paper is recyclable.
Ultra-high concentration formulation. Lower ink volume meets color requirements with a smaller carbon footprint.
The active ingredient in sublimation ink is disperse dye — the only dye class that transitions from solid to gas at controllable temperatures. Disperse dye molecules are small, between 250–450 g/mol. This is critical: molecules heavier than ~500 g/mol decompose before reaching sublimation temperature.
INKBANK sublimation inks are refined through nano-milling to below 200 nanometers — smaller than a wavelength of visible light. Particles this fine pass reliably through piezo printhead nozzles and do not settle or clog during production.
Water-based formulation with no harsh solvents. Certified to OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT, ZDHC Level 3, GOTS 7.0, and heavy metal testing. Transfer paper is recyclable. These certifications satisfy the supplier compliance requirements of brands including Zara, H&M, and Adidas.
Ultra-high concentration formulation delivers 80–120 m² per litre. High color density means less ink achieves the required color performance, with a correspondingly lower carbon footprint.
Disperse dyes are hydrophobic — they do not dissolve in water and do not bond with cellulose. They need the substrate to "open the door."
Thermoplastic polymer. At 180–210°C, polymer chains loosen and microscopic gaps appear. Gaseous dye molecules diffuse in. On cooling, the chains close and lock the dye permanently inside.
Hydrophilic. No thermoplastic behavior. No openings for dye. Sublimation ink on cotton washes out in one cycle. Cotton printing requires pigment ink or reactive ink instead.
Each CMYK color uses a different dye molecule, each with its own molecular weight and sublimation temperature range. Black — typically a blend of multiple disperse dyes — has the narrowest processing window. A 5°C temperature variation across the heat press platen can produce a visible color shift.
INKBANK engineers CMYK dyes with overlapping sublimation windows within a 10–15°C band. This keeps color consistent even with minor platen temperature fluctuation.
Print the ink onto sublimation transfer paper using a piezo inkjet printhead. INKBANK inks are formulated for Epson, Kyocera, Ricoh, Fujifilm, Konica Minolta, Seiko, and other printheads.
Place transfer paper face-down on polyester fabric or poly-coated surface. Misalignment beyond 1 mm causes ghosting. Secure with heat-resistant tape.
200°C, medium-to-firm pressure (2–3 bar / 30–40 psi), 35–60 seconds. Inside the press: solid dye absorbs heat → at ~180°C, skips the liquid phase → vaporizes → diffuses into opened polyester polymer chains.
As temperature drops, polymer chains close. Dye molecules are permanently encapsulated inside the fiber. There is no ink layer on the surface — the color is the fiber itself. That is why sublimation prints never crack or peel.
| Type | Process | Best For | INKBANK Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer | Print on paper → heat-press to fabric | Apparel, sportswear, mugs, promo items, soft signage | Ultra-High Con Sublimation Ink (80–120 m²/L) |
| Direct-to-Fabric | Print on pretreated polyester → calendar fixation | High-volume textile, roll-to-roll, home textile | High-Temp Disperse Dye Ink (no post-print washing) |
| Low-Temp Disperse | 180–190°C, 15–25 sec | Fashion apparel, indoor signage, promotional items | Standard sublimation formulations |
| High-Temp Disperse | 195–210°C, high wash & UV fastness | Sportswear, outdoor signage, automotive textiles, flags | High-Temp Disperse Dye Ink |
| Sublimation | DTF | DTG | Screen Printing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonding | Molecular — becomes fiber | Surface adhesive + powder | Surface pigment + binder | Surface plastisol / water-based |
| Hand-Feel | Zero | Slight texture | Soft | Thick, rubbery |
| Wash Fastness | Grade 5 | Grade 4–5 (50+ washes) | Grade 4 (40+ washes) | Grade 4–5 |
| Fabric Range | Polyester only | All fabrics | Cotton best | Most fabrics |
| Dark Fabrics | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cost per Print (A4) | $0.30–0.80 | $0.50–1.50 | $1.00–3.00 | $0.20–0.50 (bulk) |
| Equipment Entry | $2,000–10,000 | $3,000–15,000 | $8,000–25,000 | $5,000–50,000+ |
| Substrate | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 100% white / light polyester | Ultra-High Con Sublimation Ink | Polyester takes dye readily; no pretreatment needed |
| Polyester, outdoor / sportswear | High-Temp Disperse Dye Ink | Requires maximum wash and UV fastness |
| Polyester blends (PET > 65%) | Standard + higher pressure | Cellulose portion won't take dye; color 10–20% lighter |
| Poly-coated hard surfaces | Ultra-High Con Sublimation Ink | Coating acts as the receptor layer |
| Soft signage / flags / displays | Advertising Sublimation Ink | Outdoor UV resistance + wide color gamut |
| Cotton, silk, wool, nylon | Do not use sublimation | No polyester = no molecular bond; use pigment ink or reactive/acid ink |
| Printhead | INKBANK Ink | Viscosity |
|---|---|---|
| Epson I3200 / S3200 | Ultra-High Con Sublimation Ink | 3–5 cP |
| Epson desktop (EcoTank / L / ET) | Desktop Sublimation Ink | 2–4 cP |
| Kyocera KJ4B | Ultra-High Con Sublimation Ink | 6–12 cP |
| Ricoh Gen5 / Gen6 | Ultra-High Con Sublimation Ink | 5–8 cP |
| Konica Minolta / Seiko / Toshiba / Xaar | Custom formulation | Contact technical team |
| Production Scale | Formulation | Certifications Required |
|---|---|---|
| Small / DIY / Craft (1–50 units/day) | Desktop Sublimation Ink | Basic MSDS |
| Medium Print Shop (50–500 units/day) | Ultra-High Con Sublimation Ink | OEKO-TEX recommended |
| Industrial Textile (500–10,000+ m/day) | Ultra-High Con or High-Temp Disperse | OEKO-TEX + ZDHC Level 3 minimum |
| Export to EU | Full-certification formulations | REACH + OEKO-TEX + ZDHC + GOTS + Heavy Metal Testing |
| Export to US | Full-certification formulations | REACH + OEKO-TEX + ZDHC + GOTS + Heavy Metal Testing |
Tell us your substrate, printhead model, and production volume. We'll recommend the exact ink and ICC profile — free.
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| Product | Best For | Printhead | Key Spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-High Con Sublimation Ink | High-speed roll-to-roll textile | Epson I3200/S3200, Kyocera KJ4B | 80–120 m²/L |
| High-Temp Disperse Dye Ink | Wash-free polyester printing | Epson, Kyocera, Ricoh | Zero post-print washing |
| Advertising Sublimation Ink | Soft signage, flags, banners | Epson, Ricoh Gen5/6 | Outdoor UV resistance |
| Desktop Sublimation Ink | Small business, DIY, custom gifts | Epson L / ET Series | Plug-and-play + ICC profiles |
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