Sublimation is a process where a solid turns directly into a gas without passing through a liquid phase. This process is commonly used in printing, but it's not directly applied to ink itself.
While you can't sublimate ink itself, you can sublimate onto a surface that has ink on it. This is done using a sublimation printer and special sublimation ink. Here's how it works:
- Sublimation Ink: This type of ink is designed to be heat-sensitive. When heat is applied, the ink molecules transform into a gas and penetrate the surface of the material.
- Sublimation Paper: This paper has a special coating that allows the sublimation ink to transfer efficiently.
- Heat Press: A heat press applies controlled heat and pressure to the sublimation paper and the material you want to print on.
Examples:
- You can sublimate onto mugs, t-shirts, phone cases, and other materials with a special coating that accepts sublimation ink.
- Sublimation printing allows for vibrant, high-resolution, and long-lasting prints.
Therefore, while you can't sublimate ink itself, you can sublimate onto a surface that has ink on it using a specialized process.
