Can You Sublimate on Rayon? Rayon is well known as one of the trending substrates in the sublimation printing industry. So, yes… you can also sublimate on rayon, in addition to polyester. It is better to know how you can successfully apply the heating process into these delicate fabrics. As you are aware now, polyester is a synthetic fiber and best for sublimation printing. When it is compared to the rayon, it is a cellulose fiber just like cotton, which is not suitable for prints to last longer.
There are 2 ways to sublimate on Rayon.
01. Apply polyester coating on rayon substrates.
02. 30% rayon can blend with 70% polyester
In this case as you are not producing anything with 100% of rayon substrates, you can follow the second option to get best results on your works.
This will give you an idea of what you can capitalize on and increase the bottom line of your t-shirt printing store. You can press nylon with custom designs or personalization for your clients and customers.
Key points to remember:
- Rayon is likely to burn and scorch when you do sublimate process without polyester coating. The rayon has a smooth finish. It is expected to migrate within the fibers repeatedly and remove after a few washes in order to get a successful outcome.
- Rayon is likely to sit on the surface, although you applied a polyester coating onto it. Therefore, it cannot bond with the fabric properly and it will just remain on the top.
- If you get a good print on rayon, polyester coating and your image will wash out of the fabric after 4-5 washes.
Can You Sublimate on Rayon? These are the steps to sublimate on Rayon:
Can You Sublimate on Rayon? Material Needed:
- Heat press machine
- Rayon Substrate
- Desizer concentrate
- 1 Polyester Resin concentrate
- Water
- Measuring jar
- Sprayer
- Butcher papers
- Printed transfer
- Silicon pad
- Cardboard
Can You Sublimate on Rayon? See this process on how to sublimate on rayon:
● Step 1:
Take a measuring cup. For every 1 ounce of desizer concentrate, you should add 7 ounces of water and mix it. It turns into an 8 ounce. You can apply it up to twenty rayon fabrics. Get a spray and pour the mixture and shake well.
● Step 2:
Now you are ready to begin and repeat step 1 for preparing the polyester solution.
● Step 3:
Now, you can spray the desizer solution everywhere. Then heat will press against the nylon. You can check it by touching it until you feel it’s wet and comfortable.
● Step 4:
After checking, you need to get it over to the heat press and steam out the desizer. Keep in mind that, before applying the press, it is advisable to cover the nylon fabric with a thin and dry cloth. It is better if you can use a cotton one because dry cotton material will absorb moisture when you press it.
● Step 5:
At this point you can set the heat press temperature at 385F and press for 35 seconds carefully. You can see that steam coming out after 35 seconds. Now you are ready to put on the polyester coating.
● Step 6:
After steaming the desizer, you can spray the polyester coating into your image. It is important for you to make sure that the poly coat area is within the designer area. You can place the cardboard where you print the image as it gives you a guide to create spray borders and remove the cardboard and spray further across the entire print area.
● Step 7:
After spraying, you can fold the fabric and press it with your hands. It can get the polyester spray into the fibers of the nylon nicely. Then, unfold it and let it dry. You can also dry under a heat press if you want to do it quickly.
● Step 8:
You can press it, if you want to dry fast the poly coat under heat. Then just hovering underneath the heat press of the laid nylon fabric. Avoid heat platen touch the poly coat and let it be there for 5 minutes until the poly coat is dry.
● Step 9:
Now, it is time to apply the heat press. You need to cover the fabric with butcher paper and apply a heat press for 10 seconds at 385F. You have completed the first poly coat. Now, time to apply a second light coat. Then hover the heat press again to make it dry.
● Step 10:
Now you are almost done. After the second coat is dry, you can cover it with butcher paper and do a heat press to cure for 10 seconds. Happy news, now you are ready to sublimate it.
● Step 11:
Keep ready your printed transfer. Now put it on the pre-treated and cured area of the nylon fabric. It is best to place a silicone mat under a cloth slightly larger than the image, as this will help focus the heat on the area of the image and protect the rest from burning or scalding. Now, you are ready to put it on the heat press.
● Step 12:
After keeping everything ready, you can carefully place the printed transfer and butcher paper over it. Now, it will sublimate with a heat press at 385F for 70 seconds.
● Step 13:
After completing the heat press, you can remove the butcher paper. Now transfer slowly from one corner.
This is how you can do great and smooth print with Rayon as long polyester substrates. Although the steps may seem a bit long, it is very easy and quick to do and easy on one or two uses. Now, you can do more practice and make yourself confident enough to complete any printing orders successfully to attract more customers into your business.
FAQs: Can You Sublimate on Rayon
Does sublimation work with rayon?
Sublimation does not work well with rayon fabric. Rayon is a synthetic material made from cellulose fibers, and it doesn’t have the same polymer structure as polyester, which is commonly used in sublimation printing. Sublimation relies on a specific chemical reaction with polyester, making it unsuitable for use with rayon fabrics.
What materials can you not sublimate on?
Sublimation is not effective on materials that lack a high polyester content. Materials like 100% cotton, wool, and most natural fibers do not have the necessary polyester polymers to allow the sublimation ink to bond and create a permanent image. Additionally, sublimation doesn’t work well on dark-colored fabrics, as the dyes are typically transparent and will not show up on dark backgrounds.
Can you sublimate on poly cotton rayon?
Sublimation works best on materials with a high polyester content, such as 100% polyester fabrics or polyester-coated items. While poly-cotton-rayon blends may have some polyester in them, the dye sublimation process is less effective on these blends compared to materials with a higher polyester percentage.
What fabrics can you sublimate on?
Sublimation works most effectively on materials with a high polyester content, such as 100% polyester fabrics, polyester-coated items, and polyester blends with a significant polyester component. These materials have the necessary polymer structure to allow the sublimation ink to bond and create vibrant, long-lasting prints.
Conclusion: Can You Sublimate on Rayon
Can You Sublimate on Rayon? In conclusion, sublimation is not well-suited for rayon fabrics. Rayon lacks the high polyester content necessary for the sublimation process to work effectively, as the ink cannot properly bond with the fibers. While sublimation is an excellent method for vibrant and durable prints on polyester-rich materials, it’s important to choose your fabric carefully when considering this printing technique to achieve the best results.
