How Sublimation Transfer Paper Works
Sublimation transfer paper is the intermediary carrier medium in the dye-sublimation printing process. Dye-sublimation (or "dye-sub") ink is printed onto the paper's coated surface using a standard inkjet printer equipped with sublimation ink cartridges. The paper holds the printed image in a dormant state until heat and pressure are applied in a heat press — typically at 180°C–210°C for 30–60 seconds depending on the substrate.
Under heat and pressure, the dye-sublimation ink undergoes a phase change from solid to gas (sublimation) and penetrates the polyester fiber or polyester coating on the receiving substrate, where it bonds permanently as the ink re-solidifies within the material. The result is a permanent, full-color image that is part of the substrate itself rather than sitting on top of it — producing prints with exceptional wash-fastness in textiles and scratch resistance on hard substrates.
The sublimation paper's coating formulation is critical to the quality of this transfer. The coating must hold sufficient ink volume without bleeding or spreading (ensuring sharp detail), release the ink efficiently under heat (maximizing ink transfer and color saturation on the substrate), and dry fast enough after printing to prevent paper cockle that can cause registration issues in continuous production rolls.
Subli-Mate offers two distinct paper grades optimized for the two primary sublimation market segments: Nova for high-volume textile and soft goods production, and S100 for precision transfer to hard substrates such as ceramic mugs, aluminum photo panels, and rigid polyester-coated items.
Important substrate compatibility note: Sublimation only transfers permanently to polyester content of 65% or higher in textiles, or to hard substrates that have been pre-coated with a polyester-receptive coating. 100% cotton, untreated metal, glass, and wood cannot permanently accept sublimation ink without specialized poly-coating pretreatment.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Subli-Mate Nova | Subli-Mate S100 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Application | High-speed textile sublimation | Precision hard substrate transfer |
| Paper Weight | 90–100 gsm | 100–120 gsm |
| Release Type | Fast-release coating (high-speed production) | Precision release coating (hard substrates) |
| Compatible Substrates | Polyester fabrics, soft signage, flags, sportswear | Ceramic mugs, aluminum panels, polyester mousepad, phone cases |
| Transfer Temperature | 180°C – 200°C | 190°C – 210°C |
| Drying Time | Fast-dry (reduces paper jam in production rolls) | Standard dry |
| Available Formats (Nova) | 44" and 64" roll widths x 100m | — |
| Available Formats (S100) | — | A4, A3 cut sheets; roll widths available |
| Compatible Inks | Dye-sublimation inkjet inks | Dye-sublimation inkjet inks |
| Color Transfer Accuracy | High — vivid fabric color output | Precision — accurate hard substrate color match |
Key Features of Subli-Mate Nova & S100
Fast-Dry Nova Coating for High-Speed Textile Production
Subli-Mate Nova's fast-dry coating absorbs dye-sublimation ink rapidly after printing, allowing the paper to be immediately rolled or stacked without smearing or ink offset onto adjacent sheets. This fast dry characteristic is critical for high-volume production operations using roll-fed sublimation printers producing sports jerseys, fashion textiles, and soft signage at continuous throughput.
Precision S100 Grade for Hard Substrates
Subli-Mate S100 is formulated for the exacting requirements of hard substrate sublimation — ceramic mugs, aluminum photo panels, polyester-coated drinkware, and rigid promotional items. The coating provides precise ink hold without spreading, ensuring sharp fine text and photo detail that transfers accurately onto rigid curved and flat surfaces under heat press pressure.
Compatible with Dye-Sub Inkjet Printers
Both Nova and S100 are designed for use with standard dye-sublimation inkjet printers — including Epson EcoTank and SureColor systems loaded with sublimation ink, Sawgrass SG500/SG1000, and compatible wide-format systems. No specialized printer hardware is required beyond standard sublimation ink compatibility.
Vivid Color Transfer Accuracy
The coating formulations of both grades are engineered for maximum ink transfer efficiency — ensuring that the maximum proportion of printed ink transfers to the substrate during the heat press cycle. Higher transfer efficiency produces more vivid, saturated colors on the finished substrate and reduces the risk of color inconsistency between print batches.
Primary Applications
Nova: Sports Jerseys & Athletic Apparel
Subli-Mate Nova is the production paper of choice for sports team jersey printing — the largest single application segment for sublimation in the Philippines. School team uniforms, corporate sports events, barangay basketball leagues, and national athletic organizations all require high-volume polyester jersey production. Nova's fast-dry roll format enables continuous production output on wide-format sublimation printers.
Nova: Soft Signage Flags & Fabric Banners
Sublimation-printed fabric flags and textile banners for retail display, trade shows, and outdoor soft signage installations require wide-format sublimation paper. Nova's 64" roll width accommodates the full fabric widths used in hanging textile banners and promotional feather flags — standard in Philippine shopping mall and event display systems.
S100: Ceramic Mugs & Drinkware
Personalized ceramic mugs are among the most popular sublimation promotional items in the Philippines — produced for corporate gifts, event souvenirs, school organizations, and personalized photo gifts. Subli-Mate S100 cut sheets (A4 format for standard 11oz mugs) deliver precise full-wrap graphics that align correctly around the mug circumference.
S100: Aluminum Photo Panels & Metal Prints
High-gloss aluminum photo panels and metal art prints are a premium sublimation product segment in the Philippines, used for photographic gifts, home décor, and corporate awards. S100's precision coating ensures photographic image detail transfers accurately onto the poly-coated aluminum surface without color shift or halation around fine detail areas.
Verdict: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Consistent ink release across production batches reduces color variation and waste on high-volume textile and hard substrate jobs
- Nova's fast-dry coating significantly reduces paper jam risk in continuous production roll-fed sublimation printing — protecting printer hardware and production uptime
- Both grades available from local stock in the Philippines through Kelin — eliminating import lead time for critical production material replenishment
- Two distinct grades optimized for their respective substrate categories — eliminates the compromise of using a single-grade paper across incompatible applications
Cons
- Sublimation only permanently transfers to polyester (65%+ polyester content for textiles) or poly-coated hard substrates — will not bond to 100% cotton garments, untreated metals, plain glass, or natural wood surfaces without specialized pretreatment
- Requires dedicated sublimation ink — standard pigment or dye inkjet inks will not sublimate under heat and will produce no transfer or a compromised transfer with washed-out color