Sublimation printer — Epson SC-F100
Complete the online course before using the sublimation printer and mug press.
A4 printer with sublimation ink, for transferring prints with heat onto polyester fabric, polyester-coated mugs and blanks, and some plastics. Use with the heat presses.
Epson SC-F100 (manufacturer photo)
Location | Big room |
Access | |
Cost | 10 kr/page — pay in the webshop |
Max paper | A4 |
Driver | Installed on the Big room computers (download) |
How sublimation works
The ink turns straight from solid to gas at around 180 °C and gets trapped in plastic that becomes slightly porous at that temperature. The target must stay above 180 °C while the ink diffuses in.
Materials
Works | Doesn't work |
|---|---|
Polyester (best): fabric, thread, sequins, powder coat, sublimation coating, Mylar, some heat-transfer vinyl | Cotton, linen, wool, wood |
Polycarbonate: some cups and lunchboxes | Metal, glass, ceramic (unless polyester-coated) |
Polyurethane: wood finishes, faux leather, skateboard wheels, some HTV | |
Sublimation mugs and blanks (polyester-coated) |
Acrylic and nylon work in theory but most other plastics deform or discolour at these temperatures.
Tips
Temperature: ~190 °C for thin items; ~205 °C for thick items like mugs. Pre-heating thick items from the back helps.
Time: from ~40 s for thin items up to ~5 min for mugs.
Cooling: don't move the print until everything is below 180 °C, or you'll get ghosting.
Hot! Be careful.