Autres blancs de sublimation

Sublimation blanks are products pre-coated with a polymer or polyester layer that accepts sublimation dye through heat transfer. Beyond mugs and apparel, popular sublimation blanks include phone cases, keychains, ornaments, puzzle panels, cutting boards, aluminium photo panels, coasters, mouse pads, tote bags, pillowcases, pet tags, and wood plaques. Joto's Other Sublimation Blanks collection covers specialty and niche items beyond the most common categories.

Aluminium sublimation panels press at 375–400°F (190–204°C) for 60–90 seconds at firm pressure. Aluminium conducts heat quickly and evenly, making it one of the most consistent sublimation substrates. Remove the panel from the press immediately after the dwell time and peel the transfer paper while still hot — aluminium cools rapidly and the ink will re-solidify in the paper rather than the substrate if you wait too long to peel.

Sublimation results vary significantly by substrate material and coating quality. Polyester-coated hard substrates (aluminium, ceramic, MDF) produce the most vibrant, detail-sharp results. Polymer-coated softgoods like tote bags and pillow covers produce good results on the coated surface but do not sublimate on uncoated areas. Always source blanks with a confirmed sublimation-grade coating — blanks marketed as 'sublimation ready' without coating documentation may have inconsistent or non-functional coatings.

A yellow tint in white areas of sublimation prints on hard substrates is caused by insufficient outgassing of the substrate during pressing. Some ceramic and coated wood substrates contain moisture or organic compounds that vaporise during pressing and stain the white areas yellow. Pre-press the blank at sublimation temperature for 15–20 seconds before placing the transfer to outgas the substrate surface, then apply the transfer and press at full dwell time. This single step eliminates yellowing on most hard sublimation blanks.

Sublimation prints on aluminium panels with a quality polymer coating typically last 3–5 years outdoors with minimal UV fading — comparable to digital print on vinyl with UV laminate. Keychains and small items see faster wear from mechanical abrasion and handling than UV exposure. Indoor sublimation blanks like coasters and photo panels are essentially permanent under normal indoor conditions, as there is no UV exposure or mechanical wear to degrade the dye bond in the polymer coating.

Custom sublimation blanks produced in-house carry a material cost of $0.50–$3.00 per item (blank plus ink and paper) and retail at $10–$40+ depending on the product. Pre-decorated items at wholesale typically run 50–70% of retail, leaving minimal margin for resellers. In-house sublimation production captures the full decorator margin and enables personalisation — the primary driver of premium pricing. Even at 20–30 pieces per week, the economics strongly favour in-house production over wholesale resale.

Print the design with a 2–3mm bleed beyond the case boundary to ensure full coverage without white edges. Use a silicone phone case mould or 3D vacuum press if available, which conforms the transfer paper to the case curvature under heat and pressure. For flat press sublimation on cases, secure the paper tightly to the case with heat-resistant tape on all edges, then press with a silicone pad on top to help the paper conform to minor surface contours during pressing.

Polyester-coated blanks use a woven polyester surface (common in softgoods like bags and pillowcases), which provides good sublimation results but with a slight fabric texture visible in the print. Polymer-coated blanks use a smooth, hard coating (common on ceramics, aluminium, and MDF) that produces sharper detail and more vibrant, high-contrast colour because the smooth surface reflects light evenly without fabric texture diffusion. For photographic reproduction quality, polymer-coated hard substrates consistently outperform polyester-coated softgoods.

Food-contact safety for sublimation blanks depends entirely on the blank manufacturer's coating specification, not on the sublimation inks. Sublimation dye is embedded within the polymer coating — not on the surface — but whether the coating itself is food-safe is a function of the coating chemistry. For mugs and drinkware, source blanks explicitly certified as food-safe. Sublimated cutting boards are decorative items and should not be marketed as food-safe surfaces for direct food cutting contact unless certified as such by the blank manufacturer.

Store sublimation blanks in their original packaging or sealed plastic bags in a clean, dust-free environment away from direct sunlight and humidity. Contamination of the coating surface with fingerprints, dust, or cleaning product residue causes white spots and adhesion failures in the sublimated print. Handle blanks with clean cotton gloves or by their edges. Wipe hard substrates with a lint-free cloth before pressing if they have been handled or stored for an extended period to remove surface debris before applying the transfer.