Can You Sublimate On Plastic? (Explained!)

Q: Can You Sublimate onto Plastic Bottles?

Yes, you can sublimate onto plastic bottles, but only if they are made from polyester-based plastics or have a suitable polyester coating. Regular plastic bottles are often made from materials that cannot withstand the high temperatures required for sublimation.

Imagine you have a plain plastic water bottle or a phone case that you want to personalize with your favorite design or logo.

You might be wondering, “Can I use sublimation printing on plastic?”

If you’re new to sublimation, the idea of printing on plastics might seem challenging. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

In this article, we’ll explore ‘Can you sublimate on plastic’. We will also explore its possibilities, limitations, and the techniques involved.

Whether you’re a sublimation pro or a curious beginner, you’ll find valuable insights to help you make the most out of this unique printing method.

So, let’s get started!

Can You Sublimate on Plastic?

The short answer is: Yes, you can sublimate on plastic, but with some important caveats.

Sublimation printing on plastic is not as straightforward as printing on fabrics or other porous materials.

Can You Sublimate on Plastic — Image Credit: Amazon

Here’s why:

Most plastics are non-porous: Sublimation relies on the dye transferring into the fibers of the material. Since most plastics are non-porous, the dye cannot properly adhere, leading to poor adhesion, fading, or peeling of the design.
Heat sensitivity: The high temperatures required for sublimation (typically around 400°F or 200°C) can cause regular plastics to melt, warp, or release harmful fumes, making them unsuitable for this process.
Lack of dye bonding: During sublimation, the dye needs to turn into a gas and forcefully bond with the material’s fibers or porous surface. Since most plastics don’t have this porous structure, the print can result in poor color vibrancy.
Surface preparation challenges: Other fabrics often don’t require much preparation before sublimation printing. However, with plastics, the surface may need special coatings to create a receptive layer for the dye to bond with.

However, there are specialized plastics and coatings designed specifically for sublimation printing, allowing you to achieve vibrant and durable results on certain plastic products.

What Kind of Plastic Can Be Sublimated?

Not all plastics are created equal when it comes to sublimation printing. The key is to use plastics that are either:

1. Polyester based Plastic

Plastics made from polyester polymers, such as PET or PBT, are suitable for sublimation printing. The polyester fibers allow the dye to penetrate and bond effectively, resulting in long-lasting and vibrant prints.

Polyester-based plastics have a molecular structure that is similar to fabrics like polyester, which are commonly used for sublimation printing.

This similarity allows the dye to penetrate the material and create a strong bond, ensuring that the design is vibrant, durable, and resistant to fading or peeling.

2. polyester Coated Plastic

Some plastics are coated with a thin layer of polyester, creating a porous surface that allows the sublimation dye to adhere properly. This coating is often referred to as a “sublimation-friendly” or “sublimation-ready” coating.

The polyester coating acts as a receptive layer for the sublimation dye, allowing it to penetrate and bond with the material.

This coating is typically applied to plastics that are not inherently suitable for sublimation, such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or polycarbonate.

Pro Tip: When purchasing plastic blanks for sublimation, look for products specifically labeled as “sublimation-ready” or “polyester-coated.” This will ensure that you’re getting the right material for your sublimation project.

How to Sublimate Plastic

If you have the right plastic substrate, sublimating on plastic follows a similar process to sublimating on fabrics or other materials. Here’s a general step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare your design

Create your desired design or image using graphics software and print it onto sublimation transfer paper using a sublimation printer.

When preparing your design, it’s important to consider the size and shape of the plastic substrate you’ll be using. Make sure to adjust your design accordingly to ensure proper fit and alignment.

For sublimation printing, you’ll need to use sublimation inks and transfer paper. These inks are designed to vaporize and penetrate the material during the high-temperature sublimation process, ensuring vibrant and long-lasting results.

2. Preheat the heat press

Set your heat press to the recommended temperature for the specific plastic substrate you’re using, typically between 350°F and 400°F (175°C to 205°C).

Proper temperature control is crucial for successful sublimation printing on plastic. If the temperature is too low, the dye may not fully vaporize and transfer properly, resulting in a faded or incomplete design.

On the other hand, if the temperature is too high, it can cause the plastic to warp, melt, or release harmful fumes.

Note: It’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for temperature settings, as different plastic materials may have varying heat tolerances.

3. Position the transfer paper

Place the printed side of the sublimation transfer paper face-down onto the plastic substrate, ensuring proper alignment.

Alignment is key to achieving a clean and professional-looking print. If the transfer paper is not properly positioned, you may end up with a misaligned or distorted design.

To ensure accurate alignment, some sublimation printers or heat presses may have built-in alignment guides or markers to help you position the transfer paper correctly.

4. Apply pressure and heat

Place the plastic substrate with the transfer paper onto the heat press, and apply the recommended pressure and time settings for your specific material.

Pressure is another critical factor in the sublimation process. Applying the right amount of pressure helps ensure that the transfer paper makes full contact with the plastic substrate, allowing for even and consistent dye transfer.

The required pressure settings can vary depending on the plastic material and the size or shape of the substrate. For example, larger or thicker items may require higher pressure to ensure proper dye transfer across the entire surface.

5. Remove and cool

After the specified time, carefully remove the substrate from the heat press and allow it to cool completely before peeling off the transfer paper.

Rushing the cooling process can potentially damage or distort the design, so it’s important to be patient and let the plastic substrate cool down to room temperature before attempting to remove the transfer paper.

Once cooled, you can gently peel off the transfer paper at a low angle to reveal the sublimated design on the plastic surface. Be careful not to scratch or damage the design during this process.

Pro Tip: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific plastic substrate you’re using, as temperature, pressure, and time settings can vary.

Frequently asked questions

Below are a few frequently asked questions to help you further:

What Temperature Does Plastic Sublimate At?

The ideal temperature range for sublimating on plastic is typically between 350°F and 400°F (175°C to 205°C).
However, the exact temperature may vary depending on the specific plastic substrate and the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Can You Sublimate onto Plastic Bottles?

Yes, you can sublimate onto plastic bottles, but only if they are made from polyester-based plastics or have a suitable polyester coating.
Regular plastic bottles are often made from materials that cannot withstand the high temperatures required for sublimation.

How Do You Permanently Print on Plastic?

To achieve permanent prints on plastic, you need to use a specialized printing method like sublimation or screen printing.
These methods allow the ink or dye to bond with the plastic at a molecular level, ensuring long-lasting and durable results.

Wrapping Up

Sublimation printing allows you to create vibrant and long-lasting designs on certain types of plastic materials. Most regular plastics are not suitable for sublimation because they are non-porous and can’t handle the high heat required.

So while sublimating on plastic has some challenges, it opens up exciting possibilities for personalizing items like water bottles, phone cases, and more with your favorite designs!

Now it’s your turn, have you tried sublimation printing on plastic before? What other questions do you have about this process? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

If you found this guide helpful, please share it with others who might be interested in learning about sublimating plastic materials.