More information about the Sublimation Rectangular Tiles

INDEX

> Description

> Dimensions/ Print area

> Recommended instructions and parameters for sublimation printing

› Recommendations

› With a heat press - Direct method

› With a heat press - Indirect method

› With a sublimation oven

DESCRIPTION

• Suitable for sublimation due to the polyester coating on one side
• Natural ceramic back
• It is possible to sublimate them with landscape or portrait orientation, depending on the desired design
• Printable with flat press or with sublimation oven

DIMENSIONS (APPROX.)

RECOMMENDED INSTRUCTIONS AND PARAMETERS FOR SUBLIMATION PRINTING

BEFORE STARTING THE SUBLIMATION PROCESS

If the tile has been stored in a cold place, moisture may have accumulated and this may affect the sublimation. In these circumstances, it is advisable to:

• Prepress o preheat the tile with the printable side up and protective paper at 175 ºC for 5-10 seconds, medium/high pressure
  
• Allow the tile to cool down before sublimation

RECOMMENDATIONS

• You can sublimate tiles with a flat press using either the direct method or the indirect method. We recommend testing to determine which of these methods gives the highest quality print. It will also allow you to adjust the sublimation parameters
• They may have irregularities on the printable side. If you decide to use the direct sublimation method with a heat press, in order to achieve an even transfer (1) after pressing, open the press and, without removing the tile, peel one corner of the paper (without removing it completely) (2) if the image has not transferred correctly, replace the paper and turn the tile 180°. Press again for another 50 seconds
• Pressing times should be increased the larger the tile is. For example, using the indirect method: 300-320 seconds for 15 x 20 cm tiles, 300-320 seconds for 25 x 20 cm and 320-360 seconds for tiles measuring 20 x 30 cm
• One sign indicating correct transfer time is minimal residual ink on the paper
• It is important to follow the colour profile guidelines of each ink manufacturer

WITH A FLAT HEAT PRESS - DIRECT METHOD

• Print the paper in mirror image and cut it out
• Preheat the press to 180 ºC
• Use a Nomex pad on the lower platen of the press to achieve an even heat distribution
• Place the printed paper on the tile and stick it with heat-resistant tape. Place the tile and paper with the printable side up on the press
• Press for 180 seconds, medium-high pressure . Depending on the size of the tile, you may need to adjust the pressing time
• With the help of a protective glove, remove the sublimated tile
• Peel off the paper carefully

WITH A FLAT HEAT PRESS - INDIRECT METHOD

• Print the paper in mirror image and cut it out
• Preheat the press to 180 ºC
• Use a Nomex pad on the lower platen of the press to achieve an even heat distribution
• Place the printed paper on the tile and stick it with heat-resistant tape. Place the tile and paper with the printable side down on the press
• Press for 300 seconds, medium-high pressure . Depending on the size of the tile, you may need to increase the pressing time slightly
• With the help of a protective glove, remove the sublimated tile
• Peel off the paper carefully

WITH A SUBLIMATION OVEN

• Print in mirror image the design you want to print on the tile
• Heat the oven to 175 ºC
• Place the printed design upside down on the white part of the tile and fix it with heat-resistant tape
• In case of using a 3D oven, insert the tile with the printable side facing upwards. Close the membrane and make the vacuum. Make sure no air bubbles remain on the surface
• Another option is to use heat shrink bags. With the help of a heat gun, shrink the design to the tile, removing all the air from inside the tile
• Close the oven and bake for 13 minutes
  
• Open the oven and remove the sublimated tile with the help of a protective glove
• Peel off the paper carefully