Sublimation Tiles - Square

More information about the white square sublimation tiles

INDEX

> Description

> Things to keep in mind

> Dimensions/ Print area

> Recommended instructions and parameters for sublimation printing

› Recommendations

› Remarks

› With a heat press - Direct method

› With a heat press - Indirect method

› With sublimation oven

DESCRIPTION

• We offer both European and non-European tiles, the only difference being the size
• Our white sublimation tiles have a high-quality polyester coating, which gives them maximum print durability and uniformity
• With these blank tiles, you can print photos as personalised gifts or you can also create decorative elements if you customise them with motivational or funny phrases, quotes or beautiful images. You can even create an eye-catching collage made up of several tiles
• If you live in a tourist area, you can also make souvenirs with the most representative images of your city
• Suitable for sublimation because of their polyester coating on the glazed side
• Natural ceramic backside
• Can be personalised with a flat heat press or sublimation oven
• Depending on the batches, they may have small irregularities on their surface, which you can avoid thanks to the Nomex pads, which you will find in Related Products. You will also find heat shrink bags in case you want to sublimate them in the oven

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

• The 4.5 x 4.5 cm tile (Ref. 049932) is slightly more yellowish than the other tiles

DIMENSIONS / PRINT AREA

RECOMMENDED INSTRUCTIONS AND PARAMETERS FOR SUBLIMATION PRINTING

BEFORE STARTING THE SUBLIMATION PROCESS

If the tile has been stored in a cold place, it is possible that moisture has accumulated and this can affect the sublimation. In these circumstances, you should:

• Pre-press or pre-heat the tile with the printable side up and protective paper at 175ºC for 5-10 seconds, medium/high pressure
  
• Let the tile cool before sublimating it

RECOMMENDATIONS

• These tiles can be sublimated with a flat heat press using either the direct or the indirect method. Testing is recommended to determine which of these methods produces the highest quality print. Also, testing will allow you to make adjustments to the sublimation parameters
• The larger the tile, the longer the pressing time should be. For the indirect method: 300 seconds will suffice for tiles measuring 10 x 10 cm, 320-350 seconds for 15 x 15 cm tiles and 360-400 seconds for 20 x 20 cm tiles
• The amount of residual ink on the paper is a sign that the transfer process has taken the right amount of time
• It is important to follow the colour profile guidelines of each ink manufacturer
• Tiles may have irregularities on the printable side. If you decide to use the direct sublimation method with a heat press, the following is recommended for a homogeneous heat transfer: (1) once the pressing time is over, open the press and without removing the tile, lift the paper slightly from one corner (without removing it completely); (2) if the image has not been transferred correctly on the surface of the tile, replace the paper and turn the tile 180º. Press again for another 50 seconds

REMARKS

• Ref. 000205 is a mesh-backed tile It should be removed before sublimating the tile to prevent it from burning during the heat transfer process
• In tests carried out with the Ref. 000083 tile, we have obtained good results with the following parameters: 180ºC/medium-high pressure/180 s (direct method) and 180ºC/medium-high pressure/700 s (indirect method)

WITH A FLAT HEAT PRESS - DIRECT METHOD

• Print the paper in mirror image and trim it
• Preheat the press to 180ºC 
• Use a Nomex pad on the lower platen of the press for even heat distribution
• Place the printed paper on the tile and fix it with heat-resistant tape. Place the tile and paper with the printable side up on the press
• Press for 180 seconds, medium-heavy pressure. You may need to adjust the pressing time slightly depending on the size of the tile
• Using a protective glove, remove the newly printed tile
• Peel off the paper carefully

WITH A FLAT HEAT PRESS - INDIRECT METHOD

• Print the paper in mirror image and trim it
• Preheat the press to 180ºC 
• Use a Nomex pad on the lower platen of the press for even heat distribution
• Place the printed paper on the tile and fix it with heat-resistant tape. Place the tile and paper with the printable side up on the press
• Press for 300 seconds, medium-heavy pressure Depending on the size of the tile, you may have to increase the pressing time slightly (see Recommendations)
• Using a protective glove, remove the newly printed tile
• Peel off the paper carefully

WITH A SUBLIMATION OVEN

• Print in mirror image the design you want to print on the tile
• Preheat the oven to 175ºC
• Place the printed design face down on the white side of the tile and fix it with heat-resistant tape
• If you use a 3D oven, place the tile with the printed side facing upwards. Close the membrane and create a vacuum. Make sure that no air bubbles remain on the surface
• Another option is using heat shrink bags. With the help of a heat gun, shrink the design to the tile, removing all the air from inside
• Bake for 13 minutes
  
• Open the oven and take out the freshly sublimated tile with the help of a protective glove
• Peel off the paper carefully