Sublimation Process

The sublimation process offers the ability to present one material as another using powder coating.

With sublimation you can apply almost any pattern onto a base coat of powder coating to transform the appearance of an object.

Sublimation powder coating is also referred to as heat transfer powder coating because of the process of heat transfer printing. This process is a sublimation process, which is a physical chemical transition of a pattern from transfer paper or film to a substrate which has been coated with a special powder coating designed to be the base colour of the sublimation.

Through this sublimation process countless effects and patterns are possible such as wood grain, stone finishes, special effects and even pictures can be transferred onto the surface.

A typical sublimation process would be;

1. Appropriate pre-treatment for the substrate.
2. Apply a sublimation powder coating.
3. Cure the sublimation powder coating.

The powder coating works as a base layer for sublimation ink to be transferred into.

1. Once the powder coating has cooled the item is then wrapped with transfer film. Air will be vacuumed from inside in order to make the film perfectly adhere to the object.
2. Film wrapped and vacuumed items are then cured in an oven where the sublimation inks are transferred from the film into the powder coated items.
3. After the curing is complete the items are removed from the oven. The transfer film is removed from the powder coating.
4. The items are now fully decorated and ready for any further actions (e.g. cutting, assembly, post-forming or packing).

Benefits of Sublimation:

• Offers amazing decoration and improved mechanical performance for the substrate.
• Excellent aesthetic appearance.
• Minimum maintenance of the finish.