introduction to hard surface sublimation...sublimation? •sublimation involves a substance that...

Introduction to Hard Surface Sublimation

Matt Woodhouse

Peggy Waters

Universal Woods, Inc.

1/13/2017 www.issshows.com/ 2

What Exactly is Sublimation?

• Sublimation involves a substance that changes from a solid to a gas without ever becoming a liquid.

• In the hard-surface sublimation industry, the substance is the ink on transfer paper, which becomes a gas with heat and pressure from a heat press, then becomes a solid when it is fused into the surface of the coated product.

• Combines 3 variables

– Heat

– Time

– Pressure


What Can You Make with Sublimation?

• Jewelry

• License Plates

• License Plate Frames

• Magnets

• Cutting Boards


Image courtesy of Johnson Plastics

Image courtesy of Etsy: Chic Monogram


• Signs

• Name Badges

• Mouse Pads

• Coat Hangers

• Key Hangers

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Image courtesy of Etsy: MBW Custom Embroidery

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• Serving Trays

• Coasters

• Clothing

• Bookmarks

• Ornaments

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Image courtesy of Conde

Image courtesy of Vapor Apparel www.issshows.com/ 6


• Mugs

• Picture Frames

• Bag Tags

• Metal Prints

• Key Chains

• & much more!

1/13/2017Image courtesy of Café Press

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Advantages of Sublimation

• Full color designs

• Extremely durable

• Easy to clean

• Complementary to current business

• Can use some existing equipment

• Low investment/high margins

• Quick and easy to produce

• Thousands of products


3 Steps to Sublimate


Select your image or text. Format it to fit your product template.

Insert sublimation ink cartridges into your printer. Print the image on to your sublimation transfer paper (for hard surface products). Tape the transfer paper to your product with heat tape.

Position the product on the press face up and press for the recommended time. Remove the transfer paper from the surface and enjoy!

What Do You Need to Sublimate?

• Printer with sublimation inks and sublimation paper (optimized for hard substrates)

• Graphic design software

• Flat heat press that will reach up to 400⁰ F

• Blow out paper

• Heat tape

• Heat resistant gloves

• Bare (blank) sublimation product



Equipment & Materials

Desktop Printers


Sawgrass™ Virtuoso® SG400 (made by Ricoh)

• Retails for $550• Prints up to 8.5” x 14”

Sawgrass™ Virtuoso® SG800 (made by Ricoh)

• Retails for $1,650• Prints up to 11” x 17”

or up to 13” x 19” w/optional bypass tray

Printers include Sublijet HD inks, ICC color profile & Creative Studio software

Wide Format Printers


Sawgrass™ Virtuoso® VJ628 (made by Mutoh)

• Retails for $6,500• Prints up to 24” wide with full bleed• Includes Sublijet HD inks, color profile• For fabrics, fluorescent yellow and green ink

available

Wide Format Printers


Epson SureColor® F7200• Retails for $15,995• Prints up to 64” wide• Includes Epson SureColor F Series

UltraChrome DS inks, RIP software (Wasatch)

• Roll to roll cutting

Epson SureColor® F6200• Retails for $8,495• Prints up to 44” wide• Includes Epson SureColor F

Series UltraChrome DS inks, RIP software (Wasatch)

• Includes paper cutter

Sublimation Paper

Key attributes to look for in paper that best suits hard

surface sublimation:

• Slower release of ink

• Holds a precise dot, ink does not spread

• Low moisture content

• Paper made for hard surface sublimation (not textiles)

• Examples: TexPrint, Tru Pix, DyeTrans, Epson,

JP


Heat Presses

Digital Knight DK25SP by Geo Knight• air-operated, automatic

20” x 25” oversized swing-away heat press

• MSRP $3,875

Digital Knight DK20S 16” x 20” by Geo Knight • swing-away heat transfer

press • MSRP $1,450

Other heat press manufacturers:• Hix• Insta

Clamshell not recommendedPress must go to 400⁰ F


Wide Format Heat Presses

Geo Knight Maxi Press Air• From 32” x 42” to 44” x 64”• MSRP $12,000 - $30,000

Other heat press manufacturers:• Hix• Insta• Monti Antonio

Press must go to 400⁰ F


Mug Presses / Wraps

• Dedicated press for sublimating mugs– Great for mall kiosks or mobile

production to make one offs– $500 - $750

• Mug Wraps / Convection Oven– Faster for making multiple mugs– Less expensive than press

• Wraps ~ $40 each• Oven $99

• Mug tunnels– Mass production with

Mug wraps


Graphic Design Software

CorelDRAW• $499 or $16.50/mo (for cloud,

which includes PhotoPaint)• Windows-based software• for vector graphics

Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud• $9.99/mo - $49.99/mo

(includes Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)

• Mac or Windows-based cloud software


Investment Example


Equipment ApproximateCost

Desktop Printer $500.00

Swing Away Press $1,450.00

Mug wrap $40.00

Convection oven $100.00

CorelDRAW graphic software* $499.00

TOTAL (before tax & shipping) $2,589.00


Color Management

Color Management / Matching

• What is an ICC Profile

• RGB vs CMYK

• Color Charts

• Color Matching / Pantone



• ICC Profile

– In color management, an ICC profile is a set of data that characterizes a color input or output device, or a color space, according to standards promulgated by the International Color Consortium (ICC).



• RGB vs CMYK– RGB = red, green and blue

• Your monitor uses RGB

– CMYK = cyan, magenta, yellow and black pigments or dyes• Your printer uses CMYK inks

– Artwork for sublimation should be created using RGB colors unless using RIP software

– Use only RGB color palettes for colors in text and vector graphics

– Convert all bitmap images to RGB


Use printed Color Reference Charts you make as a visual reference to recolor vector images and text with specific RGB values within your graphic files.

HUGE COLOR MANAGEMENT TIPIt doesn’t matter what the colors look like on your screen! They will not match after they sublimate. Instead, use printed Color Reference Charts as your visual points of reference for specific RGB values and to match Pantone colors.

Color Reference Chart

Using Your RGB Palettes

Pantone Chart



Hard Surface Substrates

Aluminum

• Thicknesses vary by product – example, photo panels are 0.045” and magnets are 0.030” thick.

• Six finishes available depending on the product– gloss white, gloss clear, semi-gloss white, semi-gloss clear, matte white and matte clear. Also offering gold base with gloss clear coat in 0.030” thickness.

• Aluminum has superior characteristics in depth of image, as well as scratch, abrasion, stain and fade resistance.


Product examples

Magnets Key Chains Bag Tags

Photo Panels Name Badges Pet Tags

Signs Jewelry License Plates

Aluminum Products

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Number

Hardboard

• Thickness and composition varies by use –for example, clipboards are 1/8” thick and photo panels are ¼” thick.

• 2 finishes available - gloss white or matte white (depending upon the product).


Product examples

Serving Tray Inserts Message Boards Magnets

Photo Panels Clipboards Coasters

Clocks Awards Puzzles

Hardboard Products


MDF (Fiberboard)

• Thickness and composition varies by use –for example, plaques are ½” or 5/8” thick while table tops are more dense, moisture resistant and ¾” thick.

• 2 finishes available - gloss white or semi-gloss white (depending upon the product).


Product examples

Plaques Coat Hangers Table tops

Photo Panels Picture Frames Production Jigs

MDF Products


Natural Wood (MDF)

• Thickness and composition varies by use –for example, picture frames are 5/8” while thin ornaments are 5/32” thick.

• Available in matte clear finish, so the wood grain shows through.


Product examples

Ornaments Picture Frames Photo Panels

Natural Wood Products


FRP (Plastic)

• Thickness is .090” thick, and can be 1 sided or 2 sided. Fiberglass reinforcement helps it to withstand high heat (400 degrees).

• 2 finishes available - gloss white or matte white (depending upon the product).


Product examples

Key Chains Name Badges Magnets

Bag Tags Door Hanger Button

FRP Products


Steel

• 0.023” thick

• Offered in gloss white finish

• Magnetic

• Has a coating optimized for dry erase

• Sold in a variety of sizes including a full sheet


Product examples

Signage Dry Erase Boards

Steel Products


Glass

• 3/16” thick –other thicknesses available

• Offered in gloss/matte/satin finishes

• Textured, pebbled or smooth

• Sold in a variety of sizes

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Product examples

Wall Tiles Cutting Boards

Photo Tiles Coasters

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Glass Products

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Image courtesy of JDS


Image courtesy of Dye Sublimation Supplieswww.issshows.com/ 40

Wine Bottle Cheese Board

Ceramic

• 1/8” thick – other thicknesses vary

• Offered in gloss/matte/satin finishes

• Textured or smooth

• Sold in a variety of sizes

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Product examples

Wall Tiles Ornaments

Mugs Photo Tiles


Ceramic Products

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Image courtesy of Best BlanksImage courtesy of Coastal Business

Image courtesy of JDS



Other Hard Surfaces

• Sandstone / compressed stone (for coasters, photos, wall tiles)

• Slate (for photo panels, coasters, wall tiles)

• Metal (curved tins, mugs)

Image courtesy of Johnson Plastics


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Sublimation Tips & Resources

Sublimation Tips

General Tips:

• Clean the surface/peel film

• Press face up

• Create a sufficient bleed

• Put blowout paper or newsprint over the transfer and substrate (so it touches the heat platen)

• For plaques and larger items, tape the transfer to the back of the item with heat tape

• Check the expiration date on your inks

• Use your printer more than once per week

• Run nozzle checks weekly

• Store sublimation materials (blanks, paper, ink) in a cool, dry place


Tip Sheets & Support



Markets

Popular Markets

• School fundraiser

• Wedding

• Christmas

• Football

• Craft brewery

• Halloween

• Pets

• Business

• Boutique gifts

• Basketball

• Mother’s Day

• Father’s Day

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http://www.unisub.com/markets


School Fundraiser Market

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http://www.unisub.com/market/school


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Market downloads


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Product Templates(for use w/graphic design software)

http://www.unisub.com/support/product-support


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Market Artwork


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Graphics Library



Pricing & Profits

Pricing

• 2 ways to price– Price to Market

• Comparison shop – what are similar or the same products selling for online or in retail shops?

• Price above, at, or below the average• Understand true material cost and what people would be

willing to pay for a personalized product to determine a sales price

– Price to Margin• Pricing to a percentage margin of profit • Uses true material cost• Assumes you are the only seller in town with no competition• Does not take into account market prices


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Understanding Costs

Find an editable excel spreadsheet online: http://www.unisub.com/tip-sheets-and-guides


Cost of Sales

Enter information into green cells

Example Unisub 5503 Bag Tag

Material Cost

Blank price $1.79

Shipping @ 7% $0.13

Ink/Paper cost @ 2.5 cents per in2 $0.55

Subtotal $2.47

Scrap @ 5% $0.12

Total Material Cost $2.59

Production Cost

Enter production time in minutes/piece 4

Enter estimated labor cost/ hour $15.00

Total Production Cost $1.00

Total Cost $3.59

http://www.unisub.com/tip-sheets-and-guides

Pricing

• Price to Market

– What are similar items selling for in your market?

– With $3.59 cost, and $10 average sales price you make a 64% profit margin


Price to Market

Enter desired selling price $10.00Margin % 64%

Pricing

• Price to Margin

– You want a higher margin – say 75% - on your product.

– At $3.59 cost, if you want 75% profit margin, you’ll need to price your product at $14.35.


Price to Margin

Enter desired margin % 75%

Selling price $14.35

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Ways to Sell


Selling Tips

• Know your target

• Research what similar items sell for around you and online

• Show samples with relevant art

• Promote on website, social media, email

• Include an easy to use order form

• Set up a booth at craft fairs, games, bazaars, gift shows

• Get testimonials (word of mouth)

• Be aware of your costs and desired profit margins

• Follow up!


Website Presence

• E-commerce website

– Easy to order

– Easy to add products

• Product photography makes the difference!

• Keep it simple

• Update your site regularly



Examples / Case Studies

MotoPhoto / The Print Refinery / Fulltone Photo



• 2 physical locations in Louisville, KY, also sells online

• In business 13 years

• 16 – 26 employees depending on the season

• Has two 16x20”, 1 20x24” heat presses – looking to add 44” x 66” heat press

• Ricoh and Epson F6070 printers

• 2014, 2015, 2016 annual revenue growth at 2%, 19% and 66% respectively

• Retail targets females over 50+, online females 18-40

• B2B targets Etsy store & small boutique shop owners


Success stories

Realtors (Board of Realtors)• Coaster sets with local landmarks and a photo of

the new homeDIY, crafters, decorators• Classes and events (how to’s)Businesses• Office décor, signage and corporate giftsPhotographers• Acrylic, metal prints, canvas, wood, collages and

layered pieces


Advice

• Get the larger Heat Press. No matter what size you think you need, you will want the next larger at some point.



On The Cutting Edge Awards


On the Cutting Edge Awards

• Located in Midlothian, TX• 9 employees• Started business 22 years ago in garage doing

engraving but moved into a warehouse full time 7 years ago and recently opened additional retail store

• Started with SG3110 printer and later added a SG800• Currently using a 14 x 16 GeoKnight Combo Press• Primary focus is youth athletic teams• Sells Awards, Custom Gift, and Apparel Products• Business grew 67% YOY in 2016 in large part due to

sublimation


On the Cutting Edge Awards

• Success Story

– K5L Memorial Fund

• Provided awards, and gift

products for fundraising

opportunities


Advice

• It’s ok to start small and see if this works for you

• Start with sublimation over other decoration / personalization technologies as it is much more versatile

• Be sure to brand all your products with contact information as to gain repeat / referral business

• When it’s time to upgrade, don’t be afraid!


Resources

Helpful Resources

• Lynda.com• Distributor websites• Manufacturer websites• Web resources – Wordpress, Wix, Weebly,

Squarespace• Fonts – fontsquirrel.com, dafont.com,

typecast.com*• Images – Shutterstock.com, Bigstock.com,

istock.com**check for licensing and use requirements


Summary

The benefits of sublimation are numerous:

• Full color designs

• Scalable – go from desktop to wide format

• Healthy profits

• Unique selling opportunities

• Easy

• Fun!!!


Booths to Visit

Distributors• Coastal Business Supplies

#1750/1751• Conde Systems #2124/3706• Heat Transfer Warehouse

#2111• Imprints USA/Penn Emblem

#561• IT Supplies #2318• JDS #1858• JP #1137• Professional Marketing

Services #2253


Partners

• Epson printers #2147

• Geo Knight heat presses #2012

• Roland printers #759

• Sawgrass printers #841

• Impressions Magazine #3511

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Thank you!!!


introduction to hard surface sublimation...sublimation? •sublimation involves a substance that...

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