Leather has long been our material of choice for products such as wallets, shoes, and jackets. Sublimation on leather is an excellent method, just like the majority of the other sublimation methods. Because leather is made of a natural material, it can be printed in a wide range of colors without the use of any dyes, making it an excellent substrate for the sublimation printing process.
(This tutorial is meant for readers who are already familiar with the fundamentals of printing using sublimation techniques.)
What exactly is printing with sublimation?
For the purpose of the printing technique known as sublimation, the ink is transformed into a gas by subjecting it to extremely high temperatures and pressures.
There are a wide variety of sublimation printing methods available, despite the fact that sublimation printing is a technology that is frequently utilized in the fashion business.
For instance, sublimation on acrylic can be a highly aesthetically pleasing method for the creation of personalized goods such as keychains. The list could go on and on because there are so many distinct approaches to the process of producing things that are self-customized.
Sublimation on Leather
The sublimation of leather provides very high-quality end products. If you are conducting preliminary research in preparation for starting a business in this sector, genuine leather is an excellent material to use for the production of products such as patches, keychains, baggage tags, wallets, earrings, and journals. Printing on leather using sublimation is one of the techniques that has stood the test of time the best.
Dye sublimation is the most typical form of printing that may be done using sublimation on leather. Thermal transfer of ink from an image-receiving blanket to polyester or polyurethane backing material is accomplished using a heat press.
The image-receiving blanket is often constructed out of a heat-resistant and non-woven fabric, which eliminates the need for any inks or dyes during the manufacturing process.
On the other hand, leather can’t handle temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which are needed for many other sublimation processes.
The heat press may be set to attain temperatures of up to 290 degrees Fahrenheit while working with leather, whilst the maximum temperature that fabrics can withstand is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Before scanning the entirety of the product’s surface, it first warms up one side of the substrate for a few seconds while the press is closed, and then it lets the substrate cool down afterward.
After the blanket has been removed, any leftover ink will be cleaned away, and the substrate will be allowed to cool down while this process is ongoing.
Necessary Items for sublimating leather
- A printing equipment
A high-quality printer that is capable of sublimation is the first and most essential requirement. The printing of sublimation designs on leather necessitates the use of a specialist machine in addition to a few other components. The pattern will be transferred onto the specialized paper by the printing equipment. - Heat Transfer machine
The next thing you need to transfer your design from paper to leather is a heat press machine. You will need to use this machine to move the ink from the paper to the surface of the leather. However, be sure that the leather products are not heated to a temperature higher than 400 degrees Celsius. You can perform the heat pressing on the leather product at a temperature of only 300 degrees Celsius. - Foam pads
On both sides of the paper, foam pads adhere to the surface. These pads prevent the designs’ edges from becoming overheated while also securing them in place. - Heat transfer tape
A heating tape is another important thing that will help you in your effort. It is put to use to maintain the position of the paper. since having a sublimation design in place is a must for doing business. The foam pad is crafted from the foam of a superior quality, which enables it to provide adequate protection from the heat tape and a firm hold on the sheets of paper. - Fake or man-made leather
In addition to real leather, synthetic leather is required; this material, after being preheated with a heat gun and pressed with an iron presser, must be utilised so that it can cling more effectively to both sides. When you are working with a printed product, the synthetic leather that comes with the machine will be placed on top of this pad to serve as a barrier between your hands and the product. Your prints will also have a gloss that is aesthetically pleasant because to the synthetic leather that the machine uses. - Two paropy with a tough outside surface
The two Paropy CL hard surface paper transfer is a foam pad that can be used for two different things. First, it lets the machine to grab the sheets of paper and transfer them, and second, it prevents the heat tape from being harmed by the synthetic leather.
Guidelines for Effective Sublimation Printing - Take a Look at Your Financial Plan.
When adopting this printing method, the cost should be given the most consideration because it is the most significant thing to consider. You can anticipate receiving prints of a greater quality proportional to the amount of money you allocate to the printing process.
2: Contemplate the Numerous Processes Involved in the Sublimation Printing on Leather
Printing on leather with sublimation can be done in a few different ways. Some people are happier and more successful than others.
The most well-known methods involve making use of HTP that is water-based as well as ink that is based on dye ( HTP).
This method takes use of two layers of materials, each of which is capable of absorption in a distinct manner, and uses them together.
HTP is used in this approach to serve as the basis, which will be soaked by dye that is mixed with dye. The procedure also involves the use of dye.
It will be heated to an internal temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit after being clamped on the leather and then placed in an oven. As soon as the paper has cooled, the colour that is on the paper will be transferred to the leather that is underneath it. - Make sure you are aware of how much time it will take.
⦁ Before beginning work on your print project, be sure you have enough time to complete the printing method you’ve chosen to use. It takes a long time to print at high temperatures.
⦁ If you order more than one hundred units, we cannot guarantee that they will all be printed at the same time.
⦁ When you are preparing your project, it is essential to take into account the whole amount of time that will be required in order to finish it before the deadline.
How to sublimation on Leather:
The use of a method referred to as “direct to substrate” is currently one of the most often practised approaches to carrying out sublimation printing on leather. To do this, you will need to start by getting an image in a vector format. Conducting an image search on either Google or Bing will yield results that include vector images.
Instructions for Software Design and Development - After obtaining an image, you must outline it with either a black or a blue line. You can choose whichever colour you choose. Your choice of colour will be determined by the hues that you want the print to be. After you have completed the outlining of your design, the next step is to colour it in.
- After the lines have been made and filled in, you should create a new layer underneath your design and fill it with a paint that is black and grey in a ratio of fifty percent and fifty percent respectively. This layer will serve as an under-base for your image, allowing you greater control over the print’s final output and providing you with additional creative potential.
- After that, go to the “Print Settings” tab in Photoshop and use the drop-down menu to pick “straight to substrate” as the printing style you want to use.
- Your next step will be to choose a “printing plate,” which should be below all of the different kinds of paper you can use. This will be the next thing you do.
- If you select this option, Photoshop will automatically configure itself such that it makes a continuous strip of paper rather than individual pages, which you can then take to a store that specialises in office supplies to have printed.
- In the future, when you want to print something onto leather, you’ll need to utilise this lengthy strip of paper.
- After you have completed the necessary configurations in Photoshop, you should return to the design layer and remove any unnecessary layers that may be hiding.
- When you are through with the design, go to the Print Settings menu and double-check that the Mirror option is selected there. This is something that I would like to add to this discussion.
- After you have finished everything, select Print from the menu.
Instructions for the Heat Press - Take the printed design and cut away any excess white space around the edges so that you are left with just the design.
- After making the necessary adjustments on the substrate, close the press. (The temperature range of 290 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for the process of sublimation on leather; nevertheless, this temperature range should not be exceeded. Otherwise, it will melt.)
- Wait for 45 to 50 seconds if you are using a heavy pressure press at a temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After fifty seconds, you should open the press, remove the paper, and examine the output.
Conclusion:
If you are seeking for a one-of-a-kind and opulent method to print your designs on leather, sublimation printing is an excellent choice to consider. There are a few tips and tactics you can use to ensure that your design comes out looking fantastic, even though the process itself is not that challenging.
FAQs:
Is it possible to do heat transfers on leather?
Do you know that it is possible to apply heat transfer vinyl to leather? It’s accurate! Gifts made of leather can be easily personalized with this straightforward method, such as this do-it-yourself monogrammed leather notebook.
Is it possible to apply for an iron-on Cricut transfer on leather?
Vinyl’s ability to adhere to imitation leather or real leather, for that matter, is a question that is frequently posed to us by our audience. The application of HTV vinyl on leather is surprisingly uncomplicated. I am of the firm belief that exquisite leather decals can transform an ordinary piece of leather merchandise into something that is exquisite, one of a kind, and luxurious.
Conclusion:
If you are seeking a one-of-a-kind and opulent method to print your designs on leather, sublimation printing is an excellent choice to consider. There are a few tips and tactics you can use to ensure that your design comes out looking fantastic, even though the process itself is not that challenging.
