What are the core indicators for evaluating sublimation ink quality?

Core indicators include ink concentration, fluidity (dye particle size ≤0.3μm to prevent clogging), and physical stability (no sedimentation and non-corrosive).

Why is the transferred color too light and how to solve it?

This usually stems from insufficient ink concentration or low temperature. Increase transfer temperature to 200-220°C or switch to high-concentration ink.

How to Identify the Quality of Sublimation Ink？

Mar 03,2026

HONGSAM Sublimation Ink

Definition of Sublimation Ink

Sublimation ink (also known as disperse dye ink) is a specialized digital printing ink. The pattern is first mirror-printed onto heat transfer paper (at this point, the color is relatively dark). Then, the pattern is transferred onto polyester fabric using a heat transfer machine. The ink changes from a solid state to a gaseous state under high temperature and penetrates the surface of the polyester fabric, revealing its true vivid color only after transfer.

Criteria for Identifying the Quality of Sublimation Ink

(1) Ink Concentration: Ink concentration determines the color saturation and reproduction of the image after transfer.
(2) Ink Fluidity: Ink flowability refers to the ability to print continuously over large surface areas without line breakage. To ensure continuous output and protect the printhead, inkjet dye particle sizes should strictly be ≤0.3 micrometers.
(3) Ink Stability: Sedimentation severely affects ink shelf life and consistency. High-quality ink must remain stable without sediment and be non-corrosive to printheads.

The Core Indicators for Quality Identification
No.	Indicator	Impact & Influence	Technical Requirement
1	Ink Concentration	Determines color saturation and fidelity of the image post-transfer.	High-purity dyes ensuring vibrant colors.
2	Ink Fluidity	Determines printing quality and continuous paper length.	Dye particle size ≤0.3μm to prevent printhead clogging.
3	Ink Stability	Sedimentation affects quality; corrosiveness risks damaging nozzles.	No sedimentation or easy redispersibility; non-corrosive to printheads.

Common Sublimation Ink Quality Problems and Troubleshooting

Problem Phenomenon	Possible Causes	Recommended Solutions
Color is too light after transfer	Insufficient ink concentration or low transfer temperature	Increase transfer temperature to 200-220°C, or use high-concentration ink.
Printing broken lines / missing colors	Ink sediment clogging the printhead nozzles	Clean printhead thoroughly; shake ink bottle before refill.
Blurry transfer pattern	Poor ink flow or excessively rapid media absorption	Switch to optimized low-viscosity ink; adjust resolution settings.
Printhead corrosion or damage	Abnormal pH level or presence of corrosive solvents	Use certified ink with verified printhead compatibility.
Color fades after washing	Insufficient dye purity or inadequate color fixation	Extend transfer dwell time; upgrade to high-purity dye ink.

How is the Quality of HONGSAM Sublimation Ink?

HONGSAM sublimation ink has earned global customer recognition due to rigorous R&D standards, advanced dispersion technology, 5S production management, and strict quality assurance testing.

1. Qualifications & Certifications

Patent holder of disperse dye ink in China with independent intellectual property rights.
Official drafting unit for the National Industry Standard for Disperse Dye Ink.
HOTME® disperse ink selected for the "7th Batch of Advanced Technology Catalogue for Energy Saving & Emission Reduction" by China Dyeing and Printing Association.
ECO PASSPORT certified by OEKO-TEX® for eco-friendly textile printing.
Passed various fastness tests conducted by authoritative organization SGS.

2. Diverse Color Options

HONGSAM provides tailored color configurations (K, C, M, Y, LC, LM, LK, B, OR, V, FM, FY) to meet diverse market preferences across different regions.

3. Printhead Compatibility

HOTME® disperse ink is fully compatible with major industrial printheads: Epson, Seiko, Kyocera, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, StarFire, etc.

4. Types of HONGSAM Sublimation Ink

Ink Type	Key Characteristics	Applications	Transfer Process
HONGSAM Ordinary Sublimation Ink	Cost-effective, smooth jetting, vibrant colors, tailored for high-speed paper printing.	Digital transfer on polyester fabrics and coated substrates (metal, glass, ceramics).	Print on paper → Heat transfer (190-210°C, 35-45s) → Finished product
HONGSAM High Anti-migration Sublimation Ink	Superior resistance to thermal migration compared to standard inks.	High-end fashion apparel and sportswear requiring strict color fastness.	Print on paper → Heat transfer (210-215°C, 30-40s) → Finished product
HONGSAM High Light Fastness Sublimation Ink	Excellent lightfastness suitable for outdoor exposure and UV resistance.	Outdoor gear (tents, cycling wear) and home textiles (curtains, pillows).	Print on paper → Heat transfer (200-210°C, 35-45s) → Finished product

Fastness Performance Data

A. Anti-Migration Fastness Comparison (GB/T 6152-1997 - Staining on White Cloth)

Ink Type	Test Conditions	Interlining	K	C	M	Y
HONGSAM Ordinary Sublimation Ink	150°C, 30s	Cotton	3-4	4-5	3-4	4
	150°C, 30s	Polyester	3	3-4	3	3
	200°C, 30s	Cotton	2-3	3	2-3	3
	200°C, 30s	Polyester	1	1	1	1
HONGSAM High Anti-migration Sublimation Ink	150°C, 30s	Cotton	4-5	4-5	4-5	4-5
	150°C, 30s	Polyester	4-5	4-5	4	4
	200°C, 30s	Cotton	3	3	2-3	3
	200°C, 30s	Polyester	2-3	2-3	2	2-3
Conclusion: High anti-migration ink improves staining resistance by up to 50% compared to ordinary ink at 200°C.

B. Lightfastness Comparison (ISO 105-B02:2014)

Ink Type	K	C	M	Y	B	TB
HONGSAM Ordinary Sublimation Ink	4-5	5	5-6	6-7	-	-
HONGSAM High Light Fastness Sublimation Ink	6	6-7	6-7	8	6	7

Sample Printing Effects of HONGSAM Sublimation Ink

Sample Printing Effect of HONGSAM Sublimation Ink 1

Sample Printing Effect of HONGSAM Sublimation Ink 2

For more detailed technical parameters, please visit the official HONGSAM website at www.hongsam.cn or contact our technical support team.

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