Dye Sublimation Printing Processes

We make our printed towels by using a process called “dye sublimation printing”, using any image of your choice. That’s correct – any design, logo, photo, or even a landscape image can go directly onto our towels. Imagine the possibilities! 

Click here to see many examples of our printed towels

Or to learn more about our blank towels for dye sub printing click here

What Is Dye Sublimation?

Dye Sublimation is the process of turning solids into gasses, while skipping the liquid stage. Imagine the surface of ice turning into fog or steam without melting. Essentially, that’s equivalent to the process of dye sublimation. Dye sublimation is the process of dyeing an image directly into a fabric.

How do We Print Your Custom Image?

The dye sublimation printing process is almost the same process you’d use to print anything at work or home on your ink jet printer. The only difference is the size and quality of the equipment that we use. At Bursali Towels, we use a special sublimation paper to print the image that will promote your brand or team. Sublimation paper has a very unique coating and texture. Unlike regular paper, it doesn’t absorb the ink and so we use dye sublimation ink instead of regular ink. This is critical in transferring ink onto the towel’s surface. The ink we use is water based and eco-friendly, and so there are no harmful chemicals used in our production processes.

The Heat Is On!

After printing we place the sublimation paper onto the towel by using our calender, that is in effect a huge heat press at 200 degrees centigrade (see the YouTube video below). This pressing causes the ink to sublimate – or become a gas. Essentially, the pressure forces the water based, eco-friendly ink to absorb directly into the fibres of the towel and not just sit on top of the towel as other towel printing methods do.

After the completion of the heating cycle, the towel must cool off. The image on the paper is now in the towel and it’s been reformed. So if you touch, rub or wash one of these towels after the sublimation process, no ink will come off and will last for the lifetime of the towels.

What Does This Mean To You?

Essentially, most of all this means longevity. The sublimation process actually dyes each individual fibre of your towel. We’re not just adding a layer of ink on top of it.

This method prevents any cracking, flaking or peeling of the image and in addition to being stunning, your towel will be incredibly durable, offering you years of brand awareness. Additionally, you’ll have dazzling towels that will remain colourful and vibrant!

To see the complete process (in a shortened version) please click the YouTube link below showing our own factory in production here in the UK. This is how we can offer you delivery within 7 days.