Quality is vital to have a growing business of sublimation printing or any other printing technique. All the supplies must be purchased from trusted sellers, whether it’s sublimation ink, sublimation paper, or sublimation printer.
The shelf life of sublimation ink is considered to be 10 years. The life of sublimation ink depends upon how you store it after the first usage. If the care instructions for storing the sublimation ink are followed, it will last longer and can be used in subsequent sublimation prints.
The life of sublimation ink on shirts depends upon sublimation printing process parameters and maintenance while wearing and washing of shirts.
In the following paragraphs, we will have a healthy discussion on how long sublimation ink lasts. Either it is unopened, opened, or printed on shirts to keep the colors bright.
How Long Does Unopened Sublimation Ink Last?
When the sublimation ink comes in the original sealed packing, an expiration date is generally mentioned.
When approached by the customers, the top sublimation ink manufacturing companies, such as Epson and Sawgrass, said their sublimation ink lasts 24-36 months.
Sawgrass: “Our inks have a two-year shelf life.”
Sawgrass Team
The ink’s shelf life depends on the temperature it is being stored at. Unopened, close to 70 degrees, it is around two years.
Epson Support
But nowadays, other brands of sublimation ink are popular with new crafters because of their low cost, but these inks have a shelf life of fewer than 02 years.
Hiipoo Sublimation Ink lifespan
This is designed for the sublimation Epson Eco tank series and helps create unique and colorful sublimation projects.
Sublimation ink from Hiipoo can be purchased from amazon. Their support team confirms that their sealed Hiipoo sublimation ink lasts for 02 years while an opened one for 01 year.
what is Shelf life of Cosmos Sublimation Ink?
Cosmos sublimation inks have a shelf life of about 10-12 months. It is also a third-party sublimation ink manufacturer and sells inks, especially for Epson sublimation printers. Life is the same for both opened and sealed bottles.
How Long Does Sublimation Ink Last on Shirts?
The life of sublimation print on fabrics is generally up to 5 years. The life of the sublimation print can be enhanced if you consider the following points before starting the sublimation.
How Long Does 100ml of Sublimation Ink Last?
It is the query mostly asked by beginner sublimation business owners. The life of 100ml sublimation ink depends upon the frequency of printing, sublimation printer model, and size of sublimation prints.
Usage Frequency
Frequency is how many prints you take sublimation prints from the sublimation ink in one day. If you use sublimation printing just for hobby or personal projects, the 100ml sublimation ink will last 06 to 08 months. But, if you own a large-scale sublimation printing business, the 100ml sublimation may last a few weeks or even a few days.
Sublimation Printer Model
Many sublimation printers, which have different designs of nozzle, print head, and other technical specifications, are available in the market. For example, let us compare the ink usage of the Epson Stylus Pro 4900 and Epson Sure-Color F570. You will observe that due to Precision-Core Micro-TFP print head use less sublimation ink. Hence, 100ml sublimation ink will last up to 06 months for Epson Stylus Pro 4900 sublimation printer.
Size of Sublimation Prints
The size of sublimation prints tells about the amount of sublimation ink required. If you only offer sublimation printing of small items, then 100ml sublimation ink will last for 08 months. In comparison, sublimation printing of large banners will consume a lot of ink in one go. So, in this case, the ink may only last a few days.
Bonus Tip
Always do preventive maintenance to avoid clogging in the printhead, which may lead to sublimation ink wasting.
How Long Does Sublimation Ink Last In Printer?
The lifespan of sublimation ink filled in the sublimation printer is 06 months. Experts advise keeping the printer working to avoid any clogging issues in the printhead.
If the printer is idle for more than 06 months, it will give faded results after restarting it. Keep a track record of your sublimation ink refilling in the printer.
The latest versions of sublimation printers have air-tight cartridges and ink tanks, which increase the life of sublimation ink.
How Long Does Sublimation Ink Last On Paper?
The longevity of sublimation ink on paper depends on several factors, including the type of paper used, the type of sublimation ink, the conditions under which the print is stored, and how often it is handled or exposed to light. Therefore, the better option is to use printed paper to avoid fading issues.
We advise you to use pre-sublimated sheets which have infusible inks. These sheets last longer than transfer paper and also produce better results
How Long Does Sublimation Ink Last After It’s Opened?
This is one of the vital questions when you are a beginner and thinking about starting a sublimation project. In the previous paragraphs, we discussed how long an unopened sublimation ink lasts.
Before starting the sublimation printing, you must prepare all the sublimation supplies. When you fill the sublimation ink in the printer, you don’t have time to wait long. If you pour sublimation ink and leave the idea of printing, the ink will expire.
From here, sublimation printer issues like clogging and leakage started.
The experienced sublimation tries to finish the filled ink as soon as possible. A few weeks of using a sublimation printer will not affect the ink, but as the ink expires and you continue sublimation, you may encounter the following risks.
- Degradation in the sublimation ink starts, and the particles of sublimation dye clump up. These will clog the printhead and lines and ruin the sublimation printer.
- If the sublimation ink sits idle for months and years in the sublimation printer, it will dry up, and you will have to overhaul it.
So, it would help if you kept in mind that once the sublimation ink is opened, it must be used as soon as possible.
How to Store Sublimation Prints to Have Longer Life of Sublimation Ink?
Storing the sublimation prints, which you can use soon, doesn’t need special arrangements. You have to arrange a cover box to hold the printed images. If you keep them in the open air, they will start absorbing moisture, and UV light from the sun will degrade the print.
We have devised some essential rules which will help keep the sublimation prints fresh and ready to be used without degradation of sublimation ink.
Keep the Print Dry
Keep the sublimation print in a humidity-free environment; otherwise, you may face moisture issues.
Keep the Print Covered
Dust particles may stick on the surface of the sublimation print. Store it in a covered box, such as an accordion box which keeps it away from dust. Dust is the enemy of sublimation prints, so no dust is highly required.
High-Quality Transfer Paper
New sublimation startups try to use cost-effective supplies. This may not result in a longer life span and degrade fast. So instead of using sub-standard sublimation paper, you should opt for high-quality sublimation transfers. Also, expect quality from something other than regular printing paper.
Keep under Normal temperature
store all the sublimation prints under average temperature instead of placing them in basements or garages.
Does Sublimation Ink Go Bad?
Normally, a sublimation ink expires when it’s exposed to direct sunlight. If it’s stored in a low humid and temperature environment, it doesn’t expire.
The sublimation ink is made of special pigment chemicals. It starts degrading when stored in high humid environment.
Also, its chemical structure breaks down when used in high-temperature heat pressing.
Some sublimation inks have preservatives, which may expire over time.
So, keeping the sublimation ink away from contact with direct sunlight, high humidity, and high temperature is recommended to enjoy top-notch sublimation printing results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How durable is sublimation printing on shirts?
The sublimation print can last 3-5 years on the shirt if applied with the latest sublimation printing technology.
Does sublimation printing peel off?
No.
As the sublimation ink fuses into the shirt after heating at high temperature.
Is sublimation printing better than vinyl?
Sublimation prints don’t peel off like vinyl. It gives a vibrant color that lasts for a long time. Sublimation can be carried out on the fabrics such as polyester and nylon. Unlike vinyl, sublimation can be carried out on mugs, tumblers, and wood.
Why do sublimation prints fade out?
Printing on the wrong side of the transfer paper and then sublimating the fabrics will make them look dull and fade.
Also, numerous washing and drying under the sun will make the sublimation print light and faded.
Is sublimation a good business?
Sublimation printing is a growing business as it adds elegance and class to the substrate. Also, it’s a budget-friendly business with low capital costs.
Does sublimation washout?
Yes.
Sublimation print will wash out the shirts with numerous washing and using incorrect detergents. Care instructions for the sublimation prints must be followed.
How many times can we use a sublimation transfer?
Once.
Good sublimation ink will not be available on the transfer to have sublimation over the next substrate.
What is a good sublimation printer for t-shirts?
A good sublimation printer for t-shirts is the Epson Expression ET-2550. This printer offers a 2-year warranty and is compatible with Windows and Mac. It can print on various materials, including paper, cardboard, and fabric. It also has a large printing area and can print on different materials.
Does sublimation ink go bad?
Since the ink is a liquid that’s been heated and cooled, it will not go wrong. Water and temperature changes may affect it, but it won’t go wrong.
Can you do sublimation on dark shirts?
Yes, you can sublimate on dark shirts. You can bleach the print area before applying the heat press with the transfer. Or you can sublimate onto heat transfer and then press onto the shirt.
Are our sublimation shirts good?
Sublimation shirts are made of high-quality materials that are comfortable to wear. These shirts are more durable than regular shirts and don’t require ironing. The shirts are perfect for men and women and can be customized with any image. Sublimation shirts are the ideal way to represent your favorite sports team or school.
Why does my sublimation fade after washing?
It’s not just the laundry that fades the colors on your favorite t-shirt. Sublimation is a process that uses heat to transfer ink onto fabric. The ink becomes part of the fabric, fading over time with this process. It’s essential to wash your t-shirt inside out to prevent fading.
Which is better, sublimation or screen printing?
Sublimation printing means printing on a product with a design by transferring the ink from a ribbon to the product. Screen printing is when a design is printed on the product by pressing ink through a mesh screen.
Sublimation is a process that is better for both small and large quantities, while screen printing is profitable for bulk orders. However, screen printing is a cheaper option for printing in large quantities.
Final Words
As discussed above, getting your sublimation prints last longer means avoiding common sublimation mistakes with their solutions.
I hope you get the sublimation design right the next time you print.
Related Article: Can You Use Sublimation Ink for Regular Printing?