Dye Sub Transfer question

[WorthDoingRight]

Hi All,

I cannot find any posts on here about how long a dye sub transfer is useable for.

So if I say printed a design using sublimation ink onto a piece of sublimation paper and did not use it immediately, how long would it be good for before it would fail to transfer in a press?

My mug press instructions say that after printing onto the sub paper I should wait 10 mins before transferring it but I wondered if transfers were good for only a small period of time or whether I could keep a supply of ready printed transfers for transfering later to items?

Many Thanks in Advance

[smitch6]

i think it has been talked about on here somewhere.
i don't think there is a general rule of thumb tbh.
some ppl have had designs printed out for months and they have been fine.
i tend to press mine as soon as they are printed so never have this question

[WorthDoingRight]

some ppl have had designs printed out for months and they have been fine

Well, that is at least some useful information. Thanks.

[Renniwano]

I have some that I use for the rescue I work for.. that sits pre printed stored in an envelope for weeks at a time.. and it's been fine when printed..

Just make sure it doesn't get damp once printed.. so store somewhere dry and preferably airtight ?

[smitch6]

and out of sunlight

[bms]

Hi All,

I cannot find any posts on here about how long a dye sub transfer is useable for.

So if I say printed a design using sublimation ink onto a piece of sublimation paper and did not use it immediately, how long would it be good for before it would fail to transfer in a press?

My mug press instructions say that after printing onto the sub paper I should wait 10 mins before transferring it but I wondered if transfers were good for only a small period of time or whether I could keep a supply of ready printed transfers for transfering later to items?

Many Thanks in Advance

An image can be used immediately on most sublimation papers. Only some of the high release papers require a drying time.
Images can be used days, weeks, months after printing.

[bigj2552]

same boat as steve - straight off the printer - straight onto the job

[WorthDoingRight]

Well lots of useful info here, so far I have myself printed the transfer, warmed the mug press up and then printed with great results. However, it would be useful to be able to print a few spare transfers to keep for emergencies.

So thanks for all the replies.

[bigj2552]

i would store them in some sort of folder - the ones with the clear two way sheets inside - that way you can see them quickly enough but, they are kept clean & FLAT ! - just my 2p worth

[bigj2552]

i would store them in a folder - the one with the clear two way sheets inside.
Easy to see your transfers at a glance but, also kept neat, clean and FLAT !