How durable is sublimation coating? Any experience in coating your own substrates?

[alix]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this site and also pretty new to sublimation printing, so please forgive any ignorance on my part. :redface: I'm hoping some kind souls might share their experience with me, and save me many wasted hours in futile projects! I have a few specific questions...

1) how durable is the print that is acheived through dye sublimation? Specifically I am thinking of metal items such as lighters, keyrings, business cards etc, things that get knocked about in use. Does the polymer coating wear off and scratch? How quickly / badly?

2) depending on the answer to the above, has anyone had any experience of applying a coating after printing to protect the surface? I'm thinking something like an automotive lacquer perhaps?

3) creating your own blanks... I've seen the digicoat product, but I wonder how easy it would be to apply it consistently and accurately and get a high quality finish. Has anyone ever used a coating company to apply a sublimatable coating to their own blanks? Do you think such a service exists?

Thanks for reading and sorry for the multiple questions, any advice would be most welcome.

Alix

[socialgiraffe]

1) how durable is the print that is acheived through dye sublimation? Specifically I am thinking of metal items such as lighters, keyrings, business cards etc, things that get knocked about in use. Does the polymer coating wear off and scratch? How quickly / badly?

I would say that if you purchase good quality blanks then it will be the best wearing print you can get.

2) depending on the answer to the above, has anyone had any experience of applying a coating after printing to protect the surface? I'm thinking something like an automotive lacquer perhaps?

No need

3) creating your own blanks... I've seen the digicoat product, but I wonder how easy it would be to apply it consistently and accurately and get a high quality finish. Has anyone ever used a coating company to apply a sublimatable coating to their own blanks? Do you think such a service exists?

There is no one out there that I know of. I have used the digi coat stuff and it worked okay, it will never be as good as mass produced items so you are better off sourcing something that is mass produced for dye sublimation and can be sourced from a reputable supplier.

[alix]

Thanks for your advice, socialgiraffe! Good to hear that the print is durable.

I'm having the blanks specially made, so one way or another I will have to find a way of coating them myself (or finding someone to coat them for me). I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again,
Alix