sublimation of wood. Primers and film for decorating under a tree. Sublimation equipment: printers and heat presses

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A distinctive feature of the age of high technology is the ease with which beauty is replicated and originality is put on stream. But if not everyone can become an artist and paint great canvases, then many can create unique images using simple technologies.

Wood is one of the suitable materials on which a photograph or favorite drawing will look great. In addition to the fact that the quality of the product will remain unchanged for many years, it will be a kind of masterpiece or piece goods, depending on how you dispose of it.

The essence of technology

Don't let buzzwords like sublimation printing technology or graverton scare you, because they are one and the same, therefore, there is less incomprehensible. The technology is based on the principle of sublimation, when a substance under the influence of high temperature “jumps” from a gaseous state immediately to a solid one, bypassing the wet stage.

Graverton technology allows you to transfer a pattern to wood, metal, glass, fabric, and the process itself takes place in a certain order:

1. An image is printed on sublimation paper;
2. The front side is applied to the object being processed;
3. It is placed in a heat press for a certain time.

A huge number of things can be subjected to artistic processing - from shoes, dishes, fabrics to corporate symbols, puzzles and all sorts of other unexpected things.

The main disadvantage of the graverton technology is the need for special equipment and its high price:

• sublimation printer(starting from 500 thousand rubles with kopecks);
• thermal transfer press(from 9 to 30 thousand rubles).

And since you want to transfer a drawing to a tree at home from time to time, it makes sense to purchase expensive equipment only if you put things on a grand scale.

We create for ourselves

With a minimum of tools, you can also figure out how to translate an image onto a tree no worse than using high-tech equipment. Perhaps the most important thing is to decide on the topic, because erasing "nonsense" will be, oh, how difficult.

There are several rules that will teach you how to transfer a drawing to a tree so that it looks right:

1. The work surface should be bright and clean;
2. The direction of the wood fibers should not spoil the drawing, for example, oblique lines can add photos of extra wrinkles;
3. A theme with words/numbers is printed in a mirror image (a photo editor will help rotate the image);

Tips for transferring images directly to wood...

How to print a picture on a wooden surface at home ...
The author of the TULIP master class Thermal transfers & felt writes:
Today there will be a lesson on the application of technology, which I am often asked about. Directly very, very often :) We will talk about the thermal transfer of images directly to the tree. Such a technology can greatly expand the creative possibilities of everyone whose creativity is associated with decorating wooden surfaces.

So, let's try to transfer the sublimation iron-on onto a wooden surface. Since there are questions not only about "bare" wood, but also about primed / paint / varnished, I painted one of the wooden samples with white acrylic paint to see what would come of it.

We will need:

1. Two wooden blanks - one untreated with nothing, the second covered with acrylic.

2. Two sublimation thermal stickers.

3. Thermal tape. Can be replaced with regular masking tape.

4. Iron and ironing surface.

Stickers, as usual, we place the picture down on our pieces of wood. In order for nothing to move out during heating, so that the picture does not “lead” and nothing is smeared, we fix the thermal sticker on the adhesive tape. Once again I draw your attention, use a special thermal adhesive tape (does not melt even in the mouth of a volcano) or at least paper (painting). Ordinary stationery, of course, will not work :)

Now let's go iron. We heat the iron, set the temperature to 170-200 degrees, on most irons this is almost the maximum, about three points.

We put the hot iron flat on the sticker, press it down a little (not at full strength, but also so that there is some kind of pressure), if possible, we try to move it less and record the time of 80-90 seconds.

After the time has elapsed, remove the iron and completely cool the blanks. When everything has become cold, carefully peel off the tape from the blanks and remove the paper. First we will have a raw wood blank.

The picture translated cool, I did not even expect. It came out bright and clear.

Now it's the turn of the blank, covered with acrylic.

And here we are in for a surprise. The paper was firmly soldered to the workpiece, apparently to the acrylic itself, since there was nothing like this on the previous workpiece, no adhesive properties :)

We don’t panic :) We boldly and abundantly wet the entire structure with adhered thermal paper. You can pour water directly, you can process the workpiece a little more modestly with a wet sponge.

Soaked paper will come off very easily.

We remove all remnants of paper and dry the workpiece. The picture has been translated.

Spotted another surprise? Completely different color reproduction.

Comparing both blanks, we see that they have significant differences. On an untreated tree, the picture is bright and saturated, on an acrylic-coated one - delicate, in pastel colors, one might say, pale.

It is necessary to take this into account in the work, when deciding whether to cover the tree with something before translating the drawing.

In addition, I will say about the operational characteristics - the image transferred in this way to an untreated tree has absolute resistance to water procedures. I washed the pieces of wood, rubbed them quite mercilessly with a dishwashing sponge, used detergent. The drawing was not damaged. The paint impregnates the wood to a certain depth, so it can be erased if only with sandpaper. As for the water resistance of the pattern on the acrylic-coated workpiece, it is somewhat more complicated. By itself, the paint is not washed off, that is, you can pour it with water without fear, but still you should not rub the surface furiously - the ink does not penetrate into the tree itself, remaining on the layer of acrylic paint. Therefore, erase the acrylic, and the picture will be erased.

These are the pies. Happy creativity :)

In the variety of materials used for decoration, wood occupies a special place. This material is notable for its unique texture, environmental friendliness and natural origin. Wood itself, especially when varnished or otherwise decorated, is very beautiful. However, at the same time, it often becomes the basis for placing certain images. Moreover, the latter can be transferred independently. And there are several ways to do this.

Unlike paper and canvas, a painting on a tree is something new and interesting in our design. Therefore, such paintings will attract attention, and those people who want to make an interior that can surprise can consider this particular option.

In addition, you can decorate the wood that is used directly in the decoration, making the interior familiar to many look completely new. In addition, in this way you can decorate a variety of wooden products, from caskets to furniture.

Finally, transferring an image onto a wooden surface can be a hobby for children and adults, and for some, a way to earn money. After all, handmade items are actively purchased today.

What needs to be done with the drawing and the tree before transferring

• Transferring an image to a wood surface, as well as to any other, is in some cases impossible without the effect of mirroring. In the case of an image, this is not so important, however, it is better to initially make letters and numbers mirrored, so that after transfer they take the correct form;
• Any drawing is best transferred in high resolution. In the process, blurring may appear, and if the image resolution was initially low, this can greatly degrade the quality of the final result;
• The quality of the transfer directly depends on how clean and even the surface will be. Any pollution is unacceptable, as are irregularities. In the latter case, you can use sandpaper;
• The color of the tree can also play a role in the transfer. It is best to use as light options as possible.

Sublimation paper transfer

A special type of paper that, when heated, can seize with a surface, while wood is a similar surface. Anything can be printed on such paper, and the process of transferring an image with it is as simple as possible.

Ironing paper

It is often used if it is necessary to transfer images to a tree for subsequent tracing with a special soldering iron and thus creating a pattern. Someone draws by hand, but someone prefers this method. However, the method is also suitable for creating final products, but because of its cheapness and simplicity, it is very accessible and popular.

To transfer, you need to print the desired image on a sheet of paper. The sheet itself is laid on a perfectly cleaned and even surface of the tree. In this case, the paper is wetted with a small amount of acetone, which will make the process of transferring the pigment from it to the wood when heated better.

Important! When working with acetone, all precautions should be taken. Remember that the material has a strong odor and actively evaporates. It is best to work in a ventilated area, and you should protect your respiratory organs with a respirator or at least a mask. It is also important to have a fire extinguisher handy and avoid static electricity.

Having stretched the paper soaked in acetone to the desired size, we begin to iron it with a hot iron, and after a while the image will be transferred.

Translation using decoupage film

Decoupage is becoming a very popular hobby, so many people know how to handle a film from it. After printing the desired image on it, also prepare white acrylic paint.

It is necessary to perfectly clean the wood, as well as give it a smooth surface. Next, we apply a pre-slightly thinned paint in two layers. Moreover, the application directions must be perpendicular to each other.

The paint must be allowed to dry. Once this has happened, dampened decoupage paper (approximately 30 seconds soak in room temperature water) is placed on the surface, removing the base and rubbing with a sponge to ensure a snug fit. After waiting for drying, you can treat the surface with varnish.

Translation using PVA or gel medium

Regardless of the material chosen, the process is about the same. However, in the case of the gel, the application takes place directly on the board, well, the glue is applied to the photograph. The photo itself can be a simple printout on plain paper. If it is important for the image, it is necessary to have a mirrored version in the photo, as subsequently the picture will take the correct form. Next, the procedure is as follows:

• The wood must be carefully cleaned and perfectly sanded to create a smooth surface. You can use 120 grit sandpaper;
• Photo processing with wood glue or gel. In the case of the latter, it is necessary to do everything as carefully as possible, without missing the slightest fragment;
• The sheet must be glued to the lubricated surface, and then walked over it with a roller for a better fit, the absence of wrinkles and air bubbles. The stage is extremely important, since it depends on how well the drawing will be translated;
• Leave the product overnight, after which, as soon as the gel is completely dry, wet the sheet and remove it with a sponge for washing dishes. The image is translated quite reliably, and it is not so easy to erase it. However, it is better not to be too zealous. At the same time, in the case of PVA glue, it will be more difficult to erase the paper layer;
• After all the paper has been removed, make sure that there are no traces of paper left on the surface, as they may interfere with the next step - varnishing. You can use waterproof or clear acrylic lacquer.

Can an aluminum profile look not like metal, but like natural wood or stone? Quite! The company "Horizons" uses a special technology for this, which allows you to get the desired result - sublimation aluminum profile.

What is sublimation?

Sublimation of an aluminum profile is the transfer of the desired image from a decorative film into a powder coating under the influence of high temperatures and pressure. It is used on parts that already have a layer of powder coating. In the process, the element is wrapped in a film and air is forced out of the area between it and the surface. This approach ensures the most reliable coupling between them.

The process involves a heating chamber, where, under the influence of high temperatures, the powder paint absorbs coloring pigments from the film. In the process of cooling, the surface becomes incredibly hard and durable, immune to all kinds of influences.

What is it for?

Sublimation of an aluminum profile from Horizons is a great opportunity to implement unusual design solutions in interior design. This technology provides ample opportunities for choosing the shades of powder coating, which acts as a primer, and the pattern of the film itself. And it does not have to be natural wood or stone. In "Horizons" you can order absolutely any design and texture!

Benefits of sublimation

This technology is unique. It allows you to get products that will have a minimum weight, but at the same time will look like they are made of natural stone. They will not be exposed to moisture, but will appear as if they are made of wood. In addition, products that have undergone the sublimation procedure are not susceptible to exposure.

The sublimation printing method refers to digital methods of transferring an image to a material. In modern printing, it is in the forefront in terms of productivity, as it allows you to get prints on almost any surface in a short time and at the same time guarantees excellent quality.

Briefly about sublimation printing

The essence of the method is to transfer ink to the printed material by heating it strongly. During the technological process, the temperature of the ink reaches 180-200 °C, as a result of which they begin to evaporate quickly and penetrate into the structure of the workpiece in a gaseous form. Sublimation printing is an indirect type of printing, since the transfer of the coloring matter occurs through an intermediate carrier. Basically, paper is used as such. Thermal transfer of sublimation ink to the printed surface occurs under the influence of press pressure.

Application area

As a rule, this method of obtaining prints is used for advertising and decorative design of souvenir products. As carriers of the printed image can be:

• Home textiles.
• Items of clothing.
• Dishes.
• Puzzles.
• Posters, banners and stands.

Due to the fact that sublimation printing is of high quality, it has gained particular popularity in the field of advertising. This method of ink transfer allows you to quickly produce large runs of products, while maintaining the saturation and brightness of prints.

As for souvenirs, they are in no less demand. It should only be noted that sublimation printing on flat fabric materials is the most common. This is due to the fact that bulk products require the purchase of additional equipment. For example, sublimation printing on mugs is done in a round-shaped heat press.

Sublimation printing: pros and cons

Not to mention all the positive aspects of digital printing, the sublimation method can be called a well-deserved leader in the field of modern printing. First of all, it allows you to make the technological process as cost-effective as possible. Secondly, it enables the consumer to receive products that have such advantages as:

• Resistant to abrasion and UV rays.
• High quality images.
• Thermal resistance.

Sublimation printing has another positive feature: it allows you to freely adjust the volume of circulation. With its help, you can produce as one unit of production, and several thousand.

There are only two disadvantages of the sublimation method. Firstly, printing should only occur on white materials. This is necessary for color accuracy. The second disadvantage is that the paint is well fixed only on synthetic fibers.

Sublimation equipment: printers and heat presses

A sublimation printer is used to transfer the ink onto an intermediate carrier. It is selected in accordance with the requirements for the final product. The characteristics of a sublimation printer must meet three parameters:

• The type of images to be printed (raster or line).
• Estimated circulation of products.
• Desired size of printed sheets of paper.

The transfer of the image to the intermediate material can be done by absolutely any method: inkjet, offset, pad, etc. However, it should be borne in mind that the paint cannot be heated before it interacts with the final product. Therefore, a thermal inkjet printer for sublimation printing is not used. As a rule, preference is given to piezoelectric models.

The print obtained on paper is transferred to the product using a heat press. There are designs with stationary and calender clamps. The choice of one or another technology should be justified by the features of the circulations produced. For the production of large-format advertising on banners and posters, calender thermal presses are used. If printing is limited to small-circulation production of souvenirs, then preference is given to stationary models.

Materials for sublimation printing

Sublimation printing technology allows you to transfer paint to almost any surface. Fabric, wood, plastic, glass, ceramics and even metal can be used as the base material. However, the main feature of the process is that sublimation ink adheres only to polymer compounds. Therefore, before applying the image, the material must be covered with a special acrylic-based varnish. If the print is made on fabric, then it must consist of at least 60% synthetic fibers. The highest quality prints are obtained on pure polymer textiles made entirely of polyester or polyester.

Compared to classical methods of ink transfer, sublimation printing is simply the pinnacle of modernity. It does not limit the user either in the amount of circulation, or in materials, or even in the form of manufactured products.