Can You Sublimate on Rayon Fabric in 2024?

Yes, as one of the trendiest substrates in the sublimation printing industry, rayon is well known for sublimation. As such, can you Sublimate on Rayon Fabric alongside polyester? To successfully heat these delicate fabrics, you must know how to do it properly.

In the case of sublimation printing, polyester is the best material to use. It’s a cellulose fiber, just like cotton, just like rayon. As such, it’s not suitable for prints to last long.

Why Sublimation does not Hold well with most Rayon?

Several raw materials may be used to make rayon, a semi-synthetic. Sublimation topics can be confusing since there are guidelines but the composition varies.

This site does a complete job of explaining rayon if you want a technical analysis.

Rayon Makeup

The short answer is that rayon is made of a number of substances, none of which can be sublimated with ink dyes.

Cellulose, which is extracted from wood pulp, and cotton fibers, as well as various chemicals, constitute its main ingredients.

If it was blended with another material or the fabric had a special makeup, it might be able to be used for sublimation in some cases.

Rayon can be Sublimated in two Ways:

  • Fabricated from rayon substrate with a polyester coating.
  • 30 percent rayon can be blended with 70 percent polyester.

The second option is the best choice if you do not plan on using rayon substrates to make your work.

These tips can help you enhance the profitability of your T-shirt printing business. The nylon, or other fabric, can be pressed with custom designs or personalizations tailored for the clients and customers of your company.

The following are important points to remember:

  • Sublimating rayon without a polyester coating can result in burning and scorching. A smooth finish is characteristic of rayon.  To obtain a successful outcome, it needs to migrate repeatedly within the fibers and then be removed after a few washes.
  • While you applied a polyester coating to it, it is likely that rayon will sit on top. The fabric will not be able to bond with it, so it will just remain on top.
  • The image will wash out of polyester-coated rayon after 4-5 launderings if you get a good print.

Rayon fabric can be Sublimated? Up to 95% with Spandex

If you were to sublimate directly onto a Rayon fabric of 100% Rayon or even a 95% Rayon and 5% Spandex blend, the fabric is likely to melt or at the very least, scorch. As a result, this type of fabric is considered to have a high rayon count and is not suitable for high temperatures.

You will probably be frustrated when dyeing rayon/spandex fabric because of the following factors:

  • Rayon is a synthetic polymer and not a pure one
  • Irons are harsh on rayon
  • Shiny rayon leaves unsightly press marks

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List of Steps involved in Sublimating Rayon?

In this case, it is a form of sublimation printing that has become very popular over the past few years because of its high-quality images. A rayon garment is often regarded as one of the finest synthetic materials to use when it comes to sublimation printing.

In addition to being one of the most common substrates used in the sublimation printing industry, it is also widely known for being used in a number of applications.

It is, therefore, can you Sublimate on Rayon Fabric, polyester, or both by using this process? It may be necessary to coat rayon substrates with polyester in order to achieve the most significant results. These are the steps you need to follow.

1. Desizer Solution Preparation

To get started, you’ll need to create a desizer solution. I recommend that you add seven ounces of water to one ounce of desizer concentrate before using it. It is best to mix the ingredients together in a mixing bowl before transferring them to a spray bottle. Prepare the polyester solution in a similar way.

2. Mist the surface with the Desizer Solution

Afterward, spray on the desizer solution to saturate the cloth. You should check the fabric’s saturation and texture before proceeding to the next step.

3. Put a Heat Press on the Nylon

The cloth must be heat pressed after the spray has been correctly sprayed so that it will dry as quickly as possible. The fabric should, however, be wrapped in a light and dry towel before applying the press.

When the fabric is pressed, it will not fray. It would be more effective if you were able to obtain a cotton cloth since this material will be able to absorb moisture much better.

Press the cloth gently with the heat press at 385 degrees Fahrenheit for about 35 seconds. Stop pushing the pressing machine as soon as steam comes out of it and apply the polyester coating.

4. Coat the surface with the Polyester Coating

The desizer has been steam steamed. To finish the photograph, it will need polyester coating. Be sure to place the polyester coating within the designer area. If it is not, please double-check and correct the problem.

Using cardboard as a guide, you can ensure that spray borders are as straight as possible when you construct them. After that, you should carefully remove the cardboard from the print area and continue to coat it over the entire print area.

5. Wait for the Fabric to Dry

The coating will adhere better to the cloth if you fold the cloth in half and press with your palm after spraying the polyester over it. After drying naturally, unfold the fabric and spray again.

If you want to dry the document more quickly, you can use a heat press. It is possible to simply position the heat press over the cloth beneath the polyester layer instead of allowing it to make direct contact with it. This should be done until the area has become dry.

6. Use a Heat Press to Press the Fabric

In this particular procedure, they must first be protected from damage with butcher paper. Press the glass with a heat press at 385 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 10 seconds. Your first coat of polymer is now ready.

A second layer should be applied in a similar way, and the heat press should be run over it one more time to ensure that the layer is scorched.

7. Adhere to the Transfer to the Surface after Preparing it

In order to increase the longevity of your product, the second layer must be covered with butcher paper, and heated again for about 10 seconds after the first layer has dried. Print out your transferred design and place it on the nylon cloth that has been pre-treated.

If you wish to direct the heat more efficiently, you may need to use a silicone pad under the grill. Flown beneath the transfer, carefully place the butcher paper on the transfer. Then, using a heat press set to 385 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 75 seconds, sublimate the transfer.

8. Ensure that the Table is Free of Butcher Paper

In the final step, the butcher paper must be removed after the heat pressing is completed. To avoid damage to the image, gently move the picture from one corner to the other. Sublimation on rayon can be completed this way.

Conclusion

Yes, you can sublimate on rayon fabric! In fact, rayon is a great choice for sublimation because it is a natural fiber that takes to the printing process very well. 

The key to success when sublimating on rayon fabric is to use a transfer paper that is specifically designed for use with this type of fabric. Using such a paper will ensure optimal results.

So, if you’re looking for a fabric that is both beautiful and easy to work with, rayon is a great option for sublimation.

Mark Bryant