Sublimation requires more heat and expertise to produce a matching color. It is scratch resistant because the color is IN the surface coating. Items must be surface coated to accept sublimation toner, ink. It cannot be used for acrylics due to the heat required.
Color Laser Toner Transfer (CLTT) does just that, it transfers the toner from a laser color printer to the surface of an item. It is standard OEM toner for a printer that does not use a magnetic toner system. It is far easier to control the colors. The items do not need to be specially coated for this process, except glass and raw metals that are polished need to be enamel spray painted, clear or frosted, so the toner can grab. It is a less durable color, it can be scratched on some surfaces. It gives far better color on silver or gold aluminum engraving stock, quite scratch resistant on these items. The laser toner is far from a clear toner, sublimation inks are translucent to a much larger extent.
Silk screening lays more ink on an object, and very difficult to achieve a picture. It is a process used for multiples of one exact piece. It is very cost ineffective in runs of under 50 pieces in single color, and needs a run of much higher numbers for multiple colors. It is all in the setup and screen charges. It lays down a fairly scratch resistant set of colors between the CLTT and the sublimated items.
Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)
When you finally understand it completely... it changes. |
