The world’s largest international trade fair for textiles and garment technology was held in Milan from 8 to 14 June 2023. As a leading global provider of sustainable woodfibre products, Sappi showcased its various sustainable solutions for the garment industry under the theme “Fashion meets Forest” offering Transjet and Basejet dye sublimation papers as well as dissolving wood pulp, used for the production of garment fibres under the “Verve” brand name.
How can the woodfibre industry support a more sustainable garments market? Sappi answered this question at ITMA with an “exploration and knowledge trail” for visitors under the motto “Fashion meets Forest”, and offered a visual journey from wood to cellulose fibres, to finished yarns and textiles, ending with dye sublimation papers and the printed garments.
Sublimation papers: The role paper plays in the production of fabrics
There are many different options available for printing textiles. However, when full colour designs are getting truly complex, digital transfer printing, or dye sublimation printing, is the most effective method of achieving permanent prints on polyester-based textiles.
The sublimation process begins with paper, upon which the required image is digitally printed, using water-based sublimation inks. In a second step, the so called transfer paper is placed onto the synthetic fabric of choice and in the transfer press or calender, heat and pressure are applied during a defined time. By doing so, the image adheres permanently to the fabric.
Sappi’s high quality digital sublimation transfer papers ensure reproducible colour results on various polyester based surfaces. Our Transjet brand has become a generic term for dye sublimation papers worldwide and has always been synonymous with fast, uniform ink transfer and minimal ink consumption.
To ensure optimal results during sublimation transfer, it is important to choose the right sublimation paper. For example, sportswear requires a coated paper with higher ink load capacity as the colours are usually very intense. Moreover, due to the elastic textiles used in this kind of application, the colours must also be visible when the garment is stretched. This specific transfer process requires a coated paper with excellent adhesion properties, allowing optimal ink penetration into the fibres and, at the same time, avoiding any ghosting effects of the print. It is possible to obtain as many colours as the colour gamut range of the printing profile allows (depending on paper, ink, printer and transfer settings).
Why choose dye sublimation?
- Dye sublimation printing is known for the high colour brilliance it can produce with a wide colour range and with the sublimation process the colours do not fade after washing or high exposure to solar radiation.
- The reproducibility rate of complex and filigree designs is particularly high with Sappi’s dye sublimation papers.
- Dye sublimation printing saves resources due to its efficient deployment. The colours are fixed directly during sublimation, without any water or steam consumption, and the fabric does not need to be washed after printing. Only the necessary amount of ink is printed, with minimal ink residues in the paper. The inks are water-based and totally solvent free, allowing our sublimation papers to be easily recycled.
- Digital printing is suitable for both small jobs and large-scale productions. Personalised projects such as multiple replica of team jerseys or an individual birthday shirt are identically easy to handle. The equipment needed is relatively inexpensive and the process is extremely flexible, reliable and efficient.
- Sappi’s range of coated Transjet and uncoated Basejet sublimation papers makes it possible to reliably convert a wide range of projects. Practically any type of sublimation project can be carried out in high quality, and users benefit from high colour vibrancy, consistent results, optimal efficiency and reliable outcomes.
“Verve” dissolving wood pulp for high-quality textiles
Sappi was also showcasing its dissolving pulp (DP) brand “Verve” at ITMA 2023. DP provides the feedstock raw material toward producing rayon fibres such as Lyocell and viscose and further into yarns and fabrics. Textiles produced from wood based cellulosic fibres are noted for their breathability, colour fastness, softness, drape, absorbency and biodegradability. In addition to the garment industry, dissolving pulp is also used in various household and pharmaceutical products. With its Verve brand, Sappi maintains its prominent position within the dissolving pulp market.
Sappi’s dye sublimation papers feature excellent ink release and density, a high transfer rate, low ink consumption as well as enhanced protection to reduce textile shrinkage.
