Drinkware dye-sublimation is a popular method of decorating this popular gift. However, digitally decorating drinkware utilizes the latest technology, and companies who have invested in this method are already reaping the benefits. Compare the process, steps, consumables (or lack thereof) of dye-sublimation drinkware to digitally decorating drinkware with a UV cylindrical printer.
Drinkware remains a popular promotional product and gift, year after year. For small and large corporations alike, management can give the gift of a piece of branded drinkware without the added hassle of tracking down sizes, and shirt preferences. Drinkware is one size fits all. Printed drinkware is a great application for logos, personalization, promotional giveaways, event memorabilia, and more.
The Business Case for DrinkwareDye-sublimation is the process of taking sublimation paper (paper with a special polyester coating) and heating it at a very high temperature so it adheres to a substrate. The substrate must be coated in polyester in order for this process to work. Once the heat is applied to this paper, the ink turns to gas and permanently bonds with the surface of the product.
Dye-sublimation first starts out on a computer. The graphic is manipulated to the artist’s liking and is then sent to a large format roll-to-roll inkjet printer to print. After the images have been printed out, the operator then cuts the images and separates them into different sku’s. Once an order comes in, the operator takes the cut-out image, places it inside, next to or around the drinkware piece where it is then taken to a heat transfer machine. The part and the paper are placed into the jig, heated for 45 seconds and then shipped to its final destination.
Dye-sublimation is a great process for smaller companies who are just starting out. It offers heat press machines for practically any size business and the consumables are not too expensive. Once a company grows, this process because much too slow and requires too many variables. Printing, cutting and heating the graphics seems like a small job when making a few personalized drinkware pieces but soon becomes cumbersome when your sales begin to grow.
Cylindrical inkjet printing also utilizes a inkjet printer to print the graphics. However, these graphics are printed directly onto the vessel eliminating sublimation paper, cutting and heat sealing. Once the graphic is created in the digital cylinder printer’s software, it is transferred directly to the machine for printing. As the name implies, cylindrical printers are made specifically for straight walled, and taped cylinders. Most commonly printing on assorted drinkware products, cylindrical inkjet printers can also decorate other items like candles, candle holders, cosmetic bottles, and more. The diameter of vessels is dependent on machine capabilities, but recent advances have allowed machines to accommodate vessels with both smaller and larger diameters.
For Print on Demand (POD) companies, this process shortens the in-hand cycle. The artwork needs to be prepared for print only once per vessel type. Once the file is properly labeled and a corresponding label is made, the operator will pick the part, print the barcode and then deliver it to be printer. The machine operator will then place the drinkware piece in the machine, scan the barcode and print the proper graphics. Once it is printed, it is shipped off to the customer. This process can produce around 2-3 parts per minute, depending on the height of the artwork and the speed of your operator.
This workflow can be enhanced even farther with an artwork preparation software. Once demand picks up and custom orders are being placed left and right consider automating the artwork preparation. What once took an operator 15 minutes to do will take less than a fraction of a minute.
The benefits of such a machine are endless. Companies can completely transform their drinkware to levels they have never even imagined. Those who are starting can completely differentiate themselves from competitors. For those who are currently sublimating, you are decreasing your production times and increasing quality and margins. This process is more sustainable and greatly reduces the amount of waste in terms of paper and plastic. Aside from the production improvements, the quality is stunning and will highlight the artist even further.
Additionally, cylindrical inkjet printers use UV inks which are instantly cured by UV LED lights. These inks are specially formulated to promote adhesion to specific substrates including plastics, glass, and metals. For optimal adhesion proper pre-treatment is advised. However, some inks, like Inkcups’ T2 UV Ink for Tritan Plastic eliminates the need for extensive pre-treatment on the notoriously difficult material, Tritan plastic.
Inkcups’ Helix® Digital Cylinder Printer is an advanced machine with an open software capable of connecting to production facility. This machine prints in full-color, 360-degrees on numerous vessel types such as stainless steel, powder coated metals, plastic, glass and more. Highlight crowd-sourced graphics that give meaning to drinkware. Produce a product that enhances the creativity that these artists possess.
Learn more about Print on DemandThe Double Helix® offers all the quality as the Helix® but at twice the output. Simultaneously print two vessels at once to increase throughput.
Stand out from the masses with print techniques such as mirror print, Lustre Effect, tone-on-tone, contour effect, and more.
Learn about the Double Helix®Of the Helix® line of cylindrical inkjet printers, the Revolution® comes in at the highest speeds, printing 600 parts per hour. With integrated pre-treatment, automatic load and unload, the Revolution® is the ideal printing machine for manufacturers in need of medium to high volume runs.
Learn more about the Revolution®Are you currently printing on t-shirts or assorted apparel and looking for your next avenue for additional revenue? Drinkware is just the thing! Seamlessly integrate a cylindrical inkjet printer to your production floor and start capturing more sales today.
Getting Started with Drinkware Printing
Tagless Printers
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UV Flatbed Printers
Pad Printing Machines
Pretreatment Systems
Software
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