Can You Sublimate on Rayon Fabric? Tips on Rayon Sublimation

We’ll discuss whether it’s appropriate for our projects and how to sublimate on rayon in this article.

Sublimation is suitable for polyester fabric but some crafters wanted to sublimate the rayon fabric and ask the question: can you sublimate on rayon? The answer is that you cannot sublimate pure rayon because it has a smooth and silky texture that is prone to scorch or melt when exposed to heat transfer.

To use sublimation on rayon, you can do so using a number of different techniques. As a result, you’ll discover how to sublimate on rayon today. And I’ve written a number of articles about dye sublimation, including ones on cotton sublimate, nylon sublimate, and modal sublimate.

Can You Sublimate on 100% Rayon?

No. It is also possible to sublimate rayon that has been blended with other materials. Because cellulose, which is derived from wood, is used to make semi-synthetic fibers used to make rayon, which is produced.

Rayon, which is made of silky natural polymers and chemical compounds and also goes by the names silk or viscose, is smooth. Natural polymers are therefore unsuitable for sublimation.

Related: Can You Sublimate on Modal Fabric?

But as we’ve already mentioned, there are two different ways to sublimate rayon. One method uses a rayon fabric with a poly blend, and the other sprays a polyester coat using poly-t pro or poly-t plus.

Does Sublimation Work on Rayon?

Yes, rayon can be sublimated, but the main requirement is to use fabric that is poly-blended and contains at least 60–70% polyester with the remainder being rayon. In addition, you can use tri-blended fabric, which contains a mixture of 50% polyester, 25% cotton, and 25% rayon. To get accurate results with the other two blends, it is advised to use 75% polyester.

Can You Sublimate 60% Rayon to 40% Polyester?

Well, 40% polyester can be sublimated, but a higher rayon blend would scorch. Furthermore, after washing with only 40% polyester, the sublimation ink will probably fade. Greater vibrancy will result from using more polyester.

However, if you try a 60% rayon and 40% polyester blend, the results will be fantastic. But after a few washes, it will begin to fade gradually.

Here are other characteristics of rayon fabric:

• Does Rayon Fabric Shrink in the Dryer Or When Washed?
• Is Rayon Fabric Stretchable?
• What Does Rayon Fabric Feel Like?
• Does Rayon Fabric Shrink in the Dryer Or When Washed?
• How to Wash Rayon Fabric?

Can You Sublimate on 100% Or 95% Rayon Fabric With Spandex?

A 100% rayon fabric or even one that is 95% rayon and 5% spandex will probably melt or at the very least scorch when sublimated onto. That is considered a high rayon count and is not a good match for high heat. (See How to Care for Rayon Fabric?)

Attempting to dye sublimate rayon/spandex fabric will likely end in frustration because of the following:

• Rayon is not a pure polymer synthetic
• Rayon is sensitive to irons
• Rayon’s shiny nature can leave awful press marks

Step-by-Step Procedure to Sublimate on Rayon

By using a desizer followed by the polyester coating (typically Dyepress Poly T solution), you can get around the issues we discussed above for printing onto fabrics like rayon.

Material Needed:

• Rayon Substrate
• 1 Desizer concentrate
• 1 Polyester Resin concentrate
• Water
• Measuring jar
• Sprayer
• Butcher papers
• Printed transfer
• Silicon pad
• Cardboard
• Heat press machine

Methods for Sublimation Printing on Rayon

So, let us know the process of how to sublimate on rayon:

• Step 1: You need to add 7 ounces of water for every ounce of desizer concentrate, so get a measuring cup. 8 ounces of solution are created after mixing the solution. We can use it on up to twenty rayon fabrics. Take a spray bottle, fill it with the mixture, and shake it vigorously.
• Step 2: For making the polyester solution (also known as the Dyepress Poly T solution), repeat step 1. We are now prepared to start.
• Step 3: Spray the desizer solution in a fine mist wherever heat will come into contact with the nylon. Check by touching it until you feel it’s wet.
• Step 4: When you have the fabric good and wet, take it over to the heat press and steam out the desizer. Cover the nylon fabric with a thin, dry cloth, preferably cotton, before applying the press. When you press this dry cotton material, moisture will be absorbed.
• Step 5: To see steam coming out, set the heat press to 385F and press for 35 seconds. Once finished, you are prepared to apply the polyester coating.
• Step 6: Spray the Poly T solution (polyester coating) after you’ve finished steaming the desizer to apply your image. Making certain that the poly coat area is contained within the area where the desizer was applied would be beneficial. Placing cardboard where the image will be printed will give you some guidance as you create spray borders and continue spraying through the entire printing area, removing the cardboard.
• Step 7: Once you have finished spraying, fold the fabric and press with your hands to help the polyester penetrate the nylon fibers. Unfold it next, then allow it to dry. You can hand it in or use a hot dryer on it. Alternatively, if you want to dry quickly, use a heat press.
• Step 8: If you want to quickly and easily dry the poly coat with heat, press. So, just hover the wet nylon fabric underneath the heat press. Never ever touch the poly coat with the heat plate. Till the poly coat is dry, leave it there for five minutes.
• Step 9: Applying the heat press is now required. Apply butcher paper to the fabric and press with a heat press for 10 seconds at 385F. The first poly coat has been completed. It’s time to add a second, light coat. Just keep in mind that, if using DyePress Poly T concentrate as we did, you must apply polyester coating twice. After that, hover the heat press once more to allow that to dry.

• Step 10: Cover it with butcher paper and use a heat press to cure it for 10 seconds after the second coat has dried. Let’s prepare to sublimate now.
• Step 11: The transfer is printed out for you. You will apply it to the portion of the nylon fabric that has already been treated and cured. Keep a silicon mat underneath the fabric that is just a little bit larger than the image so that the heat can concentrate on that area and prevent burning or scorching the rest of the fabric. You can now set something on the heat press.
• Step 12: Once everything is in place, cover it with butcher paper and the printed transfer. Sublimate now using a heat press for 70 seconds at 385F with medium to heavy pressure.
• Step 13: Once the heat press is finished, take off the butcher paper and start slowly transferring from one corner. Finally, a nice, smooth print on nylon that will outlast polyester substrates has been completed.

Key Points to Remember When Sublimating on Rayon

• When using the sublimation process on rayon without using a polyester coating, the fabric is likely to burn and scorch. The finish of the rayon is slick. For a successful outcome, it is anticipated to repeatedly migrate within the fibers and remove them after a few washes.
• Despite the polyester coating you gave it, rayon will probably remain on the surface. As a result, it will only stay on top because it cannot properly bond with the fabric.
• If you get a good print on rayon, the fabric will lose your image and the polyester coating after 4-5 washes.

Why Sublimation Printing is the Best Option for Rayon Fabrics?

Because rayon is a synthetic material, rayon bends more efficiently than natural textiles such as cotton or polyester. As a result, when rayon is heated, the fabric’s fibers spread out, increasing the material’s volume.

Consequently, the thread gains a substantial amount of space. The vibrant paintings are created in the area where the dye molecules are trapped. The dye molecules become trapped in the void created when high temperatures are applied after being changed into gaseous moles.

Long-lasting molecules are present in space. The enlarged fiber, which facilitates this and simplifies the process, makes it possible. The dye molecules are once more changed into a solid state when high pressure is applied to them.

The thread begins to become slightly more rigid in the interim. As a result, the molecules can stay in the fiber for longer.

Conclusion: Sublimate on Rayon Fabric

The sublimation printing industry is well known for using rayon as one of the hottest substrates. So, in addition to polyester, rayon can also be sublimated.

This is how to print beautifully and smoothly using polyester or rayon substrates. Despite what the steps might seem like, they are simple, quick, and easy to do for one or two uses.

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