Dye sublimation is a process where you print your artwork using special inks onto special paper. You then apply this to specially receptive products, e.g. garments or mug, using a heat press. At the correct temperature, the ink turns into a gas and fuses into the product, giving a long lasting, vibrant image.

How to use the Sawgrass SG400 printer and Virtoso software:

• Login to the Hackspace computer.
• Make sure the Sawgrass SG400 printer is turned on.
• Open the image up you want to print (you can transfer the image you want using a USB).
• Select print.
• Change the printer to Sublimation Printer.
• Select print.
• This will then open Virtuoso Print Manager.
• Make sure 'Mirror' is ticked under the 'Material' tab.
• Put a piece of paper in the printer. I used Advantia Laser Printer Films (A4) paper. NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU PUT THE PAPER IN THE PRINTER WITH THE PLASTIC/SHINY SIDE FACING DOWN.
• Select print.

How to use the HP3804 Heat Press:

• Make sure the handle is lifted up.
• Plug in with kettle lead.
• Turn the heat press on.
• The temperature will be dependant on which fabric you are printing on. I found it printed best between 180 - 200 degrees. You can manually change the temperature using the up and down arrows on the left-hand screen.
• Lay the fabric on the press, with the side you want to press on facing up.
• Lay the print plastic/shiny side down on the fabric.
• Pull the handle down until it locks.
• The amount of time you press for will also depend on which fabric you are printing on. I found it printed best for between 40 - 55 seconds.
• Pull the handle up. Wait for the fabric to cool for a couple of minutes. Peel off the plastic/paper.
• REMEMBER: TURN THE HEAT PRESS OFF WHEN FINISHED AND REPLACE BACK ON THE TOOLS & EQUIPMENT SHELF.

This is how my first press turned out! Image on the left is the print, image on the right is the print on fabric (calico):

As you can see, the image is quite faded, however I rather like the effect!

Sawgrass SG400 Printer
Printer user manual
Video with guidelines on how to use the printer (skip to 1:55)

Video with guidelines on how to use the heat press

Sawgrass Virtuoso Print Manager