Dye Sublimation on Natural Wood

Dye Sublimation is a printing process in which a heat press infuses ink into a material. The material we will be learning about printing onto today is wood. In this post, we will discuss the step by step process of how to dye sublimate as well as the pros and cons of the product itself. Before you dye sublimate, you must have the proper materials to get started. The first material you will need is a blank wood panel. 

As you can see, it has a blue film on one side. This is because this is the side we will be printing onto as it has a thin coat of polyester which is what the ink will lock onto. These wood panels come in a few different sizes but limited shapes. The sizes range from as little as 8" x 8", all the way up to as large as 20" x 30". For more sizing information please see our website for further details by clicking here.

 Next we have transfer paper which is what the image will be printed onto first before the wood. The ink we will be using is water based and produces high intensity colors. However, the ink cartridges do not produce white pigment therefor any image with white shadings will show the natural material beneath, in this case natural wood.

After we have collected all our materials we can begin to dye sublimate using our heat press. First we will apply a sheet of brown paper as the bottom layer on our heat press. On top of that we will apply the transfer paper with the image printed on it face up. After peeling off the blue film, we will apply the wood panel face down on top of the transfer paper, making sure it is centered and lined up with the transfer paper image. We will then add heat resistant tape to the panel and paper on all four sides to keep them from moving around so that the image will not get distorted when printing. Lastly we will apply a top layer of brown paper on the wood. The heat press is then closed for approximately one minute at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the heat press is applied, the heat and pressure infuse the inks from the transfer paper into the polyester coating on the wood panel. There is no chance of the image peeling or bubbling as it is not a layer on top of the wood but infused into the wood. Once it is done cooking, we will put our oven mitts on for safety and take the materials out of the heat press. Set them aside to cool before opening.

 Here we have the final product of dye sublimation on natural wood. As you can see the image has a warm earthy tone giving it a vintage appearance. The ink coloring is bright, vivid and rich once printed on the wood. That being said, the wood can give off a yellowish tone and can be harsh on certain images and colorings. It is noteworthy to mention that printing on wood is most suitable for photography images and not recommended for family portraits. The laminate coating creates a scratch proof, water resistant protection and gives off no glare.

All wood panels come with predrilled keyholes so it is ready to hang and requires no frame. A bonus is that as it is a solid piece of wood, therefor damage is less likely as there is no delicate features such as glass or a frame. There are multiple product material options available when it comes to dye sublimation and no matter which version you choose, you will end up with a very unique long lasting piece of art.

For more check out our YouTube channel and our step by step video on Dye Sublimation on Natural Wood by clicking here!

For more information on our dye sublimation on wood products click here!

For more information on all our products and services click here!

Artist Feature: Tamara Phillips

Hello all!

Though it's hard to believe, summer is finally winding down. Before the sun begins to set to fall, we wanted to feature another artist who reminds us of summer. Tamara Phillips of Vancouver Island paints lustrous wildlife illustrations with hues of blues and aquas. Her love of nature and wildlife is evident in every slender stroke and meticulously drawn circle. Mixed with wood textures, her final pieces become entrancing - trailing from the shape of a jellyfish or an otter, soon you lose yourself in the myriad of mandala-like details that make up each hair, face, or feather.

Moonlit Owl, Tamara Phillips

" I am completely inspired by the natural world. Beauty is everywhere.

It is in the growth of the forest, the depth of the sea, and the curve of the bone.

It is skin, scales, bark, and tide pool ripples. It is texture, and it is raw.

I am a translator of life, and I am compelled to narrate it."

- Tamara Phillips, from her bio-page.

When looking at her pieces, one almost feels as if the subjects themselves are fluid, ever-moving and perhaps not entirely real. They move as if manifested out of water itself, floating, condensing, evaporating. It is this sense of permeability and (yet) impermanence that makes Phillip's work truly a blend of "myth, dream, intuition, and reality".

Orca, 7x10, Tamara Phillips

Sea Otter, 14x11

To view more of Tamara Phillips' work, visit her website. You can also check out her Etsy shop for prints and more.

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KeenArt Media is a family-owned printing company specializing in fine art prints and reproduction services, such as scanning, dry mounting, and dye sublimation (onto metal or wood!). Whether it's for the home or for the gallery, we have you covered.  Inquire today!

KeenArt Media Ltd. Toll Free: 1-88-533-6278
www.VancouverOnCanvas.com
Working Hours:
8:30 AM to 5:00PM Monday to Thursday
8:30 AM to 4:00PM Friday