Ghosting in sublimation

Written by Aaron Burton on October 3rd 2024

What is ‘ghosting’ in sublimation? 

Ghosting is an industry standard term in sublimation for a shadow that appears on a product, due to one or more problems with the way it’s being made. More often than not, it’s due to the sublimation transfer paper moving on the substrate during the sublimation process, or when the heat press surfaces are exposed to residual ink.

The important thing is to work out why you’re getting ghosting, why the transfer paper is moving in the first place. It could be due to opening or closing the heat press (which will cause your transfer paper to shift, especially if the sublimation process has already begun); adjusting the heat press pressure (which might cause the transfer paper to shift); or simply improperly securing the transfer paper.

How to solve ghosting in sublimation processes

All of these problems can be solved by using a thermal adhesive paper, which bonds to the textile during the sublimation process. This helps eliminate ghosting completely – it’ll save you time and money. 

Want to know more? Feel free to contact us – we’re always on hand to help solve problems like these.

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