Fabric: flexible, functional, beautiful.

For tradeshows, retail environments, events and exhibitions, fabric is an ideal material for communicating your message. From stunning full color photography to solid planes of color, dye sublimation fabric printing is as versatile as it is cost effective. With an enhanced texture and flexibility, fabric replaces vinyl and rigid substrates, lowering both cost and environmental impact. Fabric is unique, unusual, and beautiful.

Portland Color was the beta test site for the HP Scitex XLJet Dye Sublimation Fabric Printer, and is recognized as a world expert and partner by Hewlett Packard because of our role in perfecting this important technology. We continue to partner with HP and their suppliers to test and improve the ink, transfer paper, color profiles, and functionality of this printer.

We are one of a handful of companies in the United States with 10′ wide fabric printing capabilities. Dye sublimation fabric printing is a process in which an inkjet printer sprays ink on to a transfer paper. The transfer paper is then fed into a heat press along with fabric. Under heat and pressure, the ink on the paper “sublimates” (transforms from a solid to a gas) and becomes permanently bonded to the fibers of the fabric. The resulting print is weatherfast and can be laundered.

We use a wide variety of fabrics from satin and silk, to spandex and scrims to give a unique look and feel to your signage. We can finish these prints with grommets, hems and pole pockets or we can supply banner stands and other display hardware. Dye sublimation fabric printing produces the best color gamut and best contrast of all fabric printing processes. The hand of the fabric is retained and print quality is sharp and rich.

Environmental impacts
Inks contain mild solvents and drying agents. Machines are hooded to evacuate odors out of the immediate work environment. Fabric and transfer paper are 100% recycled at Portland Color. Residual ink is disposed of through energy-creating incineration. Fabrics made with up to 100% recycled content are available.

Equipment
HP/Scitex XLJet 1500 (126″ width). Roland SJ-1045 (100″ width)

Maximum print size
10′ w x 100 yards, depending on media

Medias available
Heavy and Lightweight Poly Poplin, Satin, Spandex, Acrobat, Flag cloth, Meshes, Sheers and Gauze. All fabric is either virgin or recycled polyester; no natural fibers can be used.

Inks
Dye Sublimation. CMYK plus light Magenta, light Cyan, light Yellow, light Black.

Finishing
Hot knifing, hemming, grommets, pole pockets, banner stands, hanging hardware

Ideal uses
Tradeshow displays, point-of-purchase graphics, banners, event signage, corporate interiors, interior signage.

Archival quality
Exposure to average indoor light sources will not cause any noticeable fading. Outdoors in direct sunlight should last 6-8 months. Not recommended for long term outdoor use.

File Preparation
Adobe Creative Suite, PDF or Quark Express accepted. Images should be a minimum of 125 dpi at final printed size.