So I was browsing the fat cyclist recently (cause someone posted a link to it on here recently) and I came across the bit where he has jerseys coming out sometime next month and he mentions the wonderful "sublimated graphics" which, come to think of it, is a phrase I've seen a handful few other places always referring to the terrific graphics on cycling jerseys and my word geek brain starts doing it's word geek thing until I go get the dictionary out (in this case my cellphone) and although "sublimate" (which is pretty close) is there, "sublimated" isn't.
Then I go and check dictionary.com and gosh "sublimated" isn't there either. Again I find "sublimate" and although it gives me the option of having the -ed suffix on the word none of the definitions really line up too well with cycling jersey graphics.
So what the heck are sublimated graphics and why are they used to refer to pretty jerseys?
So I was browsing the fat cyclist recently (cause someone posted a link to it on here recently) and I came across the bit where he has jerseys coming out sometime next month and he mentions the wonderful "sublimated graphics" which, come to think of it, is a phrase I've seen a handful few other places always referring to the terrific graphics on cycling jerseys and my word geek brain starts doing it's word geek thing until I go get the dictionary out (in this case my cellphone) and although "sublimate" (which is pretty close) is there, "sublimated" isn't.
Then I go and check dictionary.com and gosh "sublimated" isn't there either. Again I find "sublimate" and although it gives me the option of having the -ed suffix on the word none of the definitions really line up too well with cycling jersey graphics.
So what the heck are sublimated graphics and why are they used to refer to pretty jerseys?
-M
Sublimated in this context means they more or less print out whatever graphics they want on a big sheet of special paper with special ink. They then put white fabric in a special heated press with the paper to transfer the color to the fabric.
It allows you to do all sorts of things that with normal printing (each color seperate printed on the fabric one after the other) are difficult and or impossible and time consuming.
It is of course very easy to make super ugly jerseys with sublimation too!
So I was browsing the fat cyclist recently (cause someone posted a link to it on here recently) and I came across the bit where he has jerseys coming out sometime next month and he mentions the wonderful "sublimated graphics" which, come to think of it, is a phrase I've seen a handful few other places always referring to the terrific graphics on cycling jerseys and my word geek brain starts doing it's word geek thing until I go get the dictionary out (in this case my cellphone) and although "sublimate" (which is pretty close) is there, "sublimated" isn't.
Then I go and check dictionary.com and gosh "sublimated" isn't there either. Again I find "sublimate" and although it gives me the option of having the -ed suffix on the word none of the definitions really line up too well with cycling jersey graphics.
So what the heck are sublimated graphics and why are they used to refer to pretty jerseys?
-M
Google "dye sublimation" for a variety of explanations.
With an inkjet or screen printing, each color is applied and dries separately and they can't really mix to form non-primary colors,,,,if you want violet for example, it just prints lots of alternating red and blue dots--and you ca see these individual dots if you look closely. With a dye-sub printer, the way the colors are applied allows them to mix much better into non-primary colors on the target media, and you won't see the dots--you just see violet.
Among the computer world, most home photo printers use this method just because it gives better color results. But it's much more expensive than inkjet printing, so that's why most home photo printers tend to have small sheet sizes. ~
So I was browsing the fat cyclist recently (cause someone posted a link to it on here recently) and I came across the bit where he has jerseys coming out sometime next month and he mentions the wonderful "sublimated graphics" which, come to think of it, is a phrase I've seen a handful few other places always referring to the terrific graphics on cycling jerseys and my word geek brain starts doing it's word geek thing until I go get the dictionary out (in this case my cellphone) and although "sublimate" (which is pretty close) is there, "sublimated" isn't.
Then I go and check dictionary.com and gosh "sublimated" isn't there either. Again I find "sublimate" and although it gives me the option of having the -ed suffix on the word none of the definitions really line up too well with cycling jersey graphics.
So what the heck are sublimated graphics and why are they used to refer to pretty jerseys?
The definition of "sublimation" has to do with the way a solid evaporates. If the material goes from solid to vapor, without going through a liquid phase, that's sublimation. The most familiar example is dry ice. You never see liquid CO2 in an ice cream chest. The dyes used in making T-shirts are applied with heat. They vaporize and recondense on the fabric. That's sublimation.
The definition of "sublimation" has to do with the way a solid evaporates. If the material goes from solid to vapor, without going through a liquid phase, that's sublimation. The most familiar example is dry ice. You never see liquid CO2 in an ice cream chest. The dyes used in making T-shirts are applied with heat. They vaporize and recondense on the fabric. That's sublimation.
My chemist friends tell me that a burrito is a perfect example of sublimation.
So I was browsing the fat cyclist recently (cause someone posted a link to it on here recently) and I came across the bit where he has jerseys coming out sometime next month and he mentions the wonderful "sublimated graphics" which, come to think of it, is a phrase I've seen a handful few other places always referring to the terrific graphics on cycling jerseys and my word geek brain starts doing it's word geek thing until I go get the dictionary out (in this case my cellphone) and although "sublimate" (which is pretty close) is there, "sublimated" isn't.
Quoted message said:
Then I go and check dictionary.com and gosh "sublimated" isn't there either. Again I find "sublimate" and although it gives me the option of having the -ed suffix on the word none of the definitions really line up too well with cycling jersey graphics.
Quoted message said:
So what the heck are sublimated graphics and why are they used to refer to pretty jerseys?
It justifies the extra 30 bucks?
Considering it is cheaper to produce ther answer is, er... Yes!
So what the heck are sublimated graphics and why are they used to refer to pretty jerseys?
The dye is at the thread level and is part of the jersey, rather than ironed on or printed/added over the original dye job. The pattern should last the life of the threads and the fading should be minimal and somewhat uniform and consistent with the non-pattern part of the jersey.
Curtis L. Russell Odenton, MD (USA) Just someone on two wheels...
They vaporize and recondense on the fabric. That's sublimation.
In the better processes, the vapor is supposed to recondense IN the fabric threads, making them a better, longer lasting product (at least color wise).
Curtis L. Russell Odenton, MD (USA) Just someone on two wheels...
