ModMat® Sublimation Slipmat Printing Instructions

ModMat® Sublimation Slipmat Printing Instructions

Thank you for choosing ModMat® – the premium slipmat designed specifically for high-quality sublimation printing.

Please read these instructions carefully before printing.

Product Information

Your ModMat® slipmat has been specially manufactured to accept sublimation inks and transfer vibrant, long-lasting designs directly into the surface of the material.

Unlike vinyl stickers or heat-transfer films, sublimation permanently dyes the fibres of the slipmat, creating a professional finish that will not crack, peel, or add unwanted thickness.

Recommended Printing Method

Equipment Required

Sublimation printer with sublimation inks
Sublimation transfer paper
A good quality consistent Flat heat press larger than the mat itself  ( I have a 40x50 ) – remember cheap bad heatpresses cost money in failed presses and wasted time.
Good quality Heat-resistant tape
Protective paper & Grease proof paper or Teflon sheet

Artwork Preparation

Artwork Size

For best results:
Create artwork at the exact finished size of the slipmat. ( allow 3-4mm as bleed around the ink to allow for potential slippage when pressing )

Standard 12" slipmat diameter: 295mm (11.6")
Standard 7" slipmat diameter: 178mm (6.8")

PRO TIP :
Be mindful for the Centre spindle hole: (7mm in the centre)  as to not lose important details in artwork or allow it to throw out composition.  I personally include a 5mm width and height “+” symbol in a contrasting colour to my artwork so I can help to align the exact centre of the artwork to the disc easily.

Resolution

• Minimum: 300 DPI
• Colour Mode: CMYK to allow for correct colour representation in print.
• File Types: PNG, TIFF, PDF, PSD or high-quality JPEG ( no compression )

Design Tips

• Extend artwork to the outer edge of the template and a few mm beyond for print safety.
• Avoid placing important text or graphic information within 10mm of the edge.
• Watch out for circular borders they can be tricky as alignment is CRITICAL for the result to not look wonky.
• Ensure text and logos are positioned clear of the centre hole.
• Remember that sublimation colours often appear dull on the transfer paper but become vibrant after pressing – so don’t panic.
• Use the appropriate print profile for the sublimation paper and the printer that your printing on to ensure colour accuracy. See your paper supplier for this - there will be a small one-time charge. don’t skimp.. pay it.. its pretty much essential.
• Remember for the design - a slipmat will rotate CLOCKWISE
• Sublimation ink expands slightly as it turns into a gas before it cools and bonds with the polymers in your ModMat® blank mat. Pushing past 300 DPI usually doesn't result in a sharper image because the ink dots naturally blend together in the sublimation process, sometimes muddying fine details.

Heat Press Settings

The following settings provide an excellent starting point:

Recommended Settings

• Temperature: 190°C – 200°C
• Time: 60 seconds
• Pressure: Medium

IMPORTANT : As ALL equipment varies, we strongly recommend performing a test print before full production.

Pressing Procedure

Step 1

Print your design in mirror image using sublimation inks. ( see your sublimation papers recommendation for your own printers printing settings ) 

Step 2

Let the print cure for 5 min before positioning  the printed transfer face-down onto the printable side of the ModMat® slipmat. This is the furry slide, the smooth side is the slip side

Step 3

Secure with quality heat-resistant tape – I like to use 4 pieces in opposing corners - skimping on this could cause the mat to slip in the press and ruin the mat and waste the print. Grrrrr been there, done that, got the ruined mats to prove it.

Step 4

Place protective paper above and below the slipmat to prevent ink contamination of your press. I use greaseproof paper directly in contact with the exposed unprinted slip side as the slip coating gets a little tacky and can stick and bond to certain absorbent papers when heated. 

Step 5

Press using the recommended temperature, time and pressure settings, remember they may need to be modified for your particular set up so experiement.

Step 6

Carefully remove the transfer immediately after pressing.

Step 7

Allow the slipmat to cool completely and totally flat before handling.

Important Notes

• Excessive heat may cause discolouration or distortion.
• Insufficient heat or time can result in faded images.
• Colours may vary between printers, inks and heat presses. Find your sweet spot.
• Always test settings before commercial production runs.
• Store unused slipmats flat in a cool, dry environment.

Care Instructions of printed mats

To maintain the appearance of your printed ModMat®:

• Keep dry whenever possible.
• If dust builds up. Don’t use abrasive cleaning products. Use a small vacuum cleaner on a very low power or better still  just use a lint roller.
• Store flat when not in use. At Modmat our Mats are sold in a cardboard sleeve and a clear poly sleeve for maximum protection and easy storage with your existing vinyl.
• Do not wash and certainly don’t put them in a washing machine.. that ends very badly.

Quality Guarantee

Every ModMat® slipmat is manufactured to provide excellent print quality and reliable performance for DJs, record collectors, artists and promotional merchandise creators.

We hope you enjoy creating your custom ModMat® design.

ModMat®
Designed for Creativity. Made for Vinyl.