Vacuum sublimination process for forming outsoles of articles of footwear

A method for forming a graphic on an outsole for an article of footwear, comprising:

• preparing an outsole plate for the outsole for graphic sublimation, the outsole plate comprising a plurality of cleat members that protrude outwardly from a base surface of the outsole plate, and mounting the outsole plate within a tray;
• positioning a printed film comprising a graphic over the outsole plate and the tray to form a tray assembly and positioning the tray assembly inside a vacuum-sublimation oven;
• selecting a temperature from within a range of 110 to 140 degrees Celsius and a cycle time from within a range of 300 to 500 seconds for transferring the graphic on the printed film to the outsole plate;
• and
• activating the vacuum-sublimation oven to transfer the graphic on the printed film to the outsole plate at the selected temperature and cycle time, and at a pressure of −0.1 MPa such that the graphic is formed over at least a first portion of the base surface and the plurality of cleat members.

A vacuum-sublimation system comprising:

• a tray comprising an outsole-mounting portion and a rim disposed above the outsole-mounting portion, wherein the outsole-mounting portion is shaped to receive an outsole plate comprising a plurality of cleat members thereon;
• a frame configured to fit and seal against the rim;
• and
• a vacuum-sublimation oven comprising a drawer configured to receive the tray therein and one or more controls for setting a pressure, temperature, and time duration for vacuum-sublimation.