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Screen Printing vs Digital Printing: 6 Key Differences You Need to Know
Ever wondered how your favourite custom T-shirt designs are printed? Knowing the correct printing technique will help you—whether you’re a…
Sublimation Printing
Want colour from seam to seam with nothing you can feel on the fabric? Here's how dye sublimation works.
What Is Dye Sublimation?
Dye sublimation uses heat to turn special inks into a gas that bonds with the fibres, so the colour becomes part of the fabric (polyester or nylon).
The result is a full-colour, all-over print with no raised layer, so the garment stays smooth and breathable.
Recent Sublimation Projects
1. Where Sublimation Works Best
Sublimation is the go-to method for sportswear and jerseys, because polyester fabrics take the dye so well.
It's also popular for team kits, cycling jerseys and event tees that need bright, all-over designs, as well as hard items such as polymer-coated mugs.
Planning a Custom Order?
Ordering T-Shirts or Corporate Gifts in quantities of 20 pieces or more? Talk to us and we'll take care of the rest.
Because the dye is part of the fabric, prints don't crack, peel or fade easily, even after many washes.
That's why teams and sports clubs keep coming back to it season after season.
2. How the Sublimation Process Works
Here's what happens between your artwork and the finished piece.
The design is printed in mirror image onto sublimation paper, laid on the fabric and heat-pressed at around 200°C. The heat turns the ink into a gas, which sinks into the fibres and sets as it cools.
Sublimated mugs from a recent order
3. Sublimation: Strengths and Limits
Here's a quick look at the trade-offs to help you compare it with other T-shirt printing services.
Advantages
- Edge-to-edge colour – designs can cover the whole garment for a true all-over print.
- Nothing to feel – the dye becomes part of the fabric, so the print stays soft and breathable.
Disadvantages
- Fabric limits – it only works on polyester or nylon fabrics (or polymer-coated items).
- Light garments only – the base fabric needs to be white or very light for the colours to show.
4. When We Recommend Sublimation
Choose sublimation when you want bold, full-colour designs across the entire garment.
It's ideal for cycling kit, jersey printed apparels and fashion labels.
Need something built from scratch? See our custom-made services too.
More on Sublimation Printing