On polyester materials
Sublimation prints
Sublimation printing uses heat to essentially merge the ink and fabric into one. First, the design is printed onto a special paper. The inks used turn into a gas under heat and then bond with the fabric, permanently printing onto the material. The effects are durable and less prone to fading, as the ink is embedded in the fabric or substrate rather than simply laid on top like a regular print. The result is a durable, full-color image that does not crack, peel, or wash off the substrate.
An important aspect of sublimation printing is that it can only be used on shirts made of synthetic materials, such as polyester or polyester blends, as only in such materials the sublimation ink penetrates deep into the fibers. Cotton or other natural materials are not suitable for sublimation printing. Sublimation printing on shirts is characterized by high quality and durability. The print is fully resistant to wear and fading, as the sublimation ink penetrates deep into the fabric fibers rather than simply being applied on the surface. This technique allows for printing photos and graphics in high resolution and in full range of colors.
Frequently asked questions
Which materials can be sublimation printed?
Sublimation works on polyester fabrics and suitable polyester blends, or on objects with a special polymer coating. Cotton and other natural fibres are not suitable for this process.
Can sublimation reproduce photographs and gradients?
Yes. Sublimation can reproduce full-colour photographs, detailed graphics and smooth tonal transitions, with the dye bonding into the material or coating.
Does the background colour matter?
Yes. Sublimation works best on light-coloured materials. On a dark background, the print may not appear as intended.