About Sublimation

What is Sublimation Printing?

The definition of sublimation is a chemical process where a solid turns into a gas without going through the liquid stage, this applies to sublimation printing too. 

Sublimation is possible with any design that you desire. The design that you’ve created will be transferred to special sublimation transfer paper using a digital printer and sublimation inks. The sublimation paper is then transferred to your fabric of of choice (must be made of 100% polyester), via a heat press. The inks then turn into a gas state and sink into (permeate) the fibres of the garment. This is because the heat releases the sublimation inks from the transfer paper, at the same time as opening the pores of the fabric. In a gas state, the inks permeate the fabric through the open pores. When the heat press is removed, the gas turns into a solid and the pores close, trapping the inks inside the fabrics, creating a design that will not crack, fade or peel from the garment.

When Should you use Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation is best used on 100% polyester white fabrics, natural fibres will not work with this printing process. Sublimation is used for all-over dye applications as the colours are bold and long-lasting. These all-over dye applications are perfect if you want to stand out in a crowd or simply love a top but want to change its colour. 

Sublimation printing is commonly used for fashion, interior design, soft homewares, photography and promotional event signage. There is no minimum or maximum order needed to make sublimation printing viable; you can simply print a design onto one t-shirt or create hundreds for an event or your own fashion line.