Sublimation — Full-Color, Edge-to-Edge Dye Printing
Sublimation dyes fuse directly into polyester fibers, producing seamless, wash-proof, edge-to-edge full-color prints — the gold standard for jerseys, mugs, and polyester goods.
What Is Sublimation?
Sublimation is a dye-transfer process where full-color art is printed onto a transfer paper with sublimation ink, then heat-pressed at ~400°F. The heat converts the ink into a gas that permeates and dyes the polyester fibers of the substrate — the design becomes part of the fabric or coating rather than sitting on top of it.
How It Works
Your artwork is printed with sublimation ink onto transfer paper.
The paper is aligned onto the polyester garment or coated substrate.
A heat press applies ~400°F under pressure, converting the ink to gas.
The gas permanently dyes the polyester fibers.
The paper is removed, revealing a permanent, flexible, ink-free print.
Advantages & Limitations
Advantages
- No hand-feel — the ink IS the fabric, so there's zero texture.
- Cannot crack, peel, or fade like plastisol screen prints.
- Full-color, edge-to-edge, zero color-count limits.
- Perfect for jerseys, mugs, mousepads, and polyester apparel.
- Individual player names and numbers at no additional cost.
Limitations
- Requires polyester or polyester-coated substrate. Not compatible with 100% cotton.
- White-only areas of the design show as the base color of the substrate (garment must be white or light).
- Not ideal for dark garments (use DTF instead).
Compatible Products
Example Products
Sample products showcasing this technique's capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sublimate on cotton?
No — sublimation requires polyester. For cotton apparel, use DTF.
Can each jersey have a different name and number?
Yes — sublimation allows individual player names and numbers at no per-unit surcharge.
How long does sublimation last?
Effectively forever — the dye is inside the fibers, so it can't wash out or crack off.
Can sublimation print onto dark shirts?
No — the process is transparent-ink, so anywhere your design is white, the shirt color shows through. Use DTF for dark shirts.
Ready to Use Sublimation?
Choose your product and select this technique in the customizer, or reach out for a bulk quote.