What is sublimation?

Sublimation is a printing process that involves transferring dye onto various materials, such as fabric, ceramics, or metal, using heat and pressure. Unlike traditional printing methods, sublimation allows for full-color, high-resolution designs to be infused directly into the material, resulting in vibrant and long-lasting graphics.

The sublimation process starts with a specially coated transfer paper that contains sublimation ink. The desired design is printed onto this paper using a sublimation printer. The printed design appears as a mirror image on the paper.

Next, the transfer paper is placed on the material to be printed, typically a polyester fabric or a specially coated item. The paper and material are then subjected to heat and pressure in a heat press machine. The heat causes the sublimation ink to turn into a gas without going through a liquid state. This gas then permeates the surface of the material and becomes embedded within its fibers or coating.

As the material cools, the sublimated ink reverts back to a solid state, effectively becoming a permanent part of the material. The result is a vibrant, durable, and high-resolution print that will not fade, crack, or peel over time.

Sublimation is especially popular for custom apparel, such as sports jerseys, t-shirts, and activewear, as it allows for full-color designs with intricate details and gradients. It is also used for personalized items like mugs, water bottles, and phone cases, where the design can wrap around the object seamlessly.