Fundamentals
There are three essential components to this type of garment printing: heat-reactive dye, polyester or polyester-blended fabric, and a sublimation printer. On the surface, the process looks like basic printing, in that the material goes through the printer, which transfers the image onto the surface. However, with sublimation printing, a chemical reaction bonds the dye to the sublimation Polyester fabric on a molecular level. Once it goes through, heat is introduced to open up the pores of the fabric and transform the dye from a liquid into a gas. The temperatures range from 350° F to 400° F. Pressure is then momentarily applied to ensure the dye permeates the fabric. Once it’s done and removed from heat and pressure, the pores close up, locking the dye in.

Benefits
sublimation
Sublimation printing on fabric can print vibrant, colorful designs with intricate details that won’t fade over time. You won’t have to worry about colors becoming costly, either, like you would with screenprinting. Additionally, because the dye converts from a liquid to a gas, the design on the fabric is entirely smooth to the touch. Since there’s no layer of paint on the surface, it won’t crack or peel under heavy use.

Limitations
The method can’t be used on any fabric or material that doesn’t have polyester or a polymer coating. The cellular and chemical structure of polyester makes the process possible. Anything primarily made of natural fibers, such as cotton, silk, or wool, will not adequately absorb the dye. As long as the fabric is made with at least 60% polyester, it can be printed using sublimation, but the higher the synthetic content, the better.

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