Sublimation Printing

With Sublimation Printing there are almost "no limits" to the end results you can achieve with all types of apparel. We can offer a limitless variety of designs and colours to make you or your team really stand out from the crowd. All our sporting apparel is "made to order" so you get just the right fit and style every time.

What is sublimation?

The term sublimation is used to describe heat-activated inks that change into a gas when heated and have the ability to bond with polyester or acrylic surfaces. Sublimated images are extremely resistant because the image is protected within the surface.

Digital and Screenprint

Screen-printing with sublimation ink is not new. What is new to the printing world, is the ability to digitally print sublimation inks rather that screen-printing them. This gives the design a greater choice in colour and design.

How does sublimation work?

Sublimation uses a patented heat transfer process that employs special heat sensitive inks permanently dye polymer surfaces.

How is sublimation different from transfer papers?

Heat transfers created with colour laser use a coated 'plastic' paper to fuse ordinary ink onto the surface of a substrate. The result is a "decal-like" transfer that can peel, crack, fade, and discolour over time. Sublimation transfers instead rely on special inks to transfer the image directly into the surface of a substrate. The result is a "tattoo-like" transfer that will not peel, crack, or fade and lasts for many years.

How is a sublimation transfer different from direct printing?

'Direct printing' is an alternative category that includes a variety of ways to digitally print on textiles. Direct printing involves printing directly to a coated fabric. A common misconception is that this is a more efficient process than sublimation, but both methods require finishing. The finishing process for direct printing includes both steaming and washing. Coated fabrics for direct printing are more expensive and easily wasted. Sublimation transfers offer a level of colour, richness, vibrancy and permanency that direct printing cannot achieve.