Sublimation
If the project requires precision, photorealistic reproduction and a rich range of colors, shades and tones (such as photographs), sublimation is the best choice. The process is mainly used on white polyester materials, such as sports jerseys (often used during marathons), and on white, classic mugs with a cylindrical shape.
Sublimation – what is it and how does it work?
Sublimation is a process that has fascinated both scientists and us printers for years. But what is it really? In the simplest terms, it’s a transformation in which a substance goes directly from a solid to a gaseous state, bypassing the liquid phase. Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? This phenomenon plays a key role in many fields, including printing technology on textiles and gadgets.
As for the application of sublimation in our industry, it involves transferring sublimation ink from a print on special transfer paper directly to the structure of the selected material or other suitable substrate using a heat transfer press. As a result, we obtain multicolor prints of photographic quality, which are extremely durable and resistant to washing, washing, abrasion and weather conditions. We use this method to decorate bright polyester textiles, ceramics, metal, wood and many other surfaces.
Advantages and disadvantages of sublimation
- Very high durability of the print
- Resistance to abrasion
- Resistance to fading
- Resistance to mechanical damage
- Complex, intricate patterns can be printed in a full range of colors
- The print is imperceptible to the touch
- Wide application (mugs, lanyards, clothing, umbrellas, bags, etc.)
- No cost of design preparation before printing
- Implementation from 1 piece.
- Printing only on polyester materials or with its admixture (which does not have to be a disadvantage, and can even be an advantage, for example, with the sensational Russel HD T-shirts)
- Possibility of printing only on white or light-colored surfaces

How does the sublimation printing process work?
The process consists of several steps:
- Graphic design preparation: It is important to remember that the design must be prepared in CMYK colors, in high quality, at least 300 dpi. Such graphics, 1:1, are printed on special sublimation paper using dedicated sublimation inks.
- Placing the paper on the material: The printed paper is precisely placed on the selected surface: a polyester T-shirt or a mug.
- Using the transfer press: The press, thanks to high temperature and pressure, causes sublimation of the ink, allowing it to penetrate the structure of the material.
The end result? A permanent print imprinted into the structure of the T-shirt, resistant to fading, abrasion and external influences. It is these features that make sublimation unique in product personalization.
Thus, three elements play a key role in the entire process:
- Sublimation paper: Designed to effectively absorb the ink and enable its precise transfer to the material.
- Sublimation ink: Under the influence of high temperature, it changes its state of aggregation, penetrating deep into the surface.
- Thermal transfer press: This is an indispensable part of the sublimation printing process. This device allows dye to be transferred from the sublimation paper to the material, using precisely controlled temperature and pressure. As a result, prints are evenly transferred and their quality remains consistent for a long time.
Without the press, it would be impossible to achieve durable and clear prints. It is the very foundation of efficiency and reliable

Advertising towels and sublimation?
Such towels are specially prepared from two layers. One is cotton, soft and the second layer is polyester which can be sublimated. In this way, we make towels for the advertising industry as well as for individual customer orders.
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Learn about 12 other printing techniques available from our company:
- Fullprint
- Screen printing
- Thermal transfer flex and flock
- DTF digital printing
- Computer embroidery
- All printing techniques
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