Sublimation printing: All about the textile printing process

If you are a sports club looking for the best textile printing process, you will sooner or later come across sublimation printing. But what exactly is hidden behind this complex term?

spized | Clothing and equipment

October 7, 2024 |

What makes sublimation printing so popular? And what makes sublimation printing so different from other conventional textile printing processes? We want to clarify all this in this article. If you are interested in sublimation printing in the sports sector, you will find important information at the end of the article.

Whats’ on this page

1. What is sublimation printing?

2. How does sublimation printing work in practice?

3. Advantages of sublimation printing

3.1 Präzises Druckergebnis

3.2 Flexibility in design

3.3 Material properties are retained

3.4 Very good durability

3.5 Both large and small runs can be produced economically

3.6 Fast production

3.7 Designs can always be reordered

3.8 Sustainable textile printing process

4. Disadvantages of sublimation printing

4.1 Cotton is not printable

4.2 Graphics costs can be expensive

5. Comparison with other textile printing processes

6. Sublimation printing in sports

What is sublimation printing?

Maybe you still remember your early chemistry lessons and what the term "sublimation" was introduced for back then. If not, here's a little help: "Sublimation" simply means the direct transition of a substance from a solid to a gaseous state (without the intermediate liquid step). And that is exactly what happens in sublimation printing:

The solid colour pigments are vapourised (sublimated) into the textile. Since the change in the aggregate state of the dye is produced by means of heat (up to 230°C), this is often referred to as thermal sublimation printing. In the gaseous state, the dyes can then penetrate perfectly into the textile fibres and adhere there permanently.

How does sublimation printing work in practice?

Sublimation printing is often also referred to as transfer printing. In a first production step, the desired print motifs are first printed on a transfer foil or transfer paper, which then transfers the individual colour pigments into the textile.

In detail, the individual production steps proceed as follows:

Print motifs are printed mirror-inverted onto a transfer foil or transfer paper using special printing inks.
Transfer ribbon is placed on the textile in the desired position with the printed side facing down.
Heating of transfer ribbon and textile to approx. 230°C with the thermal transfer press.
High-pressure application on transfer ribbon and textile.
Dyes sublimate and penetrate the textile fibres as gases.
Dyes combine with the textile fibres on a molecular basis.

The term "print" is therefore almost misleading. This is because after successful sublimation the colours are not on, but directly in the fabric, which in turn ensures very good durability and other advantages. However, sublimation printed textiles must consist of at least 85% polyester fibres.

Advantages of sublimation printing

1. Precise print result

No other textile printing process can reproduce motifs in such high quality as sublimation or transfer printing. Even very detailed motifs or complex photographs can be transferred to the textile with sublimation printing without any problems and true to the original.

The result is not only clear and distinct, but also particularly colour-intensive - in the long term. The sublimated colours hardly fade even with frequent washing.

2.Flexibility in design

Sublimation printing is a digital textile printing process. This means that there are virtually no limits to the design. While other printing techniques are often limited in their colour palette, with textile printing transfer printing all imaginable colours are available. There is also no need to compromise on design. Whether complex patterns, photography, artwork or graphics - the quality of the print result is always consistently high.

Print providers with a 3D configurator are particularly flexible. In this way, you not only save the costs for a graphic designer, but can also work on your own design until you are 100% satisfied with it.

3. Material properties are retained

As already mentioned, the term "print" is not really applicable. Because unlike conventional textile printing processes, sublimation printing does not leave any coating on the fabric. This makes the printing technique truly unique. Because in this way, the material properties of the textile remain completely intact, which is very advantageous, especially for garments. If we look at the sports and outdoor sector, for example, the printed fabrics remain optimally breathable.

4. Very good durability

Another advantage that comes from the sublimation of the colour pigments is the high resilience and durability of the printed textiles. Because, you may already know the dilemma from flex print: the printed motifs are very prone to breaking or rubbing off over time. Especially after multiple washings or under heavy tensile stress (e.g. in sports), this problem often occurs.

The situation is completely different with sublimation or transfer printing. The firm bond between textile and ink makes the garments particularly easy to care for and resistant to colour fading. In addition, sublimation printing is resistant to UV radiation and other environmental influences, which also makes it very attractive for outdoor sports use.

5. Both large and small runs can be produced economically

With most conventional textile printing methods, the costs increase with each additional motif or the complexity of the motifs used. This can be very expensive, especially for small print runs. Since sublimation printing is a digital printing process, any number of motifs can be added free of charge and even small runs can be produced very cost-effectively.

6. Fast production

Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, a transfer print does not require any post-treatment or special waiting time. When the textile leaves the thermal transfer press, it is immediately ready for use. Thus, almost no other textile printing process can keep up with this production time.

7. Designs can always be reordered

Very often, sports clubs, for example, are faced with the problem that the collection of the current jersey has already expired. Re-ordering jerseys then becomes unnecessarily complicated. With sublimation printed jerseys this will not happen. Because once the design has been created and saved, it can be reproduced on demand at any time.

8. Sustainable textile printing process

Last but not least, sublimation printing is also much more environmentally friendly than other textile printing processes. Not only is there no need for binders or solvents, the water-based inks are also much more environmentally friendly than all chemical-based inks. In addition, the outstanding durability of the printed textiles is in the spirit of sustainability.

Disadvantages of sublimation printing

1. Cotton is not printable

We have already mentioned that the sublimation printed textiles must consist of at least 85% polyester. This is because the sublimated colour molecules can only bond with synthetic fibres. A pure cotton or silk textile, on the other hand, cannot be refined.

So if you explicitly want to have cotton printed, you will have to resort to older textile printing methods. However, there are numerous suppliers for traditional flock, flex or screen printing. From small sports retailers to large online providers.

2. Graphics costs can be expensive

When choosing a sublimation print provider, make sure that they offer a 3D online configurator. This will save you the otherwise high graphic costs. For a relatively simple design, you can expect a graphic designer to charge about 3-4 hours at about 50€ each. Therefore, you will also find minimum purchase quantities with many providers.

With an online configurator, on the other hand, you as a customer can develop your design yourself in just a few steps, save on costs and can also purchase small order quantities at a reasonable price.

Comparison with other textile printing processes

Sublimation printing

Flex print

Screen printing

Flock print

Print design without restriction

Opacity of the colours

Material properties unchanged

Cotton printable

Long durability

General costs

Good price-performance ratio for short runs

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Sublimation printing in sports

Finally, we would like to show you why sublimation or transfer printing is very suitable, especially in the sports sector, where it is almost exclusively used:

Use of polyester: Since the sports sector mainly works with polyester fabrics anyway, sublimation printing is very suitable here. Polyester has valuable material properties for the sports sector, such as high breathability, moisture transport, fast drying and extreme stretchability.

Material properties are retained: It is precisely these special material properties that need to be protected with sublimation printing. Imagine your football jersey or racing bike jersey is packed with sponsor logos and lettering that seal the breathable fabric. That's not very comfortable to wear when sweat builds up in the jersey.

Good durability: Resilience and durability also play a big role in sportswear. Your favourite running shirt might end up in the wash at least once a week. Sublimation print jerseys are very robust and retain their colour brilliance despite many washes.

Low cost jersey sets: A complete set of jerseys can quickly break the club's budget. The unprinted jerseys alone can cost up to 80 €/piece. Conventional textile printing processes then add another tidy sum on top. Sublimation printing textiles score points because they are produced in only one production step and are therefore much cheaper to purchase.

Jersey sponsorship: However, many clubs also rely on multiple sponsors to finance their jersey sets. While the costs of conventional textile printing methods increase with each additional sponsor logo, with transfer printing any number of logos can be added free of charge.

Further advantages with spized : The practical 3D online configurator is just one of the great advantages you will find at spized. In addition, spized offers a practical voting function for teams, even faster delivery times, small delivery quantities, fairly and sustainably produced sublimation print jerseys and much more. Find out here how you can order from spized in just a few steps.