Sublimation Information

Sublimation printing is a digital printing process that uses heat, pressure, and time to transfer dye onto different materials.

You print a design onto special transfer paper using sublimation inks. Then, you place the printed paper onto a product and heat it with a heat press. The heat, pressure, and time turns the inks into a gas, and the material absorbs them. As a result, you get a permanent, vibrant print that won’t fade or crack over time. When it comes to the choice of materials, sublimation is versatile and gives you lots of room for creativity. You can make custom clothing bags, mugs, mousepads, and more. 

Note that sublimation only works on 100% polyester or fabric blends that contain a high percentage of polyester. The less polyester in the fabric, the more faded the prints. This is because the chemical properties of sublimation dyes require synthetic fibers to properly stick and create long-lasting results. If you’re interested in cotton, silk, or leather garment printing, sublimation won’t be the right choice. Sublimation dyes simply won’t adhere to natural fibers or will quickly wash off.

Sublimation’s only available for white or very light blank products. That’s because there’s no white ink in sublimation printing, and the sublimation inks can’t lighten the base color.

Please email orders@ltsportland.com for more sublimation information and pricing.