Sublimation is a printing method where the design becomes part of the fabric instead of sitting on top of it. Under heat and pressure, solid dye turns straight into a gas and bonds into the fibers of the garment. The result is a print with zero hand-feel that won’t crack, peel, or fade the way a surface print can.
How sublimation works
- Your design is printed onto transfer paper using sublimation inks.
- The paper is laid on the garment and run through a heat press at roughly 375–400°F.
- The heat turns the solid dye into a gas that penetrates the fabric’s fibers.
- As it cools, the dye solidifies inside the fabric — permanently part of the garment.
What sublimation is best for
- All-over and edge-to-edge prints that surface methods can’t reach.
- Vibrant, multi-color, and photographic graphics with no per-color setup.
- Performance polyester — singlets, jerseys, warm-ups, and spirit wear.
- Gear that has to survive heavy wash cycles without cracking or peeling.
Where it falls short
- It only works on polyester or high-poly blends — not cotton.
- The dye is translucent, so it shows best on white and light garments.
- It can’t print true white or work on dark cotton the way screen print or DTG can.
How it compares to other methods
If you’re working in cotton, need spot colors at volume, or want a stitched logo, another method will serve you better. Screen printing suits bold designs on cotton at quantity, DTG handles full-color art on cotton in small runs, and embroidery is the move for polos, caps, and premium logo work. Our full breakdown compares all four side by side.
Turnaround at RVLTN
Sublimation runs roughly 14–21 business days once your artwork is approved. It’s made to order in Lockport, NY with no minimums, so a single custom singlet is as easy as a full roster.