Understanding Sublimation Printing: A Guide for Beginners

Have you also wondered at some point how those awesome full-colour designs get onto t-shirts? Well, the answer may be sublimation printing !

This innovative technique allows for vibrant and long-lasting printing on various materials. Whether you are an entrepreneur wanting to make distinctive products or an individual wanting to transform common products into your image, the sky is full of what this printing method can offer you. No wonder many people prefer it on their custom polo shirts. 

How Does it Work?

The technical process for sublimation printing is something different from that of common heat transfer. Here’s a breakdown in the simplest terms:

Design Creation:  it starts with creating digital artwork using graphic design software.

Ink Transformation: The design is then printed onto sublimation paper using sublimation inks, which have unique properties. When heated, they transform from solid state to gas.

Heat Press:  Now comes the fun part! The printed paper and the blank item (like a t-shirt or mug) are placed together in a heat press. Under high pressure and temperature, the ink vaporises and bonds directly with the material's fibres.

Fabric Bonding: Under heat and pressure, the ink in the transfer paper turns into gas. This gas then dyes the fabric fibres themselves, creating a permanent bond. After cooling, the design becomes part of the fabric, not just a layer on top.

Environmental Sustainability and Impact

Today, sustainability is important, and sublimation printing helps the environment in many ways. First, it creates less waste because it doesn't have leftover inks or chemicals, and the paper used can often be reused. 

Also, the inks it uses are safe for the environment. Second, sublimation printing saves energy because it does both printing and drying at the same time, using less energy overall. This helps reduce pollution and saves precious resources.

Along with all these, items made with sublimation last a long time, so we don't have to throw them away as often, which means less waste and fewer materials used.

Why Choose Sublimation Printing for Custom Clothing?

Sublimation printing has many benefits, making it one of the most popular methods for custom clothing. 

Durable Prints: The ink becomes part of the material (no chipping/peeling). They can be machine washed a number of times without losing their quality.

Bright Colors: Sublimation printing is the perfect choice for displaying detailed artwork because of its bright and vibrant colours.

Comfort Wear: The print actually bonds with the fibres of the shirt, so designs won't crack, peel or fade after wearing and wash way better than regular screen printing, leaving you a soft print and not a thick layer of ink on your shirt to feel uncomfortable. 

Multipurpose: This method can be used on polyester, cotton blends, and even some ceramics and polymers. It is also popular for items like AS colour Tees, phone cases, mugs, and tote bags.

Takeaway

Sublimation printing is a cool way to make custom clothes and stuff. It can make colours really bright and prints that last a long time, and you can use it on different materials. Whether you have a business and want to make your own things, a sports team that needs custom uniforms, or just want a cool t-shirt, sublimation printing can help. It lets you be super creative and make awesome stuff. So, try it out, see what you can make, and have fun with sublimation printing!

If you want custom apparel with sublimation printing, Australian Embroidery Screen Print & Sublimation can help. They help businesses in expanding their brands with printing solutions, including sublimation, screen printing, and embroidery. Their online shop offers a wide range of clothing from leading Australian brands such as Ramo, AS Colour, Bocini, and Biz Collection.