{"id":775,"date":"2022-08-01T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-01T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blankstyle.com\/blog\/?p=775"},"modified":"2022-08-18T12:42:42","modified_gmt":"2022-08-18T19:42:42","slug":"sublimation-apparel-printing-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blankstyle.com\/blog\/2022\/08\/sublimation-apparel-printing-the-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"Sublimation Apparel Printing: The Basics for 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Sublimation Apparel printing:<\/h2>\n

Just when think you\u2019ve covered all your printing bases — screenprinting<\/a>, DTG <\/a>— someone asks you about sublimation apparel printing. You might not know what it’s called, but you can’t walk into a retailer without seeing an example of it. It’s a printing method that provides all-over coverage, in full color.<\/p>\n

In a nutshell, sublimation printing uses heat<\/strong> to transfer the dyes onto the fabrics. There are two ways to do this: one is to print onto a transfer paper and then transfer the image to the fabric using heat and pressure. The second involves printing the image directly onto the fabric. But either way, you\u2019re looking at transferring the dyes into the polyester molecules<\/strong> using a combination of time, temperature, and pressure. With dye sublimation, the result is a virtually permanent full-color high-resolution print that won\u2019t crack, fade or peel under normal conditions. If you\u2019re looking for color saturation, you\u2019re looking for dye sublimation printing.<\/p>\n

Unlike screen printing, where one color is added at a time, with sublimation printing, all colors are printed at the same time so there\u2019s no risk of the colors not lining up or running. And as we may have mentioned, sublimation printing is the only way to go, if you\u2019re trying to get that all-over printed look.<\/p>\n

Image above: Epson SureColor\u00ae<\/a> F6070
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Offset vs. Digital Sublimation Printing<\/h2>\n

There are two types of sublimation apparel printing: Offset and Digital. The differences between the two can be simplified to a single word: volume. Offset sublimation requires a pretty hefty investment – the machinery alone can cost up to $1 million and you\u2019re looking to do print runs of between 5,000 – 10,000. So if you don\u2019t have a cool million hanging around, and you\u2019re hoping for a print run under 500 pieces, then you\u2019re looking at digital sublimation, which will give the saturated all-over print look, without having to invest quite as much capital.<\/p>\n

Image above: from Epson’s Digital Sublimation fashion show<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Image above: SubliVie 1910 Adult Polyester Sublimation T-Shirt<\/a> is soft, lightweight, and is quite literally, made for sublimation.<\/em><\/p>\n

Direct to Garment Printing<\/a> (DTG) vs Sublimation<\/h2>\n

While both DTG and digital sublimation use inkjet printer technology, the processes and results are quite different. The first big difference you\u2019ll notice between DTG and sublimation is going to be your garment choice. DTG is the choice for 100% cotton fabrics<\/a>, while Sublimation only works on polyester garments<\/a> (sublimation needs a polymer-based surface). Both processes will work on blended fabrics<\/a>, but the result will be a little washed out and faded.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s only the beginning. The entire chemistry behind the two processes is different. I\u2019ll spare you the Chem 101, but basically, the DTG process is relying on surface adhesion, while with sublimation, there is actual molecular bonding taking place. (The dye actually begins as gas before becoming a solid!)<\/p>\n

Sublimation Apparel Printing Perks<\/h2>\n

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