When you imagine a custom T-shirt, hoodie, or jersey, you imagine a design neatly where it belongs: on the front, perhaps a logo, perhaps a graphic. That is the old ground of the trade printing. Sublimation printing, however, puts that notion on its head. It is not putting a design on a cloth… It is about making the design a part of the cloth. This innovative technology is shaking up custom apparel production, and at Tee Prints, we command this lively craft.
What is Unique About Sublimation Printing?
Sublimation is magical in the sense that it is a one of a kind process. Rather than thick, sometimes heavy, inks that lie on the surface of the material and may crack, peel or fade over time, sublimation involves a special dye and an intriguing chemical process.
This is how it works:
- Firstly, your design is sublimated into a specialized transfer paper with sublimation inks.
- The paper is then brought into direct contact with the fabric (usually polyester or polymer-coated materials).
- When directly subjected to high heat and pressure in a special heat press, the solid dye on the paper goes directly into gas form – this is where the sublimation occurs.
- The open pores of the fabric fibers are then soaked in this gaseous dye.
- The dye hardens in the fibers of the fabric as it cools to permanently form part of the material.
The result:
- Prints that do not crack, peel or fade: Since the dye is embedded in the fabric, it flows and flexes along with the fabric. After 50 washes, your design will continue to appear as bright as the first day.
- A cloth layer that provides a clean breathable layer: No thick film of ink to make the fabric feel stiff or rubbery on the surface.
- A smooth, breathable surface to a fabric: No thick layer of ink to stiffen or make the rubbery effect. The printed surface is still super soft, light, and comfortable like the unprinted fabric itself.
- Gapless designs that give the impression the edge-to-edge: This is where sublimation excels. Sublimation, unlike processes limited by print areas, enables full-bleed, all-over printing which not only can wrap around seams but can go all the way to the edges of the garment and print every single inch of the material.
Why do modern creators and brands choose Sublimation?
Designers, artists, and brands prefer sublimation to create something more than a simple print; they want their work to appear as an organic part of the garment. It releases you to creative freedom enabling you:
- Paint all of a shirt in colorful patterns: patterns of intricate mandalas, swirling nebulae, or bold geometric patterns extending across sleeve to sleeve, and front to back.
- Generate photo-realistic gradients and sophisticated textures: Sublimation is the only technology capable of reproducing full-color photo quality without compromise or limitation with regard to any color or shading.
- Print over zippers, seams and edges without losing the print: This is where the possibilities of really unique, custom apparel really shine, with the ability to print across zippers and seams without losing any print. Imagine whole-body character designs or abstract stylization that runs smoothly across all shapes.
Although it excels when it comes to custom sports jerseys, athletic wear, and fashion apparel where breathability and durability are crucial; its versatility goes a long way. Sublimation appears on mugs, mousepads, phone cases, banners, flags, and even home furnishing items such as cushions, curtains, and hard-surface panels. Sublimation works anywhere you desire to have lasting, wearable art that looks amazing.
Why choose us?
We do not simply provide sublimation printing services at Tee Prints, we transform this leading-edge process into wearable art pieces. We know that your vision is worth being brought to life with precision and passion. We are sublimation experts to produce beautiful, full-color apparel and merchandise that really pops. Whether it is custom team jerseys that will take over the field with their bright design or special all-over printed tees to promote your brand, event, or personal collection, Tee Prints keeps your designs bold, soft and unforgettable wash after wash, wear after wear.
Your vision. Our craft. Tee Prints.
Are you ready to turn your concepts into memorable, colorful clothes? Call Tee Prints and open up to the endless possibilities of sublimation printing today!
