Sublimation T-Shirts

If you’ve ever wanted to get your own custom t-shirt, you may have heard about Sublimation printing. But what is it and how does it work? In this article, we’ll go over some of the basics: the process, costs, and fabric requirements. You can even print your own design on your own shirt, and there’s no need to worry about dry time! To start, create your design in photoshop, silhouette studio, or even procreate!
Sublimation t-shirt printing

The process of sublimation t-shirt printing begins with the creation of artwork on special sublimation transfer paper. This paper is then placed on a polyester t-shirt and heated to transfer the image onto the fabric. Heat causes an interesting chemical reaction in the sublimation dyes, which turns them into gas. This gas penetrates the fabric fibers, forming bonds with them at a molecular level. Sublimation t-shirt printing is more durable than screen printing, and it looks cooler.

A white primer is used before the print process begins. The white primer ensures that the desired colour is transferred to the fabric without any imperfections. However, if the shirt is made from cotton or dark-colored fabric, the prints will not be as vibrant as with a regular print. Sublimation t-shirt printing works best on polyester or cotton shirts, not blends of these fabrics, which will produce dull prints.
Cost

The cost of sublimated shirts depends on a number of factors. While screen-printed cotton t-shirts may be cheap at first, they will begin to crack after a few washings. In contrast, sublimated polyester shirts will remain new looking after years of washing. Although they cost more than 50/50 shirts, their ROI is higher than screen-printed t-shirts. And, because of the high quality of the finished product, they also last longer.

If you are printing on a t-shirt for business purposes, you will need digital design software such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. You will also need shirts to print on. Shirts made from 100% polyester are the best for sublimation. The process is easy to master and is ideal for beginners. The cost of sublimated shirts depends on the type of shirt you’d like to print on.
Fabric requirements

The first thing to remember when choosing a sublimation printing service is the fabric requirements. The inks used by sublimation printers are CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) and will not work well on dark or black-coloured fabrics. For this reason, it is essential to use 100% polyester shirts for your sublimation print. Beginners can learn how to create their designs with the help of various online platforms.

The fabric composition of a sublimation-printed shirt can be determined by the final look you want to achieve. Ideally, you should use white or light-colored garments. If your design is brightly colored, make sure to use a 100% polyester garment. However, if you are looking for a retro look, consider choosing a polyester-cotton blend. It will ensure that the print has a high fidelity.
Finished product

When comparing the quality of screen-printed shirts to sublimated shirts, the latter tends to cost around $7 per shirt. The cost of the substrate and operational costs are what determine the margins, which vary greatly depending on market factors and the size of an order. Nevertheless, if the quality is good, sublimated shirts can still provide a better ROI than screen-printed shirts, since they will look as good after multiple washings as the first day of wear. Furthermore, the environmentally-friendly benefits of sublimation make them the preferred choice for many consumers.

A dye sublimation process produces the best-looking printed component. In fact, it doesn’t crack or wear off even after several uses. This makes it the perfect choice for everyday items, such as apparel and bedding. It also provides the greatest durability, as the printed component will remain intact no matter how many times it is washed. For this reason, it is the preferred method when printing apparel. The process can withstand frequent washing without degrading its quality.