Fabric Sublimation
Fabric Sublimation
If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming your own textile artist, sublimation is the way to go. It’s a unique digital printing technique that involves adding dye to fabric, typically polyester or polyester-coated materials, using heat and pressure.
Sublimation printing is known for its ability to produce vibrant and durable prints that are resistant to fading, peeling, and cracking, even after repeated washing and wearing. This makes it suitable for products that are exposed to the elements or rough wear, such as sports apparel, outdoor banners, and promotional items. Sublimation printing is also eco-friendly, as it does not require the use of water or harsh chemicals, and the transfer paper used in the process can be recycled.
So, how does it work?
As with any printing technique that we offer, we begin the process with a digital design. We then print the artwork onto a specialised sublimation paper using, you guessed it, sublimation ink. This ink is unique because it can convert from a solid to a gas without passing through a liquid state.
The printed paper is then placed on the material before being subjected to high heat and pressure using a heat press machine. The heat causes the sublimation ink to turn into a gas and bond with the polyester fibres of the fabric. During the heat press process, the ink penetrates the fabric, becoming part of the material itself. This results in a smooth, permanent print that won’t crack, peel, or fade.
After pressing, we inspect each garment to ensure the print quality is top-notch. The result is a vibrant, high-definition design that’s ready to wear.
Why Choose Fabric Sublimation Over Other Print Methods?
All-Over Prints
Sublimation is the perfect choice for designs that cover the entire garment, offering a seamless and professional look, without any visible lines of seams.
Vibrant and Long-Lasting Colours
We love sublimation for its ability to produce vibrant and detailed prints with excellent colour accuracy. The ink is absorbed by the polyester fibres, resulting in bright and vivid colours that don’t fade, crack, or peel. The prints remain vibrant even after multiple washes.
Soft Hand Feel
Since the ink becomes part of the fabric, the prints are smooth and don’t add any extra texture to the garment.
Full-Colour Printing
As this is a digital method, sublimation allows for full-colour, intricate designs with great detail and colour gradients. Unlike screen printing, we are not restricted to a certain number of colours per print. In saying that, sublimation is less effective on dark fabrics unless a white base is used.
Breathability
Unlike other printing methods, sublimation doesn’t block the fabric’s breathability, making it ideal for activewear.
The Wrap Up
Fabric sublimation is a cutting-edge printing technique that transforms your designs into vivid, high-definition prints on various garments. At The Colour Cartel, we specialise in fabric sublimation to offer our customers bright, durable, and intricate prints. This process is perfect for creating custom t-shirts, jerseys, leggings, and other polyester-based garments. Sublimation printing stands out for its ability to produce full-colour designs that are embedded into the fabric, ensuring long-lasting and vibrant results.
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