What Is Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation is a process where matter is transformed from a solid to a gas state, skipping the liquid state. This may be confusing, considering sublimation inks are in liquid form, or at least they appear to be. However, sublimation inks are, in reality, solid particles in a liquid carrier. 

When exposed to high temperatures and pressure, the molecules in the sublimation inks are converted to gas. The dye gasses are then transferred onto t-shirts, mugs, and other products where the sublimation print is possible. 

The sublimation process ensures the prints are high definition and are unlikely to chip, fade, or wash away. 

How Sublimation Printing Differs From Screen Printing

The primary difference between sublimation printing in Singapore and screen printing is how the dye is transferred. When making sublimated jerseys, the image first goes on paper before it is placed on the garment using high heat. Screen printing, on the other hand, the ink is squeezed through a screen and then onto the garment. 

When done correctly, the prints on sublimated jerseys and screen-printed t-shirts will last a long time. 

Since both prints are durable, the choice of one over the other will depend on several things. 

• If you have a bulk order and wish to cut costs, screen printing is the better option. Sublimation printing in Singapore is time-consuming, and only a few orders can be worked on at a time.

• Screen printing has limits on the number of colours to use since only one colour can be screen printed at a time. This complicates the setup and is why there is a limit on the number of colours per design, usually limited to four colours. If you wish to use many colours, sublimation print is the better choice since all the colours are printed at once. 

• Dye-sublimation works best on polyester and polyester blends, usually in white or light colours. If you wish to print on dark-coloured fabrics, then screen printing will give you better results than sublimation printing in Singapore. 

Sublimation Printing vs. Heat Transfer

Sublimation and heat transfer printing methods appear to be the same, but they are not. In the sublimation process, the layer containing the ink is transferred onto the fabric, and when it dries, it becomes part of the print. In the heat transfer process, after the layer of heat transfer paper is pressed onto the fabric, it is removed, the image remains on the fabric. 

What Items Can Easily Be Printed Using Dye Sublimation?

Polyester fabrics are usually the best for sublimation printing. However, items with polymer coating, like mugs, coasters, and mouse pads, are also suitable for sublimation. Glass, metal, and wood products that have been treated with polymer coating can also be customised using sublimation dye. 

Sublimation Is Ideal for Complex Designs.

If you want sublimated jerseys printed from seam to seam, you can get that. Sublimation printing has no limits, like other printing methods, like screen printing. You can be creative without worrying about going overboard. 

Final Notes

Sublimation prints have several benefits. Understanding the pros and cons will help you understand why it is the ideal printing method. Reach out to a high-quality supplier for sublimation printing in Singapore to get a great looking jersey.