Sublimation printing is gaining popularity for personalising and customizing products. The ability of sublimation printing to produce high-quality, full-colour images on various materials makes it ideal for creating custom products such as phone cases, mugs, keychains, and other items.
Sublimation printing is a fast-growing market with a global market size valued at $3.9 billion in 2019, and it is projected to reach $8.1 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 9.9% during the forecast period.
Let’s get deeper into the sublimation technology, how it works, its advantages and the sublimation products offered by QIkink.
What is sublimation printing?
Sublimation printing is a printing technique that uses heat to transfer dye onto a variety of materials, such as fabrics, ceramics, metal, and certain types of plastic.
It is a popular method for producing high-quality, long-lasting images. It is often used for creating custom or personalized products such as t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and other items.
The Asia Pacific region is the largest market for sublimation printing. It is the largest market for sublimation printing due to the presence of a large number of textile manufacturers and the growing demand for personalized and customized products.
Companies are increasingly using custom-designed apparel, such as shirts, hoodies, jackets, and, in particular, t-shirts, as a modern method to promote themselves and their products and offers. Nowadays, most start-ups intentionally focus on brand building by providing personalised t-shirts to their employees.
How does sublimation printing work?
Sublimation printing is a printing process that uses heat to transfer the design on the product surface. They are printed first on sublimation blank products and then sued to finish products.
The process begins by printing the design onto special transfer paper using sublimation ink. The ink is then transferred from the paper onto the material by heating it to a high temperature, typically around 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
After the press time, the material is removed and left to cool down. This solidifies the design and makes it permanent on the material.
During heating, the ink turns into a gas and permeates the material’s fibres, creating a vibrant, permanent image. Because the dye is infused into the material, rather than sitting on top of it, the image is highly durable and resistant to fading or peeling.
Sublimation printing also creates high-quality, full-colour designs, which is why it is very popular for customizing t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and other items.
On what materials can sublimation print?
Sublimation printing is appropriate for a wide range of products. It is most commonly utilised in the production of merchandise.
Most Sublimation printing is used to create the following items:
- Sublimation t-shirts, jumpers, and socks are examples of sublimation apparel.
- Mugs, cups, and plates are examples of home accessories.
- Other items include mouse pads, folders, canvases, and purses.
Polyester is the most efficient material for the sublimation printing technique of these products. Any material with at least 80% polyester will be the simplest to print.
A polyester coating is usually placed first for tougher materials, such as ceramics. This polyester layer is then printed with the decal or design. This is because polyester fibres will only melt at the ink’s high temperature. This melting allows the ink to attach to it and keep its form and colour.
The picture will fade quickly if other fabrics, such as cotton, are utilised. The cloth will burn at higher temperatures, causing the image to fade or peel off.
Types of sublimation printing
There are two methods of sublimation printing to create custom garments or textiles.
- Sublimation transfers, and
- Cut & sew sublimation
Sublimation transfer
Sublimation transfers involve printing a design onto special transfer paper using sublimation ink and pressing the transfer onto a pre-made garment or textile using a heat press.
This method is well-suited for small quantities or for customizing pre-existing garments or textiles.
Cut and sew sublimation
Cut and sew sublimation involves printing the design onto a roll of white sublimation fabric and then cutting and sewing the fabric into a finished garment or textile. This allows for more control over the final product and eliminates the need to work with pre-existing garments.
The choice of method depends on the specific needs, such as quantity, design and budget.
The sublimation transfers method is commonly used in small runs or personalizing pre-existing products. In contrast, the Cut and Sew method is used for larger quantities and more control over the final product and design.
The worldwide dye sublimated apparel market is anticipated to be worth USD 10.67 billion by 2030, growing at a 12.3% CAGR during the forecast period. The growing popularity of personalised designer garments with digital printing, slogans, motivational quotes, and graphic works on clothes is one of the primary factors fueling the industry’s growth.
6 Reasons to consider sublimation printing
High-quality, full-color designs:
Expect vibrant, full-colour images that are highly durable and resistant to fading or peeling. The print quality of the sublimation is excellent. Fine lines and details can be printed in many colours that are vivid and crisp. Because the colour is entrenched in the cloth’s fibres, it does not wash off easily and does not break or peel. Sublimation printing is long-lasting and sturdy. The transferred image is permanent and can withstand high temperatures and environmental stress.
Wide range of materials:
Sublimation printing can be used on a wide range of materials, including fabrics, ceramics, metal, and certain types of plastic.
Personalization and customization:
It is a great way to produce personalized or customized products like mugs, phone cases, T-shirts, etc.
Eco-friendly:
Sublimation printing uses heat to transfer dye onto materials, rather than solvents or other chemicals, making it an environmentally friendly option. Sublimation is a wonderful option for an environmentally friendly fulfilment approach. Demand-driven sublimated goods eliminate overproduction. In addition, sublimation ink is non-toxic and eco-friendly, using less water than conventional dye transfer procedures.
Complexity of prints:
Sublimation printing can accommodate designs of varying complexity. Detail pattern designs, gradients, vibrant artwork, and digital images may be printed.
Cost-effective:
Sublimation printing can be cost-effective for high-volume, multi-colour printing projects. Sublimation printing is quick and inexpensive. In other words, this printing technology enables you to produce vast quantities of products in a short amount of time. Small gifts, personalised promotional materials, and similar items can be easily printed on demand.
Zero initial investment:
Counting on the sale of all of your shares is a dangerous game. There is no requirement for an initial expenditure when selling sublimated on-demand items with Qikink. This is since your items are only supplied when your buyer requests them. You get paid by your consumer, pay Qikink for the item they bought, and retain the profit.
Sublimation products for your print-on-demand store
Qikinks offers a wide range of sublimation products on your eCommerce store. Let’s take a look at what they are
AOP t-shirts are becoming more popular in the fashion industry, especially in streetwear and the youth market. They are produced using the Cut and Sew Sublimation Technology.
AOP t-shirts are made with a specific type of polyester, which is required for the sublimation ink to bond to the fabric. These t-shirts are suitable for full-coverage designs and reproducing intricate patterns and images.
A unique and eye-catching design can set them apart from regularly printed t-shirts.
Bomber jackets have been a popular fashion trend for several years and continue to be a staple in contemporary fashion.
The trend of bomber jackets was popularized in the 1960s, and it has been reinvented in many ways over the years.
One can make a product that thrills the buyer with some quirky and humorous design.
AOP sports wear:
The India Sports Apparel Market was worth USD 579.47 million in 2021 and is estimated to reach USD 2238.13 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 16.2% during the forecast period (2022-2029)
As more individuals have turned their attention to active lifestyles, sportswear or gym wear has become popular. Due to its popularity, various sportswear products are now readily available.
Additionally, many sportswear brands have incorporated trendy designs and patterns to cater to customers who want to look fashionable while working out.
Qikinks offers AOP tank tops, sports bras, leggings and crop tops in this segment.
Ceramic mugs are the most popular and come in various shapes, sizes, and decorations. They are composed of clay that has been burned at high temperatures, making them sturdy and resistant to high heat.
The worldwide mug market was valued at $7.1 billion in 2019 and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% between 2020 and 2027. This expansion is being driven by rising coffee and tea consumption and the increased popularity of travel mugs and personalised mugs as presents.
Ceramic Mugs by Qikink mugs are premium quality in 11 oz sizes. It comes in Orange, Green, Sky Blue, Black, Dark Blue, Light Pink, Red and Yellow colours. It is printed using Oeko-Tex-certified original sublimation EPSON inks with a fade-proof guarantee.
Cushion covers, posters, coasters, bottles, tote bags etc, are a few great printable products of sublimation technology. With a wide variety of products and designs, they are products that can be used to upsell on your online store. They also have a huge audience out there for you to capture.
Conclusion
Sublimation printing is a flexible, economical, and environmentally friendly alternative that gives a wide range of design options and can be utilised to make a wide range of products. Customers’ growing desire for customized products is one of the key factors driving the POD market. The textile and apparel segment is expected to dominate the sublimation printing product market due to the wide range of sublimation printing applications in the textile and apparel industry.
In this article, you have learnt about Qikink’s sublimation products and how they can be sold on your online store. Qikink offers sublimation products that are ideal for personalizing and customizing. Our products are available for purchase on demand, meaning you can sell them on your website or in your online store.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does on-demand printing work for sublimation products?
On-demand printing for subliminal items works exactly as all other products. They are printed and sued only after a customer purchases in your store. The order is then printed, cut and sued into a finished product.
Can I sell sublimation print products without holding inventory?
You can sell sublimation printing products without holding inventory using print-on-demand companies like Qikink.
How do I choose the right sublimation products to sell on demand?
A few best-selling sublimation items to sell on demand are t-shirts, bomber jackets, sportswear, mugs, cushion covers etc.
What equipment do I need to start selling sublimation print products on demand?
You do not require any equipment to start selling sublimation print products on demand. You only need a platform to showcase your designs to receive customer orders.
Are there any specific design requirements for sublimation printing?
Yes, there are a few specific requirements for sublimation printing with Qikink :
File – PNG or JPEG
Resolution – 300 DPI
Trim extra spaces
Design (WxH): 25 x 30 inches
With over 6+ years of experience in the industry, Ayushi excels in building strong customer relationships and guiding clients toward growth as a Brand Partnership Manager. She enjoys sharing her experience in her content.
