Have you ever wondered how t-shirts with vibrant, full-colour designs never fade? The secret lies in sublimation printing. It’s a game-changing technique for printing custom apparel and personalized products with vibrant quality.
From eye-catching t-shirts and sports jerseys to custom mugs and phone cases, sublimation printing provides creativity and durability in design.
But what is sublimation printing, and why is it becoming so popular? In this article, we share everything you need to know about this innovative printing type, how it works, its unique advantages, and why it’s perfect for personalized products for your business.
What Is Sublimation T-shirt Printing
Sublimation printing is a process where heat and pressure are used to transfer dye(print design) onto polyester fabrics or specially coated materials.
As a result, it gives long-lasting designs that won’t crack, peel, or fade over time. Here, we share how those eye-catching t-shirts with designs that feel like they’re part of the fabric itself.
- Design Creation: The process starts with designing using graphic design software.
- Printing the Design: Next, The design is printed onto a special transfer paper using sublimation ink using digital printers. These inks are unique because they can turn into gas when heated, skipping the liquid state.
- Heat Transfer: The printed transfer paper is placed onto the polyester fabric or a specially coated item. A heat press machine applies heat and pressure to the transfer paper and fabric.
- Dyeing: The heat causes the sublimation inks to evaporate and become gas. As the gas permeates the fabric’s surface, it bonds with the fibres or coating, effectively dyeing the material.
- Cooling: Once the heat is removed, the gas returns to a solid state, locking the dye within the substrate’s fibres. This results in a permanent and durable design.
Applications of Sublimation Printing
Sublimation printing is an excellent choice for printing t-shirts and polyester fabrics. Also, It’s used on multiple products. Here we share some of the essential applications:
- Apparel: T-shirts, sports jerseys, and other clothing items.
- Promotional Products: Mugs, phone cases, and other items can be coated for sublimation.
- Home Decor: Pillows, curtains, and wall art.
Sublimation Printing Products You Can Sell Online With Qikink
Qikink offers an excellent sublimation printing service that lets you create vibrant, high-quality products perfect for online selling.
Whether starting your brand, expanding your product catalogue, or printing for your own purpose, Qikink provides various customizable products using advanced sublimation techniques. Here, we share what you can create and sell:
Mouse Pad
₹60.00
Fridge Magnets
₹70.00
Pop-Grip
₹70.00
Jigsaw Puzzle
₹120.00
Placemats
₹65.00
Cloth Napkins
₹70.00
Table Runner
₹165.00
Coasters
₹55.00
Metal Posters
₹300.00 – ₹500.00
AOP Totebags
₹200.00
Tumbler Bottle
₹440.00
Sipper Bottle
₹250.00
Color Coffee Mugs
₹150.00
Benefits Of Sublimation T-Shirt Printing
Here are some of the most essential benefits of sublimation t-shirt printing.
Long-Lasting and Vibrant Prints
One of the most significant advantages of sublimation printing is the durability of the designs. The dye becomes part of the material, so the print won’t fade, peel, or crack, even after multiple washes. Plus, the bold and vibrant colours give your products a long-lasting, high-quality finish.
Perfect for Intricate Designs
Sublimation printing is suitable for creating detailed and intricate designs, including gradients, photographs, and complex patterns.
Versatility in Custom Products
One primary reason why people choose sublimation is its versatility. From t-shirts and jerseys to tote bags, mugs, and more, sublimation works on a variety of products. Whether you’re customizing apparel for a team or creating gifts, sublimation printing has you covered.
Eco-Friendly and Efficient
The sublimation process produces minimal waste, as no excess dye or water is needed. This makes it an environmentally friendly option for creating custom products.
Limitations of Sublimation Printing
Sublimation printing also has its limitations. Here, we share some major limitations with a real-time scenario that helps you determine if it fits your needs.
1. Requires Polyester-Based Fabrics
Sublimation printing works best on polyester-based fabrics and items with a polymer coating.
If you want to create custom t-shirts for a brand that emphasizes eco-friendly cotton garments, sublimation may not be the best choice. Instead, other methods like screen printing might work better.
2. Unsuitable for Dark Garments
Sublimation dye is transparent and doesn’t appear well on dark fabrics. T-shirt design requires a dark base, so sublimation printing may not deliver the desired vibrancy. In these cases, direct-to-garment printing might be more effective.
3. Limited Material Compatibility
If you’re customizing items like wooden, darker ceramic mugs, sublimation will not be ideal without a suitable coating or surface preparation.
4. Higher Initial Costs for Equipment
If you’re working on a small budget or only need occasional prints, outsourcing to a printing service might be better than purchasing equipment upfront because the initial cost of specialized equipment like sublimation printers and heat presses can be a barrier.
Sublimation Jersey Printing: A Complete Guide
Sublimation jersey printing involves transferring designs onto polyester-based jerseys using heat and pressure.
Unlike traditional methods, sublimation implants the dye into the fabric, creating vibrant, lightweight, and long-lasting designs.
Why Choose Sublimation for Jerseys?
- Sublimation prints remain vibrant even after repeated washes, making them perfect for jerseys that endure tough use.
- Unlike vinyl or screen printing, sublimation doesn’t add layers to the fabric, keeping the jersey lightweight and comfortable.
- Whether it’s intricate patterns, gradients, or sponsor logos and team names, sublimation offers complete creative freedom.
- The designs are embedded into the fabric, making them resistant to fading, cracking, or peeling.
- Once the design is created, sublimation is an efficient and cost-effective method for printing multiple jerseys.
Applications of Sublimation Jerseys
- Sports Teams: Sublimation is widely used for sports t-shirts such as football, basketball, soccer, and cricket jerseys with team logo and name printing due to its durability and customization options.
- Corporate Events: Perfect for branded team-building events or charity runs.
- Custom Apparel Businesses: Entrepreneurs can leverage sublimation printing for personalized sportswear and athleisure products.
Tips for Successful Sublimation Jersey Printing
- Use jerseys with at least 80% polyester content to ensure the best results.
- Remember that sublimation works best on light-coloured bases, so design accordingly.
- High-quality sublimation printers and heat presses can make a big difference in print quality.
- Always print a sample to ensure colours and design placement meet expectations.
How To Order A No MOQ Jersey T-Shirt On Qikink
Ordering a no Minimum Order Quantity jersey t-shirt on Qikink is quick and easy. Follow these steps to customize your t-shirt with front, back, and sleeve designs:
- Log in to Your Qikink Dashboard: If you don’t have an account, sign up and create your free account in just a few minutes.
- Choose Your Product: Select the jersey t-shirt option from the product catalogue.
- Customize Your Design: Use Qikink’s design tool to upload your custom designs. Customize the front, back, and sleeves with your custom designs.
- Preview and Finalize: Check the preview to ensure your design looks perfect.
- Place Your Order: save the customized t-shirt details and complete the checkout process.
With Qikink, you can easily create high-quality, customized jersey t-shirts without worrying about minimum order quantities.
How Much Does Sublimation Printing Cost?
Here, we share an approximate cost analysis for sublimation printing that costs in India.
Market Price for Sublimation Printing
The cost of sublimation-printed products in the market can go up to:
- Sublimation T-shirts: ₹500–₹1,000 per piece.
- Sublimation Jerseys: ₹800–₹1,500 per piece.
These prices depend on design complexity, fabric quality, and order quantity.
Here is the cost per piece for sublimation printing in India.
Fabric:
- Sublimation t-shirts: ₹120–₹300
- Sublimation jerseys: ₹250–₹600
Ink and Transfer Paper:
- Ink usage per t-shirt: ₹15–₹30
- Transfer paper per print: ₹5–₹10
Total estimated Per-Unit Cost in India For t-shirts: ₹150–₹350 and For jerseys: ₹270–₹650
Why Choose Qikink for Sublimation Printing?
With Qikink’s sublimation printing solutions, you can create and sell various visually appealing and durable products, helping your brand stand out in a competitive online marketplace.
- High-Quality Printing: Qikink uses advanced sublimation techniques to ensure vibrant, long-lasting designs.
- Diverse Product Range: You can explore multiple categories to sell online, from apparel to home decor.
- On-Demand Printing: Print only what you sell, reducing inventory costs and waste.
Conclusion:
Sublimation printing is an excellent method for creating vibrant, durable, and custom-designed products. From T-shirts and jerseys to accessories and home decor items, the benefits are more: long-lasting prints, intricate design possibilities, and unmatched versatility.
Qikink’s sublimation printing services are here to meet all your customization needs. With advanced printing techniques and various product ranges, Qikink helps you turn your creative ideas into reality. Explore Qikink’s sublimation custom printing solutions today.
Read More
- Custom Sports T-Shirt Business: Starting Strong with Print On Demand
- T-Shirt Photo Printing: Custom T-Shirts For Events, Promotions, And Small Orders
- Custom Sticker Printing: How To Get Stickers Printed For Your Business
- T-Shirt Marketing: Best T-Shirt Advertisement Guide (Updated)
- 60 Mug Design Ideas to Sell Online in 2025 (High Profit)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sublimation printing good quality?
Yes, sublimation printing is excellent quality. It produces vibrant, long-lasting prints that don’t fade, crack, and peel, making it best for detailed designs on polyester fabrics and other coated materials.
How long do sublimation prints last?
Sublimation prints can last a long time with proper care. Since the dye becomes part of the fabric, the prints won’t fade even after numerous washes, making them incredibly durable and long-lasting.
Can you sublimate on cotton?
Sublimation printing doesn’t work directly on cotton because the dye bonds only to polyester fibres. However, you can use sublimation coatings or special spray to achieve sublimation-like results on cotton garments.
Is sublimation or DTF better?
Sublimation works best on polyester for vibrant, long-lasting prints. DTF printing is versatile, suitable for various fabrics, including cotton and blends, and provides durable designs in light and dark colours. Choose based on your fabric and design needs.
Is sublimation printing waterproof?
Sublimation printing is water-resistant, making it ideal for products exposed to moisture, like sportswear and outdoor items.
