Sublimation Printing
Photographic-quality prints that become part of the fabric, metal, ceramic and glass products. Perfect for vibrant, all-over designs with no texture or feel - just pure, permanent color.
The Science Behind Sublimation
Sublimation uses heat to transform solid ink directly into gas, which then bonds permanently with the coating of the material at the molecular level.
Photographic Quality
Reproduce photos and complex designs with incredible detail and color accuracy.
No Feel to Touch
Ink becomes part of the fabric - no raised surface, cracking, or peeling.
All-Over Printing
Cover the entire garment with your design - front, back, sleeves, everything.
What is Sublimation & How It Works
Understanding the revolutionary printing process that transforms solid ink into gas, creating permanent designs on various materials
Sublimation printing is a revolutionary process that involves printing a design onto special transfer paper using sublimation inks. The ink is then heated, causing it to evaporate and turn into gas. This gas then bonds permanently with the surface of various materials - whether it's polyester fabric, ceramic mugs, glass panels, metal ornaments, or photo tiles - resulting in vibrant, long-lasting prints that won't fade, peel, or crack.
Phase Transition
Solid dye particles are heated to approximately 400°F (204°C), causing them to skip the liquid phase entirely and convert directly to gas - this is the 'sublimation' process.
Gas Penetration
The gaseous dye molecules penetrate the surface of the material, whether it's polyester fabric, ceramic coating, or glass surface.
Molecular Bonding
As the material cools, the gas molecules solidify again, but now they're trapped within the material's structure, creating a permanent bond.
Color Integration
The dye becomes part of the material itself, ensuring the colors won't fade, crack, or peel over time.
What Can You Print with Sublimation?
Sublimation works on any material with a polyester coating or high polyester content, plus many hard surfaces
Textiles & Apparel
- T-shirts
- Hoodies
- Athletic wear
- Leggings
- Swimwear
- Hats
- Scarves
Hard Goods & Ceramics
- Ceramic mugs
- Phone cases
- Mouse pads
- Photo panels
- Tiles
- Keychains
- Coasters
Glass & Metal
- Glass panels
- Metal ornaments
- Photo frames
- Mirrors
- Signs
- Decorative items
Specialty Items
- Banners
- Flags
- Tablecloths
- Pillows
- Tote bags
- Aprons
- Towels
Advantages of Sublimation
Why choose sublimation printing over other methods?
Photographic Quality
Reproduces photos and complex designs with incredible detail and color accuracy.
Durable & Long-Lasting
The permanent bond ensures your design won't fade, peel, or crack over time.
Versatility
Print on virtually any polyester-based material, from clothing to hard goods, with the same equipment.
No Texture or Feel
No texture or raised surface - the finished product looks and feels exactly like the original material.
All-Over Printing
Cover entire surfaces with seamless designs that wrap around products completely.
Profit Margin
Higher profit margins compared to other printing methods.
Technical Specifications
Important: Sublimation works best on polyester fabrics (65% polyester minimum) and light-colored surfaces. Not suitable for 100% cotton.
Best-Selling Products
Polyester T-Shirts
$8-22 profit
Sublimation Mugs
$6-15 profit
Mouse Pads
$5-12 profit
Athletic Wear
$15-35 profit
Phone Cases
$8-18 profit
Photo Panels
$12-30 profit
Sublimation Process Explained
From digital design to permanent fabric bonding in 5 simple steps.
Digital Design
Customer's design is prepared for sublimation printing
Special Ink Printing
Design printed with sublimation inks on transfer paper
Heat Press Transfer
High heat converts ink to gas and bonds with polyester fibers
Permanent Bond
Ink becomes part of the fabric - no raised surface or feel
Quality & Ship
Quality check and ship directly to customer
Sublimation vs Other Methods
| Feature | Sublimation | DTG | Screen Print | Heat Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Color Vibrancy | Excellent | Good | Good | Fair |
| Durability | Permanent | Good | Excellent | Limited |
| Feel to Touch | No Feel | Slight | Slight | Noticeable |
| Profit Margin | 65-80% | 60-75% | 50-70% | 40-60% |
Ready for Photographic-Quality Profits?
Start creating stunning sublimation products that customers love and pay premium prices for.
Launch Sublimation Store