Why Choose Dye Sublimation Printing for Custom Branded Gear?

Creating custom gear is an excellent way to amplify your brand, especially if it features eye-catching artwork that gets people talking. Prints made with dye sublimation are typically more vibrant and detailed than screen prints, which means that they have a better chance of standing out in a crowd.

How Does Dye Sublimation Printing Work?

Sublimation printing uses a type of ink that goes from a solid to a gas state without first becoming a liquid. The ink is put onto a special transfer paper, which is then heat-pressed onto the material. The pores of the fabric open up, and the dye becomes encapsulated in its polymers as the heat cools and the ink becomes solid again.

As the ink changes states, the tones of the dyes blend together to create a photo-quality print with a smooth, soft texture. The result is a sharper image and more comfortable apparel. In contrast to screen printing, which prints ink on top of fabric, sublimation ink becomes part of the material. Therefore, fabric prints made with sublimation maintain their luster for decades regardless of how many times they get washed.

What Types of Custom Gear Can You Create With Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation printing can be used to customize anything that can be customized with screen printing including:

• T-shirts

• Tote bags

• Hoodies

• Banners

• Flags

• Art prints

Sublimation printing isn’t limited to fabrics; it can also be used to print on textiles, skateboards, and ceramics.

Limitations of Sublimation Printing

Due to the nature of the process, sublimation printing only works on synthetic materials. The final product of sublimation printing depends on the color and composition of the fabric, so printing on darker material doesn’t always produce the best results.

Consequently, options for fabrics are more limited than with screen printing. The best fabric for retaining sublimation ink is 100 percent polyester; however, using a poly-blend can result in a faded or vintage effect, which is very popular today. Prints made on white or light-colored substrates tend to look exactly like the original design.

Sublimation Printing vs. Screen Printing

While sublimation printing is ideal for designs featuring highly detailed artwork or photographs, screen printing is often the better option for simple logos and vector graphics. It also gives you a greater variety of fabrics to choose from since screen prints look exactly the same regardless of the material used.

The downside of screen printing is that the dyes can rub off and fade over time. Since sublimation prints typically look better and last longer, you stand to gain more exposure for your brand as people continue wearing your gear for years to come. Although screen printing is the more economical choice for high-volume jobs, sublimation can actually be less expensive for limited quantities of prints.

Is Sublimation Printing Safe for the Environment?

The dyes used in sublimation printing are harmless to people and the environment. Since the process requires no water and very little ink, sublimation printing produces minimal wastes. The environmental impact can be further reduced by printing on eco-friendly fabrics such as recycled polyester.

Custom Sublimation Printing at Portland Ink

Portland Ink offers both screen printing and sublimation printing services to accommodate the diverse needs our clients. Check out examples of the types of promotional gear we can create for your organization. If you’re unsure which printing method is best for you, contact us and we’ll help you decide.