WHAT IS SUBLIMATION?
OVERVIEW
To immediately get down to the basics, SUBLIMATION is a process in which ink is printed on to transfer paper using an inkjet printer (high-speed). Through the application of heat and pressure, the design from the paper is transferred into the fabric.
BEHIND SUBLIMATION
Each piece is carefully perfected on the computer in accordance with its proper pattern to be set up for print. First, the pattern layout is printed out on to sheets of transfer paper. When it is time to sublimate the actual garment, ink is heated to temperatures above 400° into a gas. This along with the proper pressure causes the ink on the paper to transfer onto fabric, creating a bond. Because of this, the fabric quality and functionality is not impacted by the print in any way and the design has fully adhered so it won't fade, peel, or crack.
What qualifies this process scientifically as "sublimation" is that a solid (the paper) bypasses the liquid phase and transforms into a gas to adhere to the fabric. This is unlike screenprinting, for example, which involves stenciling and moving ink (one color at a time) across a screen on to the surface of a garment.
QUALITY OF THE PRINT
Not all dye-sublimated apparel is created equal. Understanding the right combination to achieve the best possible result in sublimation is much easier said than done, but we take pride in the quality of our product. We have vibrant, bright colors (neon colors are a favorite to notice this) and our gradient fades are seamless. Text and logos are crisp, even small detailed chest logos, and are properly located. Also, we take into account names and numbers are scaled and sized properly on each garment. Details are deeply important to successful full custom designs and we take great care to make sure they translate well from the screen to reality.
WHY SUBLIMATION?
- Vibrant For Years: A major advantage comes from the process itself! Because the design is dyed into the fabric, it won't fade, peel, or crack under normal conditions, thus extending the life and use of the gear.
- Full Custom IS Full Custom: Think of those t-shirt designs for popular sport teams with logos and patterns and fades wrapping around every side and sleeve. There is a 99.9% chance those are sublimated. Sublimated apparel can be filled with whatever can be imagined and the design can be carried over to different garment types or accessories, allowing for a seamless identity.
- Don't Fear Reordering: When old orders become impossible to replicate again with some companies, that isn't true with our sublimated apparel. With sublimation, we can provide exact reorders and fill-ins. Your art, colors, pattern, and fabrics are on file so you don't have to worry about starting over if isn't necessary.
- Free to Breathe: Materials should be allowed to do their jobs. If it needs to breathe, it should breathe. If it needs to stretch, it should stretch easily. Sublimation allows fabrics to maintain their functionality without adding any "heavy" decoration (i.e. heat transfers).
OVERVIEW
To immediately get down to the basics, SUBLIMATION is a process in which ink is printed on to transfer paper using an inkjet printer (high-speed). Through the application of heat and pressure, the design from the paper is transferred into the fabric.
BEHIND SUBLIMATION
Each piece is carefully perfected on the computer in accordance with its proper pattern to be set up for print. First, the pattern layout is printed out on to sheets of transfer paper. When it is time to sublimate the actual garment, ink is heated to temperatures above 400° into a gas. This along with the proper pressure causes the ink on the paper to transfer onto fabric, creating a bond. Because of this, the fabric quality and functionality is not impacted by the print in any way and the design has fully adhered so it won't fade, peel, or crack.
What qualifies this process scientifically as "sublimation" is that a solid (the paper) bypasses the liquid phase and transforms into a gas to adhere to the fabric. This is unlike screenprinting, for example, which involves stenciling and moving ink (one color at a time) across a screen on to the surface of a garment.
QUALITY OF THE PRINT
Not all dye-sublimated apparel is created equal. Understanding the right combination to achieve the best possible result in sublimation is much easier said than done, but we take pride in the quality of our product. We have vibrant, bright colors (neon colors are a favorite to notice this) and our gradient fades are seamless. Text and logos are crisp, even small detailed chest logos, and are properly located. Also, we take into account names and numbers are scaled and sized properly on each garment. Details are deeply important to successful full custom designs and we take great care to make sure they translate well from the screen to reality.
WHY SUBLIMATION?
- Vibrant For Years: A major advantage comes from the process itself! Because the design is dyed into the fabric, it won't fade, peel, or crack under normal conditions, thus extending the life and use of the gear.
- Full Custom IS Full Custom: Think of those t-shirt designs for popular sport teams with logos and patterns and fades wrapping around every side and sleeve. There is a 99.9% chance those are sublimated. Sublimated apparel can be filled with whatever can be imagined and the design can be carried over to different garment types or accessories, allowing for a seamless identity.
- Don't Fear Reordering: When old orders become impossible to replicate again with some companies, that isn't true with our sublimated apparel. With sublimation, we can provide exact reorders and fill-ins. Your art, colors, pattern, and fabrics are on file so you don't have to worry about starting over if isn't necessary.
- Free to Breathe: Materials should be allowed to do their jobs. If it needs to breathe, it should breathe. If it needs to stretch, it should stretch easily. Sublimation allows fabrics to maintain their functionality without adding any "heavy" decoration (i.e. heat transfers).