Sublimation is one of the most popular and durable methods of labelling clothing. It is perfect for printing on sportswear - the main requirement for sublimation printing is a high polyester content (min. 80%). Therefore, it is also perfect for printing on, for example, pillowcases, lanyards, umbrellas or bags. Only light-coloured polyester materials can be marked with this method. Sublimation can be used for complex designs with many shades, colours and tones, such as photographs. The print perfectly reproduces colours and details and looks extremely realistic.
Sublimation printing uses sublimation ink, which is applied to the sublimation paper (so-called transfer paper), and then the print is transferred from the paper to the material using a special sublimation press. This process requires high temperature, which allows the dye to be heated - it then changes its state of aggregation from solid to gas and then penetrates the fibres of the polyester material. After the whole print has penetrated the material, the temperature is lowered and the fibres with the adopted ink close. In this way, the print is "imprinted" into the material and not only applied to its surface. Thanks to this, it is undetectable and also very durable - it can easily withstand many washings, which is especially important for sportswear that often enters the washing machine.
Clothes marked with the sublimation method are most often found in the sports department. Sublimation is exactly the method that is widely used for all kinds of sports T-shirts, leggings or sweatshirts. That is because sports clothes are very often made of polyester, which is best suited for sublimation printing. An additional advantage for people wearing sports clothes is the fact that a T-shirt or a sweatshirt with a sublimation print will look great for a long time, because the print will not wash off, even after many washings. Apart from sportswear, sublimation prints can also be found on mugs or pillowcases - mainly where polyester material is used.
Do you fancy a unique t-shirt fully printed with your graphics? No problem! Sublimation is also suitable for printing over the entire garment, the so-called full print. It's a bit more complicated than in other methods, but possible. In this case the sublimation print is made on a previously prepared pattern, before sewing the t-shirt together. After printing the graphics on particular parts of T-shirt, such clothes in pieces are delivered to the sewing room and only there they will be sewn together.
In our workshop, the basis for sublimation printing is a printing plotter with a large printing format - up to 1100 cm! We use professional Epson plotters, which are appreciated for their efficiency and outstanding print precision. Before your design is transferred to the final product, we first produce a high-resolution print on special paper. The print is then transferred onto the material using a transfer press or calender at a very high temperature (up to 200 degrees). This makes the ink penetrate the material and bond with it permanently, so the whole thing is very durable and will not wash or fade.