Why Do T-shirt Sublimation Printing?

T-shirts are the most popular garment to use for sublimation printing due to their high printed surface area, adaptability, and ease of wear. Depending on the design and the effect, however, sublimation can also be applied to tank tops, polo shirts, and even hoodies.

It’s crucial to think about more than just the fabric when selecting a shirt for sublimation printing. The best white shirt for sublimation is the best option for printing since they serve as a blank slate for the design and show off the vibrant colors. Sublimation shirt ideas work best on dark fabrics, but pastels and bright colors can be used with the correct design.

How Does The Sublimation Process Work?

• Make or get a digital design and then copy it.

• Send the design to a printer that can do sublimation.

• Put in a sheet of transfer paper for sublimation.

• On the transfer paper, print your design.

• Align the paper on a T-shirt made of polyester.

• To make sure the design stays on the shirt, use a heat press.

• When you take off the paper, you can see your bright, full-color design. 

Sublimation And Its Impact On Various Textiles

Fabrics like polyester, cotton, and blends of the two are the most common options for t-shirts for sublimation. Compare and contrast how well they work for sublimation printing below:

1. Polyester

T-shirts made of polyester are ideal for sublimation printing. Its synthetic material has been engineered to be tough, breathable, fast-drying, lightweight, and comfortable. It’s a staple in the world of cheap, trendy clothing. While polyester isn’t ideal for direct-to-garment printing, it works wonderfully with sublimation.

2. Regular Cotton

T-shirts made from cotton are very common. The greater the cotton blend, the more vibrant your print will be during direct-to-garment printing, but it also works for sublimation. Natural fibers like cotton have superior durability and may withstand more launderings than synthetic fabrics. T-shirts made from ring-spun cotton or combed cotton, for example, are ideal for screen printing.

3. Ring-Spun Cotton

T-shirts printed with sublimation ink look best on high-quality fabrics like ring-spun cotton. For a more durable, thinner, and wearable result, the cotton fibers are twisted in a spinning ring to create a ring-spun. Prints of higher quality and greater vibrancy can be achieved because of improved surface smoothness.

4. Combed Cotton

Cotton that has been "combed" has had all of its impurities removed in preparation for spinning. This method yields the finest, most durable cotton suitable for sublimation printing on tees. Combed and ring-spun cotton makes for the most long-lasting shirts.

5. Tri Blends

Fabrics that are a "tri-blend" are a combination of three different kinds. These shirts are typically made from a blend of cotton, polyester, and rayon, making them exceptionally comfortable while also providing a little bit of stretch. Although tri-blends aren’t typically used for sublimation printing, a high-quality print can be achieved on them, and they’re cheaper than 100% cotton tees.

Sublimation t-shirts have become more popular as clothing and accessories with all-over prints have become more popular. Some of the fabrics used to make these shirts are polyester and cotton-poly blends, both of which work well for printing. Here are some different kinds of shirts to sublimate on that can be made with sublimation printing:

1. Sublimation Crop Tee

A 100% polyester sublimation crop tee is a great choice if your customers want bright, full-color designs. Unlike cotton tees, a polyester shirt won’t fade or lose its shape even after being worn and washed many times. Even after being washed many times, sublimation crop tees will keep their original shape and colors.

2. AOP Unisex Cut & Sew Tee

This shirt is made of 100% polyester and has a fit that works for both men and women. It is thin and has no tags, which makes it comfortable and easy to breathe in. Also, the best shirt to sublimate on as sublimation dye works well with the shirt’s synthetic fiber to make a beautiful design. 

3. Men’s Baseball Jersey

This baseball jersey is made of 100% polyester fabric and is made to fit comfortably with a medium-weight and semi-flowy feel. It’s the best sublimation t-shirt for sports or just hanging out. Because of how polyester works, the printed design on the fabric won’t fade, even if it’s out in the sun.