FAQ

Custom sublimation apparel is clothing whose designs and artwork are imprinted using the dye sublimation process.

The apparel is usually made to a client’s unique requirements. It comprises t-shirts, shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, pants, hoodies, jackets, swimsuits, etc.

Sublimation is a printing process that uses heat to transfer ink onto apparel fabric.

The technique evaporates ink off sublimation paper and into the fabric.

It doesn’t coat the apparel fabric. Instead, it merges with it to re-create the intended designs in lasting and vibrant colors.

Once the design is approved, the manufacturers create a mock-up design. This shows how the complete garment will look with your design concepts.

The next step after this is sublimation printing.

Here, each garment is printed in actual size on a large format sublimation printer. The printer uses special dyes which are jetted onto sublimation transfer paper.

The imprinted paper is joined with the chosen fabric and fed through a rotary heat press machine.

As the now ‘marred’ paper and fabric are pressured and heated together, the sublimation ink vaporizes. The gas then dyes the design into the material in a permanent way.

Next, the fabric is cut using either manual or laser cutting techniques. The latter is commonly used for large sublimation apparel orders. In contrast, manual cutting is used for small orders and intricate patterns.

After each piece has been cut, it is labeled and organized for sewing.

Custom sublimation apparel is sewn using different techniques depending on the garment and purpose of the clothing. Flatlock sewing, surge stitching, and over edge stitching are pretty common in this regard.

Once sewn, the garments are checked for quality control on the print and proper sewing. Approved items are then tagged, folded, and packaged for shipping to the client’s destination.

Custom sublimation apparel has numerous benefits that include:

• Limitless design options. There are no limits to what you can add to the garments when it comes to sublimation apparel. You can sublimate a variety of colors, including Pantone and fluorescent.

• Full-color printing. Sublimation doesn’t require separate screens or an extensive setup. Thus, the process is straightforward and relatively cost-effective.

• Custom sublimation apparel is highly durable. Since ink penetrates the fabric when sublimated, designs can last as long as the garment.

• Best color retention. Sublimation printing uses CMYK inks which have a great color range. Sublimated designs come out bright, vibrant, and highly durable.

• Unlike other decoration methods, the sublimation process does not layer dye onto the fabric. Save for the addition of your artwork and other design elements, sublimated apparel remain unchanged.

• Given that ink penetrates the fabric, wearers cannot feel the dried ink, weaves, or artwork stitches on custom sublimation apparel. This adds to the comfort of the clothing as it is soft and lightweight.

• The sublimation process does not obstruct the airflow or moisture-wicking properties of the fabric.

• Reduced minimum order requirements. Minimal setup time and charges reduce the need for MOQs on custom sublimation apparel.

Sublimation only works with polymers and polyester. The chemistry involved in this process won’t bond dyes with other fabrics like cotton and wool.

Although blended with polyester, certain fabrics like spandex, nylon, and cotton can be sublimated. But the results won’t be as colorful. It will be a bit faded or retro. A style that is also favored in some markets.

Generally, it is required that blended materials for dye sublimation contain at least 50% polyester. The remaining fibers should be able to survive high temperatures.

Note that while 100% polyester is the best choice for custom sublimation apparel, not all polyester can be sublimated. Some polyester fabrics may contain chemicals that inhibit the sublimation process.

So be careful with your fabric selection, and test it before you approve it for your custom sublimation apparel.

Several types of custom sublimation apparel are available.

• Custom Sublimation T-shirts. Available in a variety of neck, sleeve, and fit options.

• Custom Sublimation Hoodies and Jackets. Comes in different collar designs, closure systems, sleeves, and cuts.

• Custom Sublimation Shorts. Also available in various lengths, fits, and waist styles.

• Custom Sublimation Polos. Available in different collar designs, sleeve lengths, and closure options.

Screen printing uses screens to imprint designs onto custom apparel. Unlike sublimation, it doesn’t merge the dye with the fabric but kind of deposits it onto the garment.

Nonetheless, both are excellent garment printing techniques whose use will depend on your project and preferences.

There are pros and cons to both methods.

For instance, sublimation retains the fabric properties of the custom apparel. On the other hand, screen printing adds to the garment’s weight, making it heavy and sometimes uncomfortable.

Also, screen-printed designs don’t last long as they fade out and peel after several washes. Sublimated print designs are guaranteed long-term durability.

Sublimation printing is more cost-effective for small volumes and for complex designs with multiple colors. Screen printing is cheaper for large volumes but takes longer due to the additional setup it requires.

So when deciding between these two printing techniques, think about the purpose of the garments. Also, consider the fabrics you’re working with as well your budget before you begin.

White is typically the easiest color to sublimate for custom apparel.

Note that sublimation printers use the CYMK color model, which does not produce the color white. It lacks the essential ink combination for it. For this reason, all white areas on custom sublimation apparel are left unprinted.

When sublimating the white apparel, the open areas will allow the color of the garment to show through, thus creating white graphics.

But if the same graphics are applied to a light-colored fabric such as beige, the beige color will show where the white should be.

This is why white is the most recommended for sublimation printing. Still, you can sublimate on light-colored apparel so long as you don’t need white within the graphics.

Colored apparel, on the other hand, is restrictive when it comes to sublimation printing.

This is because colored fabrics usually come with a maximum temperature value for which the fabric dyes can withstand.

So if the material is set at below 400 degrees Fahrenheit, it may fade when pressed at the high sublimation temperatures.

Another challenge is when printing neon fabrics. These tend to turn brown if temperatures are set above 300 degrees Fahrenheit during sublimation. This because of the chemical brighteners added to the fabric dye during processing.

Two options are available for designing custom sublimation jerseys.

The first one is to use a custom design template which we’ll customize with your desired effects.

Or, you can design the shirts from scratch using any reliable design software.

1. First, you need a sketch of how you’d like the shirts to look like. The drawing should also help determine the essential characteristics of the shirts. It should show the style of the apparel and custom elements as you’d like them to appear on the final product.

2. Once you’ve established the aesthetics part of the shirt, the next is to define its specifications. This includes the measurements, materials, stitching, texts and graphics, and color.

3. Next, create the technical file that you will present to the manufacturer for approval and execution. The tech file should detail the materials, components, and manufacturing steps needed for your custom sublimation shirts.

4. Once the design is ready, save it in the appropriate format and send it to the manufacturer for further review and possible adjustment.

If you’re confident about creating your own custom sublimation apparel design, talk to our apparel developer. They will professionally create a bespoke design and based on your unique specifications at a small charge.

Custom sublimation apparel is designed to retain the bold, vibrant colors for decades of long-term use. They don’t fade after washing.

Besides, the apparel is made using high-quality fabrics with remarkable comfort, flexibility, and breathability.

The sublimation process also uses superior quality imported ink.

So yes, custom sublimation apparel is non-fade and highly durable.

Yes.

As earlier mentioned, the sublimation process uses special dyes that turn from solid to gas under heat.

The ink in a gaseous state penetrates the custom apparel fabric and combines with the fabric polymers.

This results in beautiful and permanent colors that are less prone to fading.

No.

Dye sublimation does not work on 100% cotton fabrics. The process works best with 100% polyester but can also work for fabrics that contain a mix of polyester and cotton.

This combination is called poly-cotton blend fabric. In this case, the polyester composition must be at least 50% or more.

Cut and sew means creating a bespoke custom sublimation apparel design from scratch and developing the concept to production.

You get complete customized sublimation apparel from raw fabrics and stitched to perfection with cut and sew apparel.

It’s not just sublimating mass-produced apparel but instead creating the apparel, from fabric choice to stitch to final decorations.

A cut and sew manufacturing service goes above and beyond your expectations. It gets you truly custom sublimation apparel for your brand.

Order processing for custom sublimation apparel is instant if your final design is ready and you have an approved payment.

If you need help with design, the process will be done within 24 hrs. after which we can begin processing your order.

Again, this is on the condition that your payment plan is approved and all the requisite information is complete.

As for production times, this depends on the time of the year. Peak season orders may take longer to produce.

We may accept rush orders on a case-to-case basis, depending on your production capacity.

Please, feel free to contact us, and we will be pleased to work on a timeline is that is mutually convenient.

Yes.

Sublimation is the most ecological choice for custom apparel compared to other printing methods.

The process uses little energy, no water, and leaves no wastage.

Depending on your unique requirements and specifications, SPORTA Xtreme Jerseys offers a range of custom sublimation apparels.

Contact us now for all your custom sublimation apparel needs.

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