Sublimation printing prints the design onto transfer paper with special inks, then a heat press turns the ink into a gas that bonds into polyester fibres. The result is full colour, edge to edge, with nothing on the surface to crack or peel, and the fabric stays light and breathable. That is why it is used for club sports kit, cycling and running tops, flags, lanyards and mugs. Tell us the items, the quantity, the sizes and the design, and we pass it to sublimation printers near you. It is free and you are under no obligation.
What sublimation works on
Sublimation only bonds with polyester or polymer coatings, so it suits:
- Sports kit: soccer, netball, rugby supporter and cycling shirts.
- White or light polyester T-shirts and golf shirts.
- Fabric flags, banners and tablecloths.
- Coated items: mugs, plates, coasters and mouse pads.
It does not work on cotton, and it cannot print white or light colours onto dark fabric, because the ink is transparent. For cotton or dark shirts, use DTF or screen printing.
Sublimation printing on T-shirts and kit
There are two ways to do T shirt printing with sublimation. A spot print presses a design onto a ready made white polyester shirt. An all over or cut and sew garment is printed on the flat fabric panels before they are sewn, so the colour runs into the seams and under the arms. Cut and sew allows custom collars, side panels, names and numbers on every shirt, but it takes longer and usually has a minimum per design. Choose the fabric for the sport: lighter mesh for running, heavier interlock for rugby.
Artwork, colour and care
Send a full colour file at about 300 dpi at the printed size, or the printer's garment template filled in with your design. Add bleed past the seams on all over prints. Colours on screen are RGB, so ask for a printed swatch if a club colour must match. Supply a list of names, numbers and sizes in one spreadsheet. Common mistakes: wrong spelling on the name list, logos too close to seams and choosing a cotton rich shirt. Wash sublimated kit cold and avoid fabric softener and tumble drying on high heat.
What affects the price
The garment style, the fabric, spot print versus all over, names and numbers, and the quantity per design set the price. Ask each printer:
- What is the minimum per design and the price at your quantity?
- Are design setup and a sample charged?
- Are names and numbers included?
- What is the lead time and is VAT included?
What to include in your request
- Spot print or full cut and sew
- Garment style, fabric and sizes
- Quantity per design
- Names and numbers list
- The date of the first match or event
Sublimation Printing for different clients
- Families and individuals: a polyester photo shirt for a birthday, a memorial or a family sports day
- Small businesses and start-ups: light polyester staff shirts with an all over pattern for a gym or café
- Companies and offices: sublimated golf day shirts and corporate team kit for a company league
- Shops, restaurants and salons: printed fabric flags, tablecloths and staff shirts in a store colour scheme
- Events, conferences and clubs: race tops, cycling jerseys and fabric banners for sports events
- Schools, churches and NGOs: full kit for first teams, netball dresses and supporter shirts for parents
- Government and municipalities: polyester event bibs and fabric flags for municipal sports and youth days
- Designers, agencies and resellers: contract sublimation for sportswear brands, clubs and promotional resellers
Frequently asked questions
How much does sublimation printing cost per shirt?
Can I use sublimation on cotton or black shirts?
How long does sublimated sportswear take?
Does a sublimated print fade or peel?
Sublimation Printing by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg