At TeeStitch Apparel, we’re excited to introduce a new range of all-over printed products that celebrate artistry and sustainability. Behind these stunning designs is a unique printing technique called sublimation. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what sublimation is, its benefits, and how it aligns with our eco-friendly values.
What is Sublimation Printing?
Sublimation printing is a process that uses heat to transfer dye directly into the fibers of a fabric. Unlike other printing methods, which add a layer of ink on top of the material, sublimation infuses the ink into the fabric itself. This creates vibrant, long-lasting designs that become part of the garment.
The process starts with a specially prepared design printed onto sublimation paper using eco-friendly, water-based inks. This paper is then placed onto the fabric, and heat and pressure are applied. The heat turns the ink into a gas, which bonds with the fabric’s fibers, embedding the design seamlessly.
There are two main types of garment sublimation:
- Cut-and-Sew Sublimation: Designs are printed onto large sheets of fabric, which are then cut and sewn into finished garments. TeeStitch proudly offers cut-and-sew sublimation to deliver high-quality, uniquely crafted garments.
- Full Garment Sublimation: This method involves printing directly onto pre-assembled garments. While it’s faster and more cost-effective, care must be taken to avoid creases during printing.
Both methods offer stunning, vibrant designs, but cut-and-sew sublimation provides the added benefit of perfect alignment for intricate patterns and edge-to-edge artwork.
Benefits of Sublimation Printing
Sublimation printing offers a variety of advantages, making it the perfect choice for our all-over designs:
- Vibrant and Detailed Prints: Sublimation captures intricate details and bold colors with remarkable accuracy, making it ideal for the artistic designs TeeStitch is known for.
- All-Over Design Capability: Unlike other methods, sublimation allows for edge-to-edge printing, covering the entire garment with your chosen design.
- Durability: Since the ink becomes part of the fabric, sublimated designs won’t crack, peel, or fade over time. This ensures your garments look great wash after wash.
- Eco-Friendly Process: Sublimation uses minimal water and energy, and the inks we use are Oeko-Tex™ certified, vegan, and free of harmful chemicals, aligning with our commitment to sustainability.
What to Know About Sublimation Printing
While sublimation has many benefits, it’s important to understand its limitations to ensure your expectations align with the final product:
- Pattern Alignment (Cut-and-Sew Sublimation): Sublimation involves printing individual fabric pieces before they are cut and sewn into the final product. As a result, slight misalignments can occur where patterns meet at seams or edges. This is an expected part of the process and adds to the uniqueness of each item.
- Fabric Transparency: On white or light-colored garments, areas where the fabric is double-layered (like pockets) may show subtle details from the inner layer, especially with lighter designs.
- Seam Visibility: With dark designs, the white base fabric may show through slightly at the seams and folds (such as sleeve cuffs, hems, or hoods). This is a normal result of the sublimation process and does not affect the quality of the garment.
- Creases and Folds (Full Garment Sublimation Only): During full garment sublimation, the fabric must lie perfectly flat for optimal results. If there are any creases, folds, or uneven areas, the dye may not transfer evenly, leaving visible white streaks or spots where the base fabric shows through.
- Pre-Assembled Garments (Full Garment Sublimation Only): Unlike cut-and-sew sublimation, full garment sublimation prints directly onto pre-assembled items. This can lead to less precise design placement, especially at seams, underarms, or areas with heavy stitching.
We believe in full transparency and sharing both the strengths and quirks of this printing method to ensure you have the best experience with our products.
What Garments Use Sublimation?
Sublimation works best with fabrics that have a high polyester content and a white or light-colored base. At TeeStitch Apparel, our sublimation products include:
- All-Over Print Leggings and Joggers: Perfect for vibrant, high-energy designs that look great during workouts or casual outings.
- All-Over Print Hoodies, Jackets, T-Shirts, and Sweatshirts: These statement pieces allow you to wear art from head to toe.
- Accessories: Sublimation isn’t just for clothing! It’s also used for tote bags, face masks, and more.
All of our sublimation garments are made with a white base garment constructed of 95% recycled polyester, ensuring that your fashion choices support sustainability without compromising on style.
Why Choose Sublimation?
Sublimation printing embodies everything TeeStitch Apparel stands for: high-quality, sustainable fashion that showcases exclusive artwork from global artists. It allows us to bring your favorite designs to life in a way that’s bold, durable, and eco-conscious.
As we continue to grow our all-over product line, we’re proud to combine cutting-edge technology with sustainable materials to deliver garments that are as unique as the people who wear them.
Ready to explore our sublimation collection? Check out our all-over printed products here.
Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes looks at our printing processes. Together, let’s make a positive impact on the planet—one design at a time.