What Is Sublimation Printing? Full Beginner’s Guide

Forget everything you know about regular printing. Sublimation printing isn’t just another technique, it’s a game-changer for anyone who wants vivid, long-lasting, professional results on fabrics, mugs, aluminum panels, and more.

Whether you're launching a custom t-shirt brand, personalizing drinkware, or running a print-on-demand business, understanding how sublimation works can save you money, improve quality, and expand your product offering.

This guide is built for beginners, but with insights from professionals. At Joto we've been doing it for more than 37 years. We’ll cover what sublimation printing is, how it works, the materials and equipment you’ll need, and when this method is (and isn’t) the right choice.

And if you’re more of a visual learner, there’s a full video included below to walk you through the process step by step.

What Is sublimation printing and how does it work?

Sublimation printing is a process where heat and pressure turn ink into gas, bonding it directly into a polyester surface. This means the design isn’t sitting on top of the fabric or object, it becomes part of it.

Unlike other printing techniques like screen printing or vinyl, sublimation offers:

• No cracking
• No peeling
• No fading after washes

Here’s how it works in simple terms:

• A sublimation printer uses special inks to print your design on sublimation paper.
• The printed design is placed face-down on the final surface, typically polyester fabric or a coated blank (like a mug or metal panel).
• With heat (around 380–400°F) and pressure, the ink turns into gas.
• That gas penetrates the polyester surface and solidifies as it cools, locking the design in place.

The result? A vibrant, durable image that looks like it’s been dyed into the material, because it has.

What you need to start sublimation printing

Sublimation printing isn’t magic, but it’s close. To get started, you need the right tools. Whether you're a hobbyist or building a business, your results will only be as good as the equipment and materials you use.

Here’s what every sublimator needs:

Sublimation printer

You can’t use a regular office printer. You’ll need one of the following:

• Purpose-built sublimation printers like the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 or SG1000
• Or converted inkjet printers (Epson models like the EcoTank ET-2800), more affordable but with more maintenance. We really don't recommend this option.

If you want reliability and tech support, go with a dedicated sublimation printer. Less troubleshooting, more printing.

Sublimation inks

These are special dye-based inks that turn into gas when heated. Regular pigment or dye inks won’t work, they’ll just sit on the surface and wash out.

Use:

• Inks recommended by your printer’s manufacturer (e.g., Sawgrass inks for Sawgrass printers)
• Or compatible high-quality third-party inks (test carefully before scaling)

Sublimation paper

This paper holds your printed design until it’s transferred. Good sublimation paper should:

• Dry quickly
• Transfer color efficiently
• Minimize bleeding

You’ll find options for:

• Textiles, (high-release paper)
• Hard substrates, (ceramic, aluminum, etc.)
• Roll or sheet format, depending on your printer and volume

Heat press machine

This is the engine of the whole process. You need precise, even heat and pressure to activate the sublimation ink and transfer it cleanly.

Types of presses:

• Clamshell, space-saving, great for shirts and flat items
• Swing-away, offers even pressure, ideal for thicker items like tiles
• Mug presses and combo presses, for mugs, tumblers, and odd shapes
• Auto-open or pneumatic, for higher-volume shops

Need help choosing the right press? Contact us

Sublimation Blanks

These are the products you’ll decorate, and they must be polyester or have a polyester coating. Common blanks include:

• T-shirts (100% polyester or high poly blends)
• Mugs and tumblers (with sublimation coating)
• Aluminum panels
• Tote bags, mouse pads, coasters, puzzles, keychains

⚠️ No cotton: Sublimation ink won’t bond to cotton fibers without special treatment.

🛠️ Additional Tools

• Heat-resistant tape, to hold the design in place and prevent ghosting
• Protective sheets, blowout paper, Teflon, or parchment to protect your press
• Lint roller, for removing debris before pressing fabric
• Heat-resistant gloves, sublimated blanks get extremely hot!
• Templates & time/temp charts, to standardize and reduce waste

This is the foundation. Once you have these essentials, you’re ready to sublimate your first product.

4. Step-by-step: How to do sublimation printing

Now that you have your printer, paper, press, and blanks ready — it’s time to put it all together. Here’s exactly how the sublimation process works, from design to finished product.

Whether you're customizing a t-shirt, mug, or photo panel, the core process is the same.

✅ Step 1: Create Your Design

Use graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or free tools like Canva. Make sure to:

• Set your color mode to RGB
• Match the print dimensions to your blank
• Flip your design horizontally if it contains text, it will transfer in mirror image

💡 Use high-resolution images (at least 300 DPI) for the best print quality.

✅ Step 2: Print on Sublimation Paper

Load your sublimation paper into the printer and use sublimation ink only.
Make sure to:

• Select the correct paper type and print settings (photo quality or high-quality plain paper)
• Let the ink dry completely before moving on, especially in humid environments

✅ Step 3: Prepare Your Blank

• For fabrics: use a lint roller to remove dust or fibers
• For mugs or hard blanks: clean with alcohol or microfiber cloth
• Pre-press garments for 5 seconds to remove moisture and wrinkles

⚠️ Moisture is the enemy of sublimation. It causes ghosting and faded spots.

✅ Step 4: Align and Tape the Design

Place the printed sublimation paper face-down on the blank.

• Use heat-resistant tape to hold it in place
• Avoid over-taping (which can cause pressure issues)
• Ensure the surface is flat and the paper has full contact

✅ Step 5: Press It

Use your heat press to apply precise heat and pressure, based on the material. Here are common settings:

✅ Step 6: Remove and Cool

• Carefully peel off the paper (some prefer hot peel, others cold)
• Let the product cool naturally
• Inspect for ghosting, fading, or uneven transfer

If you followed the process right, you should have:

• Vivid color
• Sharp edges
• Zero fading or shifting

Done! You’ve just completed your first sublimation transfer. This workflow applies to almost any sublimatable item, just adjust time, temp, and pressure depending on the blank.

📌 Need exact settings? Chck our heat, time and temperature gide.

Real advantages of sublimation printing

When it comes to customization, not all printing methods are created equal. Sublimation stands out for its ability to deliver quality, consistency, and efficiency, especially for growing print businesses.

Here’s what makes sublimation a top choice for professionals and entrepreneurs:

1. Colors that pop and stay that way

Sublimation produces vibrant, photo-quality colors that sink into the surface, not just sit on top. That means no cracking, no peeling, and no fading after multiple washes or repeated use.

🧼 You can wash a sublimated shirt 50+ times, and it’ll still look new.

2. All-over printing capability

Traditional methods are limited to small print zones. Sublimation, in contrast, lets you:

• Print seam-to-seam on garments
• Create full-bleed designs on large surfaces
• Cover every inch of a mug, tote bag, or metal panel

Perfect for bold designs, team uniforms, fashion pieces, or creative merch drops.

3. Design freedom with no extra cost

Other methods charge more for multiple colors or complex graphics. With sublimation:

• Every color is included in the process
• No weeding, no layering, no setup fees
• You can print gradients, textures, shadows, and even photographs — all in one pass

4. Durability that outlasts the product

Since the ink bonds at a molecular level, sublimation becomes part of the material.
This means:

• No cracking (like vinyl)
• No peeling (like transfer paper)
• No heavy feel (like screen-printed plastisol)

Especially valuable for apparel, drinkware, and high-usage items like keychains or signage.

5. Streamlined production

Sublimation is ideal for short runs and on-demand workflows:

• No setup time between jobs
• Easy to personalize each unit
• Fast learning curve for new staff

For small shops and fast-growing brands, this translates to lower overhead and faster turnaround, without compromising quality.

In short, sublimation isn’t just a technique. It’s a business enabler. It gives you creative freedom, minimizes returns, and helps you deliver premium-quality products your customers will love, and reorder.

Limitations and when to avoid sublimation

Sublimation is powerful, but it’s not perfect — and it’s not for every product, client, or design. Knowing when not to use it is just as important as knowing how to do it.

Here are the main limitations to consider:

Limited to polyester and coated materials

Sublimation only works on:

• Polyester fabrics (ideally 100% or blends above 65%)
• Blanks with a polyester-based coating (mugs, panels, etc.)

It won’t adhere to:

• Cotton
• Wood (unless coated)
• Dark natural fabrics
• Non-treated surfaces

🔍 There are tricks (like sublimation spray for cotton), but they’re workarounds, not professional-grade solutions.

Not ideal for dark-colored substrates

Because sublimation is a dye-based process, it doesn’t print white ink. The background color of the substrate becomes part of the design.

That means:

• White or light-colored surfaces are best
• On dark garments or blanks, colors will look dull or disappear

For dark fabrics, consider alternatives like DTF or screen printing.

Overkill for simple or small designs

If your client just wants a small logo on the chest, sublimation may not be the most efficient or economical option:

• It uses full sheets of paper and a full press cycle
• Other methods like vinyl or DTG are faster and cheaper for low-detail, low-area prints

Less forgiving for positioning

Sublimation requires perfect alignment and consistent pressure. Once the paper is taped and pressed, there’s no repositioning or second chances.

This makes it harder to center or adjust compared to vinyl or screen printing, especially on curved or uneven surfaces.

Sublimation shines in many scenarios, but it's not a one-size-fits-all method. Choosing the right technique means better results, happier customers, and less waste.

If you're printing on cotton, dark garments, or only need spot graphics, talk to our team, we’ll help you pick the best method for your needs.

Best use cases for sublimation

If you’re wondering whether sublimation is right for your business, the answer depends on what you're printing, how much, and for whom.

Here are the use cases where sublimation outperforms any other method:

Custom merchandise with full-color designs

Sublimation is ideal for:

• Print-on-demand stores
• Etsy sellers
• Small brands launching product lines

You can create vibrant mugs, tumblers, coasters, and tote bags without investing in large runs or complex setups.

Want to launch a side hustle? Sublimation is a low-risk way to start selling customized products with professional quality.

All-over apparel printing

No other method can match sublimation’s ability to print seam-to-seam, especially on:

• Sportswear and performance shirts
• Fashion collections with bold patterns
• Kidswear with fun, vibrant graphics

It’s also perfect for creating matching sets, event t-shirts, and festival merchandise.

Personalized hard surface items

Sublimation excels at producing giftable items with high perceived value:

• Photo panels
• Mousepads
• Nameplates
• Phone stands
• Puzzles and keychains

These products are popular for promotional campaigns, corporate gifting, or events where personalization matters.

Short runs and custom orders

Because there’s no setup cost or screen preparation, sublimation lets you:

• Print one unit at a time, profitably
• Offer custom names or designs per item
• Handle rush jobs with fast turnaround

Perfect for print shops that serve schools, events, sports teams, or small businesses needing low-quantity, high-impact prints.

In short, sublimation is a go-to method when:

• You want bold, full-color results
• You print on polyester or coated blanks
• You value durability, quality, and creative flexibility
• You need fast production without large inventory

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Sublimation can produce stunning results, or waste your time and materials if you skip the details. Here are some of the most common mistakes we’ve seen (and made), and how to avoid them:

Pressing with moisture in the fabric

Moisture causes faded colors, blurry lines, and ghosting.

Avoid it by:

• Pre-pressing garments for 3–5 seconds
• Storing blanks in a dry, climate-controlled space
• Never pressing right after washing without fully drying

Misalignment and off-center designs

Nothing kills a product faster than a crooked logo or uneven print.

Avoid it by:

• Using printed templates or alignment guides
• Taping designs evenly with heat-resistant tape
• Double-checking orientation before pressing (especially with mugs)

Many businesses lose time reprinting because of preventable alignment issues.

Not mirroring the design

This is an easy one to miss, and it ruins the product completely.

Always mirror your design before printing, especially if it contains text or directional graphics. Most design software has a quick "Flip Horizontal" option.

Overcooking or undercooking the transfer

• Too hot = color bleeding and burn marks
  Too cold = dull, patchy prints that don’t bond properly

Avoid it by:

• Using the correct time/temperature/pressure for each substrate
• Testing before running full batches
• Keeping a heat gun or thermometer to verify press temperature accuracy

Ignoring seams, zippers, or uneven surfaces

When pressing t-shirts or bags, seams and zippers create uneven pressure and faded areas.

Avoid it by:

• Using pressing pillows to create an even surface
• Avoiding designs that cross seams
• Testing pressure before doing full production

Using cheap inks or incompatible materials

Not all sublimation blanks or inks are created equal. Low-grade supplies often:

• Produce dull colors
• Peel or fade
• Lead to clogged print heads

Stick with reliable suppliers (like Joto Imaging Supplies) and test before switching brands.

Paying attention to these details can save hundreds of dollars in wasted paper, ink, and blanks, and dozens of hours in rework.

Conclusion: Is sublimation right for you?

Sublimation printing isn’t just a trend, it’s a professional-grade method that gives small and medium-sized businesses the ability to create high-quality, customized products with minimal setup and outstanding durability.

But like any technique, it’s not for everyone.

You’ll love sublimation if:

• You print on polyester or coated blanks
• You need vibrant, full-color designs
• You want to produce short runs or one-offs profitably
• You value durability and premium feel

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

❓ What is sublimation printing?

Sublimation printing is a process where special inks are turned into gas using heat and pressure, bonding the design directly into polyester-based materials or coated blanks. The result is a permanent, high-quality print that won’t crack, peel, or fade.

❓ How does sublimation printing work?

The design is printed using sublimation ink on special paper. Then, using a heat press, the ink turns into gas and fuses with the material's surface. Once cooled, the ink becomes solid again, embedded into the substrate.

❓ Can I use sublimation printing on cotton?

Not directly. Sublimation requires polyester to bond properly. While there are sprays and workarounds to apply sublimation on cotton, the results are usually lower quality and not permanent. For cotton printing, DTF or screen printing are better options.

❓ What materials can be used with sublimation printing?

You can sublimate on:

• Polyester fabrics
• Polyester-coated items like mugs, tumblers, metal panels, phone cases, puzzles, and mousepads

It won’t work on untreated surfaces or dark cotton garments.

❓ Can I do sublimation printing at home?

Yes. Many home-based businesses start with:

• A sublimation printer (like Sawgrass SG500 or a converted Epson)
• Sublimation inks and paper
• A heat press
• A few blanks (t-shirts, mugs, coasters)

We recommend starting with a starter kit if you're new, it includes everything you need to begin.

❓ Is sublimation printing expensive?

It depends on your scale. The initial setup (printer, press, materials) can cost a few hundred dollars, but:

• There’s no minimum quantity to print
• You save money with on-demand production
• You avoid the setup costs of screen printing

Over time, it becomes very cost-effective for custom orders and short runs.

❓ How long do sublimation prints last?

Sublimation prints are extremely durable, often outlasting the garment or blank itself. They don’t crack, fade, or peel because the ink becomes part of the surface. On fabric, the color stays vibrant even after dozens of washes.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to upgrade your setup, At Joto we’ve got what you need.