What is Sublimation Printing? A Complete Guide for Business Owners

If you’ve ever seen a vibrant, full-color custom mug, a t-shirt with a photorealistic image, or a beautifully printed aluminum photo panel and thought, “How did they make that?” chances are, you were looking at the result of sublimation printing.

Sublimation printing is one of the most powerful tools in the world of product customization. It allows businesses to produce high-quality, durable, and visually stunning items with relatively low investment and no inventory requirements. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to start a side hustle or a business owner exploring new revenue streams, sublimation opens the door to thousands of product possibilities—from apparel and home décor to corporate gifts and promotional items.

At Joto Imaging Supplies, we often hear this question at trade shows and online: “What exactly is sublimation printing, and how can it benefit my business?” That’s exactly what this guide is here to answer. We’ll walk you through what sublimation is, how it works, what you need to get started, and why it might be the smartest move for your business this year.

Understanding the sublimation printing process

To truly appreciate the value of sublimation printing, it helps to understand how the process works—both from a scientific perspective and from a practical, day-to-day business point of view.

At its core, sublimation is a chemical process where a solid transforms directly into a gas, skipping the liquid phase entirely. This is exactly what happens during sublimation printing. When special sublimation ink is heated, it becomes a gas that penetrates the surface of polyester-based materials or polyester-coated items. As the substrate cools, the gas returns to a solid state, locking the image permanently into the material.

This is what makes sublimation so unique: the ink doesn’t sit on top of the product (like screen printing or vinyl), it becomes part of it. The result? Ultra-durable, high-resolution, full-color images that won’t peel, crack, or fade over time.

Sublimation vs. Other Printing Methods

Let’s quickly compare sublimation to other popular printing techniques:

As you can see, sublimation offers an excellent combination of quality, durability, and low entry costs, especially if your business focuses on personalized or full-color designs.

What Can Be Sublimated?

To get the best results, sublimation printing must be done on either:

• 100% polyester fabrics (ideal for apparel)
• Hard surface blanks with a special polyester coating (mugs, metal panels, phone cases, etc.)

This makes sublimation incredibly versatile across product categories. Whether you’re printing a single custom mug or hundreds of sports jerseys, the process is fast, clean, and scalable.

What equipment do you need for sublimation printing?

One of the biggest advantages of sublimation printing is how accessible it is. You don’t need a full-scale production facility or massive upfront investment to get started. With just a few essential tools, you can begin creating high-quality, personalized products right from your home, studio, or small shop.

Here’s a breakdown of the core equipment you’ll need to launch your sublimation printing operation:

1. Sublimation printer

A sublimation printer is the heart of your setup. Unlike regular inkjet or laser printers, sublimation printers use special dye-sublimation inks that are designed to convert from solid to gas under heat.

At Joto Imaging Supplies, we carry top-performing options for every business size:

• Desktop Printers – Ideal for small-scale production. Models like the Virtuoso SG500 and SG1000 are compact and user-friendly, perfect for home-based businesses.

• Wide-Format Printers – Designed for higher-volume jobs and larger substrates (like apparel or signage). Models such as the Epson F6370 allow for roll printing and all-over garment sublimation.

2. Sublimation inks

Not all inks are created equal. Sublimation ink is what makes the chemical process work. These specialized dyes bond at the molecular level with polyester fibers or coatings, producing vivid, long-lasting results.

Our ink systems are ICC color profiled and tested for accuracy, ensuring sharp detail and true-to-design color reproduction.

3. Sublimation paper

Sublimation paper acts as the transfer vehicle. It’s designed to hold the ink until heat is applied, releasing nearly all the dye into your substrate with minimal waste.

At Joto, we offer premium sublimation papers that maximize ink transfer and minimize ghosting or bleeding, ensuring professional results every time.

4. Heat Press Machine

Once your design is printed on sublimation paper, you need a heat press to complete the transfer.

Different products require different types of presses:

• Flat Heat Presses – For t-shirts, mouse pads, puzzles, aluminum panels, etc.
• Mug Presses – For standard mugs, travel tumblers, and drinkware.
• Multi-Function Presses – Swap out platens to press caps, plates, or specialty items.

All of Joto’s heat presses come with digital temperature and time controls for precision and consistency. We even offer auto-release ClamShell models that boost productivity and ease of use.

5. Sublimation Blanks

These are the actual products you’ll customize. Sublimation blanks must either be made of polyester (in the case of fabric) or have a special polyester coating (for hard surfaces).

Popular sublimation blanks include:

• Ceramic mugs and drinkware
• Apparel (jerseys, performance shirts, socks)
• HD aluminum photo panels
• Mouse pads, coasters, tote bags
• Phone cases, ornaments, keychains

6. Optional: design software

To create your artwork, you’ll need graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or CorelDRAW. You can also use more user-friendly platforms like Canva or Sawgrass CreativeStudio for simple designs.

How does sublimation printing work? (Step-by-step)

Now that you know what sublimation printing is and what equipment you need, let’s walk through the actual step-by-step process of creating a sublimated product. Whether you're making a custom t-shirt, mug, or aluminum photo panel, the core workflow remains the same—and it's surprisingly straightforward.

Step 1: Design your artwork

Start by creating or importing your design in a graphic design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CorelDRAW, or Sawgrass CreativeStudio. Make sure your file:

• Uses the CMYK color mode for accurate print output.
• Is set to at least 300 DPI resolution to ensure image clarity.
• Is mirrored before printing (especially important for text and directional graphics).

Step 2: Print the design using a sublimation printer

Next, print your design onto sublimation transfer paper using a sublimation printer loaded with sublimation inks. The printout may appear dull at first—this is normal. The colors will become vivid once heat is applied during pressing.

Note: Regular inkjet or laser printers are not compatible with sublimation. Only printers specifically built or converted for sublimation use will work.

Step 3: Prepare your sublimation blank

While the print dries, prepare your substrate for pressing:

• Ensure the surface is clean and free of lint or dust.
• For fabrics, pre-press for a few seconds to eliminate wrinkles and moisture.
• Align your printed transfer onto the blank with the print side facing down.
• Secure it with heat-resistant tape to prevent shifting during the press.

Step 4: Use a heat press to apply heat and pressure

Place the blank and transfer paper into your heat press. Set the temperature, time, and pressure based on the product you're using. Typical settings include:

• Temperature: 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 205°C)
• Time: 45 to 60 seconds
• Pressure: Medium to firm

Under these conditions, the sublimation ink turns into a gas and embeds into the polyester coating or fibers of your blank.

Step 5: Remove and cool

Once the press cycle is complete, carefully remove the paper and let the product cool. Use protective gloves if needed, as the substrate may be hot. As it cools, the ink solidifies inside the material, becoming a permanent part of the item.

Step 6: Your product is ready

The final result is a vibrant, high-resolution, and durable product with no peeling, fading, or cracking. The surface remains smooth to the touch because the image is infused, not layered.

This streamlined process makes sublimation an excellent choice for both single custom jobs and larger production runs, with consistent quality and low waste.

Top benefits of sublimation printing for your business

Sublimation printing isn’t just popular because it produces beautiful results—it’s also a strategic business decision. Whether you're adding to an existing product line or launching a brand-new customization venture, sublimation offers several key advantages that can positively impact your bottom line.

1. Low startup costs and scalability

Compared to other printing methods, sublimation requires a relatively small upfront investment. With a sublimation printer, heat press, and a few blanks, you can start producing professional-grade products in a matter of hours. Plus, as your business grows, it’s easy to scale with additional printers or presses to increase production without major overhead.

At Joto Imaging Supplies, we offer complete startup packages tailored to different business sizes—making it easy to get started with confidence.

2. High-Quality, full-color results

One of the most appealing benefits of sublimation is the ability to print full-color, high-resolution images that look vibrant and professional. Sublimation excels in reproducing detailed photographs, gradients, and complex designs—results that are difficult to achieve with screen printing or vinyl.

This makes sublimation ideal for personalized products, photo gifts, branded merchandise, and more.

3. No minimum orders

Unlike traditional printing methods that require bulk production to remain cost-effective, sublimation allows you to profitably produce one-off items. This opens the door to custom, made-to-order products that don’t rely on inventory or volume discounts.

For entrepreneurs and small businesses, this flexibility is a game-changer. You can respond to trends, offer personalized products, and fulfill orders on demand—without the risk of unsold stock.

4. Broad product versatility

Sublimation works on a wide variety of products. If it's made of polyester or has a polyester coating, it’s a candidate for sublimation. This includes:

• Apparel (t-shirts, jerseys, socks)
• Drinkware (ceramic mugs, tumblers, water bottles)
• Home décor (pillows, photo panels, ornaments)
• Office and tech items (mouse pads, phone cases, keychains)
• Promotional products (bags, coasters, name tags)

With thousands of sublimation blanks available, you can continuously expand your product offering and appeal to different audiences and market segments.

5. Durable and long-lasting prints

Because the ink becomes part of the material during the sublimation process, the resulting prints are extremely durable. They won’t crack, peel, or fade with washing or wear, making them especially appealing for apparel, drinkware, and high-touch items.

Your customers will notice the quality difference—and that translates to repeat business and stronger brand trust.

6. Fast production and quick turnaround times

Sublimation is not only easy to learn but also incredibly efficient. Once your workflow is set up, you can produce high-quality custom items in minutes. This allows you to respond quickly to customer orders, seasonal trends, or bulk requests with minimal delay.

In today’s on-demand economy, the ability to offer fast turnaround times gives your business a strong competitive advantage.

Need help sublimating? Contact us right now.