What is sublimation printing
Sublimation printing is a form of heat transfer printing using sublimation ink. Unlike heat transfer vinyl, sublimation ink becomes part of the shirt, rather than laying on top of it. The process involves the ink turning into a gas, adhering to the material, then turning back into a solid after cooling down.
This is a high-quality and long-lasting method for applying designs to shirts and other substrates but can only be used with polyester and polyester coatings.
How to
1. Print design (mirrored) onto sublimation paper using a printer with sublimation ink.
2. Heat press design to the substrate (shirt, mug, bag, pillow, etc)
Sublimation Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheap start-up, Long-lasting – won’t fade, crack, or peelNo feel (soft hand – can’t tell where design starts and shirt stops)No weedingMultiple colors with fine detail, Can print on other items: coffee mugs, iPhone cases, flip flops, etc | Only adheres to polyester or polyester coatings, No white inkCan’t be used on dark garments |
Sublimation printing costs
Startup
- Printer $150+
- Heatpress $150+
- Ink $80 +
- Paper $0.20 – $0.49 per (depending on size and quantity)
Estimated print costs
Costs will depend on how much ink you’re using, your printer, the paper you chose, how fast you can make them, and how much it will cost you to ship.
Paper costs
- $0.20 – $0.27 for 8.5×11 in
- $0.34 – $0.49 for 11×17 in
Ink costs: around $0.005 – $0.02 per square inch (These are the average estimates from multiple sources)
- 8×10 in = $0.40 – $1.60
- 10×16 in = $0.80 – $3.20
Don’t forget labor, electricity, shipping. See more in-depth cost breakdown here.
Example break down for a T-shirt
Estimates are on the high end to be safe but I doubt the ink will cost that much per design.
| 8×10 Design | 10×16 Design | |
| Shirt | $4.00 | $4.00 |
| Ink costs | $1.68 | $3.20 |
| Paper | $0.27 | $0.49 |
| Labor | $0.50 | $0.50 |
| Total | $6.45 | $8.19 |
Sublimation Starter Kit
Not exactly an all-in-one kit but the below items are our top picks for a quick and budget-friendly sublimation start-up. (You’ll need a heat press if you don’t already have one)
- Epson Workforce 7710
- Texprint XP-HR or Beaver Texprint XP
- Code 252 pre-filled with code CS/4.3 Sublimation Ink Cartridges
Epson Workforce 7710 is a top pick across multiple blogs and review sites. (1, 2, 3, 4, etc) It’s affordable, can do 13×19 prints, and sublimation inks can be installed easily.
The Beaver Texprint XP has the advantage of prime delivery but the Texprint XP-HR from ProWorld can be ordered in as few as one sheet so you don’t have to spend $40 just trying it out.
Code 252 pre-filled with code CS/4.3 Sublimation ink cartridges We chose the Cobra Ink CS4.3 because it’s one of the only sublimation inks that doesn’t require a print profile, it will print naturally with the Epson colors. Refillable cartridges because there easier to install than a CISS.
You can use just about any heat press. However an automatic may come in handy to minimize the chances of ghosting but its certainly not needed, just make sure to unlatch your press gently or make use of thermal tape.
FAQs
What is sublimation?
Sublimation is the transition of a substance directly from the solid to the gas state, skipping the liquid state (wiki). This is the process behind sublimation printing.
What is sublimation printing?
Sublimation printing is the process of printing designs with sublimation ink then heat pressing them to items made of polyester or with a polyester coating.
The sublimation ink turns into a gas, adheres to the material, then turns back to a solid after cooling down.
The ink becomes part of the shirt so it will never fade and has no feel. It’s one of the highest quality printing methods but there are a few drawbacks.
What is a sublimation printer?
A sublimation printer is a printer designated for printing with sublimation ink. You can purchase printers that are specifically built for sublimation like the sublimation sawgrass printer but these can get pricey. You can also convert some printers into sublimation printers by installing sublimation ink, there is plenty of youtube tutorials on how to.
Best sublimation printers:
Our pick: Epson Workforce 7710
10 Best sublimation printers you can buy in 2020 by Best Reviews
What is sublimation paper?
“In short, sublimation paper is a specialty printing paper that absorbs and holds ink. When placed on a blank surface (like a t-shirt, piece of vinyl, mouse pad, or other material) and heated, the sublimation paper releases the ink onto the material.” (Joe Heatpressreview)
Choosing the best sublimation paper depends on the printer, ink, what material you’re printing to, and what’s available in your area.
Not to downplay the importance of sublimation paper but some people have even managed to use regular copy paper (not the best quality). The magic is in the ink, the paper is just the delivery system, so don’t rack your brain too hard on this one.
Our Pick: Texprint XP-HR or Beaver Texprint XP These are for Epson printing systems.
What is sublimation ink?
Sublimation ink is a type of water-soluble ink that is used in the heat transfer process. Under heat, the sublimation ink turns into gas, synthetic fibers on the shirt (or whatever textile you’re using) then open to receive the gas, once it cools the colorant encapsulates and sticks to the garment firmly. (Sublimation ink will only adhere to polyester or a polyester coating)
Our pick: Cobra Ink with code CS4.3 (no print profile required)
What is a sublimation heat press?
Any heat press can be used for sublimation. An automatic press could be beneficial to minimize the chance of the design moving and leaving a ghosted image.
What material and items can be sublimated?
Sublimation ink only adheres to polyester, your item should be 100% polyester or have a polyester coating for best use. 50/50 and other blends are possible but the ink will only stick to the polyester and wash away from the other materials. If your printing on a blended shirt it will give your design a faded / vintage look.