What is Dye-sublimation?

Dye-sublimation is a professional solution to full-colour permanent prints on apparel and also on a variety of other substrates - perfect for customisation of short runs.

Dye sublimation is quite unlike any other heat transfer process. There is probably no better "look" of a print than with a dye sublimated design – colours that are stunningly vibrant and can be very detailed.

The image won't wear out because the sublimation ink actually dyes the design into the fabric, unlike traditional transfers which often rely on a printable film being applied to the shirt so you can actually feel the print.

With other printing methods the shirt often isn't really imprinted; it "carries" the image placed on top of the fabric while with sublimated garments the dye permanently impregnates the yarn and there is no ‘hand’ (you can not detect the print by touch).

The dye-sublimation process consists of printing a special sublimation ink through a dedicated printer onto dye-sublimation transfer paper. By using a heat press the sublimation ink can be transferred onto any desired polymer-coated substrate or polyester garment. It also works well with most synthetic fabrics like Lycra and nylons too.

The Chemistry Dye-sublimation ink is immediately transformed into gas when a temperature of about 200C is applied. The heat also opens up the pores of the polyester or polymer coated item which then allows the gas to permeate.

When the heat is removed and the temperature drops the sublimation ink turns back into a solid form and the polymer pores close thus encapsulating the ink within the polymer. If done correctly, the image will never fade, crack or deteriorate as it becomes a part of the substrate itself.

Dye Sublimation onto Vapor Apparel We recommend dye sublimation as the best printing method for Vapor Apparel as it is the only method which will not impair the breathing and moisture wicking capabilities of the Vapor Apparel garments.

Vapor Apparel, though also suitable for any other decorating method, was specially engineered for dye-sublimation to ensure the most brilliant and long lasting colours possible.

Gone are the days when sublimation was only possible on white hot and scratchy polyester garments; Vapor Apparel garments are not just comfortable to wear, they also offer the enjoyment of full digital colour and the freedom of custom printing short runs.