Sublimation vs. Heat Transfer: Which Printing Method is Right for You?

The printing industry is currently experiencing a surge in demand, with a growing interest in personalized products. High-quality stationery, wearables, and accessories featuring unique designs are particularly popular.

 

Moreover, according to a Smithers report, the global printing market is projected to reach a value of $821 million this year. Alongside this growth, there are advancements in printing technologies, including the adoption of web-to-print solutions and innovative printing techniques.

 

For businesses looking to expand their product offerings with personalized garments, two popular methods are sublimation printing and heat transfer printing. Each method has its own advantages and drawbacks, allowing businesses to choose based on their preferences and requirements. Here's a brief overview to assist you in deciding which method to incorporate into your online design studio:

 

What is Heat Transfer Printing?

 

Heat transfer printing involves the use of specialized paper that transfers a printed design onto a garment's surface when heat is applied. The design is printed using a laser or inkjet printer onto the heat transfer paper.

 

Subsequently, the paper is placed onto the garment's surface and pressed with a heat press (although a household iron can suffice in a pinch). Once pressed, the paper is peeled off, leaving the image adhered to the garment surface. Isn't it fascinating?

 

Heat transfer printing offers one of the simplest and most cost-effective methods to begin custom garment printing. Many print businesses start with just the printer they have at home, making it an ideal choice for home entrepreneurs.

 

Moreover, this method is versatile, allowing for use on both cotton and polyester fabrics, as well as on garments of both dark and light colors.

 

What is Sublimation Printing?

 

Sublimation printing operates similarly to heat transfer printing in that the design is printed onto sublimation paper and heat is then applied. However, the science behind sublimation sets it apart.

 

Sublimation ink, when heated, transitions from a solid to a gas and infuses itself into the fabric. As it cools, the gas reverts to a solid state but remains permanently integrated into the material.

 

The transferred design seamlessly blends into the garment, without adding any extra layers on top. Additionally, it boasts exceptional durability, often lasting as long as the garment itself under normal conditions.

 

Sublimation printing is exclusive to polyester garments (not cotton), although it can also be utilized on hard objects coated with polyester, such as mugs, jewelry, or coasters.

 

 

What's the Difference Between Sublimation and Heat Transfer Printing?

 

When entering the garment printing industry, it's advisable to choose between sublimation and heat transfer printing methods and invest accordingly. Here, we'll delve into the startup considerations for each, aiding you in making a wise and cost-effective decision:

 

1. Costs and Equipment

 

Starting with heat transfer printing is exceptionally cost-effective since you can utilize any inkjet or laser printer available at home. Additionally, you'll require heat transfer paper, the garments for decoration, and a heat press, which typically starts at around $300.

 

On the other hand, sublimation printing tends to be more expensive upfront, although costs have decreased in recent years. The expense primarily lies in the sublimation printer and heat press, which maintain a consistent price point.

 

For a budget-friendly approach, consider investing in a sublimation printing starter kit. These kits typically include a sublimation printer, sublimation paper, essential product designer tools, and a sample set of products for printing.

 

2. Feel and Durability

 

With sublimation, the printed design becomes an actual part of the fabric rather than a layer on top, which means you get a superior feel to the garment and unmatched durability.

 

With heat transfer printing, you can feel the layer on top, and it can get cracked or faded with multiple washes. However, by investing in higher-quality heat transfer papers and an online web-to-print designer, you can swiftly produce and sell print items with a softer feel and enhanced durability.

 

3. Types of Garments You Can Make

 

Sublimation ink exclusively adheres to polyester material, making it unsuitable for use on 100% cotton garments. While poly-cotton materials can be utilized to some degree, the transfer quality may not be as vibrant.

 

Moreover, because sublimation printing does not add any additional layers atop the fabric, it's essential to work with white or light-colored garments to ensure the design appears clearly.

 

In contrast, heat transfer printing is versatile and can be applied to garments of all colors, as well as polyester, cotton, and blended fabrics.

 

4. Colors Produced

 

Sublimation printing offers the flexibility to choose full colors, making it ideal for creating intricate designs such as brand logos or photographs. Heat transfer printing may not always achieve the same level of vibrancy with full-color effects.

 

For photo or logo printing using heat transfer, investing in higher-quality heat transfer paper is recommended. Inkjet transfer papers are often the preferred choice for photo printing. Implementing web-to-print software can facilitate the process, allowing you to start selling your designs promptly!

 

5. Weeding

 

In sublimation printing, the design is directly transferred onto the fabric, resulting in a self-weeding process. However, with heat transfer papers, this is typically not the case, except for certain "two-step" laser transfer papers.

 

This means that with most heat transfer papers, there will be a noticeable background around the design's shape on the paper. To eliminate this background, particularly on dark-colored fabrics where it is more visible, trimming around the image is necessary.

 

While the background is less visible on white or light-colored fabrics, it can still be felt physically.

 

FAQs on Heat Transfer and Sublimation Printing

 

1. Which materials are suitable for sublimation printing?

 

Sublimation printing works best on polyester fabrics or items with a polymer coating, such as mugs, phone cases, and mousepads.

 

2. Can I use sublimation on cotton fabrics?

 

Sublimation doesn’t work well on natural fibers like cotton because it requires polymers to bond with the dye. However, there are blended fabrics available that contain both polyester and cotton.

 

3. What types of designs are suitable for heat transfer printing?

 

Heat transfer is versatile and suitable for various designs, including graphics, text, and photographs.

 

4. Is one method more durable than the other?

 

Sublimation printing tends to be more durable since the ink becomes part of the material, while heat transfer printing may fade or crack over time, especially with frequent washing.

 

5. Which method is better for intricate designs?

 

Sublimation printing offers better results for intricate designs due to its ability to capture fine details and produce high-resolution images.

 

6. Can I print on dark-colored garments using sublimation?

 

Sublimation works best on light-colored materials, requiring a white or light background for the colors to appear vibrant. Heat transfer with special opaque transfer papers is more suitable for dark garments.

 

7. Which method is more cost-effective for small quantities?

 

Heat transfer printing is usually more cost-effective for small quantities since it doesn’t require the specialized equipment and setup that sublimation does.

 

8. Can I use both methods for my printing business?

 

Many businesses use both sublimation and heat transfer methods to offer their customers a wider range of customization options.