Sublimation

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About Sublimation

Sublimation is a method of printing that transfers ink on to material through heat and light pressure, permanently dying the design into the fabric. Design possibilities are endless and can feature any colour, gradient, font or effect, all without compromising the weight or performance of the fabric. 

How it Works

The sublimation process turns solid ink from specialty paper into gas and into the fibres of the garment using heat (as opposed to screen printing where ink is applied on top of the fabric). Once a design has been sublimated, it becomes part of the material. The artwork will stretch with the fabric, it will allow sweat to wick through the design, and it will not crack or fade over time or with repeated washing.

Full Sublimation

Full sublimation involves pressing full panels of white fabric before they are sewn together, allowing you to maximize your design space. Full sublimation has no artwork restrictions – unlimited colours, gradients, digital effects, textures, or patterns – from seam to seam.

During the full sublimation pre-production process, a significant amount of time is spent to ensure that your sublimated artwork prints as best as possible.  For each order we must:

• Press test to ensure printed colours match expectations
• Set up artwork for all panels, from edge to edge
• Scale artwork for each size ordered
• Set up each individual player name and number
• Print all panels for every jersey onto large sheets of specialized paper
• Sublimate the artwork into fabric panels using a heat press
• Sew the garment together

Simple Sublimation

Simple Sub gear is designed to be a replacement and upgrade to screen printed jerseys. You can pick any colour as the base of your jersey design and include a limited number of full colour logos, but your design can’t have complicated art aspects such as gradients, elements crossing over side seams or art requiring scaling by size.

All Simple Sub gear is made with recycled FlexLight fabric. Pricing is listed on available product pages, and includes a front logo, back or sleeve logo and up to two numbers on the jerseys or shorts. 

Spot Sublimation

Spot sublimation uses the same process as full and simple sublimation, but in a limited area with a much smaller heat press. The artwork is applied to a white jersey that is already sewn together and you still get all the benefits of sublimation - unlimited colours, gradients, digital effects, and fonts - just in a localized area.

If you are looking for an affordable way to sublimate full colour logo(s) on a white jersey, read more about the spot sublimation process.

Sublimation Disclaimer

VC staff thoroughly reviews all orders, but each sublimated garment is unique and handmade.  Some inconsistencies may occur from print to print including: small colour discrepancies, dust spots, and "ghosting" or colour shadowing.  These are part of the sublimation process and cannot be prevented. 

If you believe there is a problem with one of our products beyond these issues, please contact us.