What is sublimation?

If you’ve ever wondered how some of the most vibrant, full-color branded products are made, sublimation is most likely the answer. Sublimation is a printing process in which ink is turned into a gas by heat, then infused directly into a fabric’s surface. Instead of sitting on top of the material (as with screen printing or heat transfer), the design becomes part of the garment itself. That’s why sublimated products don’t crack, peel, or fade the way other methods sometimes can. It’s clean and precise, producing really sharp and vibrant results.

Custom Sublimated Scrunchies (3 Pack)

How the Process Works

  1. Design is CMYK printed onto transfer paper using special sublimation inks

  2. Heat and pressure are applied using a heat press

  3. The ink turns into a gas and bonds with the product’s coating or fibers

  4. Once cooled, the design is permanently embedded into the item

  5. If we’re sublimating fabric, then the pieces get sewn together

  6. Your fully sublimated garment is ready to wear!

Sublimation works best on:

  • Polyester fabrics (think performance tees, jerseys, etc.)

  • Items with a polymer coating (coozies, mousepads, coasters, bags, blankets, the list goes on!)

  • Examples of common sublimated garments: Invision bike or mountain bike jerseys, Hawaiian shirts, scarves, scrunchies, and sports jerseys.

If you’re looking for bold, all-over prints or highly detailed artwork, that feel soft to the touch sublimation is the way to go!

Custom Sublimated Scarf

Why Sublimation?

Full-color freedom
No limits on CMYK colors, gradients, or detail. Sublimated garments are great for complex logos, artwork, or garments that need all-over prints or have tons of logos.

Durability
The design won’t crack or peel because it’s part of the product, not sitting on top.

Soft feel
On apparel, there’s no added texture. The fabric still feels like fabric.

Clean look
No heavy ink buildup, no edges, no distortion.

When It Might Not Be the Best Fit

Sublimation isn’t perfect for everything. A couple of limitations to keep in mind:

  • Best suited for polyester, so not cotton

  • Some products require specific coatings

How We Use It at BBP

We typically recommend sublimation when:

  • You want high-end, retail-quality results

  • Your design has a lot of color, imprint locations, or details

  • You’re producing performance apparel

  • You want something that holds up long-term

If you’re not sure whether sublimation is the right route, we’ll walk you through it and suggest the best option based on your design, product, and budget.

Rachel Thornton