Sublimation
Sublimation prints your artwork with special dyes that turn to gas under heat and bond into the surface itself, not on top of it. The result is a permanent, full-colour print with no texture or edge you can feel.
Ideal for polyester garments, mouse pads, mugs and other polymer-coated drinkware and gifts.
Sublimation only bonds with polyester and poly-coated surfaces. For cotton garments, look at screen printing, heat press or direct to garment instead.
How does sublimation work?
- 1
Your design is printed in full colour onto transfer paper using sublimation dyes.
- 2
The paper is fixed onto the product in the branding position.
- 3
Under heat and pressure the dye turns to gas and bonds into the surface coating, becoming part of the product.
Sublimation questions, answered
Does sublimation work on cotton?
No. Sublimation dye only bonds with polyester fibres and polymer coatings. On cotton, choose screen printing, heat press or direct to garment printing.
Can you feel a sublimation print?
No. The dye sits inside the surface rather than on top of it, so the print has no edge, texture or weight.
Will a sublimated mug survive the dishwasher?
Sublimated drinkware is highly wash-resistant because the design is in the coating, not on it. Hand washing still extends the life of any branded mug.
Shop Sublimation products
Related branding methods
303 products can be branded with Sublimation
Browse corporate gifts and promotional products that support Sublimation, or send us your logo and a branding consultant will handle the artwork and quote.