Sublimation Printing Explained: How It Works in Performance Sportswear
Sublimation Printing is best understood as heat transfer of disperse dyes onto polyester. This entry explains how it behaves inside a finished garment rather than only in the laboratory.
What the term means
heat transfer of disperse dyes onto polyester, which is why the value appears on almost every technical data sheet. Working figures for Sublimation Printing normally sit around 190-210 degrees transfer in mainstream production. Note calender heat press on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Why it matters in practice
it gives photographic detail with no added hand, so it influences buying decisions more than most buyers expect. Record elastane content alongside Sublimation Printing, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside 190-210 degrees transfer usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
Typical values seen in activewear
190-210 degrees transfer. Ranges vary by construction, so compare like with like. Keeping reference values for Sublimation Printing lets suppliers quote without extra sampling rounds. Ask for conditioning details together with calender heat press, since both affect the reading.
How it is measured
calender heat press is the reference normally quoted on a test report. Working figures for Sublimation Printing normally sit around 190-210 degrees transfer in mainstream production. Note calender heat press on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Frequent mistakes
Comparing results from different standards, testing unwashed fabric, and writing the target without tolerance are the common errors. Record elastane content alongside Sublimation Printing, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside 190-210 degrees transfer usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
