Sublimation printing — the color becomes part of the material
In sublimation printing, heat transfers the ink straight into a mug’s coating or the fibres of a polyester fabric. So the design doesn’t sit on top as a layer: it doesn’t peel or crack, and it survives washing, hot drinks and the dishwasher.
We print most of our mugs and bottles by sublimation. Sublimation on polyester garments is available on inquiry.
- The color is in the material, not on it
- Dishwasher-safe mugs
- Mugs online from 1 piece
- Polyester garments on inquiry
How sublimation works
Printing on transfer paper
The design is printed mirrored with special sublimation inks.
Heat and pressure
In a press at high temperature, the ink turns from solid straight into gas without becoming liquid.
The design enters the material
The gas penetrates the polyester coating or fibres and stays there permanently once it cools.
Advantages of sublimation printing
- Durability: the design is in the material, not on it. It doesn’t peel or rub off.
- Bright colors and photos: gradients and photographs are reproduced smoothly.
- No feel of a print: on fabric you can’t feel the print with your fingers, and the fabric breathes as before.
- Resilience: our sublimation mugs stand up to high temperatures and the dishwasher.
What sublimation is good for, and what it isn’t
Sublimation only works on polyester or a special polyester coating: sublimation mugs, bottles and polyester garments. Colors come out most accurately on a white or very light base, because the ink is transparent and there is no white layer.
That’s why for cotton t-shirts and dark garments we use DTF printing: it works on any fabric and color. If you’re not sure which technique suits your project, describe it to us and we’ll suggest one.
| Sublimation | DTF print | |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | polyester, sublimation coatings | cotton, polyester, blends |
| Base color | white or light | any, including black |
| Feel | can’t be felt, it’s in the material | a thin, stretchy layer |
| What we offer | mugs and bottles, polyester garments on inquiry | t-shirts, hoodies, bags, caps |
Sublimation printing on mugs
Mugs are the most common use of sublimation for us. You can make a mug with a photo, text or a logo in the online designer, from a single piece. All models and prices are on the mug printing page.
Sublimation on polyester garments
We do sublimation on textiles by inquiry: sports shirts, team kits and other light polyester garments. Send us the design, the type of garments and the quantity, and we’ll tell you whether the fabric is suitable and what it costs. Your own garments work too. See printing on your own clothes.
What file you need for sublimation printing
Because sublimation reproduces photographs and gradients very well, high-resolution photos and color designs suit it best. Send the original file in the best quality you have: a JPG or PNG from the camera or phone, or a vector file for logos.
Remember that the ink is transparent: white parts of the design stay the color of the base. So white text won’t show on a white mug or t-shirt. For that, give it a dark outline or background in the design itself.
Production time and delivery
Small orders are made in 1–3 working days. For large orders we agree the timing together, depending on quantity and technique.
In a hurry? Write to us. We can often make an order at the last minute, sometimes even on a non-working day, but this has to be agreed in advance.
- To a BoxNow locker: free for orders over 11,99 €
- To an Econt office or to your address
- Pickup in person from our office at 15 Kutlovitsa St, Sofia
We deliver within Bulgaria. You see the delivery price at checkout, before you pay. More details are on the Delivery page.
What is sublimation printing?
A technique where heat transfers the ink into the polyester coating or fibres of a material, where it stays. The design isn’t a layer on top.
Is a sublimated mug dishwasher safe?
Yes. The print on our sublimation mugs stands up to high temperatures and the dishwasher.
Can you sublimate on a cotton t-shirt?
No. Sublimation only works on polyester. For cotton we use DTF printing.
Can you sublimate on a black garment?
No, the ink is transparent and only shows on a white or light base. For dark garments we use DTF.
Do you sublimate sports kits?
Yes, on inquiry, on light polyester garments. Send us the design and a description of the garments.
Why doesn’t white text show with sublimation?
Sublimation ink is transparent and has no white layer, so the white parts of the design stay the color of the base. For white text, use a dark background in the design or DTF printing.
Related services
Sublimation for your project
A single mug online, or polyester garments on inquiry.