What is Sublimation?

Discover the Power of Sublimation Printing at OneCraftyShark.com: High-Quality Custom Apparel with In-House Equipment

Are you looking for vibrant, durable, and professional-looking custom apparel for your business, fundraiser, or personal project? At OneCraftyShark, we utilize state-of-the-art sublimation printing technology to bring your designs to life with unmatched quality. Our commitment to excellence is backed by top-tier equipment — including the Prestige XL4 DTF station and the Shaker powder applicator — ensuring in-house production of your apparel orders with precision and speed. Read on to learn everything about sublimation printing, its benefits, and why we’re your go-to apparel printing partner.

What is Sublimation Printing? A Detailed Overview

Sublimation printing is a revolutionary method for creating full-color, high-resolution images on textiles and other surfaces. It’s especially popular in the custom apparel industry because of its ability to produce vibrant, long-lasting designs without compromising fabric feel or flexibility.

How Does Sublimation Printing Work?

Sublimation printing involves transferring dye-based inks onto a specially coated surface through the application of heat and pressure. Here’s a step-by-step process:

1. Design Creation: Your artwork is digitally prepared using graphic design software, tailored for sublimation printing to ensure crisp, vibrant colors.
2. Printing on Sublimation Paper: Using a sublimation printer—the design is printed onto specialized sublimation transfer paper with sublimation-compatible inks.
3. Heat Transfer Process: The printed transfer paper is placed on the fabric or surface (commonly polyester or a coated substrate). Under high heat (around 400°F) and pressure, the ink converts from a solid to a gas (sublimates) and penetrates the fabric or coating uniformly.
4. Cooling and Setting: Once cooled, the ink remains embedded within the fabric fibers, resulting in a durable, vibrant, and soft design that won’t crack, peel, or fade over time.

Why is Sublimation Ideal for Custom Apparel?

• Vibrant Color & Photo-Quality Detail: Sublimation produces high-resolution images with smooth gradients and intricate details.
• Long-Lasting Designs: Because dyes are embedded into the fibers, designs remain vibrant wash after wash.
• Soft Hand Feel: Unlike heat transfers or vinyl, sublimation printing results in a seamless, soft-to-the-touch print that doesn’t add bulk.
• Full-Color Printing: Capable of printing complex, multi-colored designs in one pass without limitations.

Note: Sublimation works best on polyester fabrics or specially coated hard surfaces such as mugs, plaques, and phone cases.

Why Choose Our In-House Sublimation Capabilities?

At OneCraftyShark, we believe in delivering the highest quality products with a quick turnaround. Our in-house sublimation printing setup ensures we maintain strict quality control, fast production times, and personalized service.

In-House Printing Benefits for Your Business or Fundraiser

Choosing to work with OneCraftyShark for sublimation printing means:

• Complete Control & Quality Assurance: No outsourcing assures top-tier quality every step of the way.
• Faster Turnaround Times: In-house equipment allows us to quickly fulfill orders, ideal for last-minute or large projects.
• Affordable Pricing: Eliminating middlemen helps us offer competitive rates.
• Custom Flexibility: From one-off designs to gang sheets and bulk orders, we handle it all with precision.
• Versatile Products: We can apply sublimation to apparel, banners, awards, and more.

Perfect for Business, Fundraisers, and Creative Projects

Our sublimation printing services are ideal for those wanting high-quality, eye-catching apparel and promotional items