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Sublimation vs screen printing vs heat transfer
Sublimation dyes the design into polyester, so there is nothing to feel and it can run edge to edge. It needs white or light polyester. Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh screen, one screen per color, and suits cotton and bold color. Heat transfer presses a printed film onto the garment, for full-color art on almost any fabric. We do all three.
- We do all three
- Sublimation for polyester
- A sample before bulk
How they compare
All three put your design on the garment. They differ in how the color gets there.
| Compared | Sublimation | Screen printing | Heat transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Heat turns dye into a gas that bonds with polyester fibers | Ink pushed through a mesh screen, one screen per color | A design printed on film, then pressed on with heat |
| Fabrics | Polyester or high-polyester blends, white or light | Cotton, blends and polyester, light or dark | Most fabrics, light or dark |
| Colors | Any number of colors, even photos. No white. | Best with a few bold colors | Full color and fine detail |
| Feel | Nothing to feel: the color is in the fabric | Soft with water-based ink, a layer with thicker inks | A thin layer on top of the fabric |
| Print area | All over, edge to edge, across the seams | Chest, back and sleeves, up to the size of the screen | Any placement, up to the size of the film |
| Over time | No layer on top to crack or peel | Lasts many washes when it is cured right | Can crack or lift after many washes |
| Best for | Jerseys, sportswear and all-over prints | Tees, hoodies and totes, and repeat runs | Small runs, full-color art, names and numbers |
| What drives the cost | The print area and the fabric | The colors and the screens, spread over the run | The size and the number of transfers |
What each one looks like
Each method gives a different finish.
Pick by the fabric, the colors and the run
- Choose sublimation for polyester jerseys, sportswear and all-over prints that run across the seams.
- Choose screen printing for cotton tees, hoodies and totes with a few bold colors, and for bigger or repeat runs.
- Choose heat transfer for full-color art, small runs, and a name and number on each piece.
- Mix them. A sublimated jersey can carry a white logo as a heat transfer, like our PITCH jersey.
- Not sure? Send your artwork, the fabric and the quantity. We will suggest one, and you see it on your sample before bulk.
Questions buyers ask
What is the difference between sublimation and screen printing?
Sublimation dyes the design into polyester with heat, so there is no layer of ink on top. Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh screen onto the fabric, one screen per color. Sublimation needs white or light polyester. Screen printing works on cotton and on dark colors.
Can you sublimate on cotton?
Not well. Sublimation dye bonds with polyester, so on cotton the colors stay weak and wash out. For cotton, choose screen printing or heat transfer.
Can sublimation print white?
No. Sublimation adds dye to the fabric and has no white ink, so the white parts of a design show the fabric. That is why it suits white or light polyester.
Which print lasts longest?
Sublimation has no layer on top, so there is nothing to crack or peel. A well cured screen print also lasts many washes. A heat transfer can crack or lift sooner. Washing inside out helps all three.
Is heat transfer the same as screen printing?
No. A heat transfer is printed on a film first, then pressed onto the garment with heat. A screen print goes straight onto the garment through a mesh screen.
Which print costs less?
It depends on the artwork and the quantity. Screen printing needs a screen for each color, so it gets cheaper per piece as the run grows. Heat transfer suits small runs and full-color art. Send your artwork and quantity, and we will quote.
What is the minimum order?
Usually 25 pieces per style and color for clothing, with sizes mixed. Tell us what you are making and we will confirm.
Can I see the print before the full order?
Yes. We make one physical sample first, for $150 to $500 depending on the design, plus shipping. You see the print on your sample before we make the full order.
Your request is ready
Send it to us on WhatsApp, or copy it into an email to contact@sharknits.com.
Want to talk sooner? Book a 15-minute call on Google Meet.
What happens next
- We reply with questions and a quote.
- We make one sample for you to check.
- You approve it, and we make your order.
contact@sharknits.com · +1 647 501 5424
Sharknits is a custom clothing manufacturer for brands in the US, with factories in Lahore and Sialkot and a U.S. corporate office near Chicago.