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Sublimation Questions

What is sublimation?
Sublimation is the process of transferring a printed image to a substrate. A substrate can be a specific fabric but not limited to poly-dri jersey's or jersey material. A substrate can be a different material like a plaque, or a mug, a key chain or even a towel.

What does sublimation mean?
Sublimation literally means the process of changing a solid to a gas while bypassing the liquid phase. Inks vaporize at the right temperature with the right substrate and the quick release allows the ink to be transferred with fine detail and brilliant color. Usually sublimation is very unlikely to fade or wash out. When you feel true sublimation on a substrate, you can not feel the logo. The ink is dyed directly into the garment. If you feel the logo on the garment you do not have sublimation.

What is semi sublimation?
Semi - Sublimation is taking a white (or lightly colored) based poly-dri pre made shirt, and applying the sublimation process to the garment. The printing field is usually limited and this is entry level dye sublimation. Examples of semi sublimation can be found at Semi Sublimated Jerseys

What is full sublimation?
Full Sublimation is taking poly-dri material in large rolls (over 250 ft) and first printing transfer paper through a large format printer on to dye sub paper. In the second step then transferring the image from the paper to the fabric through a large roll to roll or large format press. Typically the transfer takes place around 400 degrees for about a minute. Full sublimation allows all over printing including ghosting and full customization. Examples of full sublimation can be found on shorts, pants, or our biggest sellers, Fully Sublimated Jerseys

What color choices do I have?
Sports55 tries and matches all of our jersey colors as closely as possible to our signature series pants fabric. Our signature series pants colors are matched closely to industry standard colors and are available in about 25 colors. When using dye sublimation, there are unlimited color choices available but to keep everything uniform, we have pre selected the most popular colors, royal, scarlet, navy, black, orange, texas orange, lime, pink, hot pink, forrest, kelly, gold, vegas gold, brown, purple, cardinal, maroon, grey. In a nut shell, you can do any color combination's you like but we already have what we feel is closest to industry standard. On occasion some manufactures may not make colors that match other manufactures but are close. For examples: shoes, hats, socks, or other items purchased may be slightly different. If you don't see a color, chances are, we have it and can make it. With sublimation, you can use 100 colors or more in a logo and there is no additional cost to the manufacture, other than art time.

What is vinyl heat transfer?
Vinyl heat transfer is taking rolls of vinyl commonly called film, and by using a computerized cutting machine, logos can be die cut, picked and then transferred to substrates. Typically, vinyl is done one color and is very inexpensive to do. This product will wash out and fade over time. Logo's should be simple and remain one color. Very quick turnaround. Most people do not waist money placing vinyl on poly shirts, rather opt for a inexpensive cotton t-shirt.

What is screen printing?
Screen printing is an alternate, less expensive way of decorating garments. Screen printing usually uses a woven mesh "screen" and forces ink through an ink block stencil. In cases when using screen printing you will feel the design on the substrate. The ink will fade, will wash out, and will cause the garment to be heavier than sublimation. Typically, screen printing price increases based on how many colors you use. In a nut shell, ink is laid down on a garment and then dried. It is very expensive and difficult to do customization, like last names, with screen printing. Screen printing can be done on cotton or poly, but be careful when using poly that your screen printer uses inks designed for poly and/or moisture control garments.

What is fusion?
Fusion is a direct to garment print process in which you can transfer high quality images to poly-dri or inexpensive cotton t-shirts. Fusion printing is common at county fairs, and in malls for quick turn and small quantity items. Fusion gives you a feel similar to screen printing but the quality of the image can be photo quality. You will feel like a patch on your garment from fusion and it will wash out and fade over time. The industry opinion is fusion is an inexpensive way to digitally print, however the quality is like vinyl or screen printing.

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