Customized clothing has become a popular approach to express uniqueness and brand identity. Screen printing and sublimation are two common printing methods used to make customized products. Using a mesh fabric and specific inks, screen printing is a process for printing images on surfaces. This process is highly adaptable, ideal for a variety of fabrics, and can produce fade-resistant, vivid, long-lasting graphics. On the other side, sublimation is a method for printing images on special sublimation paper which then gets heat and pressure applied into the fabric. Sublimation works best with polyester-based textiles or with different effects with blended fabrics. The durability may not be as durable as screen printing depending on which type and kind of sublimation process has been used. Knowing the distinctions between these two methods will allow you to choose the optimal approach for your project.

Sublimation printers: How Do They Works?

Sublimation printing is a unique technique that employs specialized printers and inks to transfer high-quality graphics directly into polyester-based goods with the help of pressure and heat. This printing technology is very prevalent in the realm of print-on-demand, where it is one of the methods of choice for manufacturing full-color print products. One of the benefits of sublimation printing is the ability to create a continuous design from seam to seam on fabric. The procedure begins with printing the design with specialist inks on special transfer paper. The paper is then placed into a heat press machine, which fuses it with the cloth. At incredibly high temperatures, the paper's ink bonds with the fabric's synthetic strands, resulting in a brilliant, durable design. As ink adheres better to synthetic fabric fibers, sublimation is ideally suited for printing on polyester, polyester blends, or polymer-coated fabrics of lighter hues. In addition, sublimation is frequently used to print custom merch such as blankets, mugs, laptop covers, and gaming mouse pads.

Is Heat Transfer Different Than Sublimation?

Heat transfer printing or sublimation? These are very similar decoration methods with different names. Both methods utilise heat and special ink which is used to transfer the graphics onto the merch. With sublimation, the Ink is heated to a high temperature, turning it into a gas that embeds itself into the fabric fibers, creating a permanent design that won't peel or fracture. Heat transfer printing is ideal for small orders and intricate artwork. Understanding sublimation and heat transfer printing can help you choose the correct process for your project.

The Real Difference between Using a Sublimated vs Screen printing Machine

The ink types and processes are what differentiates utilizing a screen printing machine from a sublimation printer as well as the design and use of the product. In contrast to sublimation, which gives a great range of colors and textures using specific inks transmitted through heat and pressure, screen printing uses ink-based colors and produces more durable designs. Although it might not be as durable as screen printing, sublimation is perfect for materials made of polyester. The decision is based on the particular requirements of the project.

Screen printing: what it is and how it works

The equipment utilized differs significantly between sublimation printing and screen printing. A printer transfers the design to transfer paper before utilizing a heat press to transfer it to the garment in sublimation printing, which is highly automated. Contrarily, screen printing is a largely manual procedure that uses a mesh stencil and a squeegee to apply ink to the fabric through the stencil. While sublimation may create beautiful graphics with vivid colors, it is only compatible with materials made of polyester counts, and the final product might not be as robust as one made with screen printing. While each color must be applied separately and layer by layer, screen printing may be utilized on a variety of materials and enables for more elaborate designs with numerous colors. The outcome is a nice layer of ink that covers the fabric and produces intriguing textures and a distinctive appearance.

Is there a difference? Screen printing vs digital printing

If you want to print your own artwork at a shop like Colortex, you might be wondering how screen printing and digital printing vary from one another. While both techniques can yield excellent results, they are different in their methods and the inks they employ. Using nice, opaque ink, the conventional technique of screen printing prints one color at a time. This yields a vivid, durable finish that's ideal for mass production of identical-design clothing. The ink used in digital printing, on the other hand, is water-based and absorbs into the fabric, giving it a different feel and different durability than screen printing. Digital printing works well with smaller runs that have numerous graphics or intricate color gradients. You may select the printing technique that is appropriate for your particular needs by being aware of these variances.

Screen printing ink vs sublimation ink

In both sublimation and screen printing, the location of the ink has an impact on the printed design's texture and longevity in addition to its appearance. The cloth is covered with thick layers of screen printing ink that can survive repeated washings and abrasion. Due to its high pigment content, this kind of ink is perfect for designs that call for vivid and strong hues. In contrast, sublimation ink creates a design that is pleasant to the touch and does not increase the weight or thickness of the garment by absorbing into the fabric at the molecular level. However, due to the requirement of a high percentage of polyester content, sublimation printing may not be appropriate for all materials. Consequently, it is crucial to take the intended result, the fabric of the garment, and the required level of durability into account when deciding between screen printing and sublimation.

Basically, sublimation printing ink is in the fabric, while the process of screen printing puts the ink on top of the fabric.

Sublimation vs silk screen printing

Sublimation and screen printing differ in various ways. Sublimation creates a vibrant image. Because it embeds ink into fabric fibres, it's great for detailed designs. Screen printing with glitter and specialized inks adds texture and effects to designs. Sublimation avoids overproduction and is great for small batch runs, making it more sustainable. Screen printing supports water-based inks and is preferable for printing designs on cotton and fabric blends, depending on your needs.


Sublimation or screen printing for your business? Consider their pros and downsides. Print clarity, vibrancy, cost, demand, and sustainability should be considered. Your business model and brand determine the optimal method.


The big question is Sublimation vs screen printing: cost

The main difference between sublimation and silk screen printing is cost. Sublimation offers more color selection and the ability to place your design all over the desired garment, but it will cost more per unit than screen printing as it is often utilised in pre garment construction stages. Custom screen printing is cheaper per unit, making it the better option when ordering in bulk.