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What are sublimation-printed patches

What are sublimation-printed patches

You are choosing how to create your patch, you have just finished reading our article 'How to provide perfect graphics for your patches' and you look at your design and realise that your image contains nuanced and very detailed parts that you don't want to give up...
No problem! We have the right solution for you: sublimation printing.

What is sublimation printing?

Sublimation printing is a digital printing method for transferring colour by means of heat and pressure. The ink, printed with special machinery, is transferred to the substrate, thus being able to maintain an almost photographic quality, which is not possible with embroidery or PVC, for example.

Advantages of sublimation printing

  • Detailed and vibrant results: sublimation excels in vivid and complex prints. Thanks to the high temperatures, lines are sharper and colours do not fade.
  • Durability of the print: unlike some printing methods in which ink is deposited on the surface, dye-sublimation ink is absorbed by the material.
  • Fidelity: sublimation printing allows you to retain your creativity, such as in the case of shading or very intricate details.

Disadvantages of sublimation printing

  • Material limitations: unfortunately, this technique only works on fabrics with a high concentration of polyester. The less polyester the fabric has, the more faded the print will appear.
  • Base colour limitations: it is only available in white or transparent products. Sublimation printing does not offer white ink and the ink cannot lighten the base colour. If you try to dye sublimate on a black fabric, the dye will transfer, but you will not see the results.

Can I combine the processing techniques?

Absolutely. In the case of special needs or processing, it is possible to combine different processing techniques on your patch, such as an embroidered patch that has one or more complex dye-sublimation-printed elements inside it that could not be reproduced embroidered.

If you have any doubts about this, please contact our support team during the quotation phase to evaluate together the type of processing best suited to the needs of your patch.