For those who have lived under a
design rock for the past decade,
sublimation is essentially a process in
which dye ink is printed on paper
using a high-speed inkjet printer,
and then the design is transferred into
fabric using heat and pressure.
Because the sublimated design is
permanently infused into the fiber of
the fabric, it won't fade, crack or peel.
The dye ink is heated at over
400 degrees into a gas and then
transferred onto fabric, absorbing into the
fibers and becoming part of the fabric.
The dye ink then cools and becomes
solid once again. (Sublimation ink is
unique in its ability to convert from a
solid to a gas without going through
a liquid form.)
There is almost no limit to the
number of colors that can be used
in sublimation, and the process allows
performance fabrics to remain soft and
maintain their breathability.
With its sharp and accurate colors
and designs, shortened lead times
and affordability, it is no surprise that
sublimation's popularity continues to
rise among dealers and their customers.
54 • January 2021 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com
SUBLIMATION
EXPLAINED
TEAM / APPAREL
Badger Sport
