Sublimation
Colour dyed into the fabric. Full-print designs in any number of colours that cannot crack or peel.
- Best on
- Polyester & mesh
Guide · Decoration
Sublimated Uniforms: A Buyer's Guide
Sublimation is how most modern team jerseys are made. Here's what it means, how it works, and when it's the right choice for your uniforms.
The Basics
What Does Sublimated Mean?
A sublimated uniform is one where the design is dyed into the fabric instead of printed on top of it. The artwork is printed onto transfer paper with special inks, then pressed onto white polyester fabric under heat. The heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds with the polyester fibres; when it cools, the colour is part of the fabric itself.
Because nothing sits on the surface, a sublimated jersey has no layer of ink to crack, peel or fade, and the fabric stays as light and breathable as it was before printing. The whole garment can be printed edge to edge, so stripes, fades, camo, photos and sponsor logos cost the same as a plain colour.
The limits are the fabric: sublimation needs polyester (or a high-polyester blend) and a white or light base, so it isn't used for cotton tees or dark-dyed garments. For those, screen printing, heat transfer or embroidery are the better choices.
- 01
Unlimited colours
Every colour, gradient and photo prints at the same price.
- 02
Won't crack or peel
The dye is inside the fibre, so there is no surface layer to wear off.
- 03
Light and breathable
No heavy print layer — the jersey weighs the same as the fabric.
- 04
Edge-to-edge designs
Patterns run across seams, sleeves and collars.
6 Ready-Made Designs · Sublimated designs
Start From One Of Ours.
Every design is recoloured, re-lettered and numbered for your team — or send your own artwork. Pick one and we return a free mockup in your colours within 24 hours.
Sublimated jersey1 design
SC-D01Request this →Desert LandscapeSublimated jersey
Game uniform2 designs
BK-D02Request this →Teal GeoGame uniform
BK-D03Request this →Black CamoGame uniform
Full-button jersey + pants1 design
BS-D03Request this →Stars & StripesFull-button jersey + pants
Full kit1 design
SC-D09Request this →Green PatternFull kit
Sports bra + shorts set1 design
AW-D04Request this →Red Stars & FadeSports bra + shorts set
Compare
Sublimation vs Other Methods
| Sublimation | Screen printing | Heat transfer | Embroidery | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Full-print jerseys and kits | Bold logos on tees and hoodies | Names and numbers | Crests on polos, jackets and caps |
| Colours | Unlimited, gradients and photos | One screen per colour | Limited per transfer | Thread colours |
| Feel | No feel — it's in the fabric | Soft ink layer | Thin film on top | Raised stitching |
| Durability | Won't crack or peel | Very good | Good; can lift over time | Excellent |
| Fabrics | Polyester, light base only | Cotton and blends | Most fabrics | Most fabrics |
Most team orders combine methods — a sublimated jersey with heat-transfer names, or an embroidered crest on a sublimated tracksuit.
Decoration & Fabrics
Your Colours, Your Crest.
Embroidery
Stitched crests, logos and lettering for a raised, premium finish.
- Best on
- Fleece, polos, caps
Screen Printing
Solid spot colours with a soft hand feel, cost-effective at volume.
- Best on
- Cotton & blends
Heat Transfer
Names and numbers applied per garment — ideal for rosters.
- Best on
- All fabrics
Recommended fabrics
FAQ
Questions Buyers Ask.
Do sublimated uniforms fade?
No more than the fabric itself. The dye is bonded inside the polyester fibre, so it doesn't crack, peel or wash out the way surface prints can.
Can sublimation be done on cotton?
Not effectively. Sublimation dye bonds with polyester, so cotton garments are screen printed, heat-transfer printed or embroidered instead.
Are sublimated jerseys more expensive?
Usually not for team orders. Because the whole garment is printed at once, complex designs cost the same as plain ones, and minimums start at 15 pieces per design.
Can names and numbers be sublimated?
Yes — they can be sublimated into each jersey from a roster, or added with heat transfer after printing.
Is sublimation good for dark colours?
Yes, on polyester: the base fabric is white, and dark colours are dyed in. It's dark-dyed cotton that sublimation can't print on.
Keep Exploring
Related Pages.
- Soccer UniformsMatch and goalkeeper kits, training wear, windbreakers, shin guards and captain's armbands for clubs and academies.View →
- Reversible Basketball JerseysCustom reversible basketball jerseys for teams, leagues and camps — two colourways in one, numbers on both sides, sublimated in your colours. Free mockup in 24 hours.View →
- Fabric LibraryThe twelve base fabrics, testing, recycled options and colour matching.View →
- Our ProcessFrom sketch to shipment — sampling, quality checks, timelines and shipping.View →
Add Your Design.
Get Your Mockup.
Upload artwork or a sketch. A digital mockup and factory-direct quote comes back within 24 hours.