Sublimation printing is a technique that uses heat sensitive inks. These inks turn into gas under the influence of heat and combine with a 100% polyester medium. Since the ink becomes part of the structure of the material, the images on the fabric don’t fade or crack - even after multiple washing.
Photographic images can be sublimated onto fabrics, coffee mugs, aluminium and wood boards, keychains and bookmarks, ceramic tiles, and much more. The only quality these surfaces must share is the polymer coating (or polyester fabric) that allows for the transfer of the ink.
Applications:
Sportswear, T-shirts, table covers , décor, soft-signage, Backlit banners, frontlit banners, Blockout banners, Display fabrics, Power stretches, Tent fabrics, Flags, Mesh banners, Frame fabrics, Table banners
For more information, check out our articles below:
* Dye Sublimation Guide
* Printing On Fabric
* DTG vs Dye Sublimation
* Fabric Repeat Patterns
* Metal Or Wood Dye-Sub Prints
Important Notes:
If you are looking to print on fabric to create a clothing line, we would be happy to help. Please note the following when considering using our dye-sub services for your apparel:
- At this time, we offer dye sublimation on polyester fabrics ONLY.
- We are able to provide fabric printing only; we do not offer sewing or finishing services.
- We use our in-house polyester fabrics and do not accept customer-supplied fabrics.
- At this time, we are not able to provide fabric printing in bolts or rolls. Because our heat press is flat, we are only able to print on fabric sheets up to a surface area of 64" x 44". Thus, our pricing is based on the size and quantity of the sheets.
- You must provide us with an image file (.jpeg, .ai, .pdf, etc) that has your patterns, graphics, and/or logo embedded.
- Shipping over $149 is free. A flat rate shipping fee of $29 applies for all orders under $149.
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Volume discount rates, Same Print Size/Image* |
Qty |
2-5 |
6-10 |
11-50 |
51-100 |
Discount |
30% |
35% |
40% |
45% |
- Volume discount rates cannot be combined with other discounts, promotions or group rates.
* ordering multiple quantities of the same image with the same size.
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Texart XT-640 Dye-Sublimation Printer
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Applications - Fabric Dye Sublimation Printing |
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Sportswear
Create dye-sublimated prints for fashion items, team uniforms, professional sportswear fabrics and apparel. |
Personalized Fashion
You can make your own fashion statement with clothing and fabric design, or company branding t-shirts and apparel. |
Soft Signage
Create dye-sublimated prints for polyester fabric flags, banners and textiles that preserve the fabric’s natural drape and texture. |
Art and Décor
Create dye-sublimated prints for large backdrops, wall coverings, canvas art and other custom items. The perfect product for interior designers, sign shops, and other creative professionals to put designs, logos, brands and patterns on a wide variety of materials. |
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How does it work? |
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Dye sublimation works by infusing a surface with dye from a printed image by adding heat and pressure. It is a chemical process by which a solid moves into a gaseous state without first passing through the liquid state. In the printing procedure, sublimation refers to the process that takes place within the heat press, once the print has been made.
Only polyester and polymer fabrics can be printed using dye sublimation process. Namely, natural materials such as cotton have no pores to open and take the dye. Prints used in dye sublimation can be created on most inkjet printers, as long as sublimation ink has been formulated for use in them. Sublimation inks are water-based (like most inkjet inks) and produce high-density colours. It is important to note that the cartridges do not use white ink, and that any white in the original image will be the colour of the substrate onto which the dye ink is transferred.
In the dye sublimation process, the first step is the printing of the mirror image of original picture on a transfer paper formulated to release as much of the dye as possible when the sublimation process is enacted. The transfer paper is then laid image side down on the fabric that is being sublimated. The required temperature is 390° to 400°F (190° to 200°C) for about 35 seconds, using light to medium pressure. The applied heat causes the synthetic fibres to expand, which enables the now-gaseous inks to soak directly in, saturating and dyeing them. Once when the sublimation is done, the transfer paper is carefully peeled off. As the fabric cools, the fibres contract again, trapping the dyes permanently within the surface. Due to this process, sublimated fabrics are colourfast and infused with durable prints.
Dye-Sub Transfer paper |
Dye-Sub Inks |
Polyester Fabric |
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Epson F6200 Dye-Sub Printer
Heat Press 64x44" size
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Available Dye Sublimation Fabrics: |
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Image |
Fabric Name |
Composition |
Weight gsm |
Properties |
Applications |
| Coolbest Mesh T4070 | 100% Polyester Color: white | 150 | Wicking Yarn , UPF50
Recommended Care: Hand or machine wash cold with similar colours, hang to dry, iron low temperature | T-Shirts and tank tops, Jerseys
YouTube Video:
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| | Hi Count Poly/Spandex Jersey T4188 | 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex Color: white | 300 | UPF50
Recommended Care: Hand or machine wash cold with similar colours, hang to dry, iron low temperature | Leggings and long sleeve shirts, Jackets, Bra, Workout, Fitness, zip up jackets
YouTube Video:
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| | HI Count Poly/Spandex Jersey T4188 | 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex Color: White | 300 | | leggings and long sleeve shirts/zip up jackets
YouTube Video:
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| | Brushed Poly/Spandex T4178 | 86% polyester, 14% spandex Color: white | 195 | Wicking
Recommended Care: Hand or machine wash cold with similar colours, hang to dry, iron low temperature
Certification: Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 | Jackets, athletic wear – zip-up jackets, leggings and yoga pants
YouTube Video:
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| | ChitoSante Extreme T4074 | 92% polyester, 8% spandex Color: white | 255 | antibacterial, wicking yarn, UPF50
Recommended Care: Hand or machine wash cold with similar colours, hang to dry, iron low temperature | Tee Shirts, Polo Shirts, Jackets, Bra, Workout, Fitness
YouTube Video:
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| | ChitoSante Interlock T4095 | 100% polyester Color: White | 145 | antibacterial, wicking yarn, UPF protection
Recommended Care: Hand or machine wash cold with similar colours, hang to dry, iron low temperature | tank-tops, t-shirts, skirts, dresses, tablecloths, lining, baby wraps and masks
YouTube Video:
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| | Microfibre Fine Twill T2001 | 100% polyester Color: white | 115 | water resistant, peached face, soft hand
Recommended Care: Hand or machine wash cold with similar colours, hang to dry, iron low temperature | Uniforms, Outerwear, Shirting, Home Dec ,bags, banners, flags, tablecloths
YouTube Video:
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| | Polyester Twill T2350 | 100% polyester Color: white | 220 | Recommended Care: Hand or machine wash cold with similar colours, hang to dry, iron low temperature | Home Dec, Pants, bags, banners, shorts, pants and tablecloth
YouTube Video:
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| | Recycled Polyester Chitosante Interl T4895 | 100% Recycled polyester Color: white | 148 | Anti-Bacterial, Wicking, UPF50
Recommended Care: Hand or machine wash cold with similar colours, hang to dry, iron low temperature | T-shirts and tank tops
YouTube Video:
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| | Chito Texture Pointelle T4180 | 100% polyester Color: White | 145 | Antibacterial + Wicking
Recommended Care: Hand or machine wash cold with similar colours, hang to dry, iron low temperature | Jerseys, Contrast Insets
YouTube Video:
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| | Light Weight Chitosante Interlock T4294 | 100% polyester Color: white | 125 | Anti-Bacterial, Wicking treatment, UPF50
Recommended Care: Hand or machine wash cold with similar colours, hang to dry, iron low temperature | T-Shirts and tank tops
YouTube Video:
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| | Double Sided Polyster - DSP TK50 | 100% Polyester Fabric Color: white | 240 | | Promotional event products, Casino fabric, Table runner or throw
YouTube Video:
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| | Twill Backlit TK30 | 100% Polyester woven fabric Color: white | 115 | | Backlit, Flags, Booth display, Trade show graphics, Hanging banner
YouTube Video:
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| | Hologram Woven TK60 | Polyester Fabric with Laminating Hologram film (foils) Color: white | 80 | Polyester with Hologram film | Flags, Promotional event products, Casino fabric
YouTube Video:
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| | Hologram Fabric TK70 | Polyester Fabric with Laminating Hologram film (foils) Color: white | 220 | |
YouTube Video:
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| | Hologram Dot TK80 | Polyester knit with Laminating Hologram film (foils) Color: white | 190 | | Flags, Promotional event products, Casino fabric
YouTube Video:
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| | Hologram Circle TK90 | Polyester knit Fabric with Laminating Hologram film (foils) Color: White | 175 | | Flags, Promotional event products, Casino fabric, Sale flags / Banner stand
YouTube Video:
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| | Linen TK20 | 20% of natural Linen + 80% of Polyester yarn Color: White | 160 | | Curtain, Tea Towel, Special Tent Liner
YouTube Video:
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| | Real Aluminum TK10 | Aluminum yarn + Woven Polyester Color: White | 183 | | Event tent,Flags, Curtains, Carsino fabric
YouTube Video:
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| | Tote bag fabric TK40 | 100% Polyster Color: white | 180 | | Canvas Wrap, Banner Stand (revolving), Booth display, Tote bags, Backdrops, POP-up exhibits
YouTube Video:
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Care instructions are:
Separate dark and light colors
wash similar fabrics together
Machine wash warm
Use regular or permanent press cycle
No chlorine bleach or fabric softeners
Remove promptly from spin
Tumble dry - low or permanent press setting
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Sample Packs - Dye-Sub Fabrics: |
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The KeenARTS Fabric Sample Pack allows designers and artists to see and compare the KeenARTS's dye-sub Polyester fabrics prior to ordering prints.
Size: 7" x 7" sample pack, 10 fabrics
Order the sample pack online: Sample Packs - Fine art papers
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Pricing is based on the print size and the fabric type. You can use our online price calculator above for pricing or see the pricing in the main order form after uploading your image(s) online.
To place an order, upload your images online, and select Dye-Sub Fabric Print product: Upload online
We will add more Fabric Types to our collection in future but at this moment they are mostly white color and with than 80% Polyester.
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Fabric Printing FAQs: |
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Q1 : What is Dye Sublimation? Dye sublimation is a method of printing on polymer-coated wood, plastic, or aluminium, or polyester fabric. Instead of using a printer to create the image directly on the substrate, the image is printed with special inks onto transfer paper. The paper is then laid facedown onto the substrate and a large amount of pressure and high level of heat is applied. The colored dyes in the paper sublimate - turn into gas - and are infused into the fibers of the substrate, which expanded with the heat.
Once the substrate has cooled and the fibers retracted, the image is trapped permanently within the surface. Sublimation is an excellent choice for branding items such as coffee mugs, t-shirts, and name plates, personalized gifts, and vibrant wall hangings.
For more information, check out our dye sublimation guide.
Q2 : How long does it take to complete my order? During Covid-19 days, it will take 6-8 business days to print your order and 2-6 business days to ship your order but not guaranteed.
Q3 : Which print sizes are available? Any custom sizes as long as they are not larger than 64"x 44".
Q4 : What file format do you accept for the images? We accept JPEG file format.
Q5 : What is Chitosan treatment? Chitosan is an environmentally friendly fabric treatment with an anti-bacterial bio-agent consisting of a natural bio-mass made from crab and/or shrimp shells. It enables fabric to stay fresh, hygienic and odour resistant. Fabrics treated with Chitosan are absorbent, durable, breathable, fast drying, soft, static-free and easy to handle.
Q6 : How long will my dye sublimation textile print last? Because the inks have been absorbed directly into the fabric, dye sublimation images can last many years without any fading caused by exposure to UV light. If they are displayed out of direct sunlight, they can retain their original appearance for decades - they hold up very well against ozone gas and air pollutants they may come in contact with. Normal washing and use of the printed fabric will cause the image to fade over time, but it should hold up nicely for years.
Q7 : What type of printer do you use? For printing, we use Epson SureColor F6200, and for sublimation we use two heat press machines - smaller Geo Knight DK20S Digital Swinger 16"x20" and a larger Geo Knight Maxi-Press .
Q8 : What is the difference between dye sublimation and direct inkjet prints? The biggest difference between prints made using dye sublimation and those made using a direct-to-substrate printing method is their durability. A sublimated fabric print is infused directly into the fibers of the material, so it more durable.
Q9 : What are the two distinct types of polyester fabric? The choices of fabrics come in two distinct types:
Woven texture for sturdy and hardwearing banner stands, exterior banners, exterior signage and upholstery
Knit material that drapes and flows more naturally, for custom apparel, indoor flags and banners, photographic backdrops and table covers.
Q10 : What does twill weave mean? a fabric so woven as to have a surface of diagonal parallel ridges.
Q11 : How do you convert GSM to ounces? GSM or Grams per Square Metre is simply the metric measurement of the weight of a fabric. The higher the GSM number, the denser the fabric will be. To convert GSM to ounces divide the gsm by 33.9 .
To determine gsm from oz/yd2 you do the reverse - multiple by 33.9
33.9 grams = 1.20 ounce(s)
1 square meter = 1.19599 square yard
33.9 g/m²(gsm) = 1.00 oz/yd²
FYI:
GSM aka g/m² = grams per square meter
oz/yd2 = ounces per yard squared
1 gram = 0.03527 ounces
1 lb = 16 oz = 453.59237 grams
1 inch = 2.54 cm
1 yd = 36 inches = 0.9144 m = 91.44 cm
Q12 : Do you accept fabrics from customers? No, we do not accept outside fabrics for our dye-sublimation process.
Q13 : Do you have a fabric glossary? Yes, please see this page:
fabric glossary
Q14 : Can I order fabric samples? Yes, to order our fabric sample set please visit: Fabric sample pack |
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If you don't find the answer you're looking for here, please contact us. |
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