Sublimation requires synthetic polymers to bond permanently with dye molecules. Fabrics containing 80% to 100% polyester yield maximum vibrancy and longevity. Recycled polyester (rPET), poly-spandex performance blends, micro-mesh, and interlock knits are optimal. Natural fibers like 100% cotton cannot absorb disperse sublimation dyes unless specially treated or coated with a synthetic polymer layer.

No. Unlike traditional screen printing or direct-to-film (DTF) transfers which sit on top of the fabric surface, dye sublimation transitions inks directly from a solid to a gas state under high pressure and heat (190°C–210°C). The dye becomes physically trapped inside the polyester fiber matrix, rendering prints completely resistant to cracking, peeling, or fading over the commercial lifetime of the garment.

Our standard minimum order quantity for custom sublimated apparel starts at just 50 pieces per style. This low MOQ can be split across standard sizing runs, allowing emerging clothing brands, sports clubs, and boutique labels to test custom graphics without tying up capital in excessive inventory.

Sublimating pre-sewn garments requires flattening existing seams, which invariably creates unsightly white creases, smudges, and unprinted voids beneath armpits, collars, and hems. Affix Apparel utilizes a dedicated cut and sew workflow: raw fabric panels are printed flat first, and then accurately laser-cut and stitched together, guaranteeing 100% edge-to-edge pattern continuity.

We utilize calibrated digital color profiling matched against Pantone TCX/TPX swatches. Disperse inks behave differently depending on the specific polyester substrate weight and weave. To ensure total fidelity, we produce physical fabric strike-off swatches for client sign-off under standard D65 light boxes prior to bulk heat pressing.

We recommend vector artwork files (Adobe Illustrator .AI, .EPS, or vector .PDF) formatted in CMYK color space with all text fonts converted to outlines. For raster images or photographic graphics, high-resolution Photoshop files (.PSD or .TIFF) at a minimum of 300 DPI at 100% actual print size are required to avoid distortion or pixelation.

Dye sublimation is a translucent process that infuses color into lighter synthetic substrates; it cannot print light-colored dye onto pre-dyed dark fabrics. However, because our factory prints onto pure white raw synthetic fabric rolls, we can sublimately print a rich black background color across the panel simultaneously with your primary design elements.

Pattern creation, digital artwork proofing, and sample strike-off approval take 7–12 working days. Once the sample is approved, bulk cut, sew, and sublimation production requires approximately 15–25 working days. Express air freight delivers orders in 3–7 days, while sea freight takes 25–35 days depending on the destination port.