What Is Sublimation Printing? Full Beginner's Guide

Forget everything you know about regular printing. Sublimation printing isn’t just another technique, it’s a game-changer for anyone who wants vivid, long-lasting, professional results on fabrics, mugs, aluminum panels, and more.

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Whether you're launching a custom t-shirt brand, personalizing drinkware, or running a print-on-demand business, understanding how sublimation works can save you money, improve quality, and expand your product offering.

This guide is built for beginners, but with insights from professionals. At Joto we've been doing it for more than 37 years. We’ll cover what sublimation printing is, how it works, the materials and equipment you’ll need, and when this method is (and isn’t) the right choice.

And if you’re more of a visual learner, there’s a full video included below to walk you through the process step by step.

What Is sublimation printing and how does it work?

Sublimation printing is a process where heat and pressure turn ink into gas, bonding it directly into a polyester surface. This means the design isn’t sitting on top of the fabric or object, it becomes part of it.

Unlike other printing techniques like screen printing or vinyl, sublimation offers:

• No cracking
• No peeling
• No fading after washes

Here’s how it works in simple terms:

• A sublimation printer uses special inks to print your design on sublimation paper.
• The printed design is placed face-down on the final surface, typically polyester fabric or a coated blank (like a mug or metal panel).
• With heat (around 380–400°F) and pressure, the ink turns into gas.
• That gas penetrates the polyester surface and solidifies as it cools, locking the design in place.

The result? A vibrant, durable image that looks like it’s been dyed into the material, because it has.

What you need to start sublimation printing

Sublimation printing isn’t magic, but it’s close. To get started, you need the right tools. Whether you're a hobbyist or building a business, your results will only be as good as the equipment and materials you use.

Here’s what every sublimator needs:

Sublimation printer

You can’t use a regular office printer. You’ll need one of the following:

• Purpose-built sublimation printers like the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 or SG
• Or converted inkjet printers (Epson models like the EcoTank ET-), more affordable but with more maintenance. We really don't recommend this option.

If you want reliability and tech support, go with a dedicated sublimation printer. Less troubleshooting, more printing.

Sublimation inks

These are special dye-based inks that turn into gas when heated. Regular pigment or dye inks won’t work, they’ll just sit on the surface and wash out.

Use:

• Inks recommended by your printer’s manufacturer (e.g., Sawgrass inks for Sawgrass printers)
• Or compatible high-quality third-party inks (test carefully before scaling)

Sublimation paper

This paper holds your printed design until it’s transferred. Good sublimation paper should:

• Dry quickly
• Transfer color efficiently
• Minimize bleeding

You’ll find options for:

• Textiles, (high-release paper)
• Hard substrates, (ceramic, aluminum, etc.)
• Roll or sheet format, depending on your printer and volume

Heat press machine

This is the engine of the whole process. You need precise, even heat and pressure to activate the sublimation ink and transfer it cleanly.

Types of presses:

• Clamshell, space-saving, great for shirts and flat items
• Swing-away, offers even pressure, ideal for thicker items like tiles
• Mug presses and combo presses, for mugs, tumblers, and odd shapes
• Auto-open or pneumatic, for higher-volume shops

Need help choosing the right press? Contact us

Sublimation Blanks

These are the products you’ll decorate, and they must be polyester or have a polyester coating. Common blanks include:

• T-shirts (100% polyester or high poly blends)
• Mugs and tumblers (with sublimation coating)
• Aluminum panels
• Tote bags, mouse pads, coasters, puzzles, keychains

⚠️ No cotton: Sublimation ink won’t bond to cotton fibers without special treatment.