There are certain restrictions to sublimation printing. Below, we’ve identified three significant negatives to consider before investing to this printing process.
1. The equipment limitations.
Sublimation only works on 100% polyester or fabric mixes with a high proportion of polyester. The less polyester in the cloth means more fading to the prints. This is due to the chemical features of sublimation dyes, which require synthetic fibers to fully adhere and produce long-lasting effects.
If you want to print on cotton, silk, or leather, sublimation is not the best option. Sublimation dyes will not attach to natural textiles and will wash off fast.
2. Core color limitations
Sublimation is only available for white or extremely light blank items. This is because there is no white ink in sublimation printing, and sublimation inks cannot brighten the base color.
If you sublimate on black cloth, the dye will transfer but you won’t be able to see it. For example, printing a vibrant magenta hue on a black clothing produces a black print with a pink tone.
3. White wrinkling
When sublimating on a prefabricated apparel, some sections may not be printed properly, resulting in white streaks. This frequently occurs within gaps or as a result of unintentionally pressing.