How it actually works
Your design is printed in reverse onto transfer paper using sublimation dyes, so it reads the right way round once the sheet is laid face-down on the fabric. It looks dull and muted at this stage, on purpose.
Paper and polyester meet in a heat press. At temperature, the solid dye skips the liquid phase entirely and turns straight to gas. That's what "sublimation" means.
Gas dye slips between polyester fibers and bonds inside them, then locks in as it cools. There's no layer sitting on top: zero feel, zero cracking, and colors turn vivid.
For tents, flags and scarves, panels are printed first and sewn after, so color runs edge to edge, seams included.
One press does it. Watch the platen close, the dye turn to gas and bond into the polyester, then lift away to reveal the finished print.
Sublimation only works on white or light polyester. Cotton tee or dark fabric? We'll steer you to DTF or screen printing instead. That's why we ask what it's going on.
