Textile full-print sublimation
The most sustainable digital printing technique for producing custom fashion and decoration. We explain how it works and why we use it at La Estampación.
Textile sublimation: ink turns into gas
Textile sublimation is a digital printing technique where a special ink moves from solid to gas state with heat (without passing through liquid). That gas penetrates the fabric fibre and, when cooled, becomes solid again inside the filament. The print isn't a sticker on top: it becomes part of the fabric.
The result is a full print finish: we print the entire garment to the edge, with any number of colours, no extra cost per colour and no "cardboard" feel of silkscreen or vinyl. And since the ink is inside the fibre, the print doesn't crack, doesn't peel and doesn't fade with washing.
Four stages, one hour
From digital design to finished garment. The process is fast, repeatable and allows small runs at no extra cost.
Digital design
We prepare the print file to the exact measurements of the cut piece.
Print on paper
We print with disperse inks on sublimation paper at high resolution.
Calender 200°C
Heat sublimates the ink and transfers it to the fabric in seconds.
Cut & sew
The printed fabric is ready to cut and sew into the garment.
What can be sublimated
Sublimation works on synthetic fabrics with a polyester base: 100% polyester, elastane blends (lycra), polyamide, blends with a minimum of 60% synthetic fibre. We also work with recycled Seaqual fabrics (fibres recovered from the ocean), recycled polyesters and blends with cotton when the synthetic component is enough.
On 100% cotton, sublimation doesn't work well: natural fibre doesn't accept the ink. For cotton production we use other techniques (DTG, vinyl or silkscreen) we also offer when the project demands it.
The most sustainable technique
Sublimation is one of the textile printing techniques with the lowest water and energy consumption per garment. We don't use dye baths or large water volumes: the ink goes directly from paper to fabric by heat, with no liquid waste.
The disperse inks we use are OEKO-TEX certified, no heavy metals or toxic components. Safe for sensitive skin, children's clothing and garments in direct contact with the body.
What we sublimate
At La Estampación we work full-print sublimation for:
- Custom swimwear and technical swim garments.
- Sportswear, leggings, technical T-shirts, cycling.
- Sublimable fashion collections: shirts, dresses, kimonos, foulards.
- Textile decoration: cushions, tablecloths, curtains, upholstery.
- Flags, banners and signage for events and shops.
- Fabric by the metre for you to make your own collection or product.
Get a free, no-commitment quote
If you know what you want to produce, we respond in under 24 hours with deadlines and a quote. If you're still exploring, we advise on which technique fits best.