The process
How it's made
Eight steps from your idea to a folded kit. The print ends up inside the fibres, not stuck on top.
Eight steps
From briefto bag
01Brief
You send the product, quantity, sizes, colours, logos and the date you need it.
You WhatsApp, a call or a visit
02Design and mockup
The designer draws your kit on the real pattern and sends front and back mockups. Changes until you approve.
You Approve the mockup and the player list
03Layout
Every size's pattern pieces are laid out full size, each carrying that player's name and number.
You Nothing
04Print
A wide-format printer lays sublimation ink onto transfer paper, mirror image. On paper the colours look dull. That is normal.
You Nothing
05Press
Paper goes face down on white polyester and is pressed at about 190 to 205 C for 40 to 60 seconds. The ink turns to gas and bonds into the fibres. The paper is peeled away.
You Nothing
06Cut
Printed panels are cut along the printed pattern lines.
You Nothing
07Stitch
Overlock and flatlock seams, collars, cuffs, zips and hoods are sewn.
You Nothing
08Check and pack
Each piece is checked against the order (print, spelling, number, size, seams), folded per player and handed over or couriered.
You Pay the balance, collect or receive
Try the press
Press it.Then peel it.
Face down on white polyester.
About 200 °C and a firm press.
The platen is up. Pull the paper toward you, or keep scrolling.
Peeling. The colour is already in the fabric.
The paper keeps a faded ghost of the print.
Almost there.
Your name is in the fabric now. It won't crack or peel.
Face down on white polyester, about 200 °C and a firm press. The heat turns the ink into a gas that moves into the fibres, so the colour ends up inside the fabric.
Face down on white polyester.
Methods
Sublimation orsomething else?
Four ways to put a design on a shirt, side by side.
| Row | Sublimation | Screen print | Heat-transfer vinyl | DTF transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where the colour sits | Inside the fibres | Layer on top | Film on top | Printed film bonded on top |
| Feel | None, fabric stays breathable | Slight ink layer | Plastic film | Thin flexible layer |
| Colours | Unlimited, no cost per colour | One screen per colour | One colour per film | Full colour |
| Photo detail | Yes | Limited | No | Yes |
| Names and numbers | Printed in the same pass | Usually a separate step | Cut and pressed one by one | One transfer each |
| Works on | White or light polyester only | Cotton and polyester | Most fabrics | Cotton, polyester, blends |
| Over time | Does not crack or peel | Can crack after many washes | Edges can lift | Durable if pressed well |
| Best for | Full team kits, all-over designs | Simple logos on cotton | Quick names on plain shirts | Full-colour logos on cotton |
FAQ
Questions,answered.
What is sublimation printing?
The design is printed on transfer paper with sublimation ink, then pressed onto polyester at about 200 °C. The heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds into the fibres, so the colour becomes part of the fabric instead of sitting on top of it.
Will the print crack, peel or fade?
It cannot crack or peel, because there is no layer on top of the fabric. Colours stay bright through normal washing. Like any fabric, years of strong sun can slowly soften them, so dry kits in the shade.
Can you print black or dark kits?
Yes. The fabric starts white and every colour is printed, black included.
Do you design the kit for us?
Yes. Send your idea, colours and logo, and we draw it on the real pattern and send you a mockup to approve before anything is printed.
Start your order
Tell us whatyou are printing.
Send your idea, colours and quantity. We reply with a mockup and a quote.
Job ticket
- Team
- YOUR TEAM
- Garment
- Jersey
- Fabric
- Not picked yet
- Colours
- Not picked yet
- Name / No.
- Not set
- Styles
- None added