Sublimation Designer
Download the App

Glossary

69 terms · plain English

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

P

R

S

T

U

V

W

Methods

Sublimation

A printing method where special dye ink is heated (~400°F) until it turns directly from solid to gas, and that gas bonds inside polyester fibers or polymer coatings. Because the color lives in the material rather than on top of it, sublimation never cracks, peels or has any feel, but it only works on polyester or poly-coated, light-colored surfaces.

Tip: The name is the chemistry: "sublimation" = solid turning straight to gas, skipping liquid.

Fix it withCan I Sublimate This?Cotton, glass, wood. Find out first.

Related terms

Definitions reflect common usage in the sublimation community, regional slang varies, and vendors sometimes use terms loosely (especially "sublimation ready"). When a listing is ambiguous, ask the seller exactly what coating or fiber content you're getting.

READY WHEN YOU ARE

Your next print is going to come out right.

Make it on your phone tonight. Press it tomorrow. Sized, mirrored, colors checked.

Download for iOSDownload for Android
The app on a phone, ready to print a design