Can you sublimate 50/50 polyester/cotton shirts? | GRAPHICS PRO (2024)

FAQs

Can you sublimate 50/50 polyester/cotton shirts? | GRAPHICS PRO? ›

Yes, you can sublimate 50 percent polyester/50 percent cotton fabric. Keep in mind, however, that only 50 percent of the sublimation dyes will remain in the fabric after washing – leaving you with a faded look that most of us would consider unacceptable.

50/50 poly/cotton garment blends

For heat printing this material, cold- and hot-peel transfers both work well. But it's recommended to apply them at a lower application temperature of 340 degrees F to reduce dye migration caused by high heat press temperatures.

which we've seen work great with sublimation. Since the polyester is the only yarn that will pick up the ink, sublimation on poly blends creates a sort of vintage, or distressed look. We partnered with the awesome team over at DTLA Print to test out sublimation printing on three of our poly blends.

Poly-Cotton Blend: 390° F / 35-45 sec.

That's why I recommend sticking to at least 65% poly blend shirts — that 15% is surprisingly important in sublimation! Right after pressing, the design just wasn't as vibrant as on the other shirts. Washing and drying didn't make the design fade much more, but the Bella + Canvas shirt did shrink a bit.

In addition to a quality printer, a good heat press is a must. Consistent pressure and temperature are factors that can make or break your sublimation process. We recommend swing-away presses, which can accommodate thicker objects and overall provide more even pressure over time.

A temperature of 400° F is recommended for all products. Use moderate to heavy pressure—it should require some effort to close your heat press. Time and temperature may vary depending on your heat press and the thickness of the blank material.

The following are the recommended sublimation heat press settings for ceramic mugs in a mug press (note that a convection oven takes quite a bit longer than this): Temperature: 350°F to 400°F. Time: 60 to 80 seconds. Pressure: Medium to high pressure (35 to 50 psi)

What happens if you sublimate on 100% cotton? If you directly sublimate on 100% cotton shirts, the ink will fade right away after washing. If you want to sublimate print on 100% cotton shirts, use sublimation coating spray or heat transfer vinyl as a layered barrier.

Temperature: For 100% polyester & synthetics: 290-320°F. For cotton, cotton/poly blends: 340-360°F.

How much polyester needs to be in a shirt for sublimation? ›

Ink Experts recommend a minimum 65% polyester content. Natural fabrics such as cotton cannot be used with a standard sublimation setup.

First, try to purchase a shirt having 100% of polyester, but if you are not comfortable with it, go with 65% polyester and 35% cotton. People also consider using 50%/50% or 40%/60% of shirts for sublimation, but it's not an ideal way to go with. As little as the cotton blend is impressive results, you will find.

The industry standard is about 65% polyester or greater. I do find a little bit of fading at 65%. But if you're looking for a vintage look to your shirt, 65% is definitely the way to go. Anything less than that, then you will be getting a more vintage look.

Yes, you can sublimate 50 percent polyester/50 percent cotton fabric. Keep in mind, however, that only 50 percent of the sublimation dyes will remain in the fabric after washing – leaving you with a faded look that most of us would consider unacceptable.