Choosing between sublimation and screen printing comes down to your design and your fabric. Sublimation wins for complex, multi-color designs on polyester — the artwork becomes part of the fabric and never cracks. Screen printing wins for bold graphics on cotton or cotton-blend garments at lower cost per print. Here is the full comparison.
Head-to-head
- Sublimation: dye bonded into polyester fibers; unlimited colors, gradients, photos; best fabrics 100% polyester, poly blends; zero hand feel (part of fabric); never cracks, peels or fades; cost driver per garment (design complexity free); best for soccer, basketball, all-over designs.
- Screen printing: ink layered on fabric surface; per-color screens (1–8 typical); best fabrics cotton, cotton-poly; slight ink texture; excellent durability, can crack over years; cost driver per color + setup; best for hoodies, tees, bold logos.
When to choose sublimation
Full-kit designs with gradients, patterns, sponsor logos, names and numbers — especially soccer, basketball and esports uniforms. Since cost is per garment rather than per color, a 10-color design costs the same as a 2-color one.
When to choose screen printing
Bold chest graphics on hoodies and t-shirts, cotton garments, and designs with 1–4 solid colors. For large runs of simple designs it is the most economical method.
Can you combine them?
Yes — for example, a sublimated jersey body with tackle-twill or embroidered crest. We confirm the combination on your physical sample.
FAQ
- Does sublimation work on cotton? No — sublimation requires polyester. On cotton we recommend screen printing or embroidery.
- Which lasts longer? Sublimation cannot crack or peel since it is dyed into the fabric. Quality screen prints last years with proper care.
- Which is cheaper? It depends: simple 1-color designs are cheaper screen printed; complex multi-color designs are cheaper sublimated.
Not sure which suits your kit? Send us your artwork — we'll recommend the right method for your fabric and design, free.
