Sublimation vs screen printing: which is better for jerseys?

Sublimation is better for full-colour sports jerseys because heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds inside the polyester fibres, so the design becomes part of the fabric and cannot crack or peel. Screen printing pushes ink onto the surface, which works for simple designs on cotton but adds a layer that breathes less and can crack over time. Every Xipid jersey is fully sublimated.

Sublimation: your design is printed onto transfer paper, then heat and pressure turn the ink into a gas that bonds with the polyester fibres. Nothing sits on top, so the surface stays soft and the whole garment can be printed edge to edge, sleeves and side panels included.

Screen printing: ink is pushed through a mesh screen onto the fabric, one screen per colour. The ink dries as a layer on the surface. It is quick for large runs of the same simple design, but every extra colour means another screen, and a different name and number on every player is a separate step.

The one thing sublimation cannot do is print onto dark cotton, which is why it is used for performance polyester rather than cotton tees.

• ✓It lasts. The colours, crest, names and numbers are dyed into the fabric, so they survive seasons of washing and play.
• ✓It breathes. Nothing seals the surface, which matters on a hot Australian afternoon.
• ✓Design freedom. All-over patterns, gradients, hoops, sashes and full-colour crests are all possible.
• ✓No per-logo charges. Names, numbers and sponsor logos are part of one design, so they are included in the price.

We make jerseys by sublimation only. Every design is sublimated into the fabric. If you want an embroidered or printed logo on top, ask us on WhatsApp and we quote it as an add-on. See sublimated jerseys for the range, or what sublimation printing is for the full process.

Screen printing is a good choice for a large run of identical cotton T-shirts with a one or two colour logo, such as event merchandise where every shirt is the same and breathability matters less. It is not the right choice for a team kit with a different name and number on every player, all-over colour, or polyester performance fabric.

Wash cold, inside out, with no bleach, and the print will last the life of the garment. The guide to washing sublimated jerseys covers drying and ironing too. For how the crest, sponsors, names and numbers are laid out, read where logos, names and numbers go.

Ready designs start at A$50 for cricket and running shirts, A$53 for soccer, A$61 for basketball and A$73 for cycling, all fully sublimated with names and numbers included. Prices are list prices in Australian dollars, per piece, before the volume discount (from 5% off the first piece to 35% off at 100 or more). Delivery is included, with no GST or import charges to pay on delivery.