Polyester is the preferred fabric for sublimation printing.

This synthetic fiber features high strength, excellent heat resistance, abrasion resistance, and good ink absorption.

It can maintain stable structure at around 190°C, ensuring that sublimation ink fully penetrates the fibers during heat transfer.

Features:

Deep dye penetration with rich, vibrant colors.

Prints integrate with the fibers, resulting in a soft touch.

Excellent wash and abrasion resistance, colors do not fade.

Compatible with various printing equipment and processing techniques.

Typical Applications:

Sportswear, flags, banners, lightbox fabric, home decor, sofa covers, and textile art.

Poly-Cotton Blend

Poly-cotton fabric strikes a balance between comfort and printability.

Since cotton fibers are water-based and cannot bond directly with sublimation inks,

the sublimation effect mainly appears on the polyester portion of the blend.

Features:

The polyester fibers absorb the dye, forming clear patterns.

Cotton fibers provide softness, breathability, and comfort.

Ideal for products prioritizing comfort over ultra-bright color saturation.

Typical Applications:

Everyday clothing, home textiles, lightweight sportswear, cushions, and casual wear.

Spandex Blend

Spandex is known for its excellent elasticity, but its dense fiber structure prevents direct sublimation printing.

However, when blended with polyester, it combines vivid color expression with superior stretch performance.

Features:

The polyester portion absorbs dye, producing bright patterns.

The spandex maintains fabric elasticity and flexibility.

Ideal for garments that require stretch and body fit.

Typical Applications:

Yoga pants, cycling suits, tight-fitting shirts, swimwear, and sports underwear.

Cotton

Cotton fibers are hydrophilic natural fibers, while sublimation inks are water-repellent dyes.

Since their molecular structures do not bond effectively, the ink cannot penetrate cotton fibers — resulting in poor fixation and quick fading after washing.

Linen and Silk

These two types of natural fibers also lack the ability to absorb sublimation dyes. In particular, silk materials have poor heat resistance and tend to yellow or become brittle under high-temperature heat pressing. Additionally, linen fibers have a rough surface and loose molecular structure, making uniform dye penetration difficult to achieve.

Nylon

Although nylon is a synthetic fiber, it is highly sensitive to heat. The temperature required for sublimation transfer is usually above 190°C, at which nylon may shrink, deform, or even partially melt.

Moreover, the chemical structure of nylon lacks molecular chains that can form strong bonds with dyes. As a result, even if the transfer is successful, its color fastness is much lower than that of polyester.

Spandex (Pure)

Pure spandex has excellent elasticity, but its dense surface makes it difficult for dyes to penetrate.

At high temperatures, pure spandex easily loses elasticity or changes color, making it unsuitable for the high-heat conditions required in sublimation printing. However, when spandex is blended with polyester (with a polyester content of about 85%–90%), it can balance vivid color reproduction with fabric stretchability—making it ideal for sportswear, yoga pants, and compression garments.

Leather and Coated Materials

Genuine leather and coated materials such as PU and PVC are not fiber-based structures but dense surfaces that prevent dye gases from penetrating. Therefore, sublimation printing cannot be applied to these materials.

Instead, they are better suited for surface imaging methods like UV printing or solvent printing.