Sublimation vs. Screen Printing: Which is the Better Choice for Sports Jerseys?
One of the most critical factors while making custom sports jerseys is the selection of the right printing method. Generally speaking, a jersey is considered to be more than just a piece of fabric. It is a symbol of the team, it is the unity of the team, and it is the identity of the team. Choosing an inappropriate way can lead to such issues as restricted color options, the heavier material, or patterns that disappear after some washes.
However, the right method of application is the key to your jerseys not only looking great but also being durable and comfortable during the toughest seasons of all. Currently, sublimation printing and screen printing are the two of the most preferred printing methods for sports jerseys.
Each choice contains some advantages and some disadvantages, therefore it is critical to assess them according to your team’s requirements, budget, and fabric type. In this post, we are going to laud both methods, how they operate, advantages and disadvantages, cost issues, and practical usage.
By the end of it, you will have the knowledge you require for the supreme selection, however, it does not matter if you are dressing a professional squad, a school club, or even a weekend league.
What is Sublimation Printing?
Sublimation Printing is superior modern printing technology, known as dye-sublimation, where special sublimation ink changes into under the influence of gas heat and pressure, and it binds directly to polyester fibers. Unlike the other printing techniques that add ink on top of a fabric, sublimation actually combines the color at the molecular level. Because of this, the artwork creates a permanent bond with the jersey material.
Sublimation process involves the following steps:
- A designer creates a digital design with full-color graphics, gradients, or patterns.
- The design is printed on sublimation transfer paper with sublimation ink.
- The paper is placed on polyester fabric and exposed to heat (195–215 °C) and pressure.
- The ink transforms into gas and embeds itself into the fibers permanently.
The result is a vivid, breathable, and durable jersey that won’t crack, peel, or fade—even after many washes. Sublimation also allows for full-coverage designs, such as vibrant patterns that stretch seamlessly across the entire jersey.
Why Athletes and Teams Love Sublimation:
- Unlimited design freedom – gradients, logos, names, numbers, even photo-realistic graphics.
- Lightweight and breathable – perfect for high-performance sports like soccer, basketball, and cycling.
- Long-lasting – colors won’t fade from sunlight, sweat, or washing.
- Smooth finish – no extra ink layers; the fabric remains flexible and comfortable.
👉 Check out our custom basketball jerseys that highlight the power of sublimation.
What is Screen Printing?
In contrast, screen printing, or silkscreen printing as it is sometimes called, is one of the most popular and oldest forms of printing. It consists of pushing ink through a mesh stencil (called a screen) onto the fabric. Each color in the design needs its own screen, so multi-color designs take longer and cost more to produce. Once the ink is applied, the jersey is heated to cure the design through the process of curing.
Screen printing process involves the following steps:
- A stencil is created for each color.
- The stencil is placed on the fabric, and ink is pushed through with a squeegee.
- The process is repeated for every color.
- The jersey is cured under heat to lock in the ink.
This method produces bold, vibrant designs with a slightly raised texture. It works especially well for logos, numbers, and simple designs on cotton or blended fabrics.
Why Teams Choose Screen Printing:
- Works well on cotton and blended fabrics.
- Excellent for dark garments since the ink is opaque.
- Cost-effective for large bulk orders (fan wear, fundraiser shirts, etc.).
- Can use specialty inks (metallic, glitter, puff) for unique effects.
👉 Explore our custom soccer jerseys that combine durability with modern design.
Key Differences: Sublimation vs. Screen Printing
Feature | Sublimation | Screen Printing |
Fabric compatibility | Works best with polyester | Works with cotton, blends, and dark fabrics |
Design flexibility | Unlimited colors, gradients, all-over prints | Best for simple, bold designs with fewer colors |
Durability & feel | Soft, breathable, won’t crack or fade | Long-lasting, but may crack over time |
Batch size cost | Ideal for small runs or one- offs | Cheaper for bulk orders |
Dark fabric printing | Not ideal—colors won’t show as well | Excellent—opaque inks cover dark fabrics |
Which Printing Style Should You Choose?
The option that is correct directly depends on the kind of sport, the aims of your team, and your budget:
✅ Choose Sublimation if:
- You desire colorful, detailed, full designs.
- Your jerseys are based on polyester (this is common for performance wear).
- You are ordering small quantities or unique uniforms.
- Your sport requires apparel to be lightweight and breathable (e.g., soccer, basketball, and cycling).
✅ Choose Screen Printing if:
- You want to dress fans or workers in cotton T-shirts.
- You like bold, simple logos or numbers.
- You plan on printing on dark fabrics.
- You aim to lower your expenses by producing a larger number of shirts through screen printing
Cost Comparison
Sublimation:
- Ideal for smaller orders due to the low setup cost.
- Price varies with the quality of the fabric and the type of garment rather than the number of colors.
- Example: A team that orders 15 sublimated basketball jerseys may pay $35-$45 for each, but they will get unlimited design choices.
Screen Printing:
- It has a higher setup cost since each color needs a separate screen.
- It becomes economical when it comes to bigger orders where the setup cost gets divided to many units.
- For example: A club which orders 200 cotton fan shirts with the single-color logo will pay as low as $8-$10 per shirt.
Environmental Impact
In regard to the environment, no matter if one is thinking about today’s sportswear production or whether they are concerned about environmental sustainability sublimation printing is naturally more ecofriendly.
- Rather, sublimation is the norm. It is ecofriendly as it uses water-based inks and has a small waste. Since the designs are printed digitally, there are not any remaining screens or chemicals left.
- Screen printing can be a more wasteful process due to the need for certain chemicals, such as those needed for stencil preparation and cleanup. However, the use of ecofriendly inks and improved washing methods can reduce its environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: Is sublimation possible to be done on cotton?
A: Sublimation technique works just on polyester and poly-coated fabrics. For cotton jerseys, screen printing is the more preferable option.
Q: Which one lasts for a longer time?
A: Sublimation, as the designs become an inseparable part of the fabric, does not fade or crack. Screen printing is highly durable, yet it could crack over time.
Q: Is sublimation relatively costlier?
A: Yes, per piece it can be more expensive compared to other methods, but you get the benefit of unlimited colors with no extra charges.
Q: Can I print photos on the jerseys?
A: In fact, sublimation can reproduce intricate photo-quality images. Whereas, screen printing would not be the ideal choice for this.
Q: Which is the better option for dark fabrics?
A: Definitely screen printing, since sublimation is good only with light polyester fabrics.
Q: Will sublimated jerseys feel heavy?
A: No, sublimated jerseys remain lightweight and breathable because the ink fuses into the fibers.
Q: What method is quicker for small runs?
A: Sublimation, as it does not necessitate a process of creating screens for each color.
Final Thoughts:
Both sublimation and screen printing techniques have their unique merits, though they cater to different needs. If your team requires performance-oriented uniforms with bright and long-lasting graphics, sublimation is the right way to go. On the other hand, if you need bulk fanwear or simple logos on cotton tees, screen printing is the more affordable choice.
We at FastCustomJerseys are here to help you find the best solution that will be a perfect match for your team. Whether you want sublimated uniforms for the field or screen-printed fan shirts for the stands, we have your back. Contact us today and let’s create the perfect jerseys for your team!
