Custom jerseys: sublimation or screen printing?
Currently, there are two popular procedures that companies can use to personalize sports jerseys with a specific name and number on the back of the jersey. Screen printing, also known as screen printing, is a very old method of printing where ink is passed through a mesh screen onto the t-shirt. Basically, the screen is pressed onto the jersey, the name and number are carved into the screen, ink is poured onto the screen, and a roller presses the ink through openings carved with the name and number on the jersey.
Sublimation, on the other hand, is a more modern form of digital printing. The sublimation process begins with designing the custom name and number in image creation and editing software such as Corel or Adobe Photoshop. The process then involves the use of a computer printer that applies heat to the jersey and prints the name and number on the jersey. More specifically, sublimation uses an ink that, when transferred to the polyester jersey under high temperatures and pressures, chemically converts from a liquid ink to a gas ink and actually permeates the jersey fabric and solidifies. on the back of the t-shirt. Consequently, the jersey is permanently altered as the name and number are engraved on the jersey.
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to using sublimation over screen printing including:
1. With sublimation, the ink actually permeates the fabric, while with screen printing, the ink is simply pressed into the fabric. Therefore, with sublimation, the personalized name and number on the jersey are permanent and will not fade or peel off. There is a chance that the name and number on a jersey that has been screen printed could fade or peel off.
2. The costs of manufacturing and creating a sublimated polyester t-shirt are likely to be higher than the costs of making a comparable screen-printed t-shirt. Sublimation costs are likely to decrease over time; however, as it stands now, sublimation is still relatively expensive as a printing process. For high volume printing of jerseys with similar names and numbers, screen printing is preferable as it is more cost effective.
3. The feel of a sublimated jersey and a screen printed jersey will be different. If you run your hand across the back of a t-shirt that has been screen printed, you will be able to feel the thickness of the ink on top of the fabric. This is not the case with a sublimated jersey.
For more information or to view sample jerseys that can be screen printed or sublimated and customized to your sport, whether it’s soccer, basketball or volleyball, visit www.myjersey.ca.
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