SUBLIMATION PRINTING FOR APPAREL

Working on the newest HP Stitch printers, JLD is set-up to deliver high quality sublimation printing for cut and sew apparel.  Artwork can be produced in a repeating fashion on full fabric width.  Though to minimize waste, we often fill pattern pieces to print and cut just what is needed for us activewear production jobs.

Benefits of digital printing (sublimation) over traditional screens?

• Forget about screen limitations
• No pre-defined repeat dimensions
• Softer color transitions when printing gradients, watercolors, and photographic images
• Prints can be engineered onto garments consistently with limited waste
• Flexibility to test programs with lower minimum orders
• Faster turnaround 

If you’re not familiar, sublimation printing is a digital form of textile printing.  It can only be done on Polyester, but not to worry ~ polyester has come a long way!!  The ink is water based and bonds to the polyester molecules in the fabric.  This prevents wash out and doesn’t inhibit the handfeel of the material.  That's why we love sublimation printing for apparel.

At JLD we are always experimenting with different textures and blends of fiber to see how creative we can get with the fabric.  We’ve printed on materials containing 50% cotton and 50% polyester. Since the ink bond is with the polyester, a heathered effect was created.  We also print onto Polyester Spandex blends frequently.  As long as the textile contains polyester we’re game to give it a try. 

We have artwork set-up recommendations to the right.  JLD designers are also available to assist with artwork if needed. In the age of customization and individuality, sublimation is a great way to offer a larger variety of designs with less silhouettes.