Benefits
The biggest advantage of this technique is the freedom to choose the design to be applied to the textile, something that is not always possible with other marking techniques.
It also offers the ability to display all types of gradients with vibrant colors and excellent contrast levels, offering an endless choice of design to print.
The durability of this type of printing is also a plus because it offers the guarantee of a marking that does not peel or fade, even after a large number of washes.
In addition, sublimation is one of the most environmentally friendly printing processes, given its low level of vapor emission and low CO2 content.
Disadvantages
Its main drawback lies in the lack of freedom in the choice of materials. This is because sublimation printing is only suitable for garments that contain at least 60% polyester. Although this process is still possible on other textiles such as cotton, the result will be less resistant to washing and the colors will eventually lose their hues.
Another drawback is that sublimation on textiles can only be done on a white or light-colored fabric.
Since the ink is soaked into the fibers of the fabric, they should be white in color or light enough to allow the ink to solidify and give it its color. As with hair dyeing, hairdressers first bleach the strands before applying the desired color: sublimation follows the same principle.