Sublimation is a printing process that uses heat to embed ink directly into polyester fabric, creating vibrant, permanent designs without adding weight or affecting the fabric's performance.
Unlike screen printing or transfers, sublimated artwork becomes part of the fabric itself. Designs can include unlimited colours, gradients, patterns and detailed graphics, without cracking or peeling.
VC offers two sublimation methods: full sublimation, which allows complete customization of a garment before it's sewn, and spot sublimation, which applies artwork to specific areas of pre-made white garments.
Which Method Is Right for You?
Both full sublimation and spot sublimation allow you to customize apparel with your team's full colour design, colours and logos. Each method produces lightweight, breathable designs that retain the performance characteristics of the original fabric. The main differences are how much of the garment is customized, the overall cost, and the production timeline.
| Full Sublimation | Spot Sublimation | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Fully customized uniforms and apparel | Logos and localized designs |
| Garment | Made to order, with fabric printed before sewing | Pre-made white garments |
| Design coverage | Entire garment, seam to seam | Specific print areas |
| Names & numbers | Integrated anywhere into the design | Applied within available print areas |
| Minimum order | Generally 1-12 units, depending on the product | 1 unit |
| Pricing | Higher cost due to the more extensive customization and production process | More economical option, with less extensive customization |
| Production Timeline | Typically 4-6 weeks* | Typically 2 weeks* |
*Production timelines are estimates and may vary depending on the garment, order details and production schedule.
Which option is right for you?
Full sublimation is ideal when you want complete creative freedom to build a unique garment design from the ground up. Spot sublimation is a great alternative when you want to add custom graphics or branding to selected areas without the cost and lead time of a fully sublimated garment.
Production timelines are estimates and may vary depending on the garment, order details and production schedule.
Still not sure which option is right for your project? Contact VC for guidance.
Full Sublimation
Full sublimation allows complete design freedom across an entire garment. Artwork is printed onto white fabric panels before they're cut and sewn together, allowing colours, patterns and graphics to extend from seam to seam.
This is VC's primary customization method for performance uniforms, including jerseys, shorts, reversible tops, windbreakers and Velocity Suits.
How It Works
Each garment is produced specifically for your order:
- Artwork is prepared for each garment panel and adjusted for different sizes.
- Colours are tested and adjusted for print accuracy.
- Individual player names and numbers are incorporated into the design, where required.
- Designs are printed onto specialized sublimation paper.
- Heat and pressure transfer the artwork into the fabric.
- The printed panels are cut and sewn into finished garments.
Because the artwork is incorporated before construction, full sublimation offers the greatest flexibility for custom designs.
Artwork & Colours
Full sublimation supports virtually unlimited design possibilities, including:
- Full-colour logos, illustrations and photographs.
- Gradients, textures, patterns and digital effects.
- Designs extending across multiple garment panels.
- Individual player names and numbers.
- Custom colours and coordinated team designs.
Our design team prepares artwork for production and reviews colour reproduction, placement and scaling across garment sizes.
Minimum Orders & Production
Minimum order quantities and production timelines vary by product and order type (new or repeat orders). They are generally 4-6 weeks for production and a minimum of 1-12 units.
Browse our Fully Sublimated Products or contact our team for current pricing and timelines.
Spot Sublimation
Spot sublimation uses the same printing process as full sublimation but applies artwork to specific areas of an already sewn white garment.
It's a practical option for adding full-colour logos, lettering and designs to pre-made white jerseys without requiring an entirely custom garment.
How It Works
Artwork is printed onto sublimation paper and transferred directly into the fabric using a heat press.
Each application is called a hit. A single hit can include multiple design elements, such as a logo, name or number, provided they fit within the available print area.
Because the garment is already sewn, the placement and size of artwork are more limited than with full sublimation.
Why White Garments?
Sublimation inks are transparent and do not print white. They work best on white polyester fabric, where colours can reproduce accurately and vibrantly.
Printing onto coloured garments changes the appearance of the artwork, while the heat required for sublimation can also leave visible press marks.
For designs requiring a coloured garment background, full sublimation is generally the better option.
Maximum Artwork Size
The maximum print area depends on the garment style, fit and placement.
| Garment / Placement | Maximum Width | Maximum Height |
|---|---|---|
| Relaxed Classic Jersey | 15" | 17" |
| Fitted Classic Jersey | 13" | 17" |
| Raglan Jersey | 11" | 17" |
| Short Sleeve / Bicep | 4" | 4" |
| Long Sleeve | 4" | 12" |
These are maximum dimensions, not guaranteed print areas for every size. Smaller garments and certain styles may require reduced artwork dimensions.
When an order includes multiple garment styles, artwork is generally sized to fit the smallest print area unless otherwise requested.
Maximum Number of Hits
VC allows a maximum of three spot sublimation hits per garment, including any names and numbers applied using this method.
Each additional application requires precise positioning and heat pressing on an already constructed garment, increasing the risk of production inconsistencies.
For designs requiring more extensive coverage, we recommend full sublimation.
Spot Sublimation Pricing
Spot sublimation pricing is based on the number, size and type of print applications.
Prices below are per garment, per hit, in addition to the base garment price.
| Quantity | Application | Price per Hit |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 25 units | Logo, design, name and/or number within one print area | $10 |
| 26+ units | Logo, design, name and/or number within one print area | $8 |
| Any quantity | Name only (up to 2" tall) or number only (up to 8" tall) | $6 |
| Any quantity | Sleeve design (up to 4" wide) | $5 |
Standard artwork applications are subject to the maximum print areas listed above.
Eligible VC Card, partnership, sponsorship or promotional discounts apply to the base garment price only, not the customization charge.
Minimum Orders & Production
Spot sublimation order minimums start at 1 unit. The timelines are typically 2 weeks on available, in-stock garments.
Garment Requirements
Spot sublimation is available on compatible white garments purchased through VC.
We generally do not offer spot sublimation on customer-supplied apparel. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, with a 100% surcharge on customization costs.
Explore Spot Sublimated Products
Important Production Considerations
Sublimation is a heat-based printing process, and minor variations can occur during production.
These may include slight colour differences, small dust marks or ghosting (faint shadows around printed artwork). Our production team takes care to minimize these effects, but some variation is inherent to the process.
If you have specific colour requirements, unusual artwork or a competition deadline, please discuss these with our team before placing your order.
Ready to Customize?
Whether you're creating a fully custom uniform or adding a logo to an existing white garment, VC can help you choose the right sublimation method.
Contact VC to discuss your next project.
