Spot Sublimation

About Sublimation

Spot sublimation uses heat and light pressure to transfer ink directly into fabric, creating a permanent design. It offers limitless possibilities — any colour, gradient, font, or effect — without adding weight or affecting performance.

Applied with a compact heat press, spot sublimation places designs on a smaller area of a pre-sewn white jersey. It’s an ideal choice for adding logos without the need for full-panel customization, offering a faster turnaround time and lower cost than full sublimation.

Spot Sublimated Products

Full Sub vs. Spot Sub

Spot sublimation applies artwork to a pre-sewn white jersey, offering vibrant, permanent designs in a smaller area. It’s perfect for logos or simple designs.

Full sublimation, on the other hand, prints on large panels of white fabric before sewing, giving you complete freedom to cover the entire garment with your design. If you’re aiming for bold, all-over patterns or intricate details, full sublimation is the way to go.

Why can you only spot sublimate on white jerseys?

Sublimation on non-white fabrics results in muted colours due to the way the dye interacts with the fabric. The ink's vibrancy is reduced, and the heat press can cause shiny marks.

White fabric allows the full spectrum of colours to appear clearly, which is why all full sublimation is done on rolls of white fabric. If you're seeking more base jersey colour options or vibrant designs, full sublimation is the best choice.

Maximum "Hit" Area

A spot sublimation "hit" refers to a localized area where a design is applied to a pre-sewn white jersey using the sublimation process. The maximum hit size typically ranges from 11-15" x 17", depending on the garment style and size. Smaller items like Tanks and Raglans may have specific limitations.

A VC Rep can help you choose the best style for your customization needs.

Note: if you are ordering a mix of styles, your artwork will be sized to fit on the smallest style unless scaling your artwork specifically requested (an art charge may apply).

Why is there a maximum of 3 spot sub hits per garment?

Spot sublimation involves applying designs to pre-sewn garments, requiring significant skill and precision. The risk of misprints increases with each additional hit, so a maximum of three hits per garment is allowed to minimize errors. This limit includes names and numbers. For more extensive customization, full sublimation is recommended.

Spot Sublimation Pricing

Spot sublimation is priced based on the number of "hits" per garment – how many times we use a heat press to apply artwork – and the size of each print. You can include multiple logos, numbers and names* within the same "hit" area. 

Start with the base price of the product and add the spot sublimation cost. If you have a VC Card, or qualify for a partnership/sponsorship discount or special offer, your discount applies to the base product price only.

Questions?

We're here to help! Contact us for more information or a no-obligation estimate.

Sublimation Disclaimer

VC staff thoroughly reviews all orders, but since each sublimated garment is unique and handmade, some inconsistencies may occur, such as small color discrepancies, dust spots, or "ghosting" (color shadowing). These are natural aspects of the sublimation process and cannot be prevented.

If you believe there is an issue beyond these, please contact us.

We do not spot sublimated on gear that is not purchased from VC. In the rare situation that we make an exception, there will be a 100% surcharge on the customization cost.