What Is Sublimation Paper? Complete Guide for Beginners

Ever thought about the reason why the custom coffee mug, custom t-shirt, and mobile phone cover you ordered have such brilliant and seemingly permanent colors?

This is the effect of sublimation paper and its processes.

Sublimation printing is one of the most preferred methods to get breathtaking, long-lasting, vivid full-color prints on a wide range of products. To achieve these stunning, vibrant transfers, one must have the required materials and sublimation paper is one of the most essential items on this materials list.

This article aims to address the definition of sublimation paper, how it works, what types of sublimation paper exist, and why it is crucial to consider for someone who intends to practice sublimation printing.

Sublimation paper is a coated type of paper which captures sublimation ink and releases it onto a surface during the heat transfer process. Unlike ordinary copy paper which plunges ink deep into its inner porous fibers, sublimation paper retains ink on its coated surface until heat is administered.

This characteristic of sublimation paper makes it a crucial element in the process of sublimation—it guarantees the ink is transferred completely onto your product and there is no bleeding or fading. Without it, your designs would look the the dull, inconsistent, or incomplete.

The process is simple but powerful:

1. Print – A sublimation printer applies sublimation ink onto sublimation paper.

2. Orientation – The printed paper is situated in the downward position on top of a blank product (e.g., a mug, shirt, or keychain).

3. Add Heat and Pressure – A heat press set between 350–400°F (175–205°C) is utilized.

4. Move and Secure - While being heated, the ink turns into gas, and bonds on the polyester fibers/surfaces polymer coated, gas instantly bonds and become a solid.

The image is permanent, sharply etched, and will not peel, crack, or fade, irrespective of multiple and rigorous washes.

These types of sublimation papers that we have listed below are not all the same.

• Quick-Dry Paper - For use in fast production environments.

• Tacky Paper - Ideal for fabrics with a very light adhesive on one side.

• Lightweight Paper (65–80gsm) - For textiles and roll-to-roll printers.

• Heavyweight Paper (100–120gsm) - Ideal for rigid items like mugs, plates, and plaques.

Using sublimation paper offers several advantages:

• Vivid Colors – Brings out the best of sublimation ink.

• Crisp Details – Prevents smudging and bleeding.

• Versatility – Works on clothing, mugs, tumblers, mousepads, puzzles, and more.

Even with good paper, mistakes can ruin a print. Some to avoid:

• Using copy paper instead of sublimation paper – Ink won’t transfer correctly.

• Choosing the wrong paper weight – Leads to poor results depending on substrate.

• Improper storage – Humidity can warp paper and affect ink absorption.

• Incorrect heat press settings – Too little or too much heat/pressure can cause fading or ghosting.

• Specially coated to hold sublimation ink.

• Functions on polyester materials and polymer coated textile substrates like mugs, plates and tumblers.

• It employs heat and pressure to change the inks from a liquid to a gas state and permanently attach to the substrate.

• You will achieve vibrant colors that will last for a long time and will not fade.

• FIlm is created from PET (polyethelene terephthalate).

• Used in Direct-to-Film (DTF) applications with DTF Inks and hot melt powder.

• Can transfer designs floating on almost any fabric; 100% cotton, polyesters or polycotton, dark or light, to name a few.

• Will bond to the surface creating a free floating flexible layer with a slight texture.

While sublimation paper is crucial for quality transfer prints, there are some differences you must consider when juxtaposed with DTF printing.

• Limited Material Compatibility - Only suitable for 100% polyester fabrics or polymer-coated surfaces (like mugs, metal plates, or tumblers). Cotton and other natural fibers are not compatible.

• Color Limitations - The best results can only be achieved with white or very light surfaces. Sublimation cannot print on dark fabrics.

• Special Coatings Required - For hard substrates like mugs or phone cases, they must be coated with a polyester layer first for sublimation to work.

• Less Versatility - Not suitable for all types of garments or products, making them less versatile for businesses that service many markets.

DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing eliminates many of these roadblocks:

• It works on virtually any fabric (cotton, polyester, blends, denim, etc).

• It can print on light and dark garments with vibrant colors.

• No additional polyester coating is needed for hard goods.

• It produces a multi-purpose and flexible transfer that is great for everyday apparel.

For print shops or small businesses wanting to create more product offerings, many consider DTF printing the superior option for flexibility and compatibility.

Sublimation and DTF printing are both excellent technologies but work better for different applications. The choice between the two is often determined by the type of material you're printing on and the type of product you're making.

Sublimation printing works best when the substrate has a polyester base or a polymer coating on it. Since the ink essentially becomes part of the substrate, you'll get long-lasting results that are highly durable and fade resistant.

• Personalized Gifts - Sublimation printing is the preferred technology for custom gifts including mugs, coasters, key chains and photo slates. All these items are typically coated with a sublimation surface so your prints will be clear, glossy and permanent.

• Promotional Goods - Companies use sublimation to add branding to items such as mouse pads, pens, ceramic ornaments or badges. Sublimation maintains the reputation of producing clean logos that are professional looking and can stand up to repeated and daily use.

• Activewear and performance wear - Most athletic wear is polyester materials. Sublimation is perfect for sportswear such as jerseys or leggings because sublimated prints remain breathable, flexible and will not peel or crack with use and strain.

• Home Decor - Many household items such as throw pillows, blankets, or curtains can all be poly based fabrics which are great for sublimation. Even larger items such as wall panels can still receive stunning, photo quality images made of metal.

• Photo gifts - Sublimation process completes a crisp vivid image on aluminum, ceramic tiles or acrylic panels, which are great for photo gifts or reproductions where clarity and vividness of the image is important are even great for art reproductions.

DTF is much more versatile because it can print on almost any fabric—whether cotton, polyester, or blends. The film-and-powder process lays the design on top of the fabric, which opens the door to products that sublimation simply can’t handle.

• Fashion & Apparel – When it comes to cotton-based products such as t-shirts, hoodies, denim jackets, and tote bags, DTF is the most ideal application. It allows for bright designs and adheres very well to natural fibers without requiring any polyester coating.

• Streetwear & Custom Brands – Streetwear often asks for flashy graphics on dark bases. DTF can print opaque white underlays which help the colors pop in applications on really dark hoodies or caps. This also provides the small fashion brand with the freedom to experiment with fun and trendy designs.

• Small-Batch & On-Demand Printing – DTF transfers are also cost-effective for printing one-off orders or custom printing small runs of items. The transfers can be stored and pressed whenever the time is right. This is also great for businesses operating without large inventories and handling customer requests for personalized items.

• Corporate & Event Merchandise – Uniforms, promotional t-shirts or merchandise for concerts and festivals can all benefit from DTF as well. Companies and brands can easily print designs on whatever garment they have chosen, regardless of fabric type or color.

• Mixed-Fabric Products – Many of today's garments or accessories are made from blended fabrics (cotton that is see blended with poly). Sublimation will not work for these, but DTF will adhere with no issues at all. In mixed-fabric products, DTF is likely the best choice for decoration.

• Select Sublimation when you want permanent, photo-quality images on polyester clothing, mugs, or coated hard goods. It cannot be beaten for truly amazing durability, brilliance, and professional looking products.

• Select DTF when you need flexibility across a number of fabrics, especially on cotton or dark colored items. DTF is best for fashion, streetwear and small custom runs.

In summary: sublimation provides unmatched print quality on polyester and coated items and DTF allows for a far greater variety of products. Together, they effectively cover almost every niche in the custom printing industry.

• Use different grades of paper depending on the project—lightweight for fabrics, heavyweight for mugs.

• Purchase trustworthy companies’ products for reliable outcomes.

• Before starting mass production, always examine and adjust the settings of your printer and heat press machines.

• To prevent moisture-related damage, paper should be stored in a dry place.

What is sublimation paper? It is the foundation of sublimation printing—the device that allows you to print bright, durable, and professional level designs. Sublimation paper is part of the choice process of sublimation. If you are printing papers for shirts, mugs, promotional items, then you need the right sublimation paper to ensure vibrant colors and long lasting designs.

That said, sublimation has its limitations. If you are looking to print on cotton, dark items, or an extended range of apparel, then DTF printing is the better answer. Sublimation and DTF work in tandem, to give creators and businesses the flexibility to print nearly any kind of product that can be customized.

Can I use sublimation paper on cotton shirts?
No, sublimation only works on polyester or polymer-coated fabrics. For cotton, use DTF or heat transfer vinyl.

What’s the difference between sublimation ink and sublimation paper?
Sublimation ink is the special dye-based ink, while sublimation paper is the medium that holds and transfers it. Both are required for the process.

Do I need a special printer for sublimation paper?
Yes. A sublimation printer (or converted inkjet printer) that uses sublimation ink is required.

Is sublimation paper reusable?
No. Once heat is applied, the ink is fully released and the paper cannot be reused.

What’s the shelf life of sublimation paper?
When stored properly (cool, dry place), sublimation paper can last up to a year or more without issues.