Digital Decorating: Sublimation

Sublimation for Small Signage

October 8, 2021 |

I think the philosophy of lagniappe should be taught at every school and practiced by every business. A French word meaning “unexpected extra gift,” lagniappe often is used in Louisiana. In fact, sublimation decoration is a fantastic example of this.

Full Story

Grow Your Gaiter Knowledge

August 13, 2020 |

Gaiters have been the subject of a lot of speculation lately as the nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and find safe ways to protect citizens against it.

Full Story

Sublimation Pricing Solutions: Part 2

June 25, 2020 |

My industry experience has led me to one realization about many decorated-apparel shops: They don’t charge enough money for their offerings. This usually is the result of fear that they won’t land a job if they charge too much.

Full Story

Sublimation Pricing Solutions: Part 1

April 2, 2020 |

How many times have you heard clients say they can get a product that you sell at a cheaper price somewhere else? Have you “given away” your products because you were afraid you were charging too much or been hesitant when giving a price quote? Have you ever felt like you had no real clue about what to charge for products?

Full Story

Sublimation T-Shirt Decoration Meets Cotton

April 12, 2019 |

If your decorated apparel shop uses sublimation, you’ve undoubtedly heard this process will not bond to cotton. Truthfully, that hasn’t changed. Sublimation chemically bonds to polyester and polymers, not cotton. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t apply it to cotton.

Full Story

Maintaining Your Sublimation System

January 25, 2019 |

Sublimation systems come in many shapes and sizes, but each one typically falls into one of the following categories: industrial or desktop. Because they are the most common, let’s look at desktop systems.

Full Story

Allover Sublimation on Team Garments

September 21, 2018 |

Allover sublimation printing in garment decoration is beginning to revolutionize how consumers shop. A garment style can be selected (as a white polyester blank) — along with a pattern or graphic — and a totally custom garment can be created immediately.

Full Story

3 Tips for Successful Sublimation

April 9, 2018 |

Sublimation is a process that is enjoying immense popularity among end users, whether at retail or among wholesale clients. However, for decorators looking to make a foray into offering the process, there are some variables that can make the difference between success and failure.

Full Story

Goods on the Go

March 6, 2018 |

One of the best sales and marketing tools I have used is mobile decoration. This type of setup allows you to take equipment to specialty events, trade shows, craft shows, etc., and produce custom-decorated items on the spot.

Full Story

Sublimation Staples

February 27, 2018 |

The promotional products industry recently was estimated to be valued at more than $21 billion, according to a 2016 report from Promotional Products Association Intl. (PPAI).

Full Story

Top Sublimation Trends

October 5, 2017 |

The sublimation world has been expanding rapidly during the past few years. Part of this development has been the result of improvements in technology, such as sublimation-specific design software, easy-to-use color-management systems, higher-quality inks with expanded gamuts, faster printers, etc.

Full Story

Sublimation Ups the Ante

May 17, 2016 |

Though they aren’t focused on sublimation, several decorators who have added this decorating technique to their traditional screen-printing businesses have seen it grow faster and produce better margins than the more traditional processes their shops offer.

Full Story

The Ideal Sublimation Setup

February 12, 2016 |

One of the neat things about a sublimation operation is that it can be located virtually anywhere because of the small equipment footprint. Even so, a dedicated work space and efficient layout are necessary.

Full Story

Troubleshooting Sublimation

January 19, 2016 |

All forms of apparel decoration present challenges that must be overcome; it’s simply a natural part of the learning process. You didn’t jump in the driver’s seat of a car and instantly start driving. It took training, time, patience…

Full Story

Up In Arms

March 20, 2015 |

If you paid attention to 2014 trends, then you saw the dramatic increase in sublimation activity. It was everywhere.
 

Full Story

Short-Run Sublimation

March 13, 2015 |

How many times have you had a customer come in at closing time to place an order that needs to be ready by the next day? Well, consider those the good old days because today, more and more clients want same-day delivery.

Full Story

Sublimation Rising

March 11, 2015 |

Sublimation continues to grow rapidly in today’s marketplace — and why wouldn’t it? The process is customization friendly; it can be applied to an array of blank apparel options available in the marketplace; and more and more people are buying performance apparel. 

Full Story

How to Avoid Ghosting in Sublimation

March 9, 2015 |

When using sublimation for apparel decorating, ghosting can ruin an otherwise flawless piece. Ghosting is especially common on dark text with a light background. By exercising caution, you can eliminate the “ghosts” and get back to great sublimation.

Full Story

The Personal Touch

May 27, 2014 |

The core factor of profitable personalization sales is the ability to print and apply high-resolution, full-color photographic images to a wide range of quality consumer-oriented merchandise.
 

Full Story

Embracing Digital Technologies

October 22, 2012 |

A lot has changed in the garment decorating industry since the first Screen Print Association (SPA) trade show was held in the 1940s and the Imprinted Sportswear Shows (ISS) began its history in 1978. 

Full Story