# Sublimation — Glossary | Craftarea

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# Sublimation

Sublimation printing uses heat to transfer suitable dyes into compatible polyester fibres or a receptive coating on an item.

## Detail

Standard dye-sublimation printing is generally used on a light polyester base or an item with a coating prepared for the process. Heat transfers suitable dye into the compatible fibre or coating; ordinary ceramic, glass or cotton cannot be assumed suitable from the material name alone. Sublimation is also a term in physics; this page concerns the printing process. Base colour matters because standard sublimation does not add an opaque white layer. The underlying item therefore affects the final image. For an enquiry, state the textile composition or exact item model and coating, colour, print area, quantity and artwork. For a mug or another blank product, confirm that it is intended for sublimation. A photograph shows appearance but does not establish coating compatibility. For cotton, dark fabric or another surface, compare a suitable alternative such as DTF against the actual item and design. These processes do not produce the same print structure or feel. Use any agreed sample to assess colour, fine detail, placement and care requirements. Processing time and temperature must follow the selected system and blank specification; one universal setting does not fit every surface.

## Related terms

- [DTF Printing DTF (Direct-to-Film) is a digital textile-printing method where the design is printed on a special film and then heat-pressed onto fabric.](https://www.craftarea.ge/en/glossary/dtf-printing)
- [CMYK CMYK is the standard print colour system using four inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black).](https://www.craftarea.ge/en/glossary/cmyk)

## Related services

[Sublimation printing](https://www.craftarea.ge/en/services/textile-printing/sublimation)[DTF printing](https://www.craftarea.ge/en/services/dtf-printing)[promotional products](https://www.craftarea.ge/en/services/promo-branding)

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