Buyer Guide · Custom Sportswear
Sublimation vs Screen Printing for Custom Sportswear
Compare two decoration directions by fabric compatibility, artwork, surface result, sampling and project requirements.
Short answer
Choose sublimation when the project needs detailed or all-over graphics on a compatible polyester-based fabric and the design is approved for the fabric color and construction. Consider screen printing when the brief favors a surface-applied graphic, solid spot colors or a decoration plan better suited to the garment and run.
What sublimation does
Dye sublimation transfers printed dye into a compatible polyester textile. White or light bases generally provide a clearer color starting point, while gradients and integrated all-over graphics can be useful directions. Confirm the proposed fabric, artwork and physical sample; sublimation is not a universal answer for cotton, dark bases or every mixed-fiber construction.
What screen printing does
Screen printing applies ink through a prepared screen onto a garment or textile surface. It can suit bold spot-color graphics, but setup, ink coverage, fabric texture, seams, stretch and inspection requirements should be reviewed for the specific job.
Side-by-side buying questions
Compare base fabric, all-over or localized artwork, color count, placement, hand feel, stretch behavior, sample scope and quantity. Do not assume either method is suitable without testing the actual garment and decoration plan.
How to read BUU-KR’s current information
The current site describes sublimation for compatible polyester-based fabric and keeps material, color, construction and fit subject to physical sample approval. It does not prove that every screen-printing, heat-transfer or sublimation variant is performed in-house or available for every garment.
RFQ checklist
Send the garment or kit, fabric direction, base color, artwork, number of colors or all-over requirement, logo/name/number placement, quantity by size and color, target date, sample requirement and destination. Ask the supplier to confirm the proposed method and any limitations in writing.
Buyer checklist
- Base fabric and color
- All-over or localized artwork and color count
- Logo, name and number placement
- Physical sample scope and inspection questions