Sublimation Printing & Custom Sportswear: All-Over Prints for Jerseys & Activewear
By The Velocity Wear Team
When you see a sports jersey with vivid graphics running seam to seam — and feel no print on the surface at all — that is sublimation. It is the method of choice for activewear and team kits, and it does things no other decoration can.
How sublimation works
Sublimation uses heat to turn dye into a gas that bonds directly into polyester fibres. Because the colour becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top, there is nothing to crack, peel or fade — and the garment stays fully breathable. It is the only method that prints true edge-to-edge, all-over designs.
Where it shines
- Sports jerseys & team kits — numbers, names, sponsors and patterns all over.
- Activewear & gym wear — vivid, breathable and sweat-proof prints.
- Esports & gaming jerseys — complex, full-colour graphics.
- Cycling, running and motorsport wear — edge-to-edge designs.
The one big requirement: polyester
Sublimation only works on polyester (or high-polyester blends) and works best on white or light fabric, because the dye is translucent. It cannot sublimate cotton or dark garments — for those, DTF, screen printing or embroidery are the right tools. So sublimation is brilliant for performance wear, but not the method for a heavyweight cotton hoodie.
Sublimation is unbeatable for all-over, full-colour performance wear — and the wrong choice for cotton. Match the method to the fabric, not the other way around.
Designing for sublimation
Because the print covers the whole garment, design happens at the pattern stage — your artwork is mapped across each panel before the garment is cut and sewn (known as cut-and-sew sublimation) for a truly seamless result. Supply high-resolution artwork, mind the seam lines, and approve a mockup that shows the full wrap.
Velocity Wear produces sublimated custom sportswear and jerseys with edge-to-edge, full-colour prints baked into performance fabric, with low minimums and tracked delivery to the UK, USA, Europe and worldwide. Send your kit design for a free quote.