Screen printing sits on the fabric. Sublimation dyes the fabric itself. The right choice depends on the garment material and how the print needs to feel — and there's no overlap in their ideal use cases.
Pick screen print for high-volume cotton tees, hoodies, fundraiser shirts, and event tees. Screen print is the workhorse of bulk apparel — sharp colors, durable plastisol or water-based ink, and a per-piece cost that drops fast over 36 pieces.
Pick sublimation when you need full-color art on 100% polyester, or when you want the print to be undetectable to the touch. Sublimation dyes the polyester fibers directly — the fabric IS the print. Best for athletic jerseys, all-over prints, and performance gear where 'no print on the fabric' is the goal.
The short version of how the two methods compare on the factors that usually drive the decision.
| Screen Printing | Sublimation | |
|---|---|---|
| Required fabric | Any (cotton, blends, performance) | 100% polyester (or polyester-coated) |
| Color limit | ~6 colors per side | Unlimited (full color, photos) |
| Hand-feel | You can feel the print | Zero — the print IS the fabric |
| Best use | Tees, hoodies, bulk runs | Athletic jerseys, all-over prints |
| Cost per piece (low qty) | $$$ — setup dominates | $$ — no setup |
| Cost per piece (high qty) | $ — drops fast over 36+ | $$ — stays flat |
| Durability | 100+ washes | Lasts as long as the fabric does |
| All-over prints | Limited — print area constrained | Native — print can cover the whole garment |
| Light vs. dark garments | Either | Light only — sublimation dye doesn't show on dark fabric |
Two ways to order — design it yourself online in minutes, or send us your project for a custom quote. Free mockups either way, no minimums, no setup fees.