Nowadays, people love to customize different items by themselves because it is one of the fun activities that individuals can perform. The most common difference between the various methods of this printing activity is how they apply design to your item. 

It's in creating customized products like T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, tote bags, and a lot more that sublimation printing and heat transfer vinyl printing are the two most popular methods that come into their own. In short, we can say that both of these provide efficient custom printing. 

One needs to understand key differences when settling on one over the other when understanding the functions, pros, cons, and their best application. Here’s our blog with everything you need to understand: 

Understanding the Basic Differences

Sublimation Printing

Sublimation printing uses a simple scientific process to make designs part of the fabric. Here's how it works:

Design Creation

You should create a design first, that you would like to have printed on your chosen using different designing software such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, Canva, and many more.

Sublimation Paper

The design is then mirrored and printed onto special sublimation paper with dyes that turn into gas when heated.

Heat Press

The printed paper is placed on the chosen item, for example, a fabric (usually polyester or a poly blend), and pressed with a heat press. The high heat and pressure turn the dyes into gas, which goes into the fabric's fibers.

Cooling

After pressing, now gently remove the paper. As the fabric cools, the dyes solidify and become a permanent part of the material. It will now create a dynamic, full-color image, inseparable from the fabric.

Vinyl Printing 

Vinyl printing is also known as iron-on vinyl, which helps to stick designs onto fabric in a different way:

Vinyl Selection

First choose your vinyl material, which comes in many colors, textures, and finishes. One of the most common is Siser EasySublimation, an HTV-designed type for polyester fabrics to give a smooth, sublimated look.

Design Cutting

Cut your design out of the vinyl using a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette, leaving the design in the vinyl.

Weeding

Remove the extra vinyl around your design, so that only the artwork remains on a carrier sheet.

Heat Application

Place the vinyl design on the garment face down. Use a heat press or a household iron (it should be set correctly) to apply heat and pressure, sticking the vinyl to the fabric.

Here are the key aspects that should be known before choosing the process:

Fabric Compatibility

Sublimation

Sublimation is best for light-colored fabrics with a high polyester content (ideally containing less than 70% polyester). The dye reacts well with artificial fibers to create a bright image.

HTV

HTV is more versatile and works on many types of fabrics, including cotton, polyester blends, and some artificial leathers.

Durability and Wash Resistance

Sublimation

Sublimation is one of the durable processes. The design becomes part of the fabric, so it holds up well to washing and feels soft and breathable.

HTV

HTV is also a durable process if cared for properly. Good-quality HTV can handle washing and drying, but it might crack or peel over time if not applied correctly or washed severely.

Design Complexity and Color Options

Sublimation

The sublimation process is great for detailed designs and full-color images with smooth gradients. Sublimation inks can create more colors than most vinyl.

HTV

It can handle detailed designs but needs multiple layers of vinyl for complex colors. The colors are limited to the available vinyl options.

Production Time and Cost

Sublimation

The sublimation process requires specialized equipment like a sublimation printer and heat press, which can be expensive. Once set up, it prints at a faster rate.

HTV

The HTV process costs less unlike the sublimation printing because it can be done with a cutting machine and household iron (though a heat press gives better results). Cutting and weeding the vinyl can take time, especially for detailed designs.

Applications

Sublimation

It provides the best result in the following items:

• T-shirts
• Athletic wear
• Phone cases
• Tote bags
• Mugs
• Other polyester-based items.

HTV

It works well on: 

• Cotton T-shirts
• Hats
• Bags
• Wood signs, and more, thanks to its broad fabric compatibility.

Siser EasySublimation

Siser Easy sublimation is a unique process, that helps to create a mix of bright colors of sublimation with the easy use of HTV. It uses a special HTV, specially made for light-colored polyester fabrics, like sublimation, and provides the final output with a smooth finish that looks like a sublimated design. 

However, it still works like regular HTV, so you need to cut and weed it before applying heat. It’s a good option for getting a sublimated look on polyester without buying an expensive sublimation printer. 

But remember, it won’t be as breathable or wash-resistant as true sublimation.

Conclusion

We at Craft Vinyl believe there is no best method because everything requires some improvements. Both sublimation and HTV offer unique advantages and by understanding their strengths and weaknesses, we can choose the best technique that fits our project needs and personal preferences. Experimenting with both methods can help us truly by aligning the best with our creative vision.

So, choose the right, choose the best, achieve long-lasting results, explore more, and explore creativity to let customized items bring different happiness colors in your life.