Sublimated t-shirts: what teams should know before ordering
Sublimated t-shirts are what most teams now order for training, warm-ups and event days. The whole shirt can carry colour, gradients and logos, the print does not crack or peel, and the fabric stays light enough to train in. Here is how they are made, what to ask for, and how to order a set for your team.
Why sublimated t-shirts replaced screen printing for teams
A screen-printed shirt has ink sitting on top of the cotton. It looks sharp on day one, then cracks and fades in the wash. Sublimation works the other way. Heat turns the dye into a gas that bonds with polyester fibres, so the colour becomes part of the fabric.
How a sublimated shirt is made
The design is printed onto transfer paper, laid over white polyester panels and pressed with heat. Every panel is printed edge to edge before it is cut and sewn. That is why a sublimated shirt can carry a colour right into the seams and under the arms.
Because the whole panel is printed anyway, a gradient or an all-over pattern costs the same as a plain colour. You pay for the shirt, not the complexity of the design.
What to ask for on a team order
Three details decide how the shirt feels after a season of training.
Your fabric and fit checklist
- Fabric. 100% polyester or a polyester blend made for sublimation.
- Weight. 140-160 GSM is light and breathable for training and match days.
- Finish. Moisture-wicking and quick-dry, so the shirt doesn't stay heavy with sweat.
- Fit. Athletic, regular or relaxed. Ask which pattern the size chart is based on.
- Sizes. Youth and adult sizes, each with real measurements.
If the colour is in the fibre, there is nothing left to crack. Why sublimated prints last
Questions about this? Ask New You Sports directly.
Send your quantity and requirements. The supplier replies to you on PakGoo.
Colours and styles teams are choosing
Bright teals, oranges, purples and greens are still popular for training sets. This season we are also printing a lot of earthy tones, such as mocha with sage, and dark bodies with one bright accent.
Most of these shirts end up in more places than training. Teams wear them for warm-ups, tournament days and gym sessions, and clubs sell them in their shop. A club that orders one design for the players often comes back for a second run for parents and supporters.
Sublimated, screen printed or heat transfer
| Method | Feel | After washing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sublimation | Soft, no layer on top | Colour stays, nothing cracks or peels | All-over designs, team training sets |
| Screen print | Ink layer on the surface | Can crack or fade | Simple logos in a few colours on cotton |
| Heat transfer | Raised, plastic-like | Edges can lift over time | Names and numbers on cotton |
How to order in three steps
- Send your design or your colours
A logo and team colours are enough. We draw the shirt and send a mock-up.
- Approve the mock-up and sizes
Check names, numbers and the size list with measurements. This is the moment to change anything.
- Production and shipping
Production takes 12-18 days after approval. Prices are FOB Sialkot.
Care checklist for your players
Hand this to the team with the shirts. If you are still choosing a print method for match jerseys, read our comparison of sublimated vs stitched jerseys.
- Wash in cold water, inside out.
- Skip bleach and harsh detergents.
- Tumble dry on low, or hang to dry.
- Don't iron directly on the print.
- Wash with similar colours for the first few washes.
Questions buyers ask
What is a sublimated t-shirt?
A polyester shirt where the design is dyed into the fibres with heat, so the colour is part of the fabric and does not crack or peel.
Can I customise the colours and design?
Yes. Sublimation allows full-colour, all-over printing, so gradients, patterns, logos, names and numbers can go anywhere on the shirt.
Do sublimated prints fade?
Not in normal use. The dye sits inside the fibre, so the colour holds through washing if you follow the care tips above.
What sizes are available?
Youth and adult sizes, in athletic, regular or relaxed fits depending on the style. Sizes can be mixed in one order.
How many shirts do I need to order?
Ten pieces is enough to start, and the price per shirt drops at 50, 100 and 500 pieces.
Planning training shirts for your team? Message New You Sports with your logo and colours and we will send a mock-up.
Ready to work with New You Sports?
Send your inquiry and get a reply from the supplier.