Sublimation vs printing: which jersey lasts longer

Why sublimation wins on durability and design, what DTF brings and when printing still makes sense.

When ordering jerseys for your team, you'll come up against two techniques: sublimation and printing (vinyl, screen printing or DTF). It sounds like workshop jargon, but the decision affects something very concrete: whether or not the crest is peeling off by mid-season.

What sublimation is

The design is transferred with heat and bonds into the fibre. There's no layer sitting on top: the colour becomes part of the fabric. The result:

• You can't feel it to the touch or when wearing the jersey.
• It doesn't peel, crack or come off in the wash. That's the famous sticker effect you won't have.
• It doesn't block breathability, because it doesn't seal the fabric. Important in summer and for kids.
• It allows designs from seam to seam: gradients, patterns and full sleeves.

Its limit: it only works on polyester and from a light base. You can't sublimate a cotton T-shirt or a black garment.

What printing is (vinyl and screen printing)

Vinyl or screen printing adds a layer on top of the fabric. It works for text and simple logos, but with heavy use and washing it can crack or peel, and being a layer, it breathes less. On large designs it feels stiff.

And what about DTF?

DTF (Direct To Film) prints the design onto a film and transfers it with heat. It's the modern sibling of printing and solves what sublimation can't:

• It works on any fabric, cotton included.
• It works on any colour, black garments too.
• Very good definition for crests and detailed logos.

In exchange, it's slightly noticeable to the touch and it's not the option for covering a whole jersey in design.

Quick comparison

• Durability: sublimation wins.
• Design: sublimation (gradients, all-over); printing is limited to simple shapes.
• Breathability: sublimation.
• On cotton or dark garments: only DTF.
• Cost per single unit: vinyl can work out cheaper in very small quantities and one-off text.

So, which do I choose?

The practical rule:

• A playing kit with a full design, that lasts the season and breathes → sublimation.
• A crest on hoodies, polos or cotton T-shirts, or on dark garments → DTF.

It's not that one is better: they solve different things. That's why we use both: all our playing kits are sublimated, and the cotton basics go in DTF. The same applies to the shorts, as we explain in sublimated or basic.

The fabric matters as much as the technique

Perfect sublimation on bad polyester is still a bad jersey. We manufacture entirely in Spain with stretchy, breathable fabric, quick-drying DryTech technology, and antibacterial treatment, UV protection and odour control. And not just for football: we sublimate kits for futsal, handball, basketball, volleyball, rugby and padel with the same technique. See for yourself in the catalogue.