Manufacturing
Sublimation vs Screen Printing for Sportswear
Two decoration methods, two very different production realities. Here is how to choose per garment and per order size.
Decoration method affects cost, durability and even which fabrics you can use. Choose it during design, not after the sample arrives.
Dye sublimation
Ink is gassed into polyester fibres, so the design becomes part of the fabric. No hand feel, no cracking, unlimited colours and full-panel coverage. Requires polyester-rich fabric in light base colours.
Best for: cycling kit, esports jerseys, teamwear, all-over graphics.
Screen printing
Ink is pushed through a stencil onto the garment surface. Excellent on cotton, strong opaque colours, very economical at volume. Setup cost per colour makes small runs expensive, and heavy prints can crack over time.
Best for: cotton tees and hoodies, logo-led designs, runs above roughly 100 pieces.
Quick comparison
| Factor | Sublimation | Screen Print |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyester | Cotton and blends |
| Colour count | Unlimited | Cost per colour |
| Hand feel | None | Noticeable |
| Small runs | Efficient | Expensive |
| Durability | Excellent | Good |
A practical rule
If the design covers more than a chest panel and the fabric is polyester, sublimate. If it is a logo on cotton, screen print.
Not sure which print method fits your design and quantity? Request a quote at beltasports.com with your artwork, and Belta Sports will recommend sublimation, screen printing or embroidery for your order.
Related reading
Planning a brand from scratch? Start with our pillar guide: How to Start a Sportswear Brand in 2027.
Ordering for a team or club specifically? See our guide to custom team jersey MOQ, lead times and costs.
About the author
Ayesha Rahman
Product Development Lead, Belta Sports
Ayesha works with emerging activewear labels on fit, fabric selection and production readiness, and has taken more than eighty first-time brands through their debut run.