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Frequently asked questions
Overview Dye sublimation is a digital printing technology that enables the reproduction of colourful images on common everyday items, including clothing and novelties.
You create an image on your computer, print it onto special transfer paper using sublimation inks, and then apply the paper with the image onto the item to be decorated. Using a heat press, the transfer paper is pressed onto the surface at 240 degrees, which then causes the sublimation inks to “transfer” from the paper to any polymer fibres within the substrate. After about a minute, the heat is removed and the transfer paper is peeled off, leaving behind a permanent, full colour image on the substrate.
Sublimation ink is unique in its ability to convert from a solid to a gas without going through a liquid form. The conversion is initiated by heat and controlled with pressure and time. The high temperature - from a heat transfer press - opens the pores of the polymer and allows the gas to enter. When the temperature drops, the pores close and the gas reverts to a solid state. The print then becomes part of the polymer.
Hard items including ceramics and metals require a special coating to accept the sublimation inks. However, you do not need any coating on 100% polyester items such as mouse mats and 100% polyester fabric. We stock a wide range of sublimation imprintables fabric.
Prior to digital printing, reproducing images on these items (T-shirts being a typical example), required labour-intensive analogy processes such as screen-printing. Analogy printing technology is not cost-effective when small quantities are involved.
Due to the immense amount of time used to prepare the artwork and the equipment involved in the production process, analogy printing is expensive and time consuming, particularly if all you need is one or even half a dozen items printed.
On the other hand, digital printing, especially dye-sublimation printing, is quick and inexpensive in both the setup and production. This makes it an ideal choice for both creating personalized, one-of-a-kind items and mass producing a variety of custom products. Moreover, dye-sublimation printing yields beautiful and permanent colours that are embedded in the substrate or fabric, rather than printed on the surface. Images on fabric won’t fade or crack even after multiple washings. Images on hard substrates will not chip, peel or scratch. The modern dye sublimation process is quite simple.
All our dye sublimation patterns have been developed base on our standard stock service items with exception of on-field gears.
You can choose the design from our online design library, change the colour, place logos on the garment and add text, but we still request you to send the logo or picture in right format separately by email.
Yes
We do request the logo to be in vector format to meet high quality of dye sublimation printing, If you have a low quality format such as a .JPG, .BMP or .GIF file, we may need to re-create the logo in a higher resolution format which would incur additional fees.
We request the picture in 300 dpi to meet the high quality of dye sublimation printing.
RGB is used only for digital designs. In fact, any design created with an RGB colour profile must be converted to CMYK or PMS colours before printing. As a rule of thumb, you should only use RGB when designing for the web.
Our preference for colour reference is PMS colour.
We provide FREE mock up design and production layout, but there is an additional cost for the order Quantity less than our standard MOQ.
Our minimum quantity is 25 pieces per style; there will be a surcharge for any order quantity less than 25 pieces.
Yes
No, Minimum Quantity is 25 pieces for each style.
Our minimum quantity of Re-order is 12 pieces per style; there will be the surcharge for DHL freight cost from China.
Kootex carries 14 different fabrics to satisfy your different needs, please refer to our catalogue for the details
Dye sublimation will not work on 100% cotton. There has to be polyester which holds the sublimed dye, the more the better. Kootex has successfully developed a “Cotton Backed” fabric, which can both satisfy comfort needs, and also retain the sharpness and brightness of the printing quality.
Visual artwork: 3-5 working days
Pre-Production Sample: 5-7 working days
Production: 4 weeks after final approval
Yes, You may also order 1,000 labels, which we can store at our factory for your future needs, and there is an additional cost.
Yes, at no additional charge
Yes, minimum quantity is 100 pieces, and there is extra cost.
Yes, but there is an additional cost.
Yes, we can match to any specific PMS colour, but there may be slight differences.
Yes, but the minimum quantity is 800 pieces.
Colour may vary slightly when applied to different fabrics. Different weaves can give colours a different appearance.
There are three different options. First, you can pick and choose the design from our online design library in which our design team is continuously uploading new designs online.
Second, you can source your own design concept through Internet surfing. Finally, you can download our order form and provide your brief; our design team will create the mock up for you to approval.
