This easy guide helps you make super bright and strong prints on t-shirts that stay nice even after many washes. You need shirts made from polyester, good sublimation ink that moves smoothly, and special paper. We will show you how to set the printer right, how to press with heat, how to take care of the shirt later, and little tricks to keep colors happy. Lots of people who print shirts love CHANGFA DIGITAL inks and papers because they work great for just a few shirts or for big factory jobs.

What Should You Prepare Before Starting Sublimation on a T-Shirt?  

Why the Fabric Composition of the T-Shirt Matters for Sublimation Transfer? 

When you want to put sublimation ink on a t-shirt, the most important thing is what the shirt is made of. Sublimation ink loves to go deep inside polyester fibers. It works best on 100% polyester shirts. Cotton shirts can’t hold the color well. The pretty picture fades fast when you wash them.

So pick shirts that are all polyester or mostly polyester. CHANGFA DIGITAL has nice choices like 100D and 75D interlock or bird’s eye fabrics. They are pure polyester and feel soft.

Some shirts get a special bath at the factory. This bath helps the color stick even better. The prints stay super bright wash after wash.

How to Choose the Right Sublimation Ink for Professional Results?  

Good sublimation ink, the heart of nice prints, has to be great when getting very hot – around 190°C to 205°C, and it must be thin so it never blocks the tiny holes in your printer.

CHANGFA DIGITAL makes a great one called 1513 Serie High Quality Sublimation Color Ink. It gives bright, strong colors and keeps your printer running without stopping. CHANGFA DIGITAL’s inks are safe for people and the earth becasue they flow super easy. You can print more than 20 meters at 360 dpi without any trouble.

What Role Does Paper Play in a Successful Transfer?  

Sublimation paper holds the wet ink until the heat pushes it into the shirt. It has a magic cover that lets go of the ink at just the right time, which prevents colors from running and gives the shirt the most color possible.

CHANGFA DIGITAL sells sublimation paper from very lightweight 29gsm to 100gsm,  with roll widths up to 190cm. Their paper makes clean, sharp pictures every time.

They use fancy machines from Germany to put the cover on perfectly even that means no blurry ghosts even when you print hundreds of shirts.

To maintain print quality, the paper should be stored in a cool, dry environment, as exposure to moisture can damage the coating and result in spots or weakened print effects.

How Do You Set Up Your Printing Equipment for Accurate Output?  

Which Printer Settings Should Be Adjusted for Color Accuracy?  

If you want the colors on the shirt to look just like on your computer screen, you can use ICC profiles made for your exact ink and shirt, which help the printer understand the colors right.

When you use RIP software, turn off the printer’s own color helper because two helpers fighting make messy colors.

Print at least 300 DPI. More dots make the picture look smooth and clear, especially tiny words or soft shadows.

How Can You Maintain Equipment Stability During Production?  

Happy printers make happy prints! Check the nozzles every day with a test page. Clean the wiper and cap once a week. This stops clogs.

Environmental conditions also play an important role Excessively dry air may make paper curl while wet air can affect ink behavior. Keeping a stable, comfortable environment benefits both operator wellbeing and the function of machine.

What Is the Correct Way to Align and Press Your Design Onto the Shirt?  

How Do You Position the Transfer Sheet Precisely on the Garment?  

Put the paper exactly on where you want the picture and stick the corners with heat-safe tape. This behavior stops it from moving when you close the press.

A brief pre-press cycle of 5–10 seconds reduces wet air and makes it flat, because damp or wrinkled shirts may result in blurred image transfer.

What Are the Ideal Heat Press Settings for Consistent Results?  

Set the heat presspress to 190°C to 205°C under the circumstance of medium push set about 30–40 psi in order to ensure sublimation ink into the shirt without burning.

Keep the pressing time within 45–60 seconds, as too much time can make the picture fuzzy or give weird shadows.

Why Is Post-Sublimation Finishing Important for Longevity?  

What Steps Should You Take Immediately After Pressing?  

Upon completion of the pressing cycle, take the shirt out and wait for its complete coolingon a flat surface before handling because contact while still hot can smear the fresh colors.

Pull the paper off nice and slow as ripping it fast can make static and pull little fibers off the shirt.

How Can You Improve Wash Durability After Sublimation?  

To keep print quality, it is good for customers to wash the shirt inside out with cold water and gentle soap. Never use fabric softener because it degrades the color little by little over time.

How Do You Scale Production Without Compromising Quality?  

Which Practices Help Maintain Uniformity Across Large Batches?  

When you print hundreds or thousands, write down the best settings for each kind of design. Check colors every week so every shirt looks the same.

Always start a new big job with one test shirt to verify quality, allowing necessary adjustments before proceeding with full production.

What Ink Solutions Support High Volume Without Clogging Issues?  

Big printers need ink that stays ready even if the machine rests a bit. It must stay smooth.

CHANGFA DIGITAL has 1962 Serie CMYK sublimation ink made for fast, non-stop printing. It keeps the right thickness. You can print 20 meters at 360 DPI without one single stop. Colors stay bright and blacks get really deep after pressing.

Why Should You Consider CHANGFA DIGITAL as Your Sublimation Partner?  

Printers all over the world love CHANGFA DIGITAL. They give steady results, super bright colors, and fast help when you need it. The company leverages deep expertise in ink chemistry and coating technology to provide high-performance sublimation inks for industrial machinery and greatt sublimation paper that ensures sharp image definition and cost efficiency.

They keep making new and better things. All their stuff is safe for the planet and follows big world rules. If you print thousands of shirts, they have top materials and real advice to help you.

Go to CHANGFA DIGITAL’s official website in which you will find everything made specially for people who love printing.

FAQs  

Q: Can I use sublimation ink on dark-colored T-shirts?  

A: No. The colors only shine on white or very light shirts. Dark shirts cover the pretty colors.

Q: Why does my final print look dull compared to what I see on screen?  

A: The paper print always looks pale. Heat wakes the colors up and makes them bright on the shirt.

Q: Is it necessary to use a separate heat press just for sublimation work?  

A: Yes! A press only for sublimation stays clean. Old sticky stuff from vinyl can mess up your nice sublimation shirts.