Sublimation printing has become increasingly popular for customizing apparel, especially t-shirts. With sublimation, the ink is bonded to the fabric, resulting in a permanent print that won’t crack, fade or peel like traditional screen printing or heat transfer vinyl.
One common question for those new to sublimation is whether it will work on black shirts. The short answer is yes, you can sublimate on black shirts, but the results may not be what you expect. In this article, we’ll explain how sublimation works on black fabrics, things to keep in mind, and tips for achieving the best results.
How Sublimation Works
To understand why sublimating on black shirts is tricky, it helps to first understand the sublimation process. Sublimation printing uses special ink that turns into a gas when heated. The ink is printed onto specialty transfer paper, then that paper is placed against a polyester fabric like a t-shirt.
When heat and pressure are applied, the ink converts to a gas, bonds with the polyester fibers in the fabric, and the end result is a permanent, full-color print.
The key thing is that sublimation only works on polyester fabrics because the gas needs those polymer fibers to bond with. Cotton and other materials won’t work. The fabric also needs to be light in color so the inks have a light background to show up on.
Challenges with Black Shirts
Black t-shirts are typically made of 100% polyester, so theoretically sublimation should work. However, printing on a black background presents a few challenges:
- Because black absorbs light, darker colors tend to get lost against the background.
- Lighter colors like yellows, greens and pinks show up but can look faded or muted.
- White ink shows up the best, but still won’t be as bright as sublimating on a light shirt.
- Photographic images and gradients often lose definition against the black.
Here is a comparison of a sublimated print on a white shirt versus a black shirt:
| White Shirt | Black Shirt |
|---|---|
 |
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As you can see, the colors are more vivid on white and some details are lost on black.
Tips for Sublimating on Black Shirts
While sublimating on black has limitations, there are ways to get good results by following these tips:
Use vector art and limited colors
Simplify the design to basic shapes and lines in vector-based programs like Adobe Illustrator. Avoid photographic images. Limit colors to 2-3 bright hues like white, yellow, pink that will stand out on black.
Use white ink generously
The more white ink used in the design, the brighter the colors will appear. White ink also adds definition for detailed line art. Expand stroke widths in the artwork to allow for thicker white outlines.
Use 100% polyester black shirts
Make sure shirts are high quality, 100% polyester. Blends won’t work as well for sublimation.
Use a firm pressure
Have your heat press calibrated to ensure it can achieve at least medium-firm pressure. Light pressure won’t transfer the inks properly.
Increase time and temperature
Use recommended settings for the ink, but add 5-10 seconds to normal time. Some printers may suggest going up to 410°F instead of 400° for black shirts.
Adjust colorsdigitally first
Use image editing software to boost brightness and saturation so colors pop more prior to printing. But avoid oversaturating.
Print a test first
Before sublimating a batch of shirts, do a test print on black polyester fabric to verify your design. Adjust as needed digitally or on press.
Best Designs for Black Sublimation
While sublimation on black has limitations, there are ways to work with the medium as opposed to against it. Here are some designs that tend to work best:
Minimalist and line art
Simplified graphics and icons, especially in white, will stand out well on black. Geometric patterns and line art make for easy sublimation.
Distressed prints
Make blacks distressed and gritty, almost like a faded Industrial print. Helps hide imperfect ink transfer.
Pop art style
Use solid bright colors like Warhol-esque pop art. The stark contrast helps colors stand out.
Scattered elements
Rather than an allover print, try scattering elements across the shirt. Allows the black shirt to show through between.
Large, simple graphics
Big, bold graphics and text make a statement. Keep to 1-2 colors and minimal details.
Paper and Ink for Black Shirts
Choosing the right sublimation paper and ink is also key for best results on black:
- High release paper: Use sublimation paper with a high release polymer coating, which prevents ink from collecting in the coatings.
- High density inks: Some sublimation ink sets are formulated for darker fabrics. Use ones offering strong saturation and density.
- Print profiles: Make sure to set up good print color profiles on your printer for sublimation, and even better, ones tailored specifically for black if available.
Following all the tips above combined with the right paper and ink will maximize your ability to sublimate successfully on black t-shirts.
Conclusion
Sublimating on black polyester shirts can present challenges, but following the right process will allow you to create eye-catching designs. Use high contrast colors, strategize your graphic elements for black backgrounds, apply firm heat and pressure, and choose the right paper and inks. With some practice and experimentation, you can expand your sublimation offerings to include black apparel.