[Outlaws#11]

I'm pretty new to the forum, well new to actually posting. I've spent hours reading the different types of printing, I have a pretty good understanding of how to screen print on dark garments, and how the DTG uses the white underlay to print on dark garments, but I haven't seen a lot on how they you dye sub on a dark garment.
Could someone please explain? I am looking at my best options for making sports team shirts and dye sub seems to be the hottest thing in my area right now. Thanks in advance

Russ

 

[marcelolopez]

As far as I know, dye sub is for white and clear garments only.

 

[Outlaws#11]

I've seen full dye sub garments done that ended up with dark colors. But was curious as to how companies like boombah are making there dark garments, possibly DTG???

 

[sunnydayz]

Hmm I dont know of that company, but dye sub is for light color garments, also only polyester.

 

[sunnydayz]

Ok I just looked at their website and it says they do dye sub on lights, and also provide embroidery and tackle twill. So it sounds like they do not use dtg. Plus it looks like most of their garments are poly, and dtg would not work on those. Dtg only works on cotton, or high cotton blends. There are a few that have some luck with dtg on light poly garments, but I have only seen one or two that have had that success.

 

[D.Evo.]

Hi Russ and welcome to the forums!

There are a lot of sports uniforms out there that are printed using dye sublimation method and, while some of them have a lot of dark colors in the design, wast majority of them started as white fabric. Dark color is not the base fabric color, but a part of the design. I hope it makes sense.

With wide format sublimation equipment you can either transfer the design onto rolls of fabric (with roll/drum press) or sheets of fabric (with flat bed press) and then cut-and-sew your garments. Generally, sports uniforms are printed before they are assembled into a garment.

You can customize ready made dark garments with numbers and names done in vinyl. I believe, perforated/breathable vinyl is available for sports wear.

 

[BRC]

The easiest way to get into team uniforms with dye sub is to buy the uniforms from a company like Teamwork www.teamworkathletic.com or Bomark www.bomarksportswear.com and do the personalization with dye sub.

 

[Outlaws#11]

Thanks to everyone, lot of good information.

 

[cchampsports]

Actually I am pretty sure I have seen several postings on dye-subbing on dark apparel as well as cottons. Not sure if the darks are a "true dye-sub" or not, but basically you get the same result. Also you can use duracotton for dye subbing on cottons. Once again this info is from other posts on this forum, not from my actual experience.
Charles95405 has had several posts on dye sub and is very knowledgeable. He has answered several questions reguarding this subject for me. Hope this helps.

 

[sunnydayz]

I too believe I have seen someone talking about doing darks but I think it was with chromablast. Maybe a search for chromablast will bring more information on the subject of dye sub and darks. As far as I know though true dye sub is only done with light poly garments.

 

[BRC]

Chromablast is a totally different process than dye sub. It only works on cotton and will not adhere to polyester. A lot of suppliers sell the 4800 printer with both dye sub and Chromablast set up to run from the one printer, but they are total opposites.

You can do dye sub on dark with laser sublimation, but you first have to lay down a layer of white sub toner. The problem most people are having is proper alignment since you have to run the paper through twice. Then there is the cost of 2 laser printers, one for white and one for the colored toner. The startup costs are also higher than with a simple inkjet setup. For more information you can check out White Sublimation Laser Toner! . To my knowledge nobody is doing it with inkjet sublimation.

 

[gspotstudio]

Most dye-sublimation on dark garments only appears to be on dark garments. Football jerseys, motorcycle jerseys and the like are typically done in what's called print, cut, sew in that it is an all over sublimation and the dark colors are actually dye-sub'd onto a light fabric. You'd need a large format sublimation printer like the these.

 

[Riderz Ready]

As stated all the "dark" dye sub related products all start with white fabric. We do cut and sew for the paintball industry among others. Once you get over the intial investment of the equipment the actual ink cost drop dramatically allowing you to create incredible shirts, hoodies and literally any apparel item. I personally think cut and sew is much easier the pressing pre made garments.