SUBLIMATION

Plan sublimated sportswear around fabric, panels and artwork

Sublimation is a useful direction for colour rich teamwear and sportswear designs on suitable polyester fabrics. Liberty Edge Industries offers sublimation as part of its apparel manufacturing services, with the material, artwork and garment construction reviewed as one approved specification. It can support designs where colour, pattern, names or numbers form a substantial part of the garment appearance, subject to the agreed product requirements. This page explains how to prepare artwork, think about panels and compare a sample with your intended result. The right process decision starts with the actual fabric and design, rather than a promise that every textile can be sublimated.

Begin with a suitable polyester product brief

Sublimation should be discussed in relation to an appropriate polyester fabric and the intended garment. Tell Liberty Edge whether the product is a match jersey, training item or another apparel style, and describe the fit, fabric feel and appearance you want. The substrate and its colour form part of the process decision, so confirm them before finalising the visual design. Do not assume that a technique selected for one polyester garment will create the same result on another material or finish. If your brief starts with a reference product, explain whether you are trying to match its appearance, feel or panel arrangement. The sample should represent the agreed material and artwork combination that you intend to approve for production.

Design across the actual garment panels

An all over concept still needs to work as a constructed garment. Consider where side panels, sleeves, collars and other seams will sit, and identify graphics that need particular alignment. A sponsor mark near a seam deserves a different placement discussion from a repeating background pattern. Supply clear artwork with defined dimensions and colour references, and distinguish the main design from individual names or numbers. Avoid placing essential wording where a change in size or panel shape could make it hard to read. Review how the artwork should adapt across the approved size range, especially when the design includes fixed logos. These decisions are easier to resolve in a documented layout than through a single flattened inspiration image.

Keep colour and personalisation instructions precise

Screens can display colour differently, so the approval process should use agreed references and the sample result rather than relying on an unqualified digital preview. Identify colours that are especially important to the team or brand and raise them before sample approval. For personalised teamwear, submit a final roster showing the exact name, number, size and garment allocation for each item. Check spelling, repeated numbers and any differences between front and back layouts. Keep sponsor logos and team marks in their current approved versions. If late changes are likely, discuss how they will be handled before the order is finalised. A clear information record is especially valuable when similar designs are being produced for several groups or squads.

Approve the garment and print as one sample

Review a sublimation sample for the complete product: selected fabric, fit, visual layout, colour direction and placement of individual details. Look at the design when worn as well as laid flat, since body shape and seams influence how a graphic is seen. Confirm any panel alignment requirements against what has actually been agreed for the product. Samples typically take 7–10 working days, with the project schedule confirmed from the brief. Once the sample is accepted, keep its approval with the final artwork, size chart and roster. A later change to fabric, garment panels or artwork may affect the result, so discuss the revised combination before carrying forward the earlier approval into bulk production.

Options for your project.

• Sublimation briefs for suitable polyester garments
• Panel based artwork and placement planning
• Team names, numbers and sponsor layout coordination
• Colour reference and sample approval
• Design alignment with garment size ranges