What is sublimation printing? Why is it used on polyester fabric for sarees and suits?

Sublimation printing is a digital printing technique where special dyes are transferred from paper to polyester fabric using heat — the dye sublimates (converts from solid to gas) and bonds permanently with the polyester fibre.

Why sublimation only works on polyester:

• Sublimation dyes bond with synthetic (polyester) polymer chains during the heat transfer process
• Natural fibres (cotton, silk, linen) do not have the polymer structure needed for sublimation bonding — colours do not adhere properly

Advantages of sublimation printing:

• Colour penetrates the entire fibre (not just the surface) — excellent wash fastness
• Can reproduce very high-resolution photographic images on fabric
• No hand feel change — fabric remains soft
• No minimum order for digital sublimation — even one piece is possible

In Indian wholesale: Most vibrant-coloured polyester georgette and chiffon sarees in Surat are sublimation-printed. The technology is responsible for the revolution in saree print variety seen in the past decade.