What is sublimation printing on cycling jerseys?

Sublimation printing is a process where dye is converted directly from solid to gas under heat and pressure, bonding permanently with synthetic fabric fibres. Unlike screen printing, the ink becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it.

Is sublimation printing better than screen printing for cycling kit?

Yes, for cycling jerseys. Sublimation printing is more durable (colours won't crack or peel), allows full photographic colour across the entire garment with no colour limits, and adds no weight or texture to the fabric.

How long does sublimation printing last on a cycling jersey?

Sublimation-printed cycling jerseys maintain their colours for the life of the garment. The colour won't fade, crack or peel even after hundreds of washes — because it's part of the fabric, not applied on top.

What is Sublimation Printing? | Cycling Jerseys Explained

The simple explanation

Sublimation printing converts dye from a solid directly into a gas under heat and pressure — skipping the liquid phase entirely. That gas bonds permanently with the individual fibres of a synthetic fabric like polyester.

The result: the colour becomes part of the fabric, not a layer applied on top of it. You can't scratch it off, wash it off, or peel it away — because it's in the fibres themselves.

Sublimation vs. screen printing — what's the difference?

Sublimation printing

✓ Colour is part of the fabric
✓ Unlimited colours & gradients
✓ Full design over entire garment
✓ Won't crack, fade or peel
✓ No added weight or texture
✓ Moisture-wicking unaffected

Screen printing

✗ Ink sits on top of fabric
✗ Limited to 4–6 colours per design
✗ Only works on flat print areas
✗ Can crack and peel over time
✗ Adds weight and hand-feel
✗ Can block moisture-wicking

Why does it matter for cycling jerseys?

A cycling jersey needs to perform under pressure: sweat, sunscreen, repeated washing, UV exposure, physical stress. Screen-printed designs deteriorate quickly under these conditions — the ink cracks and peels within a season.

Sublimation-printed cycling jerseys maintain their colours for the entire life of the garment. Wash them 200 times — the design looks the same as day one. This is why every serious custom cycling jersey manufacturer uses sublimation printing exclusively.

It also means your design has no limits. Photographic gradients, complex colour blends, full-coverage patterns across seams — all achievable. Screen printing would require a separate setup cost for each colour; sublimation printing costs the same whether your design has 2 colours or 200.

Common questions

Does sublimation printing work on cotton?

No — sublimation printing only bonds with synthetic fibres (polyester, nylon). This is why high-performance cycling jerseys are made from polyester, not cotton. The technical performance fabric and the sublimation printing process complement each other perfectly.

Can sublimation printing reproduce our exact club colours?

Yes. Sublimation printing uses a full-colour (CMYK) process capable of reproducing millions of colour combinations, including Pantone and RAL references. We match your club colours precisely during the design stage.

How many washes will the colours last?

Indefinitely — or as long as the fabric itself lasts. Because the dye is part of the fibre structure rather than an applied layer, there is nothing to fade, crack or peel. We recommend washing at 30°C inside-out to maintain fabric integrity.

Is sublimation printing more expensive than screen printing?

For cycling jerseys, sublimation printing is comparable in cost to quality screen printing — and significantly cheaper once you factor in setup costs, which are zero for sublimation (each garment is printed from a digital file). For small orders especially, sublimation printing offers better value and a far superior result.

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All Gear Club kit uses sublimation printing.

Every cycling jersey, bib short, trisuit and running vest we produce uses full sublimation printing on high-performance Italian polyester. Your design covers the entire garment with no colour limits, no setup fee and no compromise on fabric performance.

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What is sublimation printing
for cycling jerseys?

The simple explanation

Sublimation vs. screen printing — what's the difference?

Why does it matter for cycling jerseys?

Common questions

All Gear Club kit uses sublimation printing.

Ready to order sublimation-printed club kit?

What is sublimation printingfor cycling jerseys?

The simple explanation

Sublimation vs. screen printing — what's the difference?

Why does it matter for cycling jerseys?

Common questions

All Gear Club kit uses sublimation printing.

Ready to order sublimation-printed club kit?

What is sublimation printing
for cycling jerseys?