Why Sublimation Printing Is Preferred on Towels

The first thing anyone notices on a printed towel is the colour. That is exactly why sublimation printing is preferred: it gives the most vivid and the longest lasting colour a towel can carry. The dye is not laid on top of the towel, the yarn itself is dyed that colour.

Photographic colour, no limit on colours

In conventional printing every colour means a separate screen, so designs stay limited to two or three colours. Sublimation uses no screens, so that limit does not exist.

• The number of colours is free. There is no difference between a single colour logo and a photographic print.
• Gradients, shadows and fine detail reproduce exactly as designed.
• The design can cover the whole towel, the logo is not pushed into a corner.
• Different names, numbers or team colours can be printed within the same order.

The colour does not fade in the wash

Because the colour sits inside the yarn, the print lasts as long as the towel does. There is no fading, cracking, lifting at the edges or pilling. The printed area does not stiffen, so the towel keeps the softness and the absorbency it started with.

On promotional work this is where the real gain is. If a towel is used for two years, the logo on it stays as sharp as on day one for those two years.

Which face of the towel is printed?

The two faces of a towel are different, and the print goes onto the flat microfiber velour face. That surface is dense and even, so the design comes out sharp. On a terry looped face the design breaks up between the loops and fine type becomes unreadable.

Harley towel fabric is a good example. The face is microfiber velour and the back is cotton terry:

• The velour face takes the print and delivers vivid colour and a sharp design.
• The cotton back touches the skin and keeps the absorbency and the familiar towel feel.

Vera works a little differently. It is 100% microfiber polyester, so both faces can be printed and the highest colour saturation is reached here. For the full range of fabrics and what each one suits: Towel Fabric Types

One small note: sublimation dye bonds to polyester surfaces and does not hold on pure cotton. That is why the printed face of a towel is microfiber velour.

A sample is the fastest route

Colours do not always look the same on screen and on fabric. The most reliable way to see how your design will come out on a towel is a sample.

Our printed products are certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class 1. Minimum order quantity is 250 pieces and sample production takes 3 to 5 working days.

Send us your design and we will work out together which fabric suits your project. Contact us.

If you are wondering how microfiber and cotton differ in everyday use: What Is a Microfiber Towel?