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Sublimation Printing

CK Embroideries supplies sublimation printing for full-colour garments, team wear and promotional clothing across Mbombela and the Lowveld. It is a strong option when you need detailed artwork, bright colour and all-over branding that won't sit only on a small chest print.

Sublimation Printing

All-Over Colour For Clothing That Carries The Brand

Sublimation printing is ideal when a garment needs to do more than hold a logo. It lets us print detailed artwork across panels, sleeves, side sections and full front or back areas, which makes it a practical choice for sports kits, school events, promotional wear and staff clothing that must stand out. The finish is bright, clean and well suited to repeated wear in the Lowveld heat.

This method works best on light-coloured polyester fabrics and polyester blends made for sublimation. The print becomes part of the fabric surface, so the garment keeps a smooth feel without the heavy layer you get from some other print methods. For clubs, schools and companies in Mbombela, White River, Hazyview, Malelane and Barberton, that means custom clothing that looks neat and handles day to day use.

What Is Included In A Sublimation Order

We handle the full job from artwork setup to packed order, and we keep the process clear so you know what is happening at each step. Depending on the brief, a sublimation order may include logo placement, name personalisation, sponsor panels, number sets, colour matching and bulk packing by size or department. If you need coordinated sets for a school, team or company event, we can organise the layout so everything arrives ready for issue.

  • Artwork setup and print-ready layout
  • Logo placement and branding positions
  • Full-colour print on approved garment panels
  • Name or number personalisation where needed
  • Size sorting and bulk packing for teams or staff
  • Mock-ups and approval before production starts

For corporate orders, we can also combine sublimation with other branding methods on a single clothing range when that makes the finish more suitable for the item and the use case.

How The Production Process Works

Our production process is straightforward. Once we receive your enquiry through the contact page, we check the garment type, branding areas and artwork quality. If the artwork needs adjustment, Johan and the production team prepare the file for print so the detail stays sharp and the colours remain consistent across the order. We then send a mock-up for approval before anything goes to production.

After approval, the print is prepared, transferred and pressed onto the garment under controlled heat and timing. Nokuthula oversees production flow and Thabiso manages the print room side of the work, while Leanne keeps orders and paperwork in order. This helps us track quantities, sizes and finishing notes properly, especially on larger school and corporate runs where there can be many items in one batch.

  • Enquiry and brief review
  • Artwork check and layout preparation
  • Mock-up sent for approval
  • Printing and heat transfer
  • Quality check and packing
  • Collection or dispatch once complete

Turnaround For Lowveld Orders

Turnaround depends on quantity, garment availability and how ready the artwork is when it comes in. Smaller repeat orders can often move faster, while bulk schoolwear and staff clothing may need a bit more time for size splits, name sets and final checks. We work from Riverside in Mbombela, which gives us practical access to local clients and delivery routes through the Lowveld.

For planning purposes, simple orders with approved artwork can move more quickly than large seasonal runs. If you are ordering for a school concert, sporting event or year-end function, it is best to allow time for approval and production. In the rainy season, or during load-shedding periods, we still plan the workflow around the available production windows so orders keep moving and do not sit waiting for a missing stage.

Pricing Based On Fabric, Coverage And Quantity

Sublimation pricing is usually shaped by the garment type, print coverage, artwork detail and order size. A fully printed garment costs differently from a small branding job, and custom names or numbers will also affect the total. We quote according to the actual job, not a one-size-fits-all rate, because the fabric and print area matter.

For businesses and schools, bulk orders often work out better per unit than small runs. If you are ordering for a class, sports team or staff group, it helps to finalise the size breakdown early so we can quote accurately and reduce waste. We are always upfront about what is included, and if something needs to be added later, we will say so before the job is confirmed.

  • Fabric type and garment cut
  • Print coverage and number of sides
  • Colour count and artwork complexity
  • Order quantity and size mix
  • Extras such as names, numbers or packing by set

Care Advice For Longer Wear

Sublimated garments are made for regular use, but the way they are washed and dried still matters. Cool or warm washing helps preserve the colour, and a mild detergent is usually best. Avoid harsh bleach and do not leave wet garments piled up for long periods, especially in humid areas such as the Lowveld where moisture can stay in fabric longer than expected.

For best results, turn garments inside out before washing if the garment style allows it, and avoid very high heat when ironing. These habits help the colour stay clear and the fabric keep its finish. If you are issuing garments for school or work and need a care note, we can advise on the best maintenance intervals for that item type so the clothing lasts through normal weekly use.

Key facts

Print methodFull-colour sublimation transfer
Best fabric typeLight-coloured polyester and approved blends
Coverage optionsChest, back, sleeves, side panels or all-over print
Artwork supportLogos, names, numbers and multi-colour graphics
Typical usesSportswear, school wear, staff clothing and promotional garments
Service areaMbombela, Nelspruit Central, White River, Hazyview, Malelane, Barberton, Kabokweni and Ngodwana

What our Embroidery customers say

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Questions we get asked

What garments work best for sublimation printing?

Sublimation works best on light-coloured polyester garments and approved polyester blends. It is commonly used for sports shirts, event wear, school apparel and promotional clothing.

Can you do names and numbers on the same order?

Yes. We can include name personalisation, number sets and logo placement in the same production run, provided the garment style and artwork are suitable.

How do I get a quote?

Send an enquiry through the contact page with your garment type, quantity, sizes, branding areas and artwork. We will review the details and come back with a quote and next steps.

Planning something? Send the team a message.

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