Custom Sublimation T-Shirts: All-Over Print Tees From One Piece
Sublimation t-shirts are polyester tees printed edge to edge: heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds into the fibres, so the design covers the front, back and sleeves and will not crack or peel. We print custom sublimation t-shirts from your design on 95% polyester, 5% spandex 180 GSM fabric, sizes S to 5XL, at $28.95 from 1 piece.
This guide explains how sublimation t-shirt printing works, why it needs polyester, how to set up your design file, and when a cotton tee with a DTF print is the better choice. Every shirt here is our custom all over print t-shirt, part of our custom printed apparel collection.
What Is a Sublimation T-Shirt?
A sublimation t-shirt is a polyester tee whose design is dyed into the fabric with heat and pressure instead of printed on top. The print can cover the whole shirt from collar to hem, and you cannot feel it with your hand.
Sublimation printing starts with the design printed in special ink on transfer paper. Under heat and pressure, the ink turns into a gas, enters the polyester fibres and locks in as they cool. Because the colour sits inside the fibre rather than on the surface, there is no layer to crack, peel or stiffen in the wash. These are prints that last as long as the shirt.
That is why sublimation printing is perfect for full-colour photos, gradients and all-over prints: a design with forty colours costs the same as a design with one. Sublimated tees are also the base of most sports apparel, from running shirts to team jerseys. Our all over print sublimation guide covers the method across polos, hoodies and jerseys; this post sticks to t-shirts.
Why Sublimation T-Shirts Need Polyester
Sublimation ink only bonds with polyester. On cotton it sits on the surface and washes out, so a sublimation t-shirt needs a high polyester content. Ours is 95% polyester and 5% spandex.
The question we hear most is whether we can sublimate onto cotton t-shirts. Not in a way that lasts. Polyester blends with a lot of cotton give a faded, vintage look at best. Sublimation works best on polyester t-shirts, so our sublimation tees are polyester.
Sublimation ink is also see-through, so it only shows on white or very light fabric. On an all over print tee this does not matter: we print the whole shirt, so a black or navy background is printed ink like every other colour in the design.
Our main offer is the finished shirt: your design, printed edge to edge, from 1 piece. If you are after blank sublimation shirts for your own press instead, ask us through our quote page or at support@forteraapparel.com.
Our All Over Print T-Shirt: Fabric, Sizes and Price
Our custom all over print t-shirt is 95% polyester, 5% spandex at 180 GSM, sublimated on the front, back and sleeves, in unisex sizes S to 5XL. It costs $28.95 in every size, from 1 piece, with no setup fees.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 95% polyester, 5% spandex, 180 GSM |
| Sublimation, edge to edge on the front, back and sleeves | |
| Sizes | Unisex S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL |
| Price | $28.95 per shirt in every size |
| Order size | From 1 piece |
| Colours | Unlimited; any Pantone or HEX code, no per-colour surcharges |
| Delivery | 12 to 18 business days after mockup approval, shipped worldwide |
The spandex adds a little stretch, and 180 GSM keeps the shirt light and breathable for a race day or a long shift on an expo floor.
Ordering from 1 piece means you can test a design on one shirt before you commit to bulk orders. Staff who need a collar can wear custom polos in the same artwork: the AOP polo takes the same file, so does a hoodie, and our custom team apparel collection has the pieces to match.
How to Set Up a Sublimation T-Shirt Design File
Send vector artwork or a high-resolution image, keep text and faces away from the seams, give us your colour codes and say where each element goes. Our team places it on the shirt and shows you a free mockup within 24 hours.
A good sublimation t-shirt design file saves a round of revisions. You do not need a sublimation shirt template or print-ready panels: we lay the design onto the shirt for you in every size. What helps is the right raw material:
| What to send | Best format | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Logos and text | Vector: SVG, EPS, PDF or an Illustrator file | Stays sharp at any size, from a sleeve badge to the full back |
| Photos and artwork | PNG or high-quality JPG, around 300 DPI at the printed size | A web image looks fine on a phone but blurs across a whole shirt |
| Colours | Pantone or HEX codes | We match the codes instead of guessing from a screen |
| Patterns | One repeat tile, or a description | We scale the repeat to fit every size from S to 5XL |
| Names and numbers | A list with each person's size | Every shirt is printed individually |
Seams and safe zones. On an all over print tee the pattern meets at the side seams, shoulders, sleeve seams and collar. Keep faces, words and logos a few centimetres clear of those lines so nothing important folds into a seam or sits under an arm. Background patterns can run straight across.
Placement. Tell us what goes on the front, the back and each sleeve. A chest logo, a big back graphic and a small sleeve detail is the classic layout; a photo or gradient can wrap the whole shirt. If all you have is a logo and two colours, that is enough: logo digitization is free and our team builds the layout.
Screen versus fabric. Screens glow and fabric does not, so neon tones can print a little softer than they look on a phone. The mockup shows you the result first.
Sublimation vs DTF Print for T-Shirts
Sublimation dyes the ink into polyester and can cover the whole shirt. DTF prints the design on a film that is pressed onto the surface, so it works on cotton. Choose sublimation for full coverage and photos, DTF for a logo on a cotton tee.
| Sublimation | DTF print | |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyester (ours is 95/5 polyester and spandex) | Cotton (our logo tee is 100% ring-spun cotton) |
| Coverage | Edge to edge: front, back, sleeves | Placed prints: chest, back or sleeve |
| Feel | Nothing to feel; the colour is in the fibre | A thin, soft layer on top of the fabric |
| Best for | Team shirts, race and event crews, bold brand prints | Staff tees and merch with a logo |
The difference between DTF and sublimation comes down to fabric and coverage. If your crew wants a soft cotton tee with a chest logo, DTF is the right call, and our custom t-shirts with logo printing guide covers it. If you want a photo, a gradient or a pattern that runs across the seams, only sublimation does that.
You will also see screen printing, direct to garment (DTG) and heat transfer vinyl offered for tees. Our embroidery vs DTF print vs sublimation guide compares the three methods we use, and our custom t-shirts for business guide covers everyday staff tees.
Team, Event and Brand Uses for All Over Print T-Shirts
All over print t-shirts work wherever a group needs to stand out: race and charity event crews, club and league team shirts, trade show staff, product launches and band merch. One design file prints the whole order.
Races and charity events. Volunteers in one bright print are easy to spot at a finish line. For mesh fabrics, our custom running shirts guide covers the options.
Teams and clubs. Team shirts for a bowling league, a corporate sports day or a weekend club double as team uniforms for casual play. Each shirt can carry a different name or number in the artwork.
Brands and trade shows. A booth crew in a pattern built from your logo reads as one brand from across an expo hall.
Photo and memorial shirts. Every shirt is printed one at a time, so a single photo t-shirt for a reunion or a tribute costs the same as one in a larger run.
Sizing a Group Order From S to 5XL
Collect sizes from measurements, not guesses. Compare a tee each person already likes with our size guide, order one sample if fit matters, and add a spare or two in the middle sizes.
The all over print tee is one unisex cut. On our size guide, the chest runs from 37.6 in around for a small to 63.6 in for a 5XL, and length from 28.3 in to 35.4 in. Shirts are made to order, so allow 0.4 to 1.2 in from the chart.
That range of sizes fits most adult groups in one order, at one price in every size. We do not offer youth sizes for this tee, and there is no separate women's cut, so pick by the chest measurement.
How to Order Custom Sublimation T-Shirts
Send your design, approve a free mockup within 24 hours, and your shirts arrive 12 to 18 business days later, shipped worldwide with tracking.
Step 1: Choose your quantity
Order one sample or the whole group from the custom all over print t-shirt page.
Step 2: Collect sizes and names
Put each person's size and any name or number in one spreadsheet.
Step 3: Send your design
Upload your artwork on the product page or email it with colour codes and placement notes. A sketch is fine.
Step 4: Approve the free mockup
A digital mockup arrives within 24 hours. Revisions are free and unlimited until you approve.
Step 5: Production and delivery
Production starts after approval, and your shirts arrive in 12 to 18 business days, shipped worldwide with tracking.
There are no setup fees and no per-colour surcharges. For bulk orders or a fixed event date, email support@forteraapparel.com or use our quote page before you place your order. Our how it works page shows the full process.
Sublimation T-Shirt FAQ
Quick answers to what team managers, event organisers and brand owners ask us most often.
Are sublimation t-shirts 100% polyester?
They need a high polyester content, but not always 100%. Ours is 95% polyester and 5% spandex at 180 GSM: the polyester holds the print and the spandex adds a little stretch.
Can you sublimate onto cotton t-shirts?
Not in a way that lasts. Sublimation ink bonds with polyester fibres and washes out of cotton. For a cotton tee we use DTF print instead.
Can I get blank sublimation shirts from you?
Our main offer is the finished t-shirt printed edge to edge from your design. If you want blank sublimation t-shirts, ask us through our quote page or at support@forteraapparel.com.
Do you offer women's and children's sizes?
The all over print t-shirt is one unisex cut in sizes S to 5XL. We do not offer children's sizes for this tee.
Do sublimation t-shirts run true to size?
Compare measurements rather than labels. Measure a tee that fits well and check it against the chart on our size guide, allowing 0.4 to 1.2 in. One sample shirt is the surest test.
How much do custom sublimation t-shirts cost, and is bulk pricing available?
Each shirt is $28.95 in every size, from 1 piece, with no setup fees and no per-colour surcharges. For bulk orders, send your quantity through our quote page and we confirm the per-piece price before you commit.
What file should I send for a sublimation t-shirt design?
A vector logo (SVG, EPS or PDF) or a PNG or JPG around 300 DPI at the printed size, plus Pantone or HEX colour codes. A sketch is fine too; our team builds the layout.
How long does delivery take?
12 to 18 business days after mockup approval, shipped worldwide with tracking. The free digital mockup arrives within 24 hours of sending your design.
What if the shirts do not match the approved mockup?
We remake them at no cost under our remake-it-free guarantee, which covers anything that differs from the mockup you approved.
Print Your Design Edge to Edge
Send your design and get a free digital mockup within 24 hours. All over print t-shirts at $28.95 from 1 piece, delivered in 12 to 18 business days worldwide.
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Fortera Apparel Team
forteraapparel.com | support@forteraapparel.com