Sublimation vs Heat Transfer: What's the Difference?

When it comes to getting started with customizing drinkware and apparel, people frequently wonder what the differences are between sublimation and heat transfers. Both methods use heat to apply designs, but they produce distinct results and require different materials and tools.

One reason for the confusion is the term "heat transfer" itself. "Heat transfer" is often used as a general label that may include sublimation printing. Still, in most cases, it refers to printing methods that use either heat transfer vinyl (HTV) or heat transfer film (HTF). These methods work differently from dye-sublimation heat transfers, even though each printing method uses a heat press.

It's critical to understand these different printing methods before investing in equipment or blanks for your next project. Knowing the defining features of sublimation printing vs heat transfer methods is especially crucial for tumbler and apparel customization. Sublimation creates designs that bond to a polymer coating, while heat transfer methods place a design on top of the surface. This difference affects durability, appearance, and how well a design holds up over time on both clothing and drinkware.

In this guide, we further expand on the differences between sublimation and heat transfers, unpacking both heat transfer vinyl and heat transfer film. You will learn how heat transfer methods compare with sublimation, what materials each requires, and which option works best for custom tumblers and apparel.

Whether you are an aspiring crafter or a creative entrepreneur, this comparison will help you choose the right printing method for your goals.

What Is Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation printing is a customization method that uses heat, pressure, and sublimation transfer dye to fuse a design with a coated surface. This process is also often referred to as "dye-sublimation heat transfer," as heat activates the ink and allows it to bond at a molecular level.

During the sublimation heat transfer, crafters use heat to turn solid sublimation ink into a gas. Crafters then use pressure so that the gas penetrates the polyester fabric or a polymer-coated blank. It then returns to a solid state as it cools. The result is a permanent image that becomes part of the surface rather than being a separate layer on top.

Materials Required for Sublimation Printing

Sublimation printing requires specific equipment and supplies. To get started, you'll need:

• Sublimation Printer and Ink to print the design
• Sublimation Paper that releases ink when heated
• Sublimation Heat Press Machine or Sublimation Oven for consistent temperature and pressure
• Butcher Paper to protect your heat press or oven against ink spills and unwanted ink transfers during pressing
• Heat-Resistant Gloves to protect your hands during the process
• Sublimation Shirts, Tumblers, or other Sublimation Blank Products

Many crafters choose sublimation because the process works especially well on polymer-coated drinkware. Straight-wall tumblers with polyester-based coatings allow designs to wrap smoothly and remain long-lasting and vibrant.

You can learn more about the materials you'll need and how to use this high-quality printing method by checking out our article “How to Do Sublimation Printing.”

Why Sublimation Is Popular for Tumblers

When comparing printing methods, sublimation stands out for long-term customization. The design does not peel, crack, or lift because there is no added layer on the surface.

Sublimation offers several advantages for tumbler customization, including a smooth, professional appearance where the design is embedded directly into the tumbler rather than applied on top. It allows for full-color artwork and wraparound designs while maintaining strong resistance to fading, scratching, and everyday wear. Because the process produces uniform results from one item to the next, sublimation is especially well-suited for crafters who need consistent quality across multiple orders.

Now that you understand the basics of sublimation and why many crafters prefer it, let's unpack heat transfer printing.

What Is Heat Transfer Printing?

Heat transfer printing is a general term used for customization methods that apply a design to a surface using heat and pressure. The term "heat transfer" typically doesn't refer to a single printing method, but it's often used when discussing heat transfer vinyl and heat transfer film.

Here's an overview of how these heat transfer printing materials differ:

• Heat Transfer Vinyl: HTV uses solid-colored or specialty vinyl that is cut into a design, weeded, and then heat-pressed onto the surface. The vinyl sits on top of the material and relies on a heat-activated adhesive to bond. This method is best for simple graphics, text, and logos. It's commonly used on apparel and fabric-based items.
• Heat Transfer Film: HTF uses a printable film that allows full-color designs to be printed first, then transferred using heat and pressure. The design is applied as a thin layer that rests on the surface rather than becoming part of it. This method supports more detailed and colorful artwork than HTV.

These two materials have different strengths and limitations. In the sections below, we break down how HTV and HTF work and the materials you need for these methods.

Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV): How It Works

Using heat transfer vinyl is one of the most common ways crafters customize items with heat transfer printing. It uses vinyl material with a heat-activated adhesive that bonds to a surface when pressed.

The HTV process starts with cutting a design from a sheet of vinyl using a cutting machine. Crafters remove the excess vinyl, leaving only the design on a clear carrier sheet. Once a crafter positions the design on the surface, they use heat and pressure to activate the adhesive and attach the vinyl to the item.

The materials you'll need to get started with HTV include:

• Heat Transfer Vinyl in your chosen color and finish
• Cutting Machine for cutting detailed designs from the vinyl
• Weeding Tools, such as hooks or tweezers, to remove excess vinyl from your cut design
• Heat Press Machine for consistent heat, pressure, and timing. A household iron may work for very small projects, but is less reliable
• Teflon Sheet or Parchment Paper placed between the vinyl and the heat source to protect both materials
• Protective Accessories, such as heat-resistant gloves, pressing pillows, and lint rollers, help protect your hands and equipment while preparing and pressing the surface

HTV works well on flat or gently curved surfaces. For tumblers, this can limit design size and placement, as strong curves and tapers are more difficult to achieve with vinyl. That said, many crafters achieve great results with HTV on flat surfaces, including apparel.

An important difference between HTV and sublimation is the overall durability of the design, regardless of whether it's printed on drinkware or apparel. With HTV, the design sits on top of the material, making it more prone to cracking, chipping, and fading over time, especially on items that are handled frequently or washed often. This differs from sublimation printing, which involves fusing the design to the material itself.

Despite quality limitations, HTV remains a popular choice for simple logos, names, and text-based designs. However, when evaluating sublimation vs heat transfer methods, HTV is generally better suited for small designs on apparel rather than on drinkware.

Heat Transfer Film (HTF): How It Works

Heat transfer film is a coated transfer medium used to carry a printed design to a target surface. The design is printed onto the film using an inkjet, DTF printer, or other compatible printer for the specific film you use.

To transfer a design using HTF, you position the printed film on the target surface and apply heat and pressure. The heat activates the adhesive, which binds the ink to the surface. After peeling off the film, the design remains as a thin layer on top of the material.

You'll need the following items to customize a surface using HTF:

• Heat Transfer Film designed for the intended surface
• Compatible Printer for your type of heat transfer film, such as an inkjet or DTF printer.
• Pigment-Based Inkjet Ink or Specialty Transfer Inks for transferring the design to film
• Adhesive Powder or Layer, if required by the specific film
• Heat Press for applying consistent heat and pressure
• Butcher Paper or another heat-resistant protective sheet to safeguard the heat press during the transfer

Heat transfer film is often used for detailed or multi-color artwork that would be difficult to cut from vinyl. For tumblers and apparel, this allows for more complex graphics than vinyl, but the blank's surface shape and coating still affect results.

When comparing heat transfer film to sublimation, it's important to note that the design does not fuse directly to the substrate. The transferred image forms a thin layer that you can feel on the surface.

Because heat transfer film applications sit on top of the surface rather than bonding into it, durability depends heavily on the film quality, adhesive system, and application process. While HTF prints are generally more flexible and durable than vinyl, they may still show wear over time with frequent washing or heavy use.

Ultimately, heat transfer film offers flexibility across different materials, but sublimation can achieve more durable results on suitable surfaces.

Heat Transfer vs Sublimation: Key Differences

Sublimation, heat transfer vinyl, and heat transfer film all use heat and pressure, but the results, durability, and applications differ significantly.

The main difference between sublimation and these other methods lies in how the design is applied: sublimation infuses ink into the material, while HTV and HTF layer designs onto the surface. Sublimation's permanent print resists fading and wear, making it the best option for those wanting long-lasting, high-quality designs.

Let's break down the specific differences between these three methods, including print appearance and complexity, durability, and surface compatibility.

Print Quality, Appearance, and Complexity

When comparing sublimation, heat transfer vinyl, and heat transfer film, print quality and overall appearance are key factors.

Here's a quick summary of the print differences:

• Sublimation delivers vibrant colors, seamless finishes, and full-wrap designs
• HTV produces raised designs and works best for simple, solid-color graphics
• HTF allows detailed, full-color prints but leaves a textured layer on the surface

Sublimation is known for producing vibrant colors and allows designs to wrap smoothly around curved surfaces, such as drinkware. Because the ink becomes part of the material, the substrate's original texture is preserved. This results in designs that boast seamless and smooth finishes. This printing method is also well-suited for complex patterns, including gradients and photographs.

Unlike sublimation, heat transfer vinyl designs feel raised to the touch and may struggle to conform evenly to large or curved areas. HTV is best suited for simple text and shapes, as it is limited to solid colors. Multi-color designs require layering, adding time while increasing the risk of uneven thickness.

Heat transfer film supports full-color, highly detailed prints without cutting or layering. However, the design remains a separate layer on the surface, making it noticeable to the touch. While the transferred layer is thinner than HTV, it is still visible and does not achieve the flush finish associated with sublimation. HTF offers greater design flexibility than HTV but does not match the integrated appearance of sublimation.

Durability and Longevity

Your design's durability and long-term appearance should be top priorities as you craft.

In terms of lasting quality, the main differences between sublimation, HTV, and HTF are:

• Sublimation provides long-lasting prints that resist fading, scratching, and peeling
• HTV can crack or peel over time, especially on curved or uneven surfaces
• HTF offers moderate durability but may wear with repeated handling or washing

Sublimation excels in longevity and is highly resistant to everyday wear and repeated washes. This makes it an excellent choice for items that will be used or handled frequently, such as tumblers, shirts, and mugs.

Heat transfer vinyl designs are applied on top of the surface, leaving them more susceptible to damage. Over time, HTV can crack or lift, particularly on surfaces with curves, tapers, or heavy stretching. Additionally, multi-layered designs increase the risk of uneven adhesion.

Heat transfer film is more flexible than HTV for detailed, colorful designs, but the transferred layer remains on the surface. With frequent use or washing, HTF prints can show signs of wear, including fading or slight peeling. While it is suitable for decorative projects or short-term use, it generally does not match the durability of sublimation.

Surface and Material Compatibility

The type of material you customize directly affects which printing method will work best for your project.

The overall compatibility differences include:

• Sublimation works only on polyester fabrics or polymer-coated items
• HTV adheres to fabrics, coated surfaces, and flat surfaces
• HTF performs well on a wide range of heat-tolerant surfaces

Sublimation is limited to polyester or polymer-coated blanks, making it ideal for creating permanent, integrated designs on shirts, tumblers, and other coated items. It will not adhere properly to untreated surfaces or cotton fabrics.

Heat transfer vinyl is versatile across many fabric types and some coated surfaces. It can also stick to flat surfaces, but irregular shapes or heavy curves can make adhesion uneven.

Heat transfer film offers greater flexibility for detailed or full-color designs, but the target surface must be smooth and heat-tolerant. You'll need to properly prepare the surface to achieve the best results.

Which Printing Method Should I Choose?

Ultimately, your decision on which printing technique to use will depend on your specific craft. If you're working with non-polyester fabrics or untreated materials, you'll likely want to use HTV or HTF. That said, sublimation achieves the best printing results on polymer-coated drinkware and polyester fabrics.

While HTV and HTF are sometimes the right solutions for beginners, many crafters move on to sublimation to achieve professional results and highly durable designs.

Below, we feature a complete comparison chart summarizing the three methods we've discussed. Use this chart to help you make a final decision:

Printing Method	Sublimation	Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)	Heat Transfer Film (HTF)
How It Works	Ink turns into gas and bonds into polyester and polymer-coated surfaces	Vinyl with heat-activated adhesive is cut and pressed onto surface	Printed design and adhesive are transferred from a coated film to the surface using heat and pressure
Surface Compatibility	Polyester fabrics, polymer-coated tumblers and blanks	Flat or gently curved surfaces	Fabrics, blends, and smooth heat-tolerant surfaces
Durability	Extremely durable, resistant to peeling, cracking, and fading	Moderate durability, can crack or peel over time	Moderate to high durability depending on film quality, adhesive system, and application
Design Options	Full-color graphics, multi-color designs, gradients, photos, detailed artwork	Solid colors, simple shapes, small logos	Full-color graphics, multi-color designs, detailed artwork
Feel on Surface	Smooth, integrated with material	Raised, vinyl layer on top	Thin layer on top of the surface
Best For	Professional results on tumblers, polyester apparel, and other suitable items	Small logos, simple text, beginner projects	Detailed graphics, multi-color designs, medium complexity projects
Limitations	Only works on polyester or polymer-coated surfaces	Limited on curved or tapered surfaces, complex designs require layering	Does not fuse into the material like sublimation and may show wear over time with frequent use

Sublimation vs Heat Transfer FAQs 

What Are the Disadvantages of Sublimation?

While sublimation offers vibrant, durable designs, there are some limitations. Sublimation only works on polyester fabrics and polymer-coated items. You cannot use it on cotton, wood, or untreated metals. You can get professional design results with this method, but you will need access to a sublimation printer for heat transfer, as well as a heat press or sublimation oven and suitable blanks.

Is Sublimation a Heat Transfer?

Yes, sublimation is a type of heat transfer, but it works differently from traditional heat transfer methods. Additionally, when crafters use the term "heat transfer," they're usually referring to printing methods that use heat transfer vinyl or film rather than sublimation.

What Cannot Be Sublimated?

Sublimation does not work on cotton and untreated wood, as well as ceramic, glass, and metals that lack polymer coatings. Sublimation requires polyester or polymer coatings for the sublimation ink to bond with the surface, so these other materials will not work. Additionally, sublimation prints do not appear vibrantly on dark items because the ink is translucent. One common solution to this problem is to add a white base layer with heat transfer vinyl before sublimating.

What Is the Best Printer for Sublimation and Heat Transfer?

When choosing a printer for sublimation and heat transfer projects, the right printer ensures vibrant colors and consistent results. The Sawgrass SG500 is a top choice for sublimation, designed to work with polyester fabrics and polymer-coated drinkware. You can also compare other great printers in our article "Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners." For heat transfer projects, the Epson EcoTank is a popular option, but the best printer will depend on your printing method. Always make sure the printer supports the ink and media required for your specific projects before making a purchase.

Sublimation Paper vs Heat Transfer Paper: Is There a Difference?

Sublimation paper and heat transfer paper are made from different materials and achieve different outcomes. Sublimation paper works with sublimation ink and heat to bond the design directly into appropriate surfaces. Heat transfer paper uses an adhesive layer that sits on top of the surface, which may peel, crack, or fade over time.

Is There a Difference Between Heat Transfer Paper and Heat Transfer Film?

Heat transfer paper and heat transfer film work very differently. Heat transfer paper is absorbent and holds ink, which then bonds loosely to a surface, leaving a thicker, less detailed layer compared to HTF. Heat transfer film is a coated carrier that releases the printed design and adhesive cleanly when pressed, leaving a thinner, more precise layer with smoother edges.

Get the Best Sublimation Products All in One Place

When it comes to customizing apparel and drinkware, sublimation, heat transfer vinyl, and heat transfer film each serve a purpose. Printing methods that use HTV and HTF can work well for simple designs or on specific materials, but sublimation consistently delivers the highest-quality results. With vibrant color output, long-lasting durability, and a smooth, professional finish, sublimation is the preferred choice for creators who want their designs to look polished and hold up over time.

At The Stainless Depot Company, we make it easy to get started with sublimation or scale your existing setup. Our wide selection includes reliable sublimation heat press machines, sublimation printers and ink, sublimation shirts, sublimation tumblers, and more.

By sourcing your supplies from a single trusted sublimation supplier, you can streamline your workflow, improve print quality, and grow in your craft. Whether you are a hobbyist or an entrepreneur, our products make it easy to create professional custom designs that stand out.