Sublimation vs Screen Printing: Which Is Better for Crafters?

Whether you’re interested in customizing t-shirts, tumblers, or other unique items, you need to select the most suitable printing method for your specific needs and preferences. Two of the most popular printing techniques are sublimation and screen printing, both of which offer distinct strengths for crafters.

If you’re a creative entrepreneur or an aspiring crafter, you’ve likely come across these tools while researching how to print custom designs. While screen printing has been a go-to method for decades, dye sublimation has become increasingly popular, particularly among creators seeking full-color, professional-looking results.

In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between sublimation vs screen printing, explain how each process works, and help you decide which one fits your goals.

Whether you’re working out of a home studio or scaling up your small business, understanding these printing techniques can help you choose the method that’s most suitable for your workflow and products.

What Is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is a popular printing technique used to apply designs on a wide range of surfaces, especially fabrics. The process is most commonly used for screen printing t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, and other types of apparel.

How Does Screen Printing Work?

Screen printing works by using a mesh screen that has been prepared with a stencil of the desired design. To create the stencil, crafters first print the design onto transparent film and place it over a mesh screen coated with light-sensitive emulsion. When exposed to light, the emulsion hardens everywhere except where the design blocks it. The unhardened areas are then rinsed away, leaving an open stencil for printing.

Once the stencil is ready, crafters push ink through the open areas using a squeegee, transferring the design onto the material below. The ink sits on top of the surface material, giving the craft a slightly raised texture that is visible and tactile. 

One important note when screen printing is that each color and design element requires its own separate stencil, meaning that multi-color screen prints and complex designs require more ink and setup time. For that reason, it can be challenging to achieve intricate gradients and detailed artwork.

Despite these difficulties, t-shirt screen printing remains popular among crafters and print shops, especially for designs on cotton or cotton-blend apparel.

What Are Screen Print Transfers?

Screen print transfers offer a convenient alternative to the traditional screen printing process. Instead of printing the design directly onto an item, screen print transfers are pre-printed designs that can be applied by using a heat press. This alternative printing method allows crafters to skip the mess and setup of inks, screens, and dying time. 

Because the design is already prepared, screen print transfers are beneficial for applying detailed, multi-color graphics without requiring multiple screens or layers of ink. Many small businesses and DIY crafters use this printing method to achieve professional results with less equipment and effort. 

What Is Sublimation Printing?

Dye sublimation is a printing method that uses heat and pressure to transfer dye into the surface of a material rather than just on top of it. The process starts with a special sublimation printer that prints heat-activated ink onto transfer sheets.

Next, crafters use a heat press to apply the transfer sheet to the surface. The heat and pressure turn the dye-sublimation ink into a gas, bypassing the liquid stage. The gas then bonds with the surface on a molecular level to create the sublimation print. The end result is smooth to the touch, as the design becomes part of the material itself rather than merely residing on its surface.

Sublimation prints are renowned for their durability and fantastic print quality. The technique works best on polyester fabrics, polyester blends, and items that have special polymer-coated surfaces. Common sublimation crafts include tumblers, mugs, t-shirts, hats, coasters, and keychains.

Sublimation vs Screen Printing: What Materials Can I Print On?

While both sublimation and screen printing are used to decorate items, their ideal surfaces are very different. Understanding these differences can help you select the most suitable method for your crafting needs.

If you’re working with cotton or other natural fiber materials, screen printing is the necessary choice. Sublimation printing is not compatible with 100% cotton products, as it requires polyester or polymer coatings.

On the other hand, sublimation is the right choice for polyester, polyester blends, and polymer-coated items. You can achieve higher-quality results and more durable designs compared to screen printing.

If you’re planning to customize items with solid surfaces, sublimation is the most effective method, as long as the items have polymer coatings. While it’s possible to use screen printing on hard-surface crafts, the process is complex. Applying screen printing to curved items, like tumblers and mugs, is particularly challenging, making sublimation a more practical choice for these types of products. 

Which Printing Method Is Better for Complex Designs?

When selecting a printing method, consider the complexity of your designs. 

Screen printing is well-suited for transferring simple graphics and limited colors, but it’s not ideal for complex designs. Designs with gradients, fine details, or multiple colors can be more time-consuming and difficult to manage with screen printing.

Sublimation printing, on the other hand, excels at handling gradients, intricate patterns, and photo-realistic images. You can create detailed artwork using graphic design software or even print directly from digital photographs. Whether your design is simple or highly detailed, sublimation offers a smooth and efficient way to transfer high-quality prints onto custom shirts, tumblers, and other coated crafts. 

To achieve the best results with complex sublimation designs, it’s often helpful to use Adobe Photoshop or another software for raster image processing. Raster image processing converts digital artwork into high-resolution, print-ready files that ensure vibrant and accurate color transfers. 

What Equipment Do I Need to Get Started with Sublimation Printing and Screen Printing?

The equipment needed for sublimation and screen printing differs significantly, and understanding the requirements for each can help you choose the right setup for your craft.

If you’re starting with sublimation printing, you’ll need a quality sublimation printer, sublimation ink, transfer paper, and a heat press. The heat press is essential because it provides the precise heat and pressure required for the ink to bond with polyester fabrics or polymer-coated surfaces. For items like tumblers or mugs, investing in a tumbler press, mug press, or mug clamp ensures heat distribution and a smooth, professional finish. If you’re sublimating polyester or polymer-coated fabrics, a clamshell press will likely be your best option. 

Screen printing requires a completely different setup. You’ll need a screen printing press, mesh screens, emulsion, squeegees, and specialized water-based or plastisol inks. Having multiple screens and squeegees is also essential for tackling more complex, multi-color projects. For beginners, screen printing kits are available and often include the basic tools to get started.

Whether you’re using a heat press for stunning sublimation projects or a screen printing press for traditional designs, the right equipment is essential for producing professional results that help your products stand out. 

Ink and Color Options for Sublimation and Screen Printing

When starting your crafting journey, it’s important to consider the ink and color capabilities of each printing method. 

Sublimation printing utilizes specialized sublimation ink cartridges, specifically engineered to work with the heat-based process. This dye-sublimation ink delivers vibrant colors that can make your crafts notably eye-catching.

Dye-sublimation inks typically use the CMYK color model (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) to produce rich, vibrant results. While sublimation delivers stunning images, it’s important to note that it cannot print white ink. Even so, sublimation excels at creating seamless gradients, photo-quality images, and complex color blends in a single print, perfect for crafters who want professional results without much hassle.

While sublimation uses specialty sublimation-ready ink, screen printing typically uses plastisol inks, known for their bold, opaque colors. You can find a wide range of plastisol and specialty inks available, including metallic, glitter, and glow-in-the-dark options that can add impressive effects to your designs. Water-based inks are another option, often used for their soft finish and eco-friendliness.

While screen printing offers a wide range of ink choices, it can be more challenging to achieve complex, multi-hued artwork compared to the flexibility that sublimation printing provides. It’s better to choose sublimation printing if you want detailed color blending or photo-realistic designs on your crafts.

On-Demand Fulfillment and Production Considerations

Your choice between screen printing and sublimation printing may depend on your production output and workflow.

Sublimation printing is the ideal choice for on-demand fulfillment, as it allows for easy and minimal setup to create custom prints. It's an excellent choice for print-on-demand shops that need quick turnaround times, low production costs, and the ability to offer personalized products without holding inventory. It's perfect for crafters who prioritize flexibility and fast turnaround times.

While sublimation printing is excellent for fulfilling smaller orders, it's also well-suited for producing large quantities in advance. Its efficiency and consistency make it ideal for bulk production, empowering you to create vibrant, professional-quality items in high volumes without sacrificing print quality.

Screen printing is also an excellent choice for bulk orders and large production runs. However, it’s less practical for small batches due to the time and cost involved in preparing screens for each design. 

For low-volume, custom projects, sublimation is often the more efficient and cost-effective option. 

Dye Sublimation vs Screen Printing: Which Is Better for Crafters and Small Businesses?

Choosing between sublimation and screen printing largely depends on your goals, products, and desired output. Both methods offer unique advantages that can support creative businesses, and both can be used to create eye-catching designs.

For crafters who want to make vibrant, full-color designs, sublimation provides a straightforward and flexible solution. The ability to create detailed images without extensive setup makes sublimation a strong choice for small businesses focused on custom or small-batch orders.

Sublimation is also the best choice for creating custom polyester apparel or polymer-coated products, such as tumblers or mugs. The sublimation process produces more durable results and more vivid, bolder designs compared to screen printing, and it's usually more cost-effective.

Screen printing remains a solid option for those who want to produce large quantities of garments with simple designs, and it’s the best choice if you want to work with cotton fabrics or other non-polyester or polymer-coated materials. Just remember that these custom items will not be as durable as sublimated products. 

Get Started with Creating Stunning Custom Products

Ultimately, the choice between sublimation printing and screen printing will depend on your specific needs, budget, and the types of products you want to create. Both methods have their place, so choose the one that suits your preferences and the materials you want to use.

If you are interested in learning more about sublimation printing, you can take a deep dive into the process by checking out other articles on The Stainless Depot Company website. You can also explore great products for getting started by visiting our articles "What Is The Best Heat Press Machine For Small Businesses in 2025" and "Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners: A Complete Comparison Guide for 2025."

Our site also has everything you need to get started with your sublimation. We offer a range of affordable and high-quality sublimation printers, sublimation heat presses, and wholesale sublimation blanks, empowering you to grow your crafting business with confidence.