Though the heat transfer technology can be applied to all types of materials mostly it works perfectly for the 100 cotton fabric.
Sublimation vs heat transfer vinyl.
But if you are personalizing phone cases mugs frames etc sublimation is a more simplified process that gives you more options.
Htv gives you more options when it comes to garments as it works on any color unlike sublimation which can only be done on white or light colored fabrics.
Sublimation method is preferable to be used on textile and fabric that is 85 or more poly.
The sublimation method uses the sublimation ink while the heat transfer method uses pigment ink dye ink solvent ink etc.
So if you re working with a dark or strongly colored item you might want to opt for heat transfer vinyl as opposed to sublimation.
Heat is also required in this process.
Sublimation printing has a bit higher start up coast when compared to heat transfer vinyl but maybe a better option based on final results.
Quite different from the heat transfer method the sublimation method used another special kind of paper known as sublimation paper.
Although side note tone on tone sublimation can be a very attractive option and works well as long as the fabric is lighter than the print.
While the sublimation technology is widely used for polyester banner and hard surface like a mug aluminum pot etc.
Sublimation uses a process where the ink becomes part of the fabric rather than adding a layer on top.