BEST BLANK APPAREL BRANDS FOR ALL OVER PRINT AND SUBLIMATION IN YOUR SUMMER MERCH LINE

Choosing the Right Blank Brands for All Over Print and Sublimation

When planning a summer merch line that involves all over print or sublimation printing, selecting the right blank apparel is critical. Not only do you want vibrant, long-lasting prints, but the garment itself must hold up well to the printing process while offering comfort in warm weather.

At Underground Printing, we get many questions about which blank brands work best for these types of printing techniques, especially for summer collections. Let’s dive into the key factors and top blank brands for your needs.

Understanding All Over Printing and Sublimation

All over print and sublimation differ from traditional screen printing and embroidery. Sublimation involves transferring dye onto polyester fabric using heat, allowing for vibrant, seamless designs that cover the entire garment. This requires garments with a high polyester content or polyester blends.

Unlike screen printing where ink sits on top of fabric, sublimation dye becomes part of the fibers, ensuring prints don’t crack or peel. However, the blank apparel must be compatible with sublimation, meaning:

• High polyester content (usually 100% or at least 65%)
• Light or white base colors for ideal color vibrancy
• Smooth fabric surface to allow dye penetration

Recommended Blank Brands for All Over Print and Sublimation

Here are some of the best blank brands that reliably hold up well for summer merch lines requiring all over printing or sublimation:

• Bella+Canvas: Known for premium quality and soft fabrics, their polyester blends work great for sublimation with a flattering fit. Check out their selection in the Bella+Canvas collection.
• Next Level Apparel: Offers lightweight polyester blend options with excellent dye absorption for bright prints, ideal for breathability and softness.
• Gildan: Widely available and economical, their polyester fabrics hold up well for sublimation and screen printing alike. See more in the Gildan collection.
• Sport-Tek: If you want moisture-wicking performance tees that also suit sublimation, Sport-Tek’s line offers breathable, durable shirts for active summer wear. Explore their Sport-Tek performance apparel.
• Under Armour: Their high-performance moisture-wicking fabrics combined with sublimation-ready polyester blends make this a strong choice for sporty summer merch.

Material Preference for Summer Merch

For summer, fabric weight and breathability are key. Polyester and polyester blends lighter than 4.5 oz are preferred to keep wearers cool. Sublimation works best only on polyester or high-polyester blends; cotton cannot be sublimated effectively.

If you desire softer feels with some cotton, options such as tri-blends (polyester/cotton/rayon) are sometimes compatible with certain digital printing processes, but full sublimation requires higher polyester content.

For more casual, comfortable short sleeve t-shirts, blending premium blanks with sublimation printing balances wearability and print pop.

Printing Method Impact

DTG (Direct-to-Garment printing) works well on cotton and blends but isn't suited for sublimation or true all over print unless the fabric supports it. Depending on your design coverage and visual goal, make sure to align the blank apparel choice with your preferred printing method.

Tips for a Successful Summer Merch Line

• Choose light-colored blanks to make sublimation prints vibrant and sharp.
• Select breathable polyester or blends with moisture-wicking properties for comfort.
• Consider popular blanks from trusted brands such as Bella+Canvas and Gildan for quality assurance.
• For bulk orders, review bulk ordering options and availability to optimize costs.
• Utilize rush delivery if you have tight timelines for launching your merch.

FAQs

• Can I sublimate on cotton shirts?
  No, sublimation requires polyester fiber to bond with the dye. Cotton and some blends won't hold sublimation ink properly.
• What polyester percentage is ideal for sublimation?
  100% polyester is best, but some blends with 65% or more polyester can also work.
• Are these blanks good for screen printing too?
  Yes, many of these blank brands work well for screen printing and DTG in addition to sublimation.
• How long does rush ordering take?
  At Underground Printing, we offer 2-day rush options on select products for fast turnaround.
• Where can I view available blanks?
  Visit our product collections to explore our wide variety of quality blanks by top brands.

Get Started with Your Custom Summer Merch

Ready to bring your summer merch line to life with durable, vibrant all over print or sublimation apparel? Contact us to discuss your project or get started with your order today. Our team at Underground Printing is here to guide you through selecting the perfect blanks and printing method for your needs.