If you're ordering jerseys for a youth league, school team, adult rec league or club anywhere in the US, you'll quickly hit one question: sublimation or screen printing? Both put your design on a shirt, but they work very differently, and the right choice depends on your design, your fabric and your season.
We make custom team uniforms every week at our shop in Miami and ship them nationwide, so here's the straight answer.
The short answer
- Choose sublimation for performance jerseys: full-color designs, gradients, patterns, names and numbers that never crack or peel, on lightweight polyester that breathes.
- Choose screen printing for simple one- or two-color logos on cotton t-shirts, like a basic fan or practice tee.
How each method works
Sublimation prints your design onto special paper with sublimation ink. With heat and pressure, the ink turns into a gas and bonds into the polyester fibers. The design becomes part of the fabric, not a layer on top.
Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh screen onto the fabric, one screen per color. The ink sits on the surface of the shirt.
Side by side
| Sublimation | Screen printing | |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Unlimited, same price | Each color adds a screen and cost |
| Full designs, edge to edge | Yes | Limited |
| Cracking or peeling | Never, ink is inside the fabric | Can crack over time |
| Feel and breathability | Nothing on top, stays light | Thicker ink layer |
| Fabric | Polyester (white or light base) | Cotton, blends, any color |
| Names and numbers | Printed in, no extra layer | Usually added separately |
| Small orders | Great, no setup per color | Setup makes small runs expensive |
Why most teams choose sublimation for game jerseys
- It lasts all season, and the next. Sweat, washing and sliding into base won't crack the numbers.
- Your design isn't limited. Gradients, camo, flames, sponsor logos: one price.
- It's built for athletes. Moisture-wicking polyester mesh or interlock keeps players cooler.
- Adding players mid-season is easy. Need one more jersey with a new name and number? Sublimation makes single pieces without new setup costs.
When screen printing still makes sense
If you want a simple one-color logo on a cotton t-shirt, like a parent fan shirt or a practice tee in a dark color, screen printing or DTF transfers can be the better option.
Ordering custom sublimated jerseys
At Artcify we design, print, cut and sew custom sublimation jerseys for basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer and more, plus matching shorts, hoodies and coach polos.
- Printed and sewn in our own shop in Miami, shipped to every state
- No minimum order: 1 jersey or a full league
- Standard orders ready to ship in 8 to 10 business days, rush in 3
- Adult and youth sizes, names and numbers on every piece
See real teams we've outfitted on our Our Work page, or contact us at (305) 603-9146 or orders@artcify.com for a team quote.