Sublimation vs Screen Printing in Miami

When it comes to custom apparel in Miami, choosing the right printing method can make or break your design. With Miami’s humid climate, vibrant fashion scene, and demand for both small and large orders, understanding the differences between sublimation printing and screen printing is crucial.  

At Miami Tees Online, we specialize in both techniques, ensuring you get the best results for your project, whether it’s a single custom shirt or bulk event merchandise. This blog post will break down the pros, cons, and best uses for sublimation and screen printing in Miami, so you can make a perfect decision.  

1. How Sublimation Printing Works  

Through heat application, sublimation printing converts dye into a gaseous form and infuses it into polyester fabrics. This process results in a permanent and vividly colored image. Here is why it is favoured in Miami: 

Best for:  

• Full color images and prints, gradients, and photorealistic designs.  
• Performance and Miami’s heat-friendly fabrics, such as activewear and swimwear.  
• Small quantity production runs (no minimum order limits).  

Durability:  

• After many washes, designs still will not crack or peel.  
• Miami’s humid and sweaty climate is not an issue.

Limitations:  

•  Works best with polyester or polyester-coated items.  
• A 100% cotton fabric is not suitable.

Miami Tips: Bright colors are kept under the sun, making sublimation the number one pick for fitness and beach brands, as well as energetic promotional clothing.  

2. How Screen Printing Works  

Layer by layer, screen printing applies ink to fabric using a mesh stencil. Each layer is a distinct application. This method is well recognized for bold designs that are durable and stand the test of time.  

Best for:  

• Bold, high contrast text and logo designs.  
• Cotton-based t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags.  
• Cost-effective large quantity orders (50 or more).

Durability:  

• Plastisol inks (common in screen printing) last 75+ washes  
• Holds up well to chlorine, sunscreen, and frequent washing, ideal for Miami’s pool and beach lifestyle 

Limitations:  

• Higher upfront cost for small batches (due to screen setup)  
• Not ideal for ultra-detailed, full-color photos

Miami Tip: Screen printing reigns supreme for event swag (consider Ultra Music Festival, Art Basel, and corporate promo items) due to its strength and graphic presence.

Sublimation vs Screen Printing: Side-by-Side Comparison  

Which Should You Choose?  

 Pick Sublimation Printing If:  

• You need full-color, photo-quality prints 
• Your design includes intricate details or gradients.  
• You’re printing on performance fabrics or polyester.  
• You want no minimum order restrictions. 

 Pick Screen Printing If:  

• You need bold, opaque printed designs on cotton fabrics.  
• You’re buying 50 or more shirts for events or teams.  
• You want the printed design that lasts the longest for multiple washes.  
• Your design has a limited color palette (best with 1-4 colors)  

Considerations Specific to Miami  

1. Resistance to Humidity and Heat  

Sublimation: Polyester fabrics are great for Miami’s heat because they wick sweat. The dye also holds up well in humid conditions.  

Screen Printing: Plastisol prints endure peeling even after the ink has been exposed to both sunscreen and saltwater.  

2. Demand from Tourists and Events 

Sublimation is perfect for:  

• Loud beachwear and resort apparel  
• Customized photo souvenirs (popular with Miami guests)

Screen Printing is ideal for:  

• Bold, high-visibility clothing for music festivals, corporate events, and team uniforms  
• Designed with basic, bold logos for enhanced visibility in the crowd’s

 3. SBC & Startup Requirements

• Sublimation = No upfront costs, ideal for design testing
• Screen Printing = More economical at scale, (50+) lower per-unit cost.

Color Quality and Restrictions

Sublimation Printing:

• deal for maximum photorealistic designs, smooth gradient transitions & endless colors.
• Colors pop more on white polyester.
• Cannot produce true white (fabric color shows).

Screen Printing:

• Optimized for spot colors & offers Pantone matching.
• Opaque white ink works well on dark fabrics.
• For cost-effective designs, limited to ~8 colors.

Miami Insight: For elope/sports fluorescent colors, Miami imprinting/sublimation wins. Screen Printing excels in white logo sharpness on black tees.  

Fabric Compatibility

Sublimation:

• Only polyester and poly-blends (≥65% polyester) work.
• Great for activewear, prints are flexible because of the bond with the fabric.

Screen Printing:

• Works on cotton and its blends and non-fabrics like tote bags.
• Ink added to fabric increases the bulk and becomes stiff.

Pro Tip: In Miami’s fitness, moisture-wicking gear is best made with sublimation. Screen-printed cotton merch outperforms.

Environmental Impact

Sublimation:

• Water-based dyes produce less chemical waste
• No excess ink (unused dye vaporizes during heating)

Screen Printing:

• Plastisol inks contain PVC, requiring proper disposal
• Eco-friendly alternatives (water-based inks) are less durable

Miami Angle: Sublimation aligns with eco-conscious brands, while screen printing shops like ours use closed-loop systems to recycle solvents.

Turnaround Time

Sublimation:

• Faster for small batches (1-3 days; no screens to burn)
• Instant drying; no cure time needed

Screen Printing:

• Longer setup (4-7 days for bulk orders due to screen preparation)
• Requires 24-48 hours for ink curing

For Miami Urgency: Need 50 shirts for a last-minute yacht party? Sublimation. Planning 500 shirts for Art Basel? Screen print.

Key Takeaway: Sublimation is cost-effective for tiny runs, while screen printing saves at scale.

Best Jobs for Sublimation Printing in Miami:

1. Hotels and Beach Resorts – Staff uniforms with logos and towels with full-color printed logos. 
2. Fitness Brands – Tank tops with logos and leggings printed with photorealistic designs. 
3. E-Sports Teams – Jerseys with logos and intricate designs for gamers.
4. Small Biz Merch – Merch for small businesses with testing prints for startups.
5. Тourist souvenirs – Photo blankets with the Miami skyline for tourists. 

Best jobs for screen printing in Miami

1. Store at Music Festivals- Merch for Ultra, Rolling Loud, and III Points Festivals. 
2. Restaurants and Bars- Staff uniforms made with durable cotton. 
3. Corporate Events- Branded conference swag (totes, hoodies)
4. Sports Teams- Bold numbered jerseys for leagues
5. Non-Profits- Affordable bulk tees for charity runs/walks

Why Choose Miami Tees Online for Sublimation & Screen Printing?  

At Miami Tees Online, we not only print shirts, but we also guide you through the best option for your Miami project. That’s why businesses and event coordinators contact us.  

Both Methods Proficiency 

• We use sublimation for photorealistic and full-color designs.  
• Screen printing provides bold and long-lasting logos. 

No Charge Design Help  

• We can assist you with the printing of the artwork.  

Schedule Adherence  

Miami events’ last-minute orders are also accepted.  

Local Miami-tested quality stars and beach life prints. The designs can withstand sweat and beach life.  

Want to make your designs a reality?  

Get a free quote today.  

Final Verdict Miami Tees Online

• For colorful and detailed designs on polyester, sublimation is the best option.  
• For bulk orders, bold logos on cotton are best served with screen printing.

Both services are offered at Miami Tees Online, so expect no compromise on quality. In case you have a small order and need sublimation printing in Miami, or you need screen printing for a large event, you can count on us.

Need help deciding? Contact us today and we’ll guide you to the perfect print!