Graphic tees are created with dye sublimation.

Dye sublimation is a process that allows manufacturers to print graphics and text in black and white or color on a variety of items including mugs, shirts, license plates, ceramics and more. Special ink called sublimation ink, heat and pressure are used to transfer images from specially coated paper onto the variety of treated surfaces. Sublimation ink is used because it transforms from a solid to a gas without going through liquid form, enabling a clean and precise transfer. Sublimation can be done easily over the most common material -- polyester- or cotton-blend T-shirts -- easily and quickly.
Things You'll Need

    Sublimation ink
    White dye sub dark polyurethane transfer sheet
    Computer with Photoshop or Corel Draw

    Inkjet printer
    Heat press
    Fabric or other material with polymer content substrate or coating


Load dye sublimation ink into an inkjet printer. Load the design you want to transfer to a polymer-coated material or at least 50 percent polyester content T-shirt into a graphics program on your computer.

Place a piece of white dye sub dark polyurethane transfer paper into your printer and print the design onto the paper.

Place the printed piece of dye sub dark polyurethane transfer paper face down onto the T-shirt or other item to which you want to transfer it.