Whether it’s a gym session, a demanding workout on the pitch or a relaxing walk at the end of the day, the right clothing makes all the difference. However, if before we only wore the so-called “sports style”, today we are looking for comfortable, appealing, durable and environmentally friendly garments.
These requirements tip the scales when it comes to choosing, and each model is the result of a process involving various stages and materials. Today we’re highlighting sublimation paper and sustainable fabrics, two fundamental elements that give garments their own identity, adapting them to the different sports practices and tastes of sportspeople.
1. Sublimating quality
1.1 The method
Sublimation printing is one of the types of digital textile printing used to personalize fabrics. It differs from direct printing in that the images and designs are first printed with sublimation inks on a sublimation paper, also known as transfer paper, and then transferred from that paper to the fabric using heat and pressure.
In this method, the inks become gaseous when heated, penetrate the paper fibers and return to a solid state when cooled. The paper with the visual motifs and the fabric are then placed in a heat press and the ink is transferred from the former to the latter.
1.2. As vantagens
Sublimation is a very versatile technique which, when done with the right equipment and materials, provides incomparable intensity and vividness of colors, high sharpness of images and designs and greater durability of the prints.
In terms of fabrics, it is ideal for synthetics / polyester-based fabrics, making it possible to create garments with lower costs, different textures and sheens, and resistance to heat and abrasion.
1.3. The right paper: decal® Winner
In sublimation printing we can have the best printer, the best inks and the best fabrics, but the quality of the work is seriously compromised if the sublimation paper doesn’t guarantee the best transfer of the visual motifs.
The results of a poor choice of paper are colors different from the original, inaccurate strokes, stains, inconsistencies of ink on the surface and premature wear of the prints. To avoid all this, decal® has launched Winner sublimation paper with a coating specially formulated to control the amount of ink that is absorbed and retained on the surface of the paper.
The transfer to the fabric is made easier and smoother by releasing the right amount of ink, achieving the desired colors and saturation. Ink consumption is also significantly reduced, lowering printing costs and the ecological footprint. On top of all this, this sublimation paper doesn’t curl during printing and dries quickly.
Learn more about this new decal® here.
2. Weaving sustainability
2.1. Tecidos técnicos
Functionality is key in activewear sportswear and textile materials must meet the main needs of users. The most common choice is technical fabrics such as polyester, Lycra and nylon because they are light, breathable and dry quickly.
Polyester stands out among them and is widely used due to its high ability to absorb moisture, regulate body temperature and allow unrestricted movement.
2.2. Peer-to-peer ecology
Activewear is no longer solely associated with a healthy lifestyle with good sporting practices and has taken on an active role in affirming good environmental practices. Ecology has joined the demands of those who wear these garments and everything is evaluated, such as the raw materials and the cultivation and production processes.
Sustainable fabrics are gaining more and more fans and range from organic cotton to recycled cotton or polyester fibers, including hemp, bamboo and recycled PET bottles. Fabrics made from pineapple fibers (Piñatex), mushrooms (MycoTEX) and wood pulp from reforested trees (Tencel / Lyocell) are also already a reality.
In cultivation processes, we look for those that involve fewer chemical products, such as pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. As for production, the most suitable is the one that consumes the least water and energy and minimizes the consumption of natural resources, pollution and waste.
2.3. The right fabrics: greentex
In the world of sustainable fabrics, recycled fabrics make a double contribution to reducing the textile industry’s carbon footprint. On the one hand, they reduce the need for virgin raw materials and, on the other, they give new uses to waste.
In activewear sportswear it is possible to combine environmental benefits with the benefits of polyester and achieve garments that are both environmentally friendly and user-friendly. This is what greentex, a decal® partner, has done with its sustainable textiles that combine ecology design, soft touch and comfort.
The fabrics are created from recycled polyester, generating zero water waste and respecting the European Green Deal commitment for all fabrics to be recycled or recyclable by 2030.
Learn more about this partnership here.
3. decal® Winner and greentex: activewear fashion that’s here to stay
The particularities of activewear sportswear set it apart from conventional fashion. It’s not enough to “look good” or “be cute”. It must make the garments the best ally of sportspeople (professionals and amateurs) and, if we also combine sustainability and aesthetics, it’s perfect.
You get all this when Winner® decal sublimation paper is used in the sublimation printing that brings vibrant colors to greentex’s sustainable fabrics. The results are immediate and long-lasting, turning this combination into a sporting trend that is not at all fleeting as it has proven that it is here to stay.
FAQs
1. What is sublimation printing?
Sublimation printing is a process of transferring ink to fabrics or other substrates using heat. In this method, the solid ink converts directly into a gas without passing through the liquid state, allowing the colors to be absorbed into the material in a long-lasting and vibrant way. It is widely used in the production of sportswear due to its ability to create sharp, long-lasting prints.
2. What is the importance of hot pressing in sublimation printing?
Hot pressing plays a key role in dye sublimation, ensuring proper transfer of the dye to the fabric. The ideal temperature and duration of hot pressing ensures that the dye sets and the vividness of the colors is long-lasting, two essential factors for creating high-quality prints on sportswear.
3. Are there specific fabrics for this type of clothing?
Yes, the most commonly used materials are polyester, Lycra, nylon and other synthetic fabrics. The choice of these materials is due to their moisture absorption, elasticity and resistance properties, which are important for the comfort and performance of sportspeople.
4. Are these garments durable and resistant?
Yes. The first care must be taken in the design of sportswear through the best sublimation printing and the right sewing techniques. Wearers of the garments, for their part, should follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which generally include washing in cold water, avoiding machine drying and not using aggressive chemicals.
5. What trends are currently shaping activewear design?
Sportswear design is at a stage where ecology and personalization are among the main criteria for choice. One of the new trends is the incorporation of sustainable designs with recycled high-performance fabrics that maintain high comfort and functionality. Personalized prints also stand out, making the garments exclusive for both top athletes and amateur sportspeople.
