Business Printing Blog & Articles

04 Feb 2025

Sticky Post By The Print Authority Posted in Printing Permalink

Outsource Printing for Education: High-Quality Print Solutions for Schools and Universities

Sticky Post By The Print Authority On February 4, 2025

From preschools to universities, educational institutions rely on printed materials to help students learn. However, despite what you may think, in-house printing isn’t always the right option for educational institutions, especially when working with tight budgets. Outsourcing printing offers a fast and cost-effective solution that allows institutions to focus on their mission of providing an excellent education.

From course catalogs to event programs and student handbooks, outsourcing your printing ensures that your educational materials make learning easy and help your institution succeed. In this article, we’ll dive into which printing services educational institutions need, the benefits of outsourcing, and how to choose the right printing partner.

Common Print Needs for Educational Institutions

Schools and universities require a wide range of printed materials, all of which are critical for both internal operations and external communication, and their quality can significantly impact an institution’s image. Here are some of the most important materials that help institutions make a difference.

College Marketing Materials

A course catalog is often the first product that informs prospective students and their families about a school. A well-designed catalog not only conveys essential information about classes and programs but also reflects the institution’s commitment to quality education.

Outsourcing course catalog printing ensures consistency in print quality, high-resolution images, and polished layouts. Professional printers can also handle large-scale distribution, ensuring that institutions can distribute copies to all prospective students. Additionally, professional printers can integrate digital elements, such as QR codes, to guide readers to online resources about the school, making the catalogs more interactive and user-friendly.

Event Programs

Graduations, sports events, and academic ceremonies are milestones that deserve high-quality printed programs. These materials serve as keepsakes for attendees and are a key part of the event experience.

Outsourced printers are experts at meeting tight deadlines, accommodating last-minute changes, and producing visually appealing programs. This expertise ensures that event programs are not just functional but also memorable, aligning with the school’s brand and enhancing the occasion. In addition, professional printers can provide premium paper options and special finishes, such as embossing or foil stamping, which are not achievable when using in-house printers. These luxurious products and processes elevate your programs and make them more impactful for students and families.

Branded Student Handbooks

Student handbooks are essential tools for building a sense of community and providing students with the information they need to succeed. Consistent branding in these materials reinforces your institution’s identity and values. Outsourcing your handbooks enables you to receive bound handbooks, including coil bound, staple bound, and perfect bound books.

Outsourced printers can scale production to match varying enrollment sizes while maintaining the same high standards of quality. This flexibility is particularly valuable during enrollment periods and when it’s time to update the handbook.

Benefits of Outsourcing Printing for Schools and Universities

Outsourcing printing offers a range of benefits that go beyond cost savings. It enables educational institutions to demonstrate their professional expertise, achieve superior print quality, and adapt to changing needs.

Cost Savings

One of the most compelling reasons to outsource printing is the significant cost savings it provides. Through outsourcing, educational institutions can avoid the enormous costs of purchasing and maintaining printers, as well as ongoing expenses for ink, paper, and repairs. Additionally, professional printers offer advantageous pricing, particularly for large-volume projects including brochures and handbooks.

By outsourcing, schools and universities can allocate their budgets more effectively, investing in educational resources rather than operational overhead. Cost predictability is another advantage; with outsourcing, institutions can plan their budgets with confidence, knowing there won’t be unexpected maintenance or repair expenses.

Improved Print Quality

Professional printers use top-quality equipment and employ experienced designers to make sure that their customers receive the best possible products. This is particularly important for materials like student event programs and diplomas, which contribute to the school’s image and reputation.

Outsourcing also ensures consistent color, crisp text, and durable finishes–elements that contribute to a polished and professional appearance. High-quality printed materials enhance the institution’s credibility and leave a lasting impression on students, parents, and donors. Moreover, professional printers can offer advanced techniques such as UV coating that add an extra layer of sophistication to your printed materials.

Flexibility and Scalability

Educational institutions experience varying printing needs throughout the academic year. From distributing orientation materials in the fall to producing graduation programs in the spring, demand for printed products can vary significantly.

When you outsource printing to the professionals, you receive the services that offer the flexibility to accommodate both small and large projects. This scalability ensures that education institutions can meet their needs no matter the product they need or the time scale they’re working with. Whether it’s a quick turnaround for a small batch of flyers or a large run of handbooks, outsourcing provides the adaptability you need.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Print Partner

Selecting the right print partner is crucial for maximizing the benefits of outsourcing. Here are some facts to consider:

Prior experience with educational clients. Choose a printer with a proven track record of working with schools and universities. They’ll understand the unique needs and schedules of educational institutions.
Capability to handle diverse print formats. Look for a partner that can produce a variety of materials, from brochures and booklets to banners and posters. A versatile printer ensures that all your needs are met under one roof, which simplifies logistics by eliminating the need to communicate with multiple printing companies.
Turnaround time and reliability. Ensure the printer can meet tight deadlines and deliver consistent quality, even for last-minute requests. A reliable print partner is essential for managing the timing demands posed throughout the academic year.
Environmental sustainability. Consider printers that offer eco-friendly options, such as recycled paper and soy-based inks, to align with your institution’s sustainability goals. By choosing a sustainable print partner, you demonstrate your commitment to environmental responsibility, which can resonate with students, parents, alumni, and donors.

How The Print Authority Supports Educational Institutions

The Print Authority is a trusted partner for schools and universities, offering specialized education printing solutions that cater to your unique needs. With years of experience serving educational clients, we understand the importance of quality materials and timely delivery.

Our services include custom design and printing, from course catalogs to branded handbooks, that reflects your institution’s identity and values. We also offer flexible production; whether you need a small batch of posters or thousands of handbooks, we’ve got you covered. Our commitment to sustainability means that we offer eco-friendly printing options, helping institutions reduce their environmental impact without compromising quality.

Outsourcing printing is a smart move for institutions looking to save costs, improve quality, and manage their diverse printing needs effectively. By partnering with a reliable print provider like The Print Authority, schools and universities can save time and money while ensuring that their materials make a lasting impression.

When you’re ready to outsource printing and elevate your institution’s printed materials, The Print Authority is ready to help! Contact us today to learn how we can support your printing needs.

24 Jan 2025

Sticky Post By The Print Authority Posted in Printing Permalink

Top Benefits of Outsourcing Printing for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Sticky Post By The Print Authority On January 24, 2025

In the competitive landscape of small and medium-sized businesses, effective marketing and branding are critical. High-quality printed materials such as brochures, business cards, and banners leave a lasting impression on customers. However, producing these materials in-house can be challenging for small and medium-sized businesses due to limited resources and expertise. This is where outsourcing printing makes a difference.

Outsourcing printing allows businesses to delegate their printing needs to professional providers who have the tools and knowledge to deliver superior results. By partnering with experts, businesses can focus on their core operations while ensuring their printed materials meet the highest standards.

In this article, we will explore the key benefits of outsourced printing, including cost savings, quality control, and fast turnaround times, and how outsourced printing can help your business grow.

What is Outsourced Printing?

Outsource printing refers to the practice of hiring a third-party provider to handle your business’s printing. Instead of investing in expensive equipment, materials, and staff, businesses can outsource print tasks to external experts to produce everything from marketing materials to operational documents.

This approach offers businesses a cost-effective and efficient way to manage their printing needs while ensuring high-quality output. Whether you need small batches or large-scale orders, outsourced printing provides the flexibility that helps your business thrive.

Significant Cost Savings With Outsourced Printing

Outsourcing your printing to professionals brings a wide range of cost benefits. Here are some of the most important.

By leveraging print outsourcing solutions, businesses can streamline their print processes and reduce costs significantly.

Eliminate Upfront Equipment Costs

Setting up an in-house printing operation requires a significant investment in professional-grade printers, ink, paper, and other supplies, whereas outsourcing print services eliminates these costs. Additionally, ongoing maintenance and repair costs can add up quickly. By outsourcing, your company can avoid these expenses entirely and redirect your resources toward other critical business activities such as enhanced marketing campaigns, hiring additional staff, or investing in product or personnel development.

Bulk Printing Discounts

Professional print providers often offer discounts for large orders, making bulk printing more cost-effective than producing smaller batches in-house. This allows businesses to reduce the cost per unit and stretch their marketing budgets further. Additionally, print providers often have access to wholesale pricing on materials, which translates into further savings for your business.

Reduced Waste

Errors in printing can lead to wasted materials and increased costs. Outsourced providers have the expertise to minimize such mistakes, ensuring accurate and efficient production. This not only saves money but also aligns with environmentally sustainable practices by reducing unnecessary waste.

Superior Quality and Professional Expertise

When you outsource your printing, you gain access to the following benefits that elevate your printed products. Outsourcing also provides access to comprehensive print solutions that enhance customer communications and maintain brand recognition.

Access to Advanced Printing Technology and Print Management Software

Outsourcing gives small and medium-sized businesses access to cutting-edge technologies that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive. From high-resolution digital printing to specialized finishing techniques, professional print providers ensure that your materials have the exceptional quality that makes them stand out. In addition, specialized finishing processes such as embossing, foil stamping, and UV coating can give your printed materials a polished, professional look that sets your brand apart from competitors.

Professional Design Assistance

Many printing companies offer design support as part of their services. Whether you need help creating a new logo or ensuring your brochures are visually appealing, the professionals can bring valuable expertise to enhance your brand’s image.

Professionals can also advise on the best materials for your project, ensuring that the final design helps you reach your goals. You’ll save time and eliminate guesswork, resulting in materials that resonate with your audience.

Consistency Across Materials

Maintaining consistency across your printed materials is crucial for building a strong and recognizable brand. Outsourced providers have the tools and processes to ensure uniformity in colors, font, and layouts across all your materials, reinforcing your brand identity. This consistency helps build trust and recognition among customers and creates a cohesive brand experience, no matter which materials they encounter.

On the whole, by outsourcing, your business can ensure that every printed piece meets your standards.

Faster Turnaround Times for Marketing Needs

When you work with an outsourced print provider, you get your marketing materials in a flash. Here are some other benefits you can receive.

Streamlined Production Processes

Printing companies specialize in efficient workflows designed to handle tight deadlines. By outsourcing, small and medium-sized businesses can rely on these streamlined processes to produce high-quality materials quickly without compromising on quality. This keeps you from missing last-minute opportunities.

Scalability During Busy Periods

Seasonal campaigns, product launches, and other busy periods often require increased printing volumes. Outsourced providers can easily scale their production capabilities to meet these demands, ensuring that your business stays on track. This is particularly important for businesses with fluctuating needs, as it allows you to adjust your orders without the burden of maintaining underutilized equipment during slower periods.

Print and Mail Services

Many print providers go beyond production by offering delivery and distribution services. This saves small and medium-sized businesses like yours valuable time and resources, enabling you to focus on your core business activities while ensuring timely delivery to customers or events. Whether it’s shipping directly to your office or distributing flyers to multiple locations, these services streamline the entire process and enhance efficiency. Mail outsourcing services ensure secure and efficient delivery of your printed materials, enhancing client satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Print and Mail Services

Professional Printing and Mailing Solutions

At The Print Authority, we offer a comprehensive range of print and mail services designed to help businesses streamline their printing and mailing processes. Our professional printing and mailing solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring that their printing and mailing needs are met with precision and accuracy. From high-volume printing to variable data printing, we have the expertise and technology to handle all your printing needs.

Our print and mail services include:

High-quality printing services for a wide range of print formats, ensuring that your materials look professional and polished.
Mailing services for letters, invoices, statements, and other business documents, make it easy to reach your customers and stakeholders.
Variable data printing for personalized and targeted marketing campaigns, allows you to create customized materials that resonate with your audience.
Print management software to track and manage your printing and mailing processes, providing real-time insights and control over your projects.
Secure and climate-controlled storage for inventory and fulfillment services, ensuring that your materials are stored safely and ready for distribution when needed.

By leveraging our print and mail services, you can focus on your core business activities while we handle the complexities of printing and mailing. Our solutions are designed to save you time and money, providing you with high-quality materials that make a lasting impression.

The Printing Process

High-Volume Printing Capabilities

Our printing process is designed to handle high-volume printing with precision and accuracy. We use state-of-the-art printing equipment and technology to ensure that our clients receive high-quality printed materials that meet their exact specifications. Our printing process includes:

Pre-press services to ensure that your files are print-ready, minimizing errors and ensuring a smooth printing process.
High-volume printing capabilities for large print runs, allowing us to produce thousands to millions of pieces efficiently.
Finishing services to add a professional touch to your printed materials, including options like binding, laminating, and cutting.
Quality control measures to ensure that every print meets our high standards, providing you with consistent and reliable results.

Our high-volume printing capabilities make us an ideal partner for businesses that require large print runs. Whether you need marketing materials, operational documents, or any other printed items, we can handle print runs of any size with the utmost precision and quality.

Print Management and Technology

Print Management Software

Our print management software is designed to help businesses track and manage their printing and mailing processes with ease. Our software provides real-time tracking and reporting, allowing you to monitor your print jobs from start to finish. Our print management software includes:

Online ordering and tracking, make it easy to place and monitor your print orders from any location.
Real-time reporting and analytics, providing you with insights into your printing and mailing activities, helping you make informed decisions.
Automated workflows to streamline your printing and mailing processes, reducing manual intervention and increasing efficiency.
Integration with your existing systems and software, ensuring a seamless experience and allowing you to manage all your printing needs from one convenient location.

Our print management software is designed to help businesses save time and money by streamlining their printing and mailing processes. With our software, you can manage all your printing needs from one convenient location, ensuring that your projects are completed on time and within budget.

Additional Benefits of Outsourcing Printing

In addition to the benefits we’ve discussed above, you can also receive the following benefits.

Flexibility in order sizes. Whether you need a dozen business cards or thousands of flyers, outsourced providers can accommodate orders of any size, giving you the flexibility to scale as needed. This adaptability means that you’re never stuck producing more than you need or unable to meet a sudden demand.
Environmental sustainability. Many printing companies prioritize eco-friendly practices, such as using recycled paper and soy-based inks, helping your business reduce its environmental footprint. By partnering with providers committed to sustainability, you can align your marketing efforts with your environmental values and appeal to eco-conscious customers.
Focus on core activities. By offloading printing tasks to the experts, your business can dedicate more time and resources to growing your business and serving your customers. This allows teams to focus on strategic priorities rather than being bogged down by the complexities of in-house printing.

Outsource Printing with The Print Authority

Outsourcing your printing needs can transform the way your business approaches marketing and branding. By leveraging the expertise and resources of professional print providers, small and medium-sized businesses can achieve significant cost savings, superior quality, and faster turnaround times.

If you’re ready to elevate your printed materials and streamline your operations, partner with The Print Authority! For over 30 years, we’ve been providing commercial printing that helps businesses of all sizes reach their goals. Our reliable, high quality printing services create excellent materials that make a great impression. We also offer custom online print portals, which makes it easy to order materials to and from multiple locations.

Our print outsourcing solutions are designed to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring high-quality and cost-effective results. To get started with outsourced printing that will help your business succeed, contact The Print Authority today.

23 Oct 2024

Sticky Post By The Print Authority Posted in Uncategorized Permalink

The Best Font for Reading [Expert Insights]

Sticky Post By The Print Authority On October 23, 2024

When was the last time you read a piece of professional correspondence that was typed in Comic Sans? This font has gained its reputation as an unserious font through decades of jokes, but these jokes are based in reality: each popular font has its own personality, based on its appearance, which contributes to how people understand the font.

Therefore, choosing the best fonts is an essential step for every product you print. Whether you’re writing a brochure, designing a website, or printing a catalog, the font you choose can make or break the readability of your materials.

With so many options available, how do you know whether you’re picking the easiest font to read? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of fonts, exploring why some are more readable than others, how to choose a readable font, and design considerations that can help you elevate your content via excellent font choice.

Why Font Selection Matters for Reading

In the business world, first impressions are critical. Fonts don’t just communicate words–they evoke feelings, set the tone for your brand, and play a key role in how your audience interprets and retains your message. This is particularly true in print materials, where readers might be looking through many pages of text.

While script fonts can add a decorative touch, they may not be suitable for long-form content due to potential readability issues. Picking the wrong font can lead to poor readability, making your material difficult to engage with and resulting in a loss of potential customers. On the other hand, choosing the right font enhances clarity, guides the reader’s eye, and delivers a more pleasant reading experience. By prioritizing legibility, your message becomes more accessible, which increases the likelihood that readers will engage with your content and your brand.

Characteristics of a Good Reading Font

When selecting the best font for reading, certain characteristics can significantly enhance the reading experience. Here are some key attributes to consider:

Legibility: A legible font ensures that each letter is distinct and easily recognizable. This prevents confusion and allows readers to quickly process the text.
Readability: Beyond individual letters, readability refers to how easily a font can be read in large blocks of text. This involves a comfortable line height and letter spacing, which help readers focus on the content rather than the font itself.
X-height: The x-height, or the height of lowercase letters, plays a crucial role in readability. Fonts with a larger x-height provide more visual distinction between letters, making the text easier to read.
Font Weight: Opting for a medium to light font weight can improve readability. Heavy fonts may create too much contrast, making the text harder to read over long periods.
Line Spacing: Adequate line spacing, also known as leading, is essential. It prevents the text from feeling cramped and allows readers to easily distinguish between lines, reducing eye strain.

By focusing on these characteristics, you can choose a font that enhances the overall reading experience, making your content more engaging and accessible.

Key Factors That Influence Font Readability

Choosing a font for readability isn’t only about choosing a legible font that looks pleasing to the eye. It involves understanding many typographic elements that influence how easily your text is read and understood. Here are some of the most important factors when it comes to the readability of different fonts.

Font Size and Spacing

When it comes to printed materials, size is important. If the text is too small, your audience will struggle to read it, but if it’s too large, the text can feel overwhelming. A general rule of thumb is that your body text should be 10 or 12 points, but this can depend on the context.

For example, healthcare professionals often use larger fonts to ensure that older patients can read their materials. Retailers, on the other hand, might opt for smaller fonts in order to fit more information on the page without overwhelming their design.

Serif vs. Sans Serif Typeface

One of the most common questions in typography is using serif or sans serif fonts. Serif fonts, such as Times New Roman or Georgia, have small lines or embellishments at the ends of letters, which are said to help guide readers’ eyes across the page and improve reading speed. Sans serif fonts, such as Arial or Helvetica, do not have these extra strokes. Sans serif fonts therefore have a cleaner, more modern look.

Serif fonts are often the better choice when it comes to long-form content such as reports, training manuals, and employee handbooks since they are more readable over longer periods. Sans serif fonts, on the other hand, are most often used in products containing fewer words, such as flyers or posters, due to their clarity from a distance.

Line Height and Letter Spacing

Another important factor to keep in mind is line-height, also called “leading.” Having the proper line height ensures that the text doesn’t feel cramped, which makes it simpler to distinguish between lines of text. Including adequate spacing between lines can reduce eye strain and make content easier to read. In general, it can be a good idea to set your leading to 120% of your default font size.

Letter spacing, also known as “kerning,” also plays a role. Text that’s too tightly packed can be difficult to read, while overly loose text can feel disjointed and awkward. For business materials, maintaining a balanced letter spacing ensures that each word is clear and legible.

Font Contrast and Color

The contrast and color of your font are pivotal in ensuring readability. Here are some tips to help you make the best choices:

Contrast: High contrast between the text and the background is crucial. A font with good contrast stands out clearly, making it easier for readers to distinguish the text from the background.
Color: Select a font color that is easy on the eyes and provides sufficient contrast with the background. Avoid bright or overly bold colors, as they can be distracting and difficult to read.
Background: The background color should complement the font color and enhance readability. Steer clear of backgrounds with patterns or images, as they can interfere with the text and make it harder to read.

By paying attention to font contrast and color, you can create a visually appealing and readable typeface that captures and retains your audience’s attention.

Legible Apostrophes and Quotation Marks

Clear and distinguishable punctuation marks are essential for readability. Here are some tips for ensuring your apostrophes and quotation marks are legible:

Curly Quotes: Curly quotes, also known as smart quotes, are generally easier to read than straight quotes. They provide a more polished and professional appearance.
Apostrophes: Choose a font with apostrophes that are clearly distinguishable from other punctuation marks, such as commas and periods. This helps prevent confusion and ensures clarity.
Quotation Marks: Similarly, opt for a font with quotation marks that stand out from other punctuation marks. Clear quotation marks help readers easily identify quoted text and understand the context.

By selecting a font with legible apostrophes and quotation marks, you can enhance the clarity and professionalism of your written content.

The Easiest Fonts to Read Recommended by Experts

Given the enormous number of options available, choosing a font can feel overwhelming. When you’re trying to pick a font for maximum readability, here are a few options to consider.

Georgia. Known for its classic, elegant look, Georgia is a serif font that works well for long-form print materials.
Arial. Arial is a highly versatile sans serif font that is commonly used for both print materials and web design. Its clean and simple lines make it ideal for shorter content such as flyers and brochures.
Times New Roman. This serif font has been the default for printed materials for decades. It remains a solid choice for documents that you want to look professional and sophisticated, such as reports and other professional materials.
Helvetica. A favorite among designers, Helvetica is a clean and modern sans serif font that is both versatile and highly readable. You can use it for most types of documents to create a fresh feel.

Here at The Print Authority, we recommend considering these fonts when designing your materials. Whether you’re making a brochure, direct mail campaign, or business card, choosing the perfect font can enhance both readability and the overall impact of your design. Simultaneously, it’s important to conform to your brand standards, so if your organization’s style manual specifies which font family to use in your materials and communications, use those.

How to Choose Accessible Fonts for All Audiences

Accessibility is a vital consideration when choosing fonts, as your content should be easy for all audiences to read. This includes individuals with visual impairments, cognitive disabilities, or reading disorders such as dyslexia. Choosing an inclusive font makes sure that your brand communicates effectively with everyone.

Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts

Accessibility is vital for businesses. From both a legal and ethical standpoint, it’s vital that your materials are readable to as wide an audience as possible, which includes readers with dyslexia. When choosing a dyslexia-friendly font, here are a few suggestions:

Pick sans serif fonts such as Arial, which helps letters feel less crowded.
Use 12 or 14 point fonts, as well as large spacing between letters, words, and lines of text.
Don’t include text in all-caps, as lower case letters are easier to read.

Simply put, when someone can’t read your materials, they cannot engage with your product or organization. In addition to being non-inclusive, it leads to missed business opportunities. Therefore, there are many reasons for making your materials accessible to as wide a swath of the population as possible.

Typography Tips to Improve Readability and Retention

Making your materials readable and memorable is an important task. This means creating content that is both informative and understandable.

As you’re writing, adhere to plain language guidelines that help as many people as possible understand your materials by writing copy that is short, to the point, and designed for reading. Choose your words carefully to develop materials that are understandable to everyone, and use clear syntax.

If you’re writing copy for marketing materials, think about how to make your text as effective as possible. Elicit emotional reactions from your readers, and use easy-to-read sentences that readers can understand immediately. Before printing, make sure to proofread your materials to eliminate any grammar errors that could make your organization seem unprofessional or lead to misunderstandings.

Before printing any important materials, it’s always a good idea to get multiple pairs of eyes on it, particularly from someone who hasn’t already read your material. This can help catch any mistakes and make sure that you’re able to produce truly excellent copy.

Enhance Your Designs with The Print Authority

Choosing a readable typeface is only one part of creating great print materials. From the design process to printing and distribution, The Print Authority can guide you through the entire printing process and provide excellent print materials that help your organization thrive.

Since 1991, The Print Authority has been a leader in providing top-quality print products that help businesses stand out. We specialize in providing print solutions to growing businesses, including custom print portals that provide quick and easy distribution nationwide. Our enthusiastic team loves advising clients on the best choices for their print products, and our offset and digital presses can create all the materials you need, from operations to marketing and more.

To learn more about how The Print Authority can provide custom print products that help your business succeed, contact us today!

15 Oct 2024

Sticky Post By The Print Authority Posted in Printing Permalink

What is Sublimation Printing? [A Complete Guide]

Sticky Post By The Print Authority On October 15, 2024

Did you know that professional printing consists of more than just digital and offset printing? Sublimation printing is a high-quality, durable, and visually vibrant printing option that can be a great alternative to traditional printing methods. If you’re producing branded merchandise, signage, or promotional products, using a sublimation printer might be the best print method for your project.

If you’re asking yourself, “What is sublimation printing,” you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll go through everything you need to know, including the pros and cons, how it compares to screen printing, and why you might want to choose the sublimation printing process for your next print project.

Sublimation Printing Defined

Sublimation printing, also called dye sublimation printing, is a specialized printing technique that uses heat and pressure to transfer ink directly onto materials. It is most commonly used for printing on polyester-based surfaces.

Here’s how dye sublimation printers work:

Your design is printed onto a special transfer sublimation paper using sublimation inks.
The printed paper is placed onto the product to be printed, and both are then heated in a heat press.
The heat press applies both heat and pressure to the transfer paper, which turns the ink on the paper into a gas. This gas is then absorbed into the material.
This absorption creates a permanent bond, which leads to a design that won’t peel, fade, or crack over time.

What sets the sublimation printing method apart from other kinds of printing is that the dye becomes part of the material itself, rather than simply lying on top of it. This creates an incredibly durable and high-quality print product.

Pros of Sublimation Printing

Sublimation printing offers many advantages, making it an attractive option for businesses in every sector. Here are some of the most significant benefits that it can give your print products:

Vibrant colors. Sublimation printing produces incredibly vivid colors, making it an ideal choice for designs that contain lots of detail or color variation. Whether you’re printing simple text or complex graphics, the result is stunning.
Durability. Because the sublimation ink bonds with the fabric or material it is transferred to, your image or design becomes part of the product itself. This means that it won’t fade, peel, or crack, even after multiple washes or prolonged use. You can rest assured that your product will always look as good as the day it was printed. This is especially true for sublimation shirt printing.
Smooth finish. Unlike some other printing methods, sublimation leaves no texture or raised edges. Your design feels like it’s part of the material itself, which makes your product look sophisticated and professional.
Full coverage. Sublimation can cover the entire surface of a product, so you can print from edge to edge without leaving a gap at the edge of your design. This is an important benefit for apparel, mugs, and other products that need full-bleed designs.

In short, sublimation printing offers crisp designs that cover your entire product and hold up perfectly over time.

Cons of Sublimation Printing

While sublimation printing offers many powerful advantages, it also has its downsides. Here are some limitations to keep in mind when you’re choosing a print method for your next project.

Limited material choices. Sublimation works best on polyester fabrics and objects that have a polymer coating. This means that you’re more limited when it comes to which types of fabrics you can print on. Cotton, for example, can’t hold the dye. Feel free to ask your print partner which items and materials they offer for sublimation printing.
Limited to white or light-colored-substrates. Sublimation inks are translucent, so sublimation printing works best on white or light-colored surfaces. Unfortunately, printing on dark surfaces creates designs that simply don’t show up.
Possibility of white creasing. If an item is folded while it undergoes sublimation printing, the folded areas won’t receive ink and will therefore remain white. Therefore, if you’re planning to print a design that covers an entire shirt, for example, it’s best to print each piece of fabric individually and then cut and sew the shirt together.

As you can see, sublimation has its own peculiarities that are worth remembering when you’re planning your next project. They’re not dealbreakers, but they’re important to think about before you finalize your chosen print method.

Sublimation vs Screen Printing

Sublimation isn’t the only method for custom printing. Another common method is screen printing. But what is the screen printing technique, and how is it different from sublimation? Here’s what to know.

Screen printing consists of pressing ink through a mesh screen. The screen contains a stenciled design, which is then transferred onto a flat surface. It’s commonly used on fabrics and papers, and it creates bright and beautiful designs.

Screen printing and sublimation are both popular choices, but they serve different purposes and are good options in different situations. Here’s a comparison of the two methods:

Printing process. Sublimation uses heat and pressure to transfer dye onto the material, while screen printing adds a layer of ink on top of the material. These can therefore look and feel different from each other.
Material options. As mentioned above, the dye sublimation process is limited to polyester-based products or products with a polymer coating. Screen printing, on the other hand, works on a wide range of materials, including many types of fabrics such as cotton and nylon.
Durability. Screen printing can crack, fade, and peel over time, particularly on apparel that is washed frequently. Sublimation prints, on the other hand, are much more durable because they bond with the material itself.
Design flexibility. While screen printing can include multiple colors and complex designs, it generally works better with fewer colors. Sublimation can handle complex designs, color gradients, and even photo-realistic images.

All in all, both methods create high-quality printed products that make your design look great. Between the two of them, you’re sure to find a method that works for your project. Your printing partner will be happy to talk through both methods with you and help you find the solution that fits your needs.

Benefits for Franchise and Commercial Businesses

Sublimation printing offers a wide range of benefits for franchises and commercial businesses that need high-quality, customizable products for marketing and branding purposes.

Sublimation facilitates customization at scale. If your business uses custom items such as signage, promotional products, or uniforms, sublimation’s quick turnaround time allows you to print them on demand and at scale to fit your needs, not to mention, that it offers fantastic print quality.

Sublimation’s long-lasting products provide great value for your money. If your business distributes promotional items or uses branded uniforms, choosing sublimation printing makes sure that your product will remain intact over time.

Sublimation can help you build brand consistency through color matching and high levels of detail, which ensure that your logos and images look exactly like you have in mind and match all of your existing products. This is particularly important for franchises, where maintaining a cohesive brand image is essential.

The Print Authority Process

Here at The Print Authority, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality sublimation printing services that are tailored to your business’s needs. Our process ensures that you get vibrant, long-lasting printed products, whether you’re ordering branded apparel, signage, or any other kind of promotional item.

When we work on sublimation printing projects with our clients, we take the time to get to know your needs, as well as your goals, timeline, and budget. Our design team loves to work with clients to perfect your graphics and ensure that you’re creating a design you love. We offer high-quality sublimation printing for businesses in a range of branches nationwide, and our delivery services ensure that your products get to you quickly.

If you’re looking to complement your sublimation printing with other high-quality print materials, The Print Authority also offers all the types of print products you might need, including marketing and operations materials that help you provide top-quality services to your customers. We also specialize in offering custom online print portals that make ordering easy.

If you’re ready to elevate your business with top-quality sublimation printing, contact the Print Authority today!