Money page · Cedar Park production
Austin Print Co. produces full color dye sublimation for polyester jerseys, performance apparel, drinkware, mousepads, metal photo panels, flags, and branded promotional products. Sublimation produces photo quality, edge to edge, full color art permanently bonded into the fabric or coating — no feel, no weight added. Production runs at the Cedar Park production facility on the same floor as custom embroidery, screen printing for volume cotton T shirts, DTF printing for cotton and multi fabric, and laser engraving for drinkware.
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Dye sublimation production
Sublimation printing uses heat to convert solid dye directly into gas, which penetrates into polyester fibers or polymer coated substrates and bonds permanently into the material itself. The print becomes part of the substrate instead of sitting on top of it — no feel, no fade, no crack or peel.
Sublimation only works on two types of substrates: 100% polyester or high polyester blend fabrics, and rigid items with a polymer coating designed to accept sublimation dye (certain drinkware, mugs, metal panels, hard goods).
Sublimation does not work on cotton, natural fibers, dark colored polyester, or uncoated hard substrates. When a project calls for cotton apparel, dark garments, or multi fabric runs, DTF or screen printing is the right method. When a project calls for full color photo quality on white or light polyester, nothing else competes with sublimation.
Custom jerseys with all over prints, team colors, photo elements, and sponsor logos. Common across youth sports, adult rec leagues, club teams, running clubs, cycling teams, esports teams, and custom athletic programs. The print cannot crack, peel, or restrict fabric breathability.
White ceramic mugs, polymer coated tumblers, travel mugs, and specialty drinkware with polymer coatings designed for sublimation. Photo quality reproduction including gradients and photorealistic art.
Corporate mousepads, lanyards, desk pads, phone wallets, cable organizers, and other polymer coated office items. Common for tech onboarding kits, recognition programs, and conference swag.
Aluminum photo panels, polymer coated metal signs, and sublimated metal prints for corporate lobby displays, award presentations, and commemorative recognition.
Event flags, step and repeat banners, table throws, feather flags, and soft polyester signage for trade shows, corporate events, activations, and storefront displays.
Polyester T shirts, hoodies, and jackets with all over prints covering the full garment surface including seams. Common for tour merch, tech swag drops, esports uniforms, and specialty apparel.
Polyester and high polyester blends (typically 60% polyester minimum for commercial results, 100% polyester for best results). Light colored or white polyester only. Polymer coated ceramic mugs and drinkware. Polymer coated aluminum and metal panels. Polyester flag and banner fabric. Polymer coated MDF and hardboard for signage. Certain polymer coated plastics designed for sublimation. Polyester lanyard and ribbon material. Polymer coated phone cases and tech accessories.
100% polyester or polymer coated substrate. Photo quality, full color, gradients, or photographs. White or light colored fabric. Edge to edge print, including over seams on all over print jobs. Zero feel or added weight required.
Cotton, cotton blends, dark polyester, or mixed fabric runs. Multi color art on a substrate that is not sublimation compatible. Orders that mix fabric types in the same run. DTF is the better method for multi color work on cotton or dark apparel.
High volume runs (typically 100+ pieces) on cotton or cotton blend with limited color artwork (1 to 4 colors). The most cost efficient decoration method at volume for standard apparel work.
APC runs all three methods in house, which means the quote answer is driven by what produces the best result for the specific project, not by which method the shop happens to own.
The only decoration method that produces true photo quality, edge to edge, full color output on apparel and drinkware. Photographs reproduce as photographs, gradients reproduce as gradients.
The dye becomes part of the polyester fiber itself. No crack, no peel, no fade, no decoration layer sitting on top. Performance athletic apparel demands this specifically.
Most Austin decorators do not run both at production scale. APC runs both, which matters for multi fabric programs where the same artwork reproduces on polyester jerseys via sublimation and on cotton T shirts via DTF or screen printing.
Standing delivery routes across the Austin metro. Standard turnaround windows. Direct pickup at the Cedar Park facility on rush orders.
Adult rec leagues, youth sports, cycling teams, and running clubs ordering full sublimated jerseys with team colors, sponsor logos, individual numbers, and names. Produced across the roster on a single production run.
Corporate branded ceramic mugs with full color logos, photo elements, and wraparound artwork for onboarding kits, client gifts, and recognition programs.
Step and repeat banners, feather flags, table throws, and step and repeat walls for corporate events, trade show booths, and retail activations.
Branded mousepads, desk pads, and polymer coated tech accessories for tech company swag and corporate recognition.
Full sublimated cycling jerseys, bibs, and triathlon suits with team colors, sponsor logos, and individual rider names.
Pairs naturally with team jerseys and league uniforms, running clubs and performance fitness apparel, tech and startup onboarding kits, and promotional products and corporate drinkware.
Cotton apparel of any weight. Dark polyester apparel where the substrate color is darker than the artwork color. Uncoated metal, wood, or plastic. Leather. Any substrate not specifically designed for sublimation, because the dye will not bond and the print will either not appear or will wash out on first cleaning. When these constraints do not fit the project, DTF, screen printing, or laser engraving is the right method.
Sublimation bonds dye into polyester fibers permanently with no feel. DTF applies a printed film adhered to the fabric with a heat press, producing a thin decoration layer on top of the garment. Sublimation works only on polyester or polymer coatings; DTF works on cotton, polyester, blends, and performance fabrics.
Sublimation dye is transparent and adds color to the underlying fabric rather than laying opaque pigment on top. A red dye on a blue shirt reads as purple, not red. White or light substrates are required for accurate color reproduction.
Only if the garment is confirmed 100% polyester or high polyester blend and is white or light colored. APC samples the substrate before production to confirm compatibility.
No. The dye is chemically bonded inside the polyester fiber, so it cannot wash out, crack, peel, or fade through normal use. The print lasts as long as the fabric itself.
No. Cotton fibers do not accept sublimation dye. For cotton projects, DTF or screen printing is the right method. APC runs both in house.
Jersey minimums typically 12 pieces. Drinkware minimums typically 24 pieces. Mousepad and desk accessory minimums typically 50 pieces. Flag and soft signage quoted case by case.
Standard turnaround is 10 to 14 business days for jerseys and apparel programs. Drinkware, mousepads, and small goods run 7 to 10 business days. Rush production available subject to machine availability.
Send artwork, quantities, substrate or product preferences, and your deadline. If the project might fit either sublimation or DTF, note that in the quote request and APC will recommend the right method. Programs frequently pair with corporate gifting programs. Serving Austin and the surrounding metro from Cedar Park.
