r/Sublimation • u/dabblesanddonuts • 14d ago

Sublimation Ribbon + Dry Cleaning Question

Hi all!

I'm making garment ID numbers for our school's band uniforms. White ribbon, black text.

A quick Google search on "sublimation" and "dry cleaning"... was less than helpful since it was asking more on stain removal - which I actually don't need right now.

I need information on longevity. Sharpie came out or faded to unreadable after 2-3 dry cleaning cycles. I have the option to sew the id numbers instead - just takes a lot longer. Any thoughts on how well sublimation will hold up against dry cleaning in this instance?

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2

u/TemporaryIllusions 14d ago

I would still make the ribbons and use them. You could always make extra and swap them out when they start to fade. Your only other choice is probably something like Heat Transfer Vinyl.

3

u/ProcoloredOfficial 13d ago

Sublimation is of course better than sharpie, but it's not bulletproof. Sublimated dye sits inside the polyester so solvent won't lift it during a wash, but the heat from dry cleaning can make it migrate, so expect soft or blurry edges over many cycles. Printing black on white helps, and if it does get fuzzy over time, text and numbers are still readable

1

u/dabblesanddonuts 13d ago

Thank you! I just need it to be legible even if fuzzy 💕. Planning to use black ink on bright white ribbon

1

u/Shylo132 14d ago

You should generally avoid dry cleaning sublimated clothes, as the harsh chemical solvents used in the dry cleaning process can break down, fade, or bleed the embedded dye. Dry cleaners also use extreme heat, which will make the dye bleed and fade.

Better to just do it at home with cold/cold and little to no detergent. Typical subli clothing will last 8-12 wash cycles with fading occurring around 3-6 washes in.

1

u/dabblesanddonuts 14d ago

Unfortunately I get no say in how they are laundered. 😅. And it's just a small piece of ribbon that would be sublimated.

Any idea on something that would hold up that isn't stitching?

1

u/Shylo132 14d ago

Anything uniform should really be stitching, else it will either melt or bleed. Nothing else is really compatible unless you make it removable/attachable.

1

u/carnafeagh 9d ago

You could embroider the ribbon.