Sublimation on Plush Towels, Blankets & Scarves

Decoration guide

Full-color printing. The same plush fabric.

Sublimation brings your artwork to life on plush towels, blankets and scarves. Heat pressing temporarily compresses the fibres. Washing helps restore their loft and soft, plush feel.

Here is what to expect before printing, straight after sublimation and after washing.

Representative blank white plush towel folded before sublimation, showing its raised soft fibres. — Before sublimation

The blank towel has a white printable surface and a soft, fine velour pile. These short, dense fibres give the fabric its soft texture and loft.

Representative towel with a navy and teal sublimated design, showing flatter fibres immediately after heat pressing. — After sublimation

Your design is dyed into the printable fibres. Heat and pressure compress the pile, so the towel may look flatter and feel smoother.

Representative printed towel after washing, with the same navy and teal design and lifted plush fibres. — After washing

Washing according to the care instructions helps lift the compressed fibres and restore the plush texture, with the design remaining in the fabric.

Representative product visuals. The degree of compression and recovery varies by fabric and care method.

Representative towel and blanket stacks before sublimation, very thin and compressed after sublimation, and fuller again after washing. — The same effect applies to plush towels and blankets: heat pressing compresses the fibres, while washing helps restore their loft. Representative product visuals; results vary by fabric and care method.

Why does my product look flatter?

Sublimation uses heat and pressure to transfer your artwork from printed transfer paper into the polyester fibres of the printable surface. On plush fabrics, that pressure also presses the pile down.

A flatter appearance does not mean fabric has been removed. The fibres are compressed during decoration. Washing helps them lift again, bringing back a fuller, softer texture.

Which products are affected?

This change is most noticeable on products with a raised pile, including plush towels, fleece blankets and plush scarves.

Smooth fabrics, such as those used for tablecloths, runners, bandannas and aprons, do not have the same plush pile, so they do not show the same flattening effect.

Care tip

Let the fibres lift again

Follow the washing and drying instructions supplied with your specific product. Washing helps restore loft, and some plush fabrics may need more than one wash to recover their fuller texture.

Care requirements vary across towels, blankets and scarves. Use the product's care label as your guide.

Why choose sublimation?

Full-color artwork

Bring together logos, photographs, gradients and background colors in one design.

No raised ink feel

The dye becomes part of the printable fibres, rather than forming a raised print layer.

Multiple logos

Include sponsor logos and other design elements within the product's printable area.

Personalization options

Add individual names or numbers to eligible products. See the product details for availability.

Frequently asked questions

Is a flatter towel or blanket a product defect?

A temporary reduction in loft is an expected result of heat pressing on plush fabrics. The pile becomes compressed during sublimation; this does not mean material has been removed. Washing according to the care instructions helps restore the texture.

Will washing remove the sublimated design?

Sublimation dyes the printable polyester fibres rather than applying a surface film. Normal washing according to the product's care instructions should not wash the design away. Appropriate care helps maintain the fabric and print over time.

Will every product return to exactly the same thickness?

The amount of loft restored depends on the fabric, its construction and the washing and drying method. The comparison above explains the general effect; it does not represent an exact thickness guarantee for every product.

Does this happen to all sublimated products?

The visible flattening effect is primarily associated with raised, plush fibres. Smooth fabrics used for products such as tablecloths, runners and bandannas do not show the same change in pile.

Can I use different background colors with the same logo?

Yes. Sublimation allows different background colors within your artwork, with no background color-change charge. Provide the artwork for each version and confirm the applicable setup, quantities and options for your chosen product.

Can individual names and numbers be added?

Personalization is available on eligible products. Supply your artwork and the required names or numbers, and check the product details for personalization options and any applicable charges.