Sublimation vs Screen Print for Boardshorts: Which to Choose

Published: 2026-02-02

Print quality is one of the first things a customer notices on a pair of boardshorts — and the wrong print method costs you money and returns. Here is how sublimation and screen print compare for boardshorts, and how to choose.

Sublimation (All-Over Print)

Sublimation printing uses heat to turn solid dye into gas, which bonds into the fabric. On polyester, the print becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it.

• Best for — bold all-over prints, gradients, photographic artwork and full-color designs.
• Feel — no hand feel; the print cannot crack or peel because it is in the fiber.
• Fabric — works only on polyester or high-polyester blends (not cotton).
• Quantity — no per-color setup cost, so it suits both small and large runs.
• Limitation — the base fabric is usually white; the dye prints onto it.

Screen Print

Screen printing pushes thick ink through a mesh screen onto the fabric, one screen per color.

• Best for — simple, bold graphics with a limited number of colors, and for printing on a wide range of fabrics.
• Feel — a visible, tactile layer of ink on top of the fabric.
• Fabric — works on many fabrics, including cotton-touch woven styles.
• Quantity — each color needs a screen, so setup cost favors larger runs; it becomes expensive on low-quantity, multi-color designs.
• Limitation — on stretch fabric, poor-quality ink can crack when stretched.

Embroidery and Heat Transfer

For logos, embroidery gives a premium, durable mark and suits solid-color shorts. Heat transfer (vinyl or transfer print) suits small logos and names on already-made garments, but is less durable than sublimation for large areas.

How to Choose

• Full-color, all-over, photographic design on polyester → sublimation.
• Simple 1–3 color logo or graphic on any fabric → screen print.
• Premium brand mark on solid shorts → embroidery.
• Small name or number on a finished short → heat transfer.

Practical Tips

• Always approve a printed sample — screen colors look different from on-screen colors.
• Use Pantone references for spot colors.
• Test stretch and wash fastness, especially for active and pool use.
• Confirm artwork resolution before production; files cannot be "sharpened" at the factory.

Frequently Asked Questions