Frequently Asked Questions

 Sublimation printing is a process that uses heat and special ink to permanently dye a design into fabric or coated materials. Unlike vinyl or transfers that sit on top of a garment, sublimation becomes part of the material itself.

How Sublimation Works

A design is first printed onto special sublimation paper using sublimation ink. Heat and pressure are then applied with a heat press, turning the ink into gas and bonding it directly into the fibers of the material.

Best Materials for Sublimation

Sublimation works best on:

• Polyester fabrics 
• Light-colored garments 
• Polyester-coated items such as mugs, tumblers, keychains, and phone cases 

Benefits of Sublimation

• Soft feel with no heavy texture 
• Long-lasting and fade resistant 
• Vibrant, full-color designs 
• No cracking or peeling over time 

Limitations of Sublimation

• Does not work well on cotton 
• Best results are on white or light colors 
• Cannot print white ink 

Sublimation is a great choice for sportswear, personalized gifts, promotional products, and full-color custom apparel.

HTV stands for Heat Transfer Vinyl. This process involves cutting designs from colored vinyl sheets and pressing them onto garments using heat.

How HTV Works

A cutting machine cuts the design from vinyl material. The excess vinyl is removed, and the design is heat pressed onto the garment.

Best Uses for HTV

• Names and numbers on jerseys 
• Simple logos and lettering 
• Small business apparel 
• Personalized shirts and baby bodysuits 

Benefits of HTV

• Great for bold colors and simple designs 
• Works on cotton, polyester, and blends 
• Durable and easy to personalize 
• Specialty finishes available like glitter, metallic, puff, and holographic 

Limitations of HTV

• Not ideal for large, detailed, or full-color designs 
• Layering can feel heavier on garments 
• More labor-intensive for bulk orders 

HTV is perfect for custom names, one-off pieces, and smaller production runs.

 DTF stands for Direct to Film printing. This method prints designs onto a special film, which is then transferred onto fabric using heat and adhesive powder.

How DTF Works

The design is printed onto transfer film, coated with adhesive powder, cured, and heat pressed onto the garment.

Best Uses for DTF

• Full-color designs 
• Cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics 
• Small or large production runs 
• Detailed artwork and logos 

Benefits of DTF

• Vibrant color printing 
• Works on many fabric types and colors 
• Durable and flexible prints 
• Excellent for detailed designs 

Limitations of DTF

• Slightly heavier feel compared to sublimation 
• Requires maintenance of printing equipment 
• Film and adhesive processes add production steps 

DTF has become one of the most popular methods for apparel decorators because of its versatility and vibrant results.

We offer standard shipping, which takes 3-5 business days for delivery. 

This Little Light Studio accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, and Google Pay.