Short answer: wash custom sublimated jerseys inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, skip bleach and fabric softener, and hang them to dry. Sublimated colour is dyed into the polyester fibre, so it does not crack or peel like a printed layer can, but heat, bleach and abrasion still wear it down over time. Names, numbers or logos added by heat transfer, screen print, embroidery or tackle twill need the same cold, low-heat care.
Why sublimated jerseys hold their colour
In sublimation printing, the design is printed onto transfer paper and then heat-pressed onto polyester fabric. The heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds with the polyester fibre, so the colour becomes part of the fabric rather than a layer on top of it. That is why a fully sublimated jersey can be washed many times without the cracking or peeling you see on worn screen prints or vinyl. It is also why sublimation only works well on polyester or high-polyester fabrics. For a comparison of printing methods, see our sportswear printing and fabric guide.
Sublimated colour can still fade. The main causes are hot water, high dryer heat, chlorine bleach, long exposure to strong sunlight while drying, and abrasion from Velcro, zips and rough surfaces.
Step-by-step washing instructions
- Wash soon after use. If you cannot wash a kit straight after a match, hang it up to air rather than leaving it damp in a bag.
- Turn jerseys and shorts inside out. This protects the outer face, numbers and badges from rubbing.
- Separate from rough items. Keep kits away from towels, Velcro, zips and anything with hooks.
- Use cold water and a gentle cycle with a low spin speed.
- Use a small amount of mild detergent. Do not use chlorine bleach.
- Skip fabric softener. It coats polyester fibres and reduces how well performance fabric wicks sweat.
- Take the kit out as soon as the cycle ends so colours cannot transfer while the wet garments sit together.
Drying and ironing
- Hang dry in a ventilated place, out of strong direct sun. Polyester dries quickly, so a kit washed after an evening match is usually dry by morning.
- Avoid high dryer heat. If you must tumble dry, use the lowest heat setting.
- Do not iron directly on prints, heat-transfer numbers or twill. If needed, iron inside out on the lowest setting with a cloth between the iron and the garment.
- Store kits fully dry. Damp storage causes odour and mildew.
Care by decoration method
| Decoration | Main risk | Care tip |
|---|---|---|
| Full sublimation | Fading from heat, bleach or strong sun | Cold wash, no bleach, hang dry in shade |
| Heat transfer names and numbers | Edges lifting under high heat | Wash inside out, no hot dryer, never iron directly |
| Screen printing | Cracking after repeated hot washes | Cold wash, inside out, low heat |
| Embroidery | Snagged threads | Wash inside out, keep away from Velcro and zips |
| Tackle twill | Fraying or lifting edges | Gentle cycle, inside out, air dry |
Removing common stains
- Grass and mud: let mud dry, brush it off, then pre-treat the stain with a little detergent and cold water before washing.
- Blood: rinse straight away with cold water. Hot water sets protein stains.
- Sweat odour: wash after every use and do not leave kits in closed bags. Fabric softener makes odour worse on polyester because it traps residue.
How long do sublimated jerseys last?
There is no single number, because lifespan depends on fabric weight, how often the kit is worn, the playing surface and how it is washed. A match kit worn once a week and cared for as above normally lasts several seasons; training kits worn daily wear out faster. Fabric wear such as pilling or thinning is usually what ends a jersey’s life, rather than the sublimated colour.
If durability matters for a large order, ask your supplier which fabric and weight they recommend for the use, and whether they can share colourfastness-to-washing test results. The common international method for this test is ISO 105-C06. Our standard mesh for soccer and basketball jerseys is 100% polyester at 140–160 gsm.
Care instructions for your players
When a club hands out new kits, a short care note avoids most early damage. You can copy this one:
Wash inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle. No bleach, no fabric softener. Hang to dry out of direct sun. Do not tumble dry on high heat and do not iron the numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Can sublimated jerseys go in the dryer?
Hang drying is best. If you use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting, because high heat can fade sublimated colour and lift heat-transfer names and numbers.
Do sublimated jerseys crack or peel?
The sublimated design itself does not crack or peel, because the dye is inside the polyester fibre. Any extras applied on top, such as heat-transfer vinyl or screen print, can crack or lift if washed hot.
Why does my jersey smell even after washing?
Polyester holds body oils, and fabric softener seals them in. Stop using softener, wash soon after use, and let the kit dry fully before storing it.
What if a new jersey arrives with a print or colour fault?
For Eliian orders, send photos or a short video within 7 days of delivery. Verified production errors are fixed by remake, replacement, partial refund or refund, as set out in our remake and refund policy.
Planning a new kit? See custom soccer jerseys, our size chart, or ask for a free mockup.