Frequently Ask Questions

WHAT IS DYE SUBLIMATION?

Dye sublimation is a digital printing technology that enables the reproduction of colourful images on common everyday items, including clothing and novelties.

You create an image on your computer, print it onto special transfer paper using sublimation inks,and then apply the paper with the image onto the item to be decorated. Using a heat press, the transfer paper is pressed onto the surface at 240 degrees, which then causes the sublimation inks to “transfer” from the paper to any polymer fibres within the substrate. After about a minute, the heat is removed and the transfer paper is peeled off, leaving behind a permanent full colour image on the substrate.

Sublimation ink is unique in its ability to convert from a solid to a gas without going through a liquid form. The conversion is initiated by heat and controlled with pressure and time. The high temperature – from a heat transfer press – opens the pores of the polymer and allows the gas to enter. When the temperature drops, the pores close and the gas reverts to a solid state. The print then becomes part of the polymer.

Hard items including ceramics and metals require a special coating to accept the sublimation inks. However, you do not need any coating on 100% polyester items such as mouse mats and 100% polyester fabric. We stock a wide range of sublimation printable fabrics.

WHAT DO YOU NEED IT?

Prior to digital printing, reproducing images on these items (T-shirts being a typical example), required labour-intensive analogy processes such as screen-printing. Analogy printing technology is not cost-effective when small quantities are involved.

Due to the immense amount of time used to prepare the artwork and the equipment involved in the production process, analogy printing is expensive and time consuming, particularly if all you need is one or even half a dozen items printed.

On the other hand, digital printing, especially dye-sublimation printing, is quick and inexpensive in both the setup and production. This makes it an ideal choice for both creating personalised, one-of-a-kind items and mass producing a variety of custom products. Move over, dye sublimation printing yields beautiful and permanent colors that are embedded in the substrate or fabric, rather than printed on the surface.

Images on fabric won’t fade or crack even after multiple of washes. Images on hard substrates will not chip, peel or scratch. The modern dye sublimation process is quite simple.

I AM NOT A DESIGNER, HOW CAN I WORK WITH YOUR DESIGN TEAM TO GET THE JOB DONE?

There are three different options. First, you can pick and choose the design from our online design library in which our design team is continuously uploading new designs. Second, you can source your own design concept through internet surfing. Finally, you can download our artwork request form and provide your brief; our design team will create the mock-up for you to approve.

CYBER ARTBOARD DESIGN LAB

You can choose the design from our online design library, change the colour, place logos on the garment and add text, but we still request you to send the logo or picture in the right format separately by email.

CAN YOU MODIFY THE DESIGN FROM MY PREVIOUS JOB?

Yes

HOW ABOUT THE LOGO?

We do request the logo to be in vector format suchs as eps/pdf/ai files to meet high quality of dye sublimation printing. If you have a low quality format such as a JPG, BMP or GIF file, we may need to recreate the logo in a higher resolution format which would incur additional fees.
Logos for “indent express” orders, please provide the embroidery files as DST/EMB files along with the vector file.

WHAT IS A VECTOR?

A vector file is constructed using mathematical formulas rather than individual colored blocks which can remain editable to adjust text or other graphic elements for print. The common vector file types are EPS, AI and PDF. By having your graphic in this format allows for more creative options for the designer to use such as full colour change, editing all elements and to be able to use the logo in the garment overall design then just a simple chest logo. This will allow the logo to be 100% scaleable without losing quality of the logo and all its elements which is perfect for print.

HOW ABOUT THE PICTURE?

We request the picture at 300 dpi that has at least 2000×2000 pixels to meet the high quality of dye sublimation printing.

WHAT IS A RASTOR/PIXEL?

A rastor/pixel file use many colored pixels or individual color blocks to form a complete image. JPEGs, GIFs and PNGs are common raster image types. Almost all of the photos found on the web and in print catalogs are raster images. Because raster images are constructed using a fixed number of colored pixels, they can’t be dramatically resized without compromising their resolution. When stretched to fit a space they weren’t designed to fill, their pixels become visibly grainy and the image distorts which makes the image unsuitable for print.

WHAT IS PMS COLOUR?

PMS stands for Pantone Matching System. A popular color matching system used by the printing industry to print spot colors. This assures that you get the right color when the file is printed, even though the color may not look right when displayed on your monitor.

WHEN TO USE CMYK VS RGB VS PMS

RGB is used only for digital designs. In fact, any design created with an RGB colour profile must be converted to CMYK or PMS colours before printing. Most applications that support color printing allow you to specify colors by indicating the Pantone name or number. As a rule of thumb, you should only use RGB when designing for the digital screen.

COLOUR REFERENCE

Our preference for dye sublimation colour is PMS colour.

HOW ABOUT THE SETUP COST?

We provide FREE mockup design and production layout, but there is an additional cost for the order quantity less than our standard MOQ.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM QUANTITY?

Our minimum quantity is 10-12 pieces per style; there will be a surcharge for the first order only. Surcharge does not apply to repeat orders.

CAN I ORDER MIX SIZES

Yes

CAN I MIX DIFFERENT STYLES TO MEET MOQ

No, minimum quantity is 25 pieces for each style. E.g. MOQ must be 25 mens sizes, 25 ladies sizes or 25 junior sizes.

WHAT IS MY MINIMUM QUANTITY FOR MY REORDER

Our minimum quantity of re-order is 12 pieces per style; plus DHL freight cost from China. There is no MOQ surcharge for repeat order.

HOW MANY FABRICS AVAILABLE?

We carry 14 different fabrics to satisfy your different needs, please refer to our catalogue for the details.

DOES DYE SUBLIMATION WORK FOR ALL MATERIALS

Dye sublimation will not work on 100% cotton. There has to be polyester which holds the sublimed dye, the more the better. We have successfully developed a “cotton backed” fabric, which can both satisfy comfort needs, and also retain the sharpness and brightness of the printing quality.

WHAT IS THE USUAL LEAD TIME?

Visual artwork: 3-5 working days
Pre-Production Sample: 4 weeks after final approval

CAN I HAVE CUSTOM LABELS?

Yes, MOQ is 1000 labels, which we can store at our factory for your future needs, and there is an additional cost.

CAN I HAVE A POCKET ON THE GARMENT?

Yes, at no additional charge for over 50 garments. Under 50 garments incurs a surcharge.

CAN I HAVE KNITTED COLLARS, CUFFS, NECK RIBS OR ARMBANDS?

Yes, minimum quantity is 100 pieces, and there is extra cost. (1-2 Weeks additional lead time)

CAN WE ADD INDIVIDUAL NAME AND NUMBER?

Yes, but there is an additional cost. (1-2 Weeks additional lead time)

CAN YOU MATCH THE SPECIFIC COLOURS?

Yes, we can match to any specific PMS colour, but there may be slight differences. Ideally a physical sample should be provided to Auspirit to colour match.

CAN I USE A SPECIFIC FABRIC?

Yes, but the minimum quantity is 800 pieces.

WILL THE COLOUR BE EXACTLY THE SAME ON ALL THE FABRICS?

Colour may vary slightly when applied to different fabrics. Different weaves can give colours a different appearance.

WHAT ABOUT SIZING?

All our dye sublimation patterns have been developed based on our standard stock service items with exception of on-field gears.

ARTWORKS REQUIREMENTS

ARTWORK

• Please fill in the artwork request form as this is required for mockup stage.
• Artwork turnaround is within 2 business days after submitting ALL design assets required andthe artwork request form
• Please provide all assets in high resolution so that it can be suitable for print. Such as pdf/ai/ vector/eps/high res images.
• Please provide a detailed visual concept for your artwork.
• We request all colours to be supplied in PMS (Pantone Matching System)
• If you would like a design from our design library please provide the reference number and PMS colours required.
• If you use the cyber artboard to make a mockup from our design library please make sure to include the pdf attachment with your artwork request form.
• Send your physical sample to Auspirit to get it colour matched for your dye sublimation order.

LOGO

• All logos must be supplied in vector/eps/pdf format to meet the high quality of dye sublimation printing. If you have a lower quality format such as JPEG, BMP, PNG or GIF file, we may need to recreate the logo in a higher resolution format which would incur additional costs.
• Redraw fees are calculated per each logo. Please allow an additional time on top of the 48 hours turn around for the job to be completed.
• Logos for “indent express” orders, please provide the embroidery files as DST/EMB files along with the vector logo artwork file

IMAGES

• We request the images provided to be at 300 dpi and at 2000×2000 pixels especially if that image is used as the focal point of your design.
• Illustrations can be redrawn with the price depending on the details required to redraw.
• Please allow an additional time on top of the 2 business days turn around if requesting a redrawof an illustration.

OPTIONAL

• Pre-Production Sample: 7-10 working days after artwork approval and additional costs involved.
• Knitted Collars: minimum order of 100 units and additional costs involved.
• Pockets: extra surcharge for orders less than 50 garments
• Custom Labels: minimum order of 1000. Artwork is required.
• Hi-Vis Yellow/Orange Ink: Extra surcharge apply
• Individual Names & Numbers Combo: Extra surcharge per garment
• Individual Names/Numbers (Separately): Extra surcharge per garment

4 EASY STEPS TO GET YOUR JOB STARTED

• Supply artwork or design in vector/pdf/eps/AI file format. Alternatively, you can also select a design from our catalogue or simply just play around with cyber artboard.
• Ensure you have filled in the artwork request form with all correct details for the mockup
• Supply logos in vector format (eg .eps/pdf/ai)
• Indicate PMS colours for logo & garment. If not you can refer to our catalogue for Auspirit
  preset colours.

Terms & Conditions

ORDER PLACEMENT

No Orders are too big or too small. No clients are too big or too small. Please place your orders via E-mail or online ordering and include your own purchase order number. No telephonic orders will be accepted. To prevent any delays on your orders, clearly state the style number, description, colour and sizes of the garments you are ordering. Also clearly state your company name, address and contact number along with any specific instructions, such as transport method and Third Party deliveries.

ORDER CONFIRMATION

All orders received via e-mail will receive a receipt Confirmation e-mail from us within one working day. If you do not receive this confirmation e-mail, please contact us immediately.

STOCK ISSUES

If there are any stock issues or any other issues, you will be contacted and we will proceed with the order as requested by you. For that purpose, please include the Purchaser’s name and contact details on your Purchase Order.

DISTRIBUTION

Auspirit has a sizable warehouse and office in Sydney. National distribution is done from the warehouse in Sydney across all the States. Each State has a Customer Service Representative at our office.

ORDER INSPECTION

Whilst every attempt is made to ship goods as ordered, it is the responsibility of the Customer to inspect all goods upon receipt, INCLUDING deliveries to Third Parties.
Please verify that Styles, Colors and Sizes match your order. Please note NO returns or compensation if orders have been decorated.

FABRIC COLOURS AND SIZES

Whilst every effort is made to ensure consistency of Fabric Colours, dye lots can vary slightly from batch to batch. Unfortunately, despite our best quality control, some colours may vary slightly from delivery to delivery. All garments are hand-made and have a unique sizing. Please refer to the tolerances in our Catalogue. We use half chest measurements of +/- 1cm.

ANOMALIES

There is a 14-day period from invoice date to advise of any anomalies and Auspirit must be advised in writing quoting the relevant Auspirit invoice number. We strongly recommend that your decorator or Third Party check the order thoroughly and promptly upon receipt.
Once the 14- day period has passed, our discretion to firstly, accept any returned goods and secondly, charge a minimum 20% re-stocking fee.

RETURNS

Returns can be made up to 14 days from date of invoice. All claims, for whatever reason, are at the discretion of Auspirit, need a Return Authority number before returning any garments. Contact us (preferably via e-mail) regarding Returns BEFORE returning any garments.

RETURNED GOODS

Returned goods must be in its original condition. No Credit will be given for decorated returned garments. Samples are not free. Any samples ordered will be charged to your account as normal. You are also responsible to pay any freight charges (if applicable) for sending samples. Please be aware that samples must be returned in their original condition.

FREIGHT POLICY FOR BACKORDERS

Backorders are freight free ONLY IF freight has been charged on the original order/invoice. Normal Freight Charges will apply if any order is placed with your Backorders.

IMPORTANT PAYMENT INFORMATION

Please note Auspirit’s standard Terms & Conditions apply. Contact us for a copy of our Terms & Conditions.

Unless you hold a Current Account with Auspirit, payments are required before any goods are being dispatched. Conditions, your account will be placed on “Credit Hold” until the issue has been resolved. Payment for Cash accounts is required BEFORE any goods are being dispatched.

IMPORTANT ACCOUNT INFORMATION

All new Accounts will be on a Cash-basis for three months to obtain a trading pattern. A customer may then apply for a 30-day Account providing their purchases averages $200.00 per month over a 3-month period. If it is less than this amount, they will remain on a Cash basis. All Accounts are subject to normal credit checks.
Existing Account Customers must maintain a trading level of $1 000.00 per year to keep their account. If their purchases drop below this level, Auspirit may revert their account to a Cash basis.”

INDENT & CUSTOM APPAREL ORDERS

PAYMENT

We do request 50% deposit for all our indent orders, we won’t process the job until we received payment. Balance must be paid prior to shipment or shipment will be delayed.

RETURN

Under no circumstance, will we accept any returns, if we supply the order according to your specification.
There is a 14-day period from invoice date to advise of any anomalies and Auspirit must be advised in writing quoting the relevant Auspirit invoice number.