Dye Migration
Definition
What is dye migration?
A phenomenon where sublimation dyes in polyester fabrics bleed through the DTF transfer during heat pressing, causing discoloration or color shifting. Common with red, bright blue, and black polyester. Prevented using dye-blocking sprays, lower temperatures, or specialty films.
Where dye migration shows up on DTF Database
Guides and comparisons on this site that cover dye migration in practice.
Pressed a white design on a red polyester tee and it turned pink a day later? That's dye migration. Here's why polyester does it, which garment colors are worst, and the exact films, temperatures, and blanks that stop it before it ruins a run.
Read the articlePolyester is the trickiest fabric to heat press — too hot and you get scorch marks and dye migration, too cold and the transfer peels off. The exact temperatures, dwell times, and pressure for HTV, DTF, sublimation, and vinyl on polyester, plus how to fix an iron burn after the fact.
Read the articleDTF prints that look faded, dull, or washed out usually point to a weak white underbase, a color-management issue, or over-pressing — if they look dull off the press — or to dye migration and harsh washing if they fade later.
Read the articleThe Sport-Tek ST350 is a top-tier performance tee for DTF printing with PosiCharge technology that fights dye migration. 30+ colors, sizes XS–6XL, and built for sports teams, races, and athletic events. Full size chart, DTF settings, and where to buy wholesale.
Read the articleOne Stroke Inks is a Louisville, Kentucky plastisol ink maker. Its main ink lines, the cure temperatures its data sheets publish, and how it relates to DTF.
Read the articleThe District DM130 Perfect Tri Tee is a ultra-soft 50/25/25 tri-blend with 40+ colors and sizes XS–4XL. Full size chart, tri-blend DTF printing tips, and wholesale pricing from SanMar and JiffyShirts.
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