When the heating cycle is completed, the image on the paper has been transferred to the item and has actually become a part of the surface. Run your finger across the surface of sublimation and you will feel nothing.

The reason for this is that sublimation is always done on a polyester, polymer, or polymer coated item. At high temperatures, the solid dyes in the print converts into a gas without ever becoming a liquid. The high temperature also opens the pores of the polymer and allows the gas to enter. When the item is removed from the heat press, the temperature drops, the pores close and the gas reverts to a solid state. It has now become a part of the polymer. Done correctly, it cannot be washed out or come off, unless the actual fibers or coating is damaged.

This is why Inkjet sublimation can't be done on natural materials, like 100% cotton. Natural fibers and non-coated materials have no "pores" to open and so the dye just sits on top of the fabric. Heat transfers are the best way to imprint cotton and cotton-blend fabrics.

 99.9% of inkjet sublimation is done on white materials (substrates is the technical term). The reason for this is because the inks are actually transparent, when sublimated, and need a background to show up. White is the ideal background because it does not clash with the colors. Indeed, the white background actually enhances the colors.

This allows sublimators to print a wide gamut of vibrant, brilliant colors on multiple substrates. Some of the items include Soft-Link™ T-shirts (a cotton shirt, with a micro-weave of polyester on the outside), colored mesh ball caps, with a polyester front, mouse pads, jackets, beverage insulators, polyester calendars, clock faces, doll clothes, polyester patches, ceramic plates, mugs and tiles, FR plastic, coated MDF hard board (coasters, clipboards, etc.) and many other items.