What is Sublimation?

SUBLIMATION - as related to chemistry, is defined as "To cause (a solid or gas) to change state without becoming liquid". For example, dry ice changes to gas without ever becoming liquid.

The sublimation process imprints images into polyester, or polyester coated objects by applying dyes that turn from a solid to gas when heated. When the sublimation dye is placed next to polyester and heated, at approximately 325 degrees the polyester molecules open. The sublimation dye, which at this time is a gas, will then be able to penetrate the surface of the polyester. After the heat is removed, the polyester molecules will close and permanently trap the sublimation dyes, thus the image, into the polyester  substrate.