23 April 2026 · Lead Sleeve
What polyester percentage do you need for sublimation?
Why polyester content matters for sublimation prints, what percentage is the minimum for vivid colour, and how the Lead Sleeve is engineered to clear the bar every time.
Sublimation only bonds to polyester. The dye gasses out of the paper, hits the fabric, and locks into the polyester fibres at a molecular level. Anything that isn't polyester — cotton, bamboo, elastane — won't take the print at all. That's why the polyester percentage of your blank is the single biggest factor in how vivid the finished print looks.
Also known as: dog leash sleeve, personalized dog leash, custom dog leash, leash cover, lead wrap. Lead Sleeve ships worldwide — UK, US, EU, Canada, Australia, Asia, LATAM.
The minimums
- Below 50% polyester: don't bother. Colours come out washed, chalky, and fade after the first wash.
- 65% polyester: acceptable for soft, vintage-look prints. Colours sit muted on purpose.
- 85% polyester: the sweet spot for most apparel and accessory blanks. Vivid, repeatable colour.
- 100% polyester: maximum vibrancy. What you want for high-saturation graphics, photo prints, and small text that has to stay crisp.
Why this matters for dog products
Dog gear takes a beating — rain, mud, daily handling. A lower-polyester blank that looked fine in the studio will fade fast in real use. For maker-driven pet products you want at least 85% polyester, ideally higher, so the print holds up across seasons.
The Lead Sleeve is engineered with a high-polyester face precisely for this reason: vivid colour out of the press, and a print that survives months of walks and washes.
Quick checks before you press
- Read the spec sheet, not the marketing copy. "Sublimation-friendly" is not a polyester percentage.
- Test a single unit before running a batch.
- For mixed blends, expect colours to look a half-shade lighter than your design — adjust your artwork saturation accordingly.
Working with the Lead Sleeve specifically? See the press settings guide and the print instructions for full specs.
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