Do you know what are the best-selling products in the sublimation business? If you are in the sublimation business, you may already have an idea of what items are popular in this market. But in practice, you may be surprised at how many possibilities sublimation can offer!

To highlight all this versatility of the field, Professor and entrepreneur Matheus Cosso, of the company Mario e Marias, spoke to visitors to FuturePrint 2022 about the products that top the list of most ordered in sublimation. “This is a lecture in which I will spend my 10 years of sales experience,” he says.

1. Mugs

First, this is a product that works for almost any occasion and for all ages! Mugs are a great gift idea, and the possibilities for customization are  endless.

“Ceramic, polymer, acrylic, with glitter, with chrome, whatever you can think of”, Matheus says. “It’s the flagship; some people have too many mugs”, he adds.

2. T-shirts

T-shirt sublimation is also a business opportunity with a lot of sales potential for entrepreneurs in the field. After all, as Matheus Cosso mentions, this item can be produced for several purposes: from customizing gifts to T-shirts for companies, events and even political campaigns.

However, the speaker points out that the sublimation process for T-shirts does not follow the same rules for all professionals, and several factors must be considered that can cause variations in production – such as new or old equipment, press voltage, stability of the power grid, material resistance, among other details. “Sublimation is not an exact science,” says Matheus, recommending that the professional observe and note the settings used on the products that produced the best print results.

3. Cushions

With different sizes and shapes, the pillows help to further expand the range of products in sublimation. “Traditional, square, heart-shaped pillows, pillows, security blankets, mini pillows – which are the ‘cushion keychains’…”, quotes Matheus

And the rule of variety also applies to the types of fabrics that can make up the cushions. Some examples are:

  • Oxford;
  • Satin;
  • Helanca;
  • Dry-type materials, among others.

Matheus says that the demand for pillows is greater for the female audience, as it is a prominent product around Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, for example. “And the cool thing is that it is a simple product to make”,  he adds. “If you differentiate yourself with more elaborate pillows, with different formats, you can be sure that you will have demand,” he says.

4. Tiles

“It’s very popular, especially after the idea of the QR code, the Spotify code”, Matheus says. He says his store sees a lot of demand for tile gifts for dates like Valentine’s Day.

Matheus also shared a tip for those who want to increase the durability of the piece. To reduce the effects of sunlight, the resin and paint applied to the tile must be resistant to UV rays. In addition to these materials, there are varnishes that can also help protect the surface of the tiles, especially in external projects.

5. MDF

“MDF is a wildcard”, says Matheus, noting that there are several possible applications and occasions for MDF sublimated products. The material can be used for everything from Mother’s Day gifts to personalized packaging and kits.

Other products that may be on the list

Although the 5 products mentioned by the speaker are the best sellers in her experience and business, the list can certainly vary from business owner to business owner. “Of course, it is difficult for us to put our stamp on it and say these are the ones,” says Matheus.

Popularity, he points out, depends on several factors, such as region, seasonality and the location of the point of sale. Therefore, in addition to these 5 items, it is possible to benefit from several other possibilities! Here are some examples of products that can become your flagship in sublimation:

  • Bottles;
  • Flip-flops and slippers;
  • Magnets;
  • Cups;
  • Bags and backpacks;
  • Caps;
  • Apron;
  • Towels;
  • Keychains;
  • Frames;
  • Neoprene, among other products!

More than selling: creating demands

Of course, competition is fierce among the best-selling sublimation products. This is where an essential strategy for any business in this field comes into play: finding a differentiator that makes you stand out in the marketplace.

Whether it is investing in a specific niche or expanding the variety of finishes or effects of the same product, the key is to find that differentiation in the marketplace so that your product has more value and catches the eye of your target audience.