Key Takeaways
- Sublimation prints the design into polyester fabric — unlimited colours and logos, no cracking or peeling.
- Embroidery is the premium, durable choice for fire-resistant suits and jackets.
- On certified fire suits, every decoration must be applied so it does not compromise the rating.
- Reference every colour to Pantone so suits, shirts and jackets match.
Why branding matters in motorsport
Motorsport is a sponsorship-driven sport. A sponsor's logo on a driver's chest or a crew shirt in the paddock is advertising your partners pay for — and a sharp, consistent team look helps you win the next sponsor. The decoration method you choose affects how that branding looks, how long it lasts and what it costs.
Sublimation: unlimited design on performance fabrics
Sublimation turns special inks into a gas that bonds with polyester fibres, so the design becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it. The results:
- Unlimited colours and logos at no extra cost — a suit covered in stripes, gradients and sponsors costs the same as a plain one.
- Nothing to crack or peel — the print is in the fabric.
- Every garment can be different — individual driver names, numbers and personal sponsors.
- Bright fluorescent colours that stand out in photos.
We use sublimation on our performance fabric for karting suits, karting jackets, karting gloves and crew shirts. Sublimation works on polyester, which is not fire resistant — so it is not used for certified fire suits.
Printing: crisp detail on teamwear
Printed graphics apply ink to the surface of the fabric. Printing is useful for fine detail, small text and photographic artwork on teamwear and accessories. Ask how a print will hold up to washing, especially on workwear that is laundered often.
Branding fire-resistant suits safely
On a certified fire suit, every decoration is part of the safety system. Threads, backings and patches must be chosen and applied so they do not compromise the suit's rating — ordinary polyester thread or a heat-transfer logo can melt in a fire. Some standards also restrict how decoration may pass through the suit's layers.
This is why branding is best done by the manufacturer during production, not added afterwards. Tell us your logos and placements when you order and we will apply them as part of the build. If you need to add a sponsor later, ask us first.
Matching colours across the whole team
A team looks professional when the suit, crew shirts, jackets and mechanic wear match exactly. We reference colours to Pantone so different fabrics and decoration methods match, and we confirm the physical colour match with you before production. Browse the Nomex colour chart for suit colours.
Which method should you choose?
A simple guide:
- SFI fire suits: embroidery applied by the manufacturer.
- Karting suits, karting gloves and crew shirts: sublimation for unlimited designs and individual names.
- Team jackets: sublimated, leather or embroidered — depending on the look you want.
- Mechanic wear and workwear: durable embroidery or print chosen for frequent washing.
- Rental suits: track branding applied to survive daily laundering.
See our teamwear range, plan your kit with our team kit guide, or request a quote with your logo files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sublimate a Nomex racing suit?+
No. Sublimation works on polyester, which is not fire resistant. Nomex® suits are decorated with embroidery applied during production so the suit's rating is not compromised.
Does sublimation cost more for more logos?+
No. With sublimation, extra colours, stripes and sponsor logos cost the same as a plain design, because the whole garment is printed at once.
Can every driver's suit have a different name?+
Yes. Sublimated karting suits can carry individual names, numbers and sponsors on every suit, and embroidered names can be added to fire suits.
Have a project in mind?
Talk to our manufacturing team about your racewear — stock, private label or fully custom.