Sales of sublimation paper weighing under 60 grams per square metre (gsm) grew by 9% in 2023, according to new data from textile supply chain information provider World Textile Information Network (WTiN). 

WTiN segments sublimation paper data into three weight categories: below 60 gsm, 60-90 gsm, and above 90 gsm. Last year, the latter two segments grew by 6% and 7% respectively.

Papers ranging from 60 to 90 gsm totalled more than 931 million sqm, representing 47% of the global market last year. Of the 1.974 billion sqm of sublimation paper sold globally last year, sub-60 gsm papers occupied a 28% share, while a quarter weighed more than 90 gsm.

Each weight category is forecast to achieve growth of just under 10% in 2024. Moreover, each grouping will achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% between 2023 and 2028 at the end of which, global sublimation paper consumption will surpass 3.1 billion sqm, according to WTiN’s data. 

Asia
Of the big three consumers of sublimation paper, Asia performed the strongest in 2023. It represented 54% of global sales with more than 1 billion sqm. A quarter of the paper weighed more than 90 gsm, 30% weighed less than 60 gsm and the remaining 45% weighed between 60 and 90 gsm.