Cotton can’t be sublimation-printed in its natural state — only with special polymer coatings or transfer sheets, which ruin the softness, absorbency, and air-dry qualities that make cotton ideal. While sublimation-printing on towels would have been far easier, cheaper, and faster, it’s only truly viable on synthetic fabrics such as polyester. In doing my research, I found that other brands’ selling printed 'cumrags' use synthetics like polyester, sacrificing absorbency and quick-dry performance for the sake of cheap printability. All of this left me with one clear option for 100% cotton: embroidery. It provides a permanent, textured design that won’t peel, crack, or fade, and it retains its quality through repeated use and washing — even after heavy-duty work.