What is Sublimation?

What is sublimation? Well a short answer is that sublimation is a method of printing designs onto items like fabric, mugs, and more. It uses a special sublimation printer with sublimation inks to create your design. Then, with a heat press, the design is transferred onto the material. The heat turns the ink into gas, which bonds with the material, creating a vibrant and long-lasting image.

However, to start sublimating you need much, much more than the short answer! Read on for more.

This post may contain some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I may earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)!  Read my very boring full disclosure policy here.

Essential Equipment for Sublimation

To create sublimation projects requires special equipment. The equipment that YOU require will depend on what type of sublimation projects you are interested in creating.

I personally have a large list of favorite projects that I love making. My top three are mugs, tumblers and earrings however I will cover some of the others as we move through.

Sublimation Printer

One of the most important items is a specialized printer designed for sublimation printing, capable of using sublimation inks. There are a few dedicated brands on the market which include Sawgrass and Epson. You also have the option of converting an Epson eco tank printer. This means that instead of installing the regular inkjet ink in the printer, you purchase sublimation inks.

This is my Sawgrass SG500 sublimation printer. It prints A4 and Letter sized paper. If you are in Australia, I found them for sale here.

Sublimation Inks

What are sublimation inks? These are specifically formulated inks for the sublimation process. Once heat is added, they convert from a solid to a gas and permeate the sublimation blank. This creates a firm bond between the blank and the design.

It is important to note that sublimation inks are kind of clear. The substrate that you heat press your design to needs to be a lighter color, preferably white for best results. There are “hacks” around to sublimate on darker colors however, in my opinion, this does not provide quite the same results.

Sublimation Paper

Along with the printer and ink is sublimation paper. Your sublimation printer works just the same as a regular inkjet printer and prints the design that you have created onto the sublimation paper. This holds the sublimation ink until it’s ready to be transferred onto the substrate.

Sublimation paper comes in different thicknesses, measured in gsm and of course different brands. At a pinch, crafters have used regular copy paper. I personally use A-sub sublimation paper. Sublimation blanks can be quite expensive so why wouldn’t you use the correct paper to produce a good outcome. Here is A-Sub paper in letter size the same gsm etc that I use. I use it in A4 size and purchase from here (Australia).

TIP: Sublimation designs are usually printed mirrored or flipped from the original. They also print VERY different to what the end result after heating is. The colors often don’t look anything like the finished color and the design looks almost faded or dull. Once the process is complete, you will be amazed at the change.

Heat Press

A heat press is a machine that applies heat and pressure to transfer the sublimation design from the paper to the substrate. There are different types of heat presses and the options include auto presses, clamshell, swing-away, and mug or tumbler presses. You can also use a dedicated oven to apply the heat.

If you have been crafting awhile, you may already have a heat press and there is a good chance that it will be suitable to use for your sublimation projects.

Pictured is the sublimation equipment I use, including an HTVRont auto heat press, a PYDLife tumbler press, and a Vevor 10×12 handheld heat press. You’ll notice that the Vevor press also has the 10oz mug attachment. This is where I started, and I’ve added to it as needed. I ended up purchasing my PYDLife tumbler press directly from PYDLife as it was not available in Australia. PYDLife products are readily available in the US. If you have trouble working out which one is which, I am happy to help you.

Sublimation Blanks

Sublimation blanks are items that are specially coated or made from polyester, such as shirts, mugs, tumblers, keychains, earrings and more, that are suitable for sublimation. The list of different blanks is HUGE! I will create an entire section on this below, however I doubt that I will capture them all as there are SO many.

My favorite projects as I mentioned earlier are mugs, tumblers and earrings. These are fun to make, sell quite well and make really great gifts. I love personalizing sublimation blanks which adds that special touch to a gift.

Heat-Resistant Tape

This is tape that can withstand high temperatures and is used to secure the sublimation paper in place during the transfer process. I have found that the yellow colored heat transfer tape can stain some blanks so my recommendation is to select a clear or blueish color tape.

I mainly used PYDLife or HTVRont heat resistant tape. It is a bluish color. I have used Cricut brand as well however this was more expensive for me and came in a tiny roll.

Pictured is PYDLife heat resistant tape for use with sublimation projects.

For the tape, I purchased a funky tape dispenser. This purchase has been the best thing since slice bread was invented. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE mine. So much so, I wrote an entire post around it. You can read more about it here.

Teflon Sheets or Heat-Resistant Pads

Teflon sheets are great for use with various heat presses HOWEVER I don’t recommend using them for sublimation projects.
What is a Teflon sheet you ask? It is a protective sheet placed between the heat press and the substrate to protect the heat press. They work really well, just not for sublimation.

There are a number of reasons why I don’t like using a Teflon sheet when sublimating. One major reason is that the ink, when in a gas state, often leaks out. When cool the ink stays put however once heated again it inevitably adheres to places that you don’t want it to. A blank spot on a T-shirt, a splooge in the middle of your beautiful design. This is a no-no for me.

The other main reason is moisture. Some substrates or blanks give off a small amount of moisture when heated. Fabric is a prime example. This moisture can be trapped by the Teflon sheet and may impact your final results.

So what do I use? Well, you absolutely need to use something to protect you heat press otherwise the ink will transfer to the press and the next time you use your press the ink will transfer to your next project. Not cool. Many crafters use butchers paper. This is an economical solution. Use once and throw away.

I use good old baking paper, also known as bakery paper or parchment paper. It seems to do a good job for me and I have purchased a huge roll which tears off really easily as I need it. I am not certain where I purchased this from however it could have been Costco?

Design Software

To create your designs, software like Affinity Designer, Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW, or free alternatives like Inkscape or GIMP can be used to create and edit designs for sublimation. Crafters have been known to use Canva or even there Cricut Design Space. Neither of the last two are true graphical software however seem to do the job.

Personally, I use Affinity Designer. It is relatively inexpensive and is as powerful as Adobe Illustrator.

I export the print in RGB format for sublimation designs….not CMYK

Protective Equipment

Next we don’t want to burn our fingers so heat-resistant gloves are an essential item. These don’t need to be expensive. Mine are like these ones.

Ventilation

Unfortunately, sublimation ink during the heating process can be a bit stinky. Proper ventilation is a good idea to ensure a safe working environment.

Sublimation Blanks – there are so many!

Polyester Fabric

T-Shirts, Hoodies, and Apparel: Polyester or high-polyester blend fabrics work best for sublimation, as they absorb the ink well and produce vibrant colors.

Bags and Accessories: Tote bags, cosmetic bags, and other accessories made of polyester or polyester-coated materials.

Ceramic Blanks

Mugs: Specially coated ceramic mugs designed for sublimation, perfect for creating personalized drinkware. These come in different sizes and shapes. You need to make sure that the shape you choose is suitable for the press that you are planning to use.

Tiles and Coasters: Ceramic tiles and coasters with a sublimation-ready coating for creating custom home decor. Coaters, in particular, are great fun to create.

Metal Blanks

Keychains and Tags: Aluminum keychains, tags, and dog tags coated for sublimation, ideal for personalized gifts.

Photo Panels and Signs: Metal panels with a sublimation coating for vibrant, high-resolution photo transfers.

Windspinners: You purchase windspinners flat, sublimated and then bent to catch the wind. So much fun to make. Mine are 8 inch as they fit on A4 paper The 10 inch windspinners may need to have the design joined or use a larger format printer.

Tumblers: The tumblers I purchase are top quality 18/8 food grade stainless steel, and are a double wall, insulated thermal tumblers. We have gone out for the day and left the tumblers in an extremely hot car for hours. The fluid is still cool when we get back. Unbelievable! Good quality is definitely the way to go.

Wood Blanks

Plaques and Signs: These are wooden items which have been specially coated or treated for sublimation. This allows for unique and rustic designs to be pressed onto them.

Ornaments: Wooden (usually MDF) ornaments with a sublimation-ready coating for holiday and decorative projects.

Coasters: Often with a layer of MDF coated for sublimation and cork backing. These are my favorite type.

Earrings: MDF earring blanks are available in so many different shapes. Once sublimated, you add the earring finds (hooks etc) and a beautiful pair of earrings have been created. I sell a lot of earrings and the blanks are usually an economical purchase.

You will find a large range of choice of earring designs suitable for sublimation here. Remember to measure your blanks and size the design slightly larger than the blank. This will ensure that when you place the blank down you can see the design around the edge and confirm you have placed it correctly.

Glass Blanks

Photo Frames and Panels: Glass items with a special coating for sublimation, perfect for custom picture frames and decorative panels.

Cutting Boards: Sublimation-coated glass cutting boards for creating functional and decorative kitchen items.

I have seen these turn out really lovely however I haven’t gotten around to trying them as yet.

Plastic or PVC Blanks

Phone Cases: Polyester-coated or sublimation-friendly plastic phone cases for custom designs.

ID Badges and Luggage Tags: Plastic items designed for sublimation, ideal for personalized identification.

Note that these blanks are specially designed to be able to withstand the high temperatures required by sublimation ink.

Home Decor Items

Pillows and Cushions: Polyester pillowcases and cushions that can be sublimated with custom designs.

Blankets and Towels: High-polyester content blankets, towels, and other textiles for personalized home decor. Tea towels are quite popular.

Pictured is a white polyester pillow case with a cute unicorn design and personalized for a special gift. I have added the text using the software program Affinity Designer and the unicorn design can be found here.

Sublimation-Ready Accessories

Mouse Pads: Polyester-coated mouse pads for vibrant, custom designs.

Socks and Headbands: Polyester socks and headbands that are perfect for sublimation, offering a unique way to create custom apparel.

Coasters: Once again, there are many coaster blanks available, including car coasters which have the little half circle out of one side so they are easy to lift out of the car drink carriers.

Considerations for Choosing Blanks

Coating: Ensure the blanks are specifically coated for sublimation.

Material: 100% Polyester or polyester-coated materials yield the best results. Fabric with a high content of polyester is also suitable. Keep in mind that the lower the polyester content the less vibrant the design tends to print. While sublimation ink will press onto cotton, it potentially will wash off as it does not adhere properly.

Color: Light-colored blanks work best, as sublimation ink is translucent and won’t show up well on dark colors. While there are hacks about, if you plan to mainly print on darker colors you will benefit from researching White Toner printing and DTF.

Size and Shape: Choose blanks that fit your heat press and match your design needs. It is important that the sublimation paper is attached firmly against the blank.

Preparing Your Design for Sublimation

Let’s look at a couple of tips for sublimating.

TIP 1:

Ensure that your blanks are clean and fingerprint/dust free. If needed you can wipe down ceramic, metal and MDF blanks with isopropyl alcohol. I do this if I know the blanks may have oils from my hands on them. I handle my blanks to reduce this occurring.

TIP 2:

Pre-heat fabric for a short amount of time to remove any excess moisture from it prior to placing your design onto it. I normally pre-heat for about 10 to 15 seconds.

TIP 3:

Tape down your design. This prevents unwanted movement as any movement of the design during the pressing process may cause your design to ghost. Remember to use heat resistant tape and not normal sticky tape.

TIP 4:

Write your settings down! Different blanks will need different time and temp settings. Plus, would you believe that different heat presses will vary too. It figures…hey! Once you are happy with your time and temp settings record them for next time. Saves headaches.

TIP 5:

I normally print a full sheet of paper when I print. For example if I have a few pairs of earring to make, I will fill up the entire sheet of different designs when printing. You can store the printed designs for ages and use them when you are ready. Store the paper flat, and in a moisture free, clean environment.

TIP 6:

MDF and flat metal blanks in particular often have a protective plastic cover so remember to check and remove it. It can be quite difficult to see and easily missed. My advice is to triple check if you think the blank does not have a protective cover. And yes, I have sublimated with the protective cover still on. 🙁 While the sublimation process permeates the plastic, it produces a faded version of what would be the correct color.

These two MDF coaster blanks were among the first things I ever sublimated. The one on the right shows the coaster sublimated with the plastic coating still on the blank—a common mistake for newbies. Underneath the coaster is the sublimation paper that came off the blanks after sublimation. You can clearly see the difference in what was left on the paper from the one I messed up. If I remember correctly, the plastic stuck to the paper when I removed it.

The one of the left has been sublimated correctly. I think this was my first and last time I made the error. Remember, making mistakes is how you learn. 🙂

We have started a sublimation group on Facebook called Sublimation With Sue. If you are interested to learn more about sublimation, you are welcome to join us.