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I get a ton of questions on sublimation blanks so I thought I would clear it up in a big post all about what works and what doesn’t. All of my information below applies to Infusible Ink sheets, Infusible Ink markers, sublimation markers, sublimation stamp pads, and sublimation printers. What works and what doesn’t work? Let’s dive in and find out before you add any more sublimation surfaces to your cart!
Which sublimation surfaces will work?So, now that you know a little bit more about sublimation. Let’s take a look at what surfaces will work and which will not. After all, it is super frustrating to get done with a project and have a failure! You can actually watch the video below where I walk through all of my favorite sublimation blanks and where to look for them. No need to hunt through product catalogs when I can do the legwork for you!
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel!Can’t watch the video or missed some of the information? I also have links for you below for each blank and store mentioned! And yes I even have coupons for you in some cases! If you are just getting started with sublimation printing, this is the post for you!
Sublimation ShirtsShirts that you use for sublimation should be at least 65% polyester to work correctly. Be sure to check your tag. If you use dye sublimation ink on a cotton shirt, it is just going to wash out and you are going to be super unhappy with the results. You can actually watch me test a variety of t-shirts here.
Where do you get these shirts? Which manufacturer of sublimation apparel is best? While ANY shirt that is 65% polyester will work, you do want shirts that are a light color. Sublimation is translucent which means that any color in your substrate will show through after your design is pressed. I like to look for shirts in the following places:
Sublimation Fabric BlanksYou can also use other fabric blanks like wine bags, totes, and so much more. I have found totes that are 100% polyester at IKEA so you can literally look just about anywhere! Here are a few of my favorite places to shop for blanks:
That is a big list! So what are the best blanks when it comes to fabric surfaces? Here are a few of my favorites:
Sublimation MugsWith the availability of the Cricut Mug Press, interest in sublimating coffee mugs has increased. Here are a few of my favorite mug blanks and they all work in the mug press:
Sublimation Tumblers and BottlesI have made some tumblers and bottles with sublimation as well. I have used my mug press to do some here as well as an oven to do others. My favorite blanks are as follows:
Other Sublimation BlanksNow, let’s talk about things that are NOT fabric. Yes, you can sublimate on ceramic, metal, plastic, and more. Again, you will need to make sure it has a special coating in order to be permanent. That means you can’t pick up tiles from Home Depot or mugs from Dollar Tree. These will NOT work. You need to look for special supplies that are marked for sublimation. My favorite sources when I am looking for a sublimation product include:
Here are a few items that are my personal favorites:
Color of Sublimation BlanksSublimation ink is fairly see-through when you add it to your blank. That means the color of the blank will change the color of your final project. So, if you use a grey shirt or a blue can koozie, you can expect that to change the color of your final project, especially when using lighter-colored sublimation ink. You just need to be aware of this when choosing the sublimation surfaces you want to use for your project.
Where to Buy Sublimation InkNow you may be ready to buy your own sublimation ink and start creating! What can you use these blanks with? Try the links below!
Now, are you ready to give sublimation blanks a try? Use our guide to pick the right surfaces to make your crafts a success. Sublimation is a fun craft to try, but you want to make sure to use the right supplies so you get the optimal results!
Stay tuned for more on sublimation over the next few months. I hope this helps demystify the surfaces a bit so you can start making your own projects. Chances are you will love this craft once you get started with sublimation blanks. I have probably listed the best sellers, however, you can find sublimation blanks in so many different shapes and sizes!
Sublimation Stamped Ink Coaster with Words
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Eastsign.
Add sublimation ink to a coaster with a stamp pad and this method.
Read MoreTumbler And Mug Sublimation Using An Oven
If you’re looking for a custom mug. you will want to know how create mug sublimation in an oven! You’ll have custom mugs in no time!
Read MoreGrocery List Board with a Free Kitchen SVG
Make a dry erase grocery list board with sublimation markers and this organization SVG file.
Read MoreDIY Mouse Pad with Cricut Infusible Ink
This tutorial teaches you everything you need to make your DIY Mouse Pad! Made without cork and ready in just a few simple steps with Cricut Infusible Ink , you can transfer any design you'd like! This tutorial is super easy and requires just a handful of crafty materials that are usually super easy to find.
Read MoreHow to Make an Infusible Ink Blanket
Use the new Cricut Infusible Ink on a polyester blanket for a personalized gift idea.
Read MoreSublimation decoration of T-shirts, jerseys and other apparel takes 10 minutes to learn and a lifetime to master. The equipment and products are always changing, so whether you have been sublimating for 20 years or two days, there are always new lessons to learn.
As a sublimation specialist, my job is to make those lessons easier for decorators. I am lucky to be part of a team that, through years of trial and error, has accumulated a bag of tricks for successful sublimation. Here are 10 tips passed down to me — and now to you — to help you better perform this process.
To ensure a long printer life span, leave it on at all times. It is a common misconception that this will waste more ink when, in fact, the opposite is true. Leaving the printer on will allow it to perform short maintenance cycles to keep ink flowing and prevent clogged print heads. If you shut the printer down every night, it will do a more extensive, thorough cleaning the next time you turn it on, using a larger amount of ink.
A printer’s sublimation inks have a shelf life. Leaving them in the printer too long will cause issues such as color shifting, head clogs and banding. Many people agree that you can print past the “use-by” date without any issues, but a good rule of thumb is to use the cartridges within six months of installing them. It is not recommended to print past six months of the use-by date. Marking the cartridges with the date on which you installed them is a good way to keep track of their life span.
If properly maintained, a quality heat press can last 10 or more years. Look for an industrial-grade press that recovers quickly between pressings and also has a digital display so you can see temperatures rise and fall. Investing in a digital pyrometer, a device that reads the heat of your press, can ensure the accuracy of its temperature reading.
Certain substrates require additional accessories or a specific press type for successful sublimation. Consult with your distributor about product instructions and specs to ensure you have the required equipment.
When sublimating, always have extra pieces, especially when working with a new product. Mistakes will be made, whether human or mechanical errors, that will affect your production process. Therefore, it’s always good to have backups.
You can use some common household items to successfully sublimate. Paper towels without a textured pattern or print can be placed underneath hard substrates to help evenly distribute pressure and catch any ink blowout. Substituting butcher paper — also known as end-roll paper — for Teflon sheets will keep double-sided items, such as apparel, clean during production.
Use a lint roller on apparel to remove any stray fibers remaining from the production process that can cause permanent blue dots on the finished product. Finally, lighter fluid can be used to remove fingerprints and adhesive residue from hard substrates, resulting in a clean finish.
Use heat tape on hard substrates and repositionable spray on apparel. However, the latter comes in handy on double-sided, hard substrates when sublimating both sides simultaneously.
For some, the hardest part of sublimation is using design software, so take time to learn these programs. Just knowing the basic navigation tools can save you time and headaches. Start small and build on your skill set.
Check with your distributor for available resources such as how-to videos, webinars, product templates and specs, design software tutorials and technical support.
There is no special formula for pricing sublimated goods. Start by figuring out your production costs. Always remember that a personalized item’s value depends on what it’s worth to the customer.
Colin VanLint joined JDS Industries in fall 2015, and currently works as a sublimation specialist. This article was updated on April 18, 2023.
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