Note: These are general recommendations and may vary depending on the specific vinyl and sublimation paper used. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for optimal results. The equipment and materials needed for this method are relatively expensive. However, it’s typically worth it in the long run, thanks to the high-quality, long-lasting results. Vinyl printing uses a special type of vinyl that can be cut and printed using a dedicated vinyl cutting machine. Once the design is made, a heat press is used to apply the vinyl design to the product (t-shirts, bags, caps, etc.).

Throw Blankets– Print dimensions 7.9″ tall by 9.8″ wide (for each blank spot on the 40″ x 60″ blanket) A computer, either Mac or PC, laptop or desktop, will allow you to use software so you can make your own designs, like I do. It is possible to use an iPad or tablet, but there are fewer software options. I like to make my designs in Photoshop or Illustrator on my computer, but there are many other programs you can use that are free or low-cost such as Inkscape, Gimp, Canva, Affinity Designer, Procreate, Corel, and more. You can even just print from Google Docs, Cricut Design Space, or Silhouette Studio basic edition — which are all free — if you don’t have other options. And the Sawgrass printer comes with its own software! And if you’re not into designing your own things, there are lots of designs out there that you can get specifically for sublimation, including many that I have here on my blog for absolutely free! Once you have a design, you can just open them up in Notes, Google Docs or Microsoft Word to print them. When it comes to cleaning sublimated vinyl, it’s important to avoid harsh chemicals or abrasives that can damage the design or the vinyl itself. Here are some substances to steer clear of:I have four sublimation printers that I’ve set up and test out designs with. These top brands (Sawgrass and Epson) are the four most common printers people like us use at home. They all work and make beautiful sublimation prints. Two of these — the Sawgrass here and the Epson SureColor F170 here — are purpose-built sublimation printers. The other two here — the Epson EcoTank and the Epson Workforce — are converted inkjet printers. There are pros and cons to both, everything from price to convenience to maintenance. And when you have the basics down and are ready to fine tune your sublimation prints for the absolute best and most vibrant prints with true colors, you can add ICC printer profiles. These are specific to the ink you’re using with a printer, and can make a big difference in color. And, best of all, they are free! In my sublimation printer setup directions, I also explain how to find printer profiles — you can get all of that information over at jennifermaker.com/sublimationprinters. How hard is to get started in sublimation? As always, you start at the computer with a digital image. Print this out onto sublimation transfer paper using a sublimation printer. Make sure you reverse or mirror the image, as you apply the print face-down onto the HTV.

It is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for both the heat press and the sublimation paper to ensure optimal results. Too low of a temperature may result in incomplete sublimation, while too high of a temperature can cause the vinyl to melt or distort. Similarly, improper pressure can lead to uneven transfer or poor adhesion. Now, if I know you, you’re wondering how sub printing is different from iron on vinyl. And that’s a great question! So iron-on vinyl, also known as heat transfer vinyl, is a thin sheet of PVC with a heat-activated adhesive on one side. You can put iron on vinyl on nearly anything of any color, unlike sublimation, but vinyl doesn’t go into the surface like sublimation — vinyl just lies on top of the surface of your material. So you can feel the edges of the vinyl on your surface, whereas sublimation has no feel at all.Depending on the kind of vinyl you use, you will want to use slightly different printing methods. Sublimation on Vinyl: Complete Guide Any kind of heat press will work for this process. You can use a small hand-held type like the Cricut EasyPress, or a large clamshell-style press. Type of Vinyl To prevent fading or discoloration, it is crucial to use high-quality sublimation inks and vinyl materials specifically designed for sublimation. Additionally, ensuring proper heat and pressure settings during the sublimation process can help maintain the vibrancy and longevity of the design.

Finally, you use a heat press to transfer the design on the paper to the t-shirt and then peel away the paper.A sublimation printer cannot easily print directly onto vinyl. In most cases, your design will come out with perfect lines and vivid colors when you print it onto a sublimation transfer sheet first and then use heat to transfer the ink to the vinyl. The easiest way to sublimate onto HTV is to use the heat press for sublimation with the vinyl attached to the shirt or blank. Related: The Ultimate Guide To Heat Press T Shirts: Benefits, Tips, And Troubleshooting Blurring or Distortion of Designs

You can buy special paper and it tends to make for the best and most vibrant sublimation prints. There are a lot of brands out there — I usually use A-Sub paper or TruePix sublimation paper. And you can get this in regular sizes as well as larger sizes to match a large format printer. To use HTV, simply cut the desired design using a vinyl cutter and then transfer it onto the vinyl surface using a heat press. The heat from the press activates the adhesive on the HTV, allowing it to adhere securely to the vinyl. By using HTV, you can ensure that your sublimated designs stay vibrant and intact even with regular use and exposure to various environments. Sublimation printing on vinyl begins with selecting a type of heat transfer or adhesive vinyl with a polyester coating. The printer can either print an image onto the vinyl or use a transfer sheet to place a design on the vinyl. A heat press with precise temperature and timing will activate the sublimation process. Cricut’s line of infusible ink products does not work with sublimation, as they use a slightly different chemical process. Sublimation materials and blanks, such as 100% Polyester Fabrics (great for testing and learning), coated coffee mugs, polyester garden Flags, MDF painted white with spray paint and then laminated, plus SO MUCH MORE (see list below)

There are workarounds out there for other materials and colored fabrics, including white sublimatable HTV which only just came out recently, after the original publication of this tutorial! This time, we want to create two new layers - one for the clear HTV and one for the white. I also want the layers to be just a tiny bit smaller than my design because I like the look of softer edges and how the design fades into the dark fabric. But you can make it slightly larger than the design if preferred. Another effect of sublimation on vinyl is the blurring or distortion of designs. This can occur due to various reasons, such as improper heat and pressure settings during the sublimation process or using low-resolution images for printing. When the vinyl is subjected to high temperatures, the ink can spread or bleed, leading to a loss of clarity and sharpness in the design. Sublimation will last as long as whatever surface you’re putting it onto, which is WAY cool. And you can’t feel it — it’s like it just becomes a part of the fabric or object, which it basically does.