Welcome to Creative Dye! Where we are going to be talking about being creative. I have always been a creative because I like to create but never thought of myself as creative. Until 2020 and I’ve learned to embrace my “creative” side.
What does it mean to be creative?
The simple definition of Creative by Merriam-Webster is: having or showing an ability to make new things or think of new ideas. : using the ability to make or think of new things: involving the process by which new ideas, stories, etc., are created.
The definition of Creative as an adjective is: relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of artistic work.
As a noun creative means a person who is creative, typically in a professional context.
So, if you create things you are a creative and you have came to the right place!
How Creative Dye Came to Be
Being an Empty Nester allows you to spend more time on things you want to do as opposed to have to do. Since becoming Empty Nesters we have learned to embrace our more creative sides and spend time doing things we haven’t done in a long time.
I have a Cricut Explore and a Cricut Explorer 2 and have had a ball making new and exciting projects. But then one day I heard about Sublimation and the rest is history or so they say. I literally have devoured any and all things related to Sublimation and made a few fun projects. But I made lots of mistakes when I first started learning and sublimation.
So I decided that I was going to create Creative Dye to help everyone else get started on their Sublimation Journey. Do I have all of the answers? NOPE not even close, but what I do have is the ability to figure out the answer and be a life long learner in the process. Keep reading to learn more about the Sublimation Printing Process! Be sure to keep an eye out for Sublimation Fails so you can learn from my mistakes and save yourself some headaches in the future.
What is Sublimation Printing?
The process of Sublimation Printing includes some specialized equipment that often converted to print ink onto paper. The definition of Sublimation is when a solid material turns into a gas without going through a liquid stage.
Put merely, Sublimation Printing is the artwork being transferred to an object in the form of gas by using heat. The sublimation ink is printed using a sublimation printer paper and then allowed to dry. After it dries (which takes very little time), you apply it to your project using a heat press.
How does Sublimation Printing Work?
The image is printed (infused) onto the printing paper, leaving very little mess and making it easy to do dye sublimation printing. The transfer of the image happens when you add heat to the article to an object. Use a piece of Butcher Paper or parchment paper on top of the sublimation paper to protect your project and heat press.
What can you Sublimate?
When it comes to Sublimation, you can print lots of graphics on clothing, signs, home décor, coasters, mugs, keyrings, license plates, etc.
Remember that your cloth products need to contain at least 50% Polyester to adhere to the article. The more Polyester, the better. However, anything over 60% poly will give you a beautiful deep color. The best solution is to use 100% Polyester shirts, which can be found online and in your local stores.
Rule of Thumb: if it’s 65/35, the shirt will hold 65% of its color.
Welcome to Creative Dye I hope you find all of your answers here with us!
Here are some great products that I recommend you purchase when you are ready to get started on your Sublimation Journey!