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Sublimation Printing Tips, Tricks, and Hacks!

Home | Sublimation Printing | What is Sublimation Printing?

What is Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation Printing

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Table of contents

  1. How does Sublimation Printing Work? 
    1. What is Sublimation?
      1. What products can you Sublimate on?
        1. What is the best t-shirt to Sublimate Print On? 
          1. Where do I purchase polyester shirts for sublimation?
            1. Can I Sublimate on a Dark Colored Shirt? 
              1. How do I get my shirt ready for Sublimation?
          2. When a customer asks : what is sublimation? Whats the quickest easiest response ?

            How does Sublimation Printing Work? 

            The process of Sublimation Printing includes some specialized equipment that is often converted to the use of sublimation ink onto a specific type of paper. The definition of Sublimation is when a solid material turns into a gas without going through a liquid stage.

            Must have Sublimation Products

            Getting started in Sublimation Printing takes a lot of time and effort. However, with the following products you will be able to learn more about Sublimation and get organized at the same time. From time to temperature charts, to pricing your products. We have you covered!

            A Beginner’s Guide to Sublimation -Pick up a copy of the Sublimation Book A Beginner’s Guide to Sublimation for only $14.99 for a limited time.

            Blank Time and Temperature Chart -Designed for you to keep track of times and temperatures for your heat press

            Time and Temperature Chart -Extensive Time and Temperature Chart with over 100 items listed.

            Sublimation Color Chart-PDF download of a Sublimation Color Chart

            Sublimation Glossary -Covers all of the terms and acronyms used in Sublimation.

            The Sublimation 101 Guide Book is the ultimate resource to get you started on your Sublimation Journey.

            Sublimation Pricing Calculator -Takes the guessing out of pricing your finished products and calculates it all for you.

            Sublimation Product Care Cards– Easy to print care cards to give to your customers so they know how to care for their products.

            Sublimation Management System -This binder system includes 20+ pages to download and print out to help keep you organized. The Sublimation Management System is a binder is a download that you can track things in, ex. free font sites, favorite fonts, favorite font pairings, sublimation printer settings, Order tracking sheet and many other pages. I took my system and adapted it for others to implement.

            Sublimation Business Plan PDF-The Sublimation Business Plan is essentially a Business Plan that you can fill out to take to the bank to borrow money and or plan your business. Included in that is 15 pages with things such as Executive Summary, products you will sell, Tag lines and so forth. It has a page that includes everything you should list, then a blank one for you to fill out.

            1 on 1 Time

            If you are stuck and need help, book me to help get you unstuck. 30 minute blocks only, scheduled to fit both of our schedules. Only 5 Spots a month are available so book today!

            ​

            What is Sublimation?

            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. 

            What is Sublimation Printing?

            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 products can you Sublimate on?

            When it comes to Sublimation, you can print lots of graphics on clothing, signs, home décor, coasters, mugs, keyrings, license plates, acrylics, and more!
            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.

            Buy Sublimation Products

            Rule of Thumb: if is 65/35, the shirt will hold 65% of its color. Because the 65% is Polyester where as 35% is cotton.

            What is Sublimation Printing?

            Here are some great products that I recommend you purchase when you are ready to get started on your Sublimation Journey!

            What is the best t-shirt to Sublimate Print On? 

            100% Polyester is BEST! Want a cotton feel and look? Check out Jerzees 21 M

            The Heather Softsyle color only in (Gildan Softstyle) is 65% Polyester and 35 percent cotton, so they sub and bleach beautifully. (More on the bleaching later). 

            Do you have your own Sublimation Care Cards to give to customers?

            Where do I purchase polyester shirts for sublimation?

            Gildan 460 is another brand of t-shirt that works well for sublimation printing. I order a lot of shirts from Jiffy Shirts and have always had great customer service from them. Plus they arrive relatively quickly but have heard that depends on where you live. Don’t want to shop at Jiffy Shirts?

            Then check out these suppliers.

            • Cricut T-shirts run a little small for my liking, but they actually sublimate really well.
            • Jerzees
            • Conde
            • Kids Blanks also has some great products that you can sublimate on!
            • CP Blanks
            • The Laughing Giraffe

            These are my top picks for ordering after I’ve checked the stock at Jiffy Shirts.

            # Preview Product Rating Price
            1 Hiipoo Sublimation Ink for EcoTank Supertank Inkjet Printer ET-2400 ET-2720 ET-2760 ET-2800 ET-2803... Hiipoo Sublimation Ink for EcoTank Supertank Inkjet Printer ET-2400 ET-2720 ET-2760 ET-2800... $26.99 Buy on Amazon
            2 Hiipoo Sublimation Ink with Heat Tape Refill for ET2400 XP4105 XP4100 ET2720 ET2760 ET2750 ET4800... Hiipoo Sublimation Ink with Heat Tape Refill for ET2400 XP4105 XP4100 ET2720 ET2760 ET2750 ET4800... $23.99 Buy on Amazon
            3 Hiipoo Sublimation Ink for EcoTank Supertank Inkjet Printers ET-2803 ET-2800 ET-2850 ET-2720 ET-4800... Hiipoo Sublimation Ink for EcoTank Supertank Inkjet Printers ET-2803 ET-2800 ET-2850 ET-2720... $36.99 Buy on Amazon
            4 Printers Jack Sublimation Ink Refill for Epson EcoTank Supertank Printers ET-2720 ET-2760 ET-2750... Printers Jack Sublimation Ink Refill for Epson EcoTank Supertank Printers ET-2720 ET-2760 ET-2750... $31.99 Buy on Amazon
            5 Subliplus+ 560ml Sublimation Ink Refilled for Ecotank ET-2720 ET-2760 ET-2803 ET-2800 ET-4800... Subliplus+ 560ml Sublimation Ink Refilled for Ecotank ET-2720 ET-2760 ET-2803 ET-2800 ET-4800... No ratings yet $29.99 Buy on Amazon
            6 Printers Jack 400ML Sublimation Ink for Epson C88 C88+ WF7720 ET2720 ET4760 ET2760 ET2750 WF7820... Printers Jack 400ML Sublimation Ink for Epson C88 C88+ WF7720 ET2720 ET4760 ET2760 ET2750 WF7820... $21.99 Buy on Amazon
            7 Hiipoo Sublimation Ink Refilled Bottles Work with WF7710 ET2760 ET2720 ET2803 ET2800 ET15000 C88... Hiipoo Sublimation Ink Refilled Bottles Work with WF7710 ET2760 ET2720 ET2803 ET2800 ET15000 C88... $18.98 Buy on Amazon
            8 WOKOK Sublimation Ink Refill Ink Kit for Inkjet Sublimation Printers ET-2720 ET-2800 ET-2803 ET-2760... WOKOK Sublimation Ink Refill Ink Kit for Inkjet Sublimation Printers ET-2720 ET-2800 ET-2803... $12.99 Buy on Amazon
            9 Hiipoo 580ML Sublimation Ink for EcoTank Supertank Inkjet Printer ET-2400 ET-2720 ET-2760 ET-2800... Hiipoo 580ML Sublimation Ink for EcoTank Supertank Inkjet Printer ET-2400 ET-2720 ET-2760 ET-2800... $31.91 Buy on Amazon
            10 Tonha Sublimation Ink Refill for Epson EcoTank ET2720 ET2760 ET2650 ET4700 ET2750 WF2750 WF7710... Tonha Sublimation Ink Refill for Epson EcoTank ET2720 ET2760 ET2650 ET4700 ET2750 WF2750 WF7710... $18.99 Buy on Amazon

            Last update on 2023-01-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API



            SubZone Ink is one of the best on the market for Sublimation Printing!

            Remember sublimation ink becomes a part of the fabric and there isn’t any distinction or different feel between the dye and the shirt. Unlike Iron on and vinyl products.

            Need help with time and temperature for your Sublimation items? You are in the right place, grab the Time and Temperature Chart today!

            Can I use any image for Sublimation? Where do I find the RIGHT Images for Sublimation?

            Can I Sublimate on a Dark Colored Shirt? 

            The short answer is YES and NO. Why?? Because it requires a different step and is not truly just Sublimatoin Printing. For you to sublimate on a darker-colored shirt, you must have a glitter vinyl background, then continue your Sublimation Process. *More on this topic later.

            How do I get my shirt ready for Sublimation?
            1. Print your design- remember that Sublimation Ink is HEAT activated, so the colors on the paper will never be what they are when they are finished. Remember to flip the image, so its not backward on your item.  
            2. Use a lint roller to get the lint off of the shirt before pressing. If you don’t, you could get little blue specks of ink that will not come off after pressing. I suggest rolling your shirt 2 or 3 times before pressing to achieve the best press.
            3. Shirts have moisture in them, so it is best to pre-press them before trying to Sublimate your Artwork to them. 
            4. Wait at least 10 minutes before pressings so ensure the best results.
            5. Press your item at 400 degrees for 60 seconds. When finished, you are ready to shake out your shirt. Then, run a lint roller over your shirt again to help get rid of the pressed square that is there from pressing your design onto your shirt. 

            Stay tuned for more great posts like this one. Here is just a few that I have in the works!

            What No One Tells You About Sublimation Printing
            What is blowout paper and where do I get it?
            Can any printer do sublimation?
            Sublimation Glossary of Terms
            Is sublimation printing expensive?
            What is sublimation printing T-shirts?
            What material can I sublimate on?
            What is the best Sublimation Printer?

            Must have Sublimation Products

            Getting started in Sublimation Printing takes a lot of time and effort. However, with the following products you will be able to learn more about Sublimation and get organized at the same time. From time to temperature charts, to pricing your products. We have you covered!

            A Beginner’s Guide to Sublimation -Pick up a copy of the Sublimation Book A Beginner’s Guide to Sublimation for only $14.99 for a limited time.

            Blank Time and Temperature Chart -Designed for you to keep track of times and temperatures for your heat press

            Time and Temperature Chart -Extensive Time and Temperature Chart with over 100 items listed.

            Sublimation Color Chart-PDF download of a Sublimation Color Chart

            Sublimation Glossary -Covers all of the terms and acronyms used in Sublimation.

            The Sublimation 101 Guide Book is the ultimate resource to get you started on your Sublimation Journey.

            Sublimation Pricing Calculator -Takes the guessing out of pricing your finished products and calculates it all for you.

            Sublimation Product Care Cards– Easy to print care cards to give to your customers so they know how to care for their products.

            Sublimation Management System -This binder system includes 20+ pages to download and print out to help keep you organized. The Sublimation Management System is a binder is a download that you can track things in, ex. free font sites, favorite fonts, favorite font pairings, sublimation printer settings, Order tracking sheet and many other pages. I took my system and adapted it for others to implement.

            Sublimation Business Plan PDF-The Sublimation Business Plan is essentially a Business Plan that you can fill out to take to the bank to borrow money and or plan your business. Included in that is 15 pages with things such as Executive Summary, products you will sell, Tag lines and so forth. It has a page that includes everything you should list, then a blank one for you to fill out.

            1 on 1 Time

            If you are stuck and need help, book me to help get you unstuck. 30 minute blocks only, scheduled to fit both of our schedules. Only 5 Spots a month are available so book today!

            ​

            What is Sublimation Printing?

            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. 

            Can Sublimation Printing be done on cotton?

            Yes and no. If you use Easy Subli it will adhere to that surface, and then can be placed onto a cotton shirt. The other thing I’ve seen people use is Dye press Poly-Tee Spray. However, I stick to just polyester substrates.

            Easy tell customers what sublimation is

            When a customer asks : what is sublimation? Whats the quickest easiest response ?

            It’s a tattoo for a shirt, it doesn’t come off.

            I tell them it’s a specialty ink that dyes the fibers and/or substrate. Unlike vinyl or screen prints it cannot peel or fall off.

            Sublimation dyes fabric and will not leave a texture or a raised surface. They will never crack or peel.

            Download and Print this Sign to have up in your booth space.

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            August 6, 2020 · Leave a Comment

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