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.). At an affordable price point than most sublimation printers, the Epson WorkForce is fantastic for beginners. It’s economical and efficient, allowing you to print on a variety of fabrics and products.

When the time is up, lift the EasyPress straight upward. Remove the butcher paper but wait until the clear HTV has completely cooled before removing the film, about 5-10 minutes - this is a COLD peel. TIP: If you ever have any questions about cutting vinyl, I have a great resource to help -- my Ultimate Guide to Vinyl, which explains how to tell which side of the iron-on vinyl goes down on the mat.You may also have heard that you can use laser copy paper, BUT, be aware that it will make your prints look more faded and washed out. So use this at your own risk. 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.

It is more of learning how to set them up, including drawing or uploading artwork, scaling the image, and then cutting or printing.

Heat Presses & Accessories

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 only other things you need for sublimation are designs. And for that, you need a computer! Sublimation Designs and Design Software To prevent blurring or distortion of designs, it is essential to ensure that the heat and pressure settings are calibrated correctly. This can be achieved by following the manufacturer’s guidelines and conducting test prints before applying the design to the vinyl. Additionally, using high-resolution images and graphics can help maintain the fine details and prevent any loss of clarity during the sublimation process. Loss of Vibrancy or Detail Finally, you use a heat press to transfer the design on the paper to the t-shirt and then peel away the paper.

Blank Rigid Products — These materials are usually available to buy in bulk, including mouse pads, drinkware, and cell phone cases. Harsh detergents: Strong detergents, especially those containing bleach or other harsh chemicals, can also lead to color fading or discoloration. Opt for mild, gentle detergents specifically formulated for delicate fabrics. First, you cannot mix colors in one print. If you want a multi-colored design, it means cutting, placing, and heating the different colored vinyl sheets separately, which is just tedious. High-quality sublimation paper is also essential for achieving the best results. Make sure to use sublimation paper that is compatible with your printer and substrate. I recommend A-Sub sublimation paper. Low-quality paper can result in poor quality prints, such as blurry or faded designs. Use the Right PressureYou can follow the steps described in the “how to sublimate on HTV” section above, but you can also choose to sublimate onto white HTV before applying the vinyl to your blank. This allows you to save the shape for later use. A way to cut your printed design and vinyl– I used the amazing Cricut Maker 3 but you can also use the original Maker or an Explore series machine with the Fine-Point Blade Best Vinyl for Sublimation The best vinyl for sublimation is white glitter HTV because most types of glitter HTV use polyester flakes for the glitter particles. This makes sublimating onto the surface super easy! The glitter also creates an interesting slightly raised texture in the design, which can look nice on a t-shirt or fabric bag. Aluminum panels are a popular substrate for sublimation printing. The following are the recommended sublimation heat press settings for aluminum panels: