How to sublimate a shirt: The ultimate guide

Sublimation printing is increasingly winning the hearts of creators and artists alike. According to Dropshipping.com, the worldwide sublimation market will increase by 16.8% from 2018 to 2028.

If you're aiming to transform your unique designs into vibrant, long-lasting shirt prints, this technique offers an exceptional way to do it. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of sublimating a shirt, from the science behind it to the step-by-step process of bringing your designs to life. 

You'll also learn about a top-notch alternative to dye sublimation that can make your on-demand printing more efficient.

• Sublimation printing creates highly vibrant and durable shirt designs, ideal for creators and artists aiming to monetize their art.

• Choosing suitable materials, such as sublimation ink, printer, and polyester shirts, is crucial for achieving the best results.

• A computer is essential for preparing and fine-tuning your designs before starting the sublimation printing process.

• Understanding the limitations and nuances of sublimation prints can significantly impact your overall success and design effectiveness. 

• Gelato's Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing offers a high-quality, perfect alternative for on-demand production because it is easy to use.

Sublimation printing, or dye sublimation printing, is a technique in which heat and pressure turn sublimation ink into gas, which then embeds into polyester fabric. This method produces vibrant, full-color designs that are durable and fade-resistant, making it ideal for custom apparel. 

Sublimation printing at home demands specific materials to achieve vibrant and durable results. Here, we'll walk you through the essential items you'll need to create stunning, customized apparel in no time.

Sublimation ink

This is a key element in the sublimation printing process. Unlike regular inks, specially formulated sublimation inks turn into a gas without passing through a liquid phase when heated. This unique property allows the ink to penetrate the polyester fabric, resulting in vibrant, high-definition, and permanent designs.

Popular brands like Hiipoo, Printers Jack, and Cosmos are known for their consistent quality and color accuracy. Remember, regular ink won't work in this process. Investing in good-quality sublimation ink can help ensure your designs are crisp, colorful, and durable, making all the difference in the quality and longevity of your sublimation shirts.

Sublimation paper

Sublimation paper is a specially designed paper that holds sublimation ink effectively and transfers it onto fabric or other materials with precision. Choosing high-quality sublimation paper, such as A-Sub or TruePix, is crucial to ensure a vibrant and durable print. 

The paper you select should be compatible with your sublimation printer and capable of handling the high temperatures and pressure used in the heat transfer process. Paying attention to these details and choosing the correct sublimation blanks set the stage for a successful transfer, resulting in vibrant, professional-looking designs that will stand the test of time.

Sublimation printer

An inkjet printer specifically designed for the sublimation printing process can easily turn your digital artwork into physical items. It's made to work with sublimation ink, which changes chemically when exposed to high heat. This ink embeds into the polyester fabric, making the prints vibrant and long-lasting. 

The printer's high-resolution output ensures sharp and detailed designs, which is crucial for professional finishes. A good sublimation printer helps reduce color inconsistencies and ensures the final product looks just like the digital design. When choosing a sublimation printer, consider the resolution, print speed, and ink efficiency to match your production needs.

Heat press

A heat press is an essential piece of equipment for successfully carrying out sublimation on dark shirts. This device allows you to apply heat and pressure to transfer your design from the sublimation paper onto the fabric.  

You'll find various options, from manual to automatic models, each catering to different needs and volumes of production. A reliable heat press ensures the integrity and vibrancy of your design, making your final product look professional and polished. 

When choosing a heat press, opt for one that provides even heat distribution and maintains consistent temperature levels, typically between 180-200°C (356-392°F). Remember to use protective sheets to prevent unwanted ink transfer and keep your press tip-top!

Heat-resistant tape

This tape is an essential tool in the sublimation printing process. This specialized tape can withstand high temperatures and ensure your design stays in place during the sublimation transfers. 

Heat-resistant tape secures your transfer paper firmly onto the shirt, preventing unwanted movement that could result in blurry or ghosted prints. This tape is crucial for achieving precise and vibrant designs. Moreover, it doesn't leave any residue on your fabric, maintaining the professional quality of your finished product. 

Always have a roll handy to ensure every project goes smoothly and meets the high standards you desire for your wearable art.

Polyester shirt

Regarding sublimation printing, a polyester shirt is your best friend. This method works exceptionally well with high polyester content fabrics, with 100% polyester being the gold standard. The reason? The special sublimation ink bonds seamlessly with polyester fibers, resulting in vibrant, long-lasting colors that won't fade or crack over time. 

If eco-friendliness is your concern, consider using recycled polyester, which offers similar qualities with a smaller environmental footprint. Remember, the higher the polyester content, the better your designs look. Ensure the fabric content tag reads at least 65% polyester for optimal results.

Protective paper

Protective paper is essential in sublimation, safeguarding your design and the heat press. White cardstock and uncoated butcher paper typically prevent ink blowout, which can ruin your artwork and equipment. Ensure you place the protective paper above and below your shirt when pressing, creating a barrier that absorbs excess ink, keeping your press clean, and avoiding accidental transfers to future projects. 

Avoid using non-sublimation-specific materials like Teflon sheets, freezer paper, or wax paper, as these can interfere with the sublimation process and potentially damage your equipment. Investing in the proper protective paper helps ensure crisp, straightforward transfers every time. Remember, it's all about attention to detail to maintain the quality and longevity of your prints.

Computer

You'll need a reliable computer to bring your creative vision to life. This essential tool is where you'll design your sublimation patterns using software options like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva. Whether using complex vector graphics or simple text designs, having a computer running these applications is crucial. 

Most graphic design software requires decent processing power, RAM, and storage space to function efficiently. Ensuring your computer meets these specs can make the design process seamless. You can use platforms like Google Docs or Microsoft Word for more straightforward design tasks. 

Investing in a good computer will save you time and effort, enabling you to focus on creating detailed, high-quality designs for your sublimation projects.

Like any printing method, sublimation printing requires a systematic approach. This step-by-step guide will take you through each essential phase of the process to create stunning, professional-quality sublimated shirts right from your workspace.

Prepare your design

To ensure a flawless sublimation print, create your design using graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Work in high resolution and use CMYK or CMYK-safe RGB colors for the best outcome. Make sure your design matches the exact size of the sublimation t-shirt, with no white borders, ensuring every element of your design transfers accurately. 

If design isn't your strong suit, you can find pre-made designs online or use tools like Zakeke to simplify the process. Remember, the more precise your design, the better your final product will look.

Print the design onto transfer paper

Once your design is ready, it's time to print it onto sublimation transfer paper. Ensure you use a printer compatible with sublimation ink, which is crucial for high-quality results. Mirror the image before printing; this step is essential to ensure the design transfers correctly. 

Load your sublimation printer with the transfer paper, then print the design using the highest quality setting. The vibrancy of the final print largely depends on the print quality of this particular paper.

Prepare your t-shirt

Ensure your polyester shirt is clean and wrinkle-free, which is crucial for achieving a smooth, even print. Place a piece of white uncoated butcher paper inside the dark shirt to prevent ink from bleeding to the back. Preheat your heat press according to your desired temperature settings, usually around 400°F. 

Lay your cotton shirt flat on the press, positioning it to align with your design. Use a lint roller to remove any debris or fibers. These simple steps can significantly affect the quality of your final print.

Press the design onto the shirt

With your heat press preheated to the appropriate temperature—usually between 375-400°F—lay your shirt flat on the press. Place your sublimation transfer paper with the printed design facing down on the shirt. Ensure it is aligned perfectly; use heat-resistant tape to secure it if necessary. 

Close the heat press, applying consistent pressure for the designated time, typically around 45-60 seconds. Doing this allows the ink to permeate the poly-blend shirt fibers thoroughly, ensuring a vibrant, durable sublimation design. Once done, carefully open the heat press and remove the shirt.

Allow the shirt to cool, then peel off the transfer paper

Once the pressing cycle concludes, it is crucial to let the shirt cool entirely before removing the transfer paper. This cooling period helps ensure the ink has appropriately set into the dark fabrics, resulting in a crisp, vibrant design. 

Rushing this step might jeopardize your print quality. Gently peel off the sublimation transfer sheet or paper from one corner to avoid accidental tearing or smudging. Your patience will pay off with a beautifully sublimated shirt, ready to impress.

While sublimation shines with light-colored polyesters, what if you crave a wider canvas for your creativity? This is where Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing comes in as a versatile solution.

Unlike sublimation and screen printing, DTG can print on a wider range of fabrics, including cotton and cotton blends. Here are some key benefits of using DTG printing: 

• Fabric versatility: DTG wins the gold medal for fabric flexibility. It can print on a wider range of fabrics, including 100% cotton, blends, and even dark-colored garments. This is a game-changer if you want your designs to shine on a broader canvas. Sublimation, on the other hand, is limited to light-colored, high-polyester content fabrics.

• Vibrant colors on dark fabrics: DTG printing can produce stunning results on dark-colored shirts. Unlike sublimation, which struggles with white ink, DTG printers can first lay down a white base, allowing vibrant colors to pop on darker fabrics. This opens up a whole new world of design possibilities!

• Finer details and photorealism: DTG excels at capturing intricate details and photorealistic designs. This makes it ideal for reproducing photographs or complex artwork with exceptional accuracy. Sublimation, while offering good quality, might not handle very fine details as well as DTG.

One standout platform for DTG printing is Gelato. We offer high-quality DTG services, which are ideal for creators and online store owners who want to produce custom clothing with ease. Unlike sublimation, DTG doesn’t require special coating materials, allowing for intricate and deeply colored designs on virtually any fabric.  

Another significant advantage is Gelato's on-demand production capability. You can print only what's needed, reducing waste and saving costs. This approach is eco-friendly and practical for those looking to test new designs without committing to a large inventory.

Sublimation printing empowers creators to personalize a vast array of products with stunning, long-lasting designs. 

Whether you're crafting one-of-a-kind pieces for yourself, building a personal brand, or looking to monetize your artwork through an online store, mastering sublimation unlocks exciting new avenues for creative and financial growth. 

Leveraging Gelato's attractive subscription plans for services like print on demand t-shirts to take your printing capabilities to the next level with: 

• High-quality, precise custom prints for various products.

• Seamless integration with ecommerce platforms via plugins.

• No-cost trial and quick demo options to enhance your workflow.

• Effortless print personalization and automated production processes.

Don't just print—elevate your brand with Gelato. Sign up today and unlock a world of creative possibilities!