Sublimation Tips You Should Know
Sublimation is one of the most exciting and versatile techniques in the crafting world, but like any method, it comes with a learning curve. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your results, understanding the ins and outs of sublimation can make all the difference.
In this post, we’re sharing our top sublimation tips—tried-and-true advice from the Makers Gonna Learn team to help you get vibrant, long-lasting results every time. From choosing the right blanks to troubleshooting common mistakes, these expert tips will set you up for success.
Sublimation Tips You Should Know
Disclosure: Some of the links below are paid links provided for your convenience. This means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase
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Use a quality printer.
Using quality products is key to getting the best results with your sublimation projects. Let’s start with sublimation printers. You want to make sure you have a really good, high-quality printer—whether that is an Epson printer, a Sawgrass printer, or even a converted Epson EcoTank. These types of printers are tested and proven to be great, especially the ones that are already set up for sublimation. They are beginner-friendly and high quality. You’ll pay a bit more up front, but they’re worth it.
How to unclog an Epson EcoTank Printer.
Use quality ink.
If you have a an Epson printer, we highly suggest you use Epson sublimation ink. The same goes for a Sawgrass printer – use Sawgrass sublimation ink. This will help you avoid voiding your warranty.
If, on the other hand, you’re converting an EcoTank printer like the 8550, we love to use either Hiipoo or Cosmos sublimation ink. Make sure to write down what brand of ink you’re using because when you refill it, you don’t want to mix inks since they all have different formulations.
Check ink levels regularly.
Always check your ink levels. If you print and don’t notice it’s low, your next print may be missing colors. In addition, regular printing is important to keep your printer in good shape. This is especially true of converted printers as the print heads can quickly dry out. Try to print once a week or every two weeks at the very least. Even if you’re not using the design right away, you can at least print and save the design for later.
Read more about sublimation here: Most common sublimation questions
Mirror your images.
All images must be mirrored before printing and pressing. You can easily create a preset on your printer so it automatically mirrors your design. Some sublimation printers already do this—so if you mirror it manually too, you’ll end up with a double mirror! Check to see if yours has an automatic setting and if not, create a preset.
Memorize basic times and temperatures.
Sublimation requires going from a solid to a gas back to a solid. That process only works in a certain temperature range. Below 365°F, it won’t transfer properly. The sweet spot is from 375 to 400°F. Most blanks do well at 380–385°F for 40–60 seconds. Knowing this will help you to ensure the success of your sublimation crafts.
Pre-press your blanks.
Pre-pressing helps remove moisture and wrinkles from garments and this will give you a crisp, clean sublimation result.
Avoid over- and under-heating.
Too much heat can cause yellowing or burning. Too little and you’ll get a faint or no transfer. Stick to that sweet spot range as mentioned above.
You might like this post too: How to fix dull sublimation
Secure your design.
Even on a flat heat press, it’s important to use heat tape or sublimation adhesive spray. Sublimation turns solid ink into gas under heat and pressure. The gas then bonds to the polymers in your blank. If your print isn’t securely adhered, those gas particles can bounce around and cause ghosting.
Research blanks.
Many blanks aren’t labeled for sublimation but can still work. Look for “polymer coated” or high polyester content. These are good indicators.
Use laminating sheets.
If a blank isn’t sublimation-ready (like some whiteboards), you can apply a laminating sheet to it and then sublimate onto that surface.
Take advantage of courses and eduction.
Check out “Makers Gonna Sublimate.” We’ve spent hours building that course. It includes 600+ sublimation files and step-by-step guidance. It’s a great way to avoid wasting money on ruined blanks and learn the right way from the start.
Keep your workspace clean.
Dust and fibers can stick to your blanks and affect the transfer. A clean area means fewer surprises.
Lint roll your blanks.
This is especially important with garments. Lint and fibers can show up as unexpected colors after pressing.
Use color profiles.
Each ink brand has its own color profile, and downloading/installing the correct one can make a huge difference in color accuracy. This is especially important for converted printers.
Store materials properly.
Keep inks and sublimation paper in dry, low-light areas. Avoid moisture and sunlight to extend the life of your supplies.
Protect your finished products.
Avoid direct sunlight for finished sublimation projects—especially for things like car decals. Sunlight and heat will fade and yellow them over time.
Use a convection oven for mugs and tumblers.
You can sublimate several mugs or tumblers at once, unlike a mug press that only does one. But since ovens don’t provide the pressure that a mug press would, use silicone wraps to hold the design in place and ensure even pressure.
Did you know?: You can use an air fryer for sublimation too.
Use high-quality heat gloves.
Cheap ones won’t protect your hands. Invest in thick, durable gloves to keep your hands safe when handling hot blanks.
Try spot sublimating with a heat gun.
If you have a gap in your design, you can tape a patch and carefully apply heat with a heat gun to just that area. It’s great for small fixes!
Use pressing pillows.
Pressing pillows can be a big help when pressing around curved edges or delicate surfaces like tiles and ceramics. You can even press from the back for coasters and tiles—heat from below will transfer through and give great results.
Use sublimation paper for best results.
Copy paper works in a pinch, but sublimation paper gives a much better transfer. It holds more ink and improves image quality.
Use Teflon sheets.
Add a Teflon sheet on top of your sublimation sandwich (blank, print, butcher paper) to protect your press and delicate blanks from burning.
Check out this blog post too: Don’t make these sublimation mistakes.
Keep a sublimation notebook.
Document everything—temperatures, times, ink brand, substrate, and results. This saves you from repeating mistakes or forgetting what worked.
Create digital mockups.
See your design on a blank before printing. This helps avoid design issues and lets you visualize placement and color. Check out Canva – they have many mockups available there.
Understand color theory.
Sublimation ink is see-through. The color of your blank affects the final result. For example, a pink shirt may alter the look of yellow or blue ink. Avoid light colors on similar-colored blanks.
Calibrate your computer monitor.
To get screen colors that match your printed output, calibrate your monitor. On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Displays > Color and follow the calibration tool.
With the right tips and a bit of practice, sublimation crafting can deliver professional-quality results that truly wow. From mastering heat press settings to choosing the best blanks, every small adjustment adds up to a big difference in your finished projects.
Want even more sublimation success? Join our Makers Gonna Learn community, where you’ll get step-by-step training, project inspiration, and the support of fellow makers who love to create just like you. Let’s level up your craft game—together!
