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(And why it’s not just “fancy HTV”)
I’m going to break this down step-by-step and start right from the beginning.
🔥 What Is Sublimation?
“Sublimation” is the term used when something goes from a solid → to a gas → back to a solid, while skipping the liquid phase entirely.
(Think: ice turning into steam without becoming water first.)
In crafting, sublimation is the process of taking a design made with special sublimation ink (a solid), heating it until it turns into a gas, then using consistent pressure so that gas infuses into your item. As it cools down, the ink returns to a solid — now embedded into the material itself.
Only the ink transfers. Unlike Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV), where you end up with a separate vinyl layer melted into your fabric, sublimation becomes part of the item. It results in a more professional-looking, longer-lasting finish that doesn’t crack or peel over time.
⚠️ What It Works On (and Doesn’t)
Sublimation only works on light-coloured materials that are made of (or coated with) a high polyester content.
- The less polyester, the more faded your design will look. That’s because there are fewer polyester molecules for the ink to bond to.
- The darker the fabric, the less visible your design will be. Think of trying to colour yellow on blue fabric — you’ll get green. Sublimation doesn’t “cover” the colour underneath.
If your blank isn’t polyester (or has too low a percentage), it might be possible to add a special sublimation base layer or coating. Some examples:
- Spray-on polyester coatings (for mugs, wood, canvas, etc.)
- Special HTV sheets made for sublimation
Just keep in mind:
Your final project will only last as long as that base layer. It may crack, fade, or peel faster than a true polyester item.
🔍 Not every item is ideal for sublimation — and that’s okay.
The 3 Ways to Use Sublimation Designs
🖨️ 1. Printing with a Sublimation Printer
You can either:
- Buy a printer made for sublimation
- Convert a regular inkjet printer into one
🧠 What You Need to Know:
- Choose a printer that uses ink tanks, not cartridges
- Avoid printers that use thermal print heads (heat can trigger the ink too early)
- Only convert printers that haven’t used regular ink (or you’ll need to fully flush the lines)
Once converted, that printer will only be used for sublimation — not for documents, photo printing, or print-and-cut sticker jobs.
You will also need:
- Sublimation ink (regular inkjet ink won’t work)
- Sublimation paper, or at minimum, paper that’s rated for high heat (like laser printer paper)
Since sublimation transfers only the ink:
- Mirror your design
- Print exactly what you want to show
- No weeding required
📝 If you print using Design Space’s Print then Cut, be sure to cut away the black registration box or it will transfer with your design.
🎨 Printed designs will always look a little dull. The colours brighten up after pressing.
🖊️ 2. Infusible Pens & Markers
These pens are filled with sublimation ink. You use your machine’s Draw function to create your design on sublimation paper.
- Still mirror your design
- Still no weeding
- Still requires heat and pressure to transfer
Think of this as hand-drawn sublimation.
📜 3. Infusible Ink Sheets
These are pre-printed sheets of sublimation ink that you can cut and weed like vinyl — but they’re not vinyl.
- You cut your design with your machine
- You weed away the excess (anything left will transfer)
- Only the ink transfers — not the sheet or any vinyl layer
🎯 Even though you cut and weed them like HTV, the end result still feels like sublimation. Smooth, no extra layer.
♨️ Transferring the Design
The goal with sublimation is to trap the gas from the ink between the paper and your surface.
That means:
- No air gaps
- Even pressure across the full surface
- Consistent heat for the full transfer time
This is why things like:
- Heat presses
- Mug presses
- Teflon wraps
- Sublimation shrink wrap
…are so helpful. They ensure full contact and even pressure.
❗ Unlike HTV, you don’t need to push harder. More pressure doesn’t equal better results. You want smooth, even, secure contact — not force.
✅ Sublimation Recap
- Always use high-polyester materials (or a sublimation coating)
- Always mirror your design
- Light-coloured blanks work best
- Printed designs will look dull until pressed
- You need consistent heat and pressure
- Finished items will be hot — be careful!
- Look up specific time and temperature settings for the brand of sublimation ink you’re using