Nowadays, Sublimation Vinyl has become popular with many crafters and businesses because it can give a brighter, long-lasting, and professional look on many surfaces. However, it is essential to know sublimation vinyl hacks to get an experienced look because it is more than just pressing a design onto the surface of any item.  

Fear not! We have covered you all. Here’s our detailed guide with simple tips and tricks for using sublimation vinyl and giving your project an advanced look. 

What is Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation printing is a unique process that uses heat and pressure to transfer dye onto different materials (fabrics and digitally. The combinations of pressure and heat make your artwork long-lasting.

How does the Sublimation Printing Process Work?

Sublimation Printing requires the following things:

• Sublimation Ink
• Special Transfer Paper
• A Heat Press
• Sublimation Printer and others 

Here is how the sublimation printing process works:

• At first, a sublimation printer prints a special and custom design made by you and any other designer onto the special paper using sublimation ink. 

• Now, place a piece of paper onto the item like a mug, or any fabric, you want to print this design and heat it with the help of a heat press. Apply heat and pressure together.   

• The heat then turns the ink into gas and the material surface absorbs it.

• This creates a permanent, bright print that becomes part of the product itself, not just sitting on top of it. 

How to Create Creative Products Using Sublimation Vinyl

Preparation Process

Identify Vinyl Type

Sublimation viny comes with various types with its pros and cons. There is always a need to learn about the vinyl you're using. So, just check the recommended temperature and pressure for your specific vinyl and heat press. At first, always test on a scrap piece before starting the final project.

Weeding Material

The weeding process means removing extra vinyl after cutting, and it's important for a neat and clean finish. So, choose sharp weeding tools and a mat with a grid for detailed designs, and then find a weeding method that works. For small details, try weeding from the back of the transfer paper, it's more convenient.

Mirror Your Image

Sublimation software allows you to mirror your image before printing because it is important as the design flips during the heat transfer process. Always double-check for the reflected image to avoid mistakes.

Printing Process

Professionalism

Bright colors are known to be great for sublimation but using slightly less ink can make your designs look more professional, giving it a smoother finish.

Avoiding Color Stripes

Always set your printer to the highest quality and use a high-resolution image to avoid different color strips, even some sublimation software also has options to help smooth out color transitions.

Remove Lint

Always use a lint roller on the item and the vinyl before heat press to avoid lint and dust, as both can run your project plus a clean area can also help to avoid unwanted particles on your final product.

Heat Press Hacks

Temperature and Time

Always follow the perfect and recommended temperature and time settings for your vinyl and item because small adjustments can help you a lot in the process. You can also try reducing the time by a few seconds to get richer colors, especially on lighter items.

Perfect Pressure

Applying consistent pressure during the heat pressing process and also using an adjustable pressure gauge can help you control this better. Note Irregular or rough pressure can cause blurry or incomplete transfers.

Parchment Paper Usage 

Parchment paper is a wall between your heat press and the transfer paper. It protects heat presses from ink dyes and distributes heat perfectly. Use a non-stick parchment paper because it is made for heat transfers.

Cooling

Now, the heat-pressed item should be cooled under light pressure for a few minutes after pressing because it will help the ink to set and prevent staining or skinning. You can use heat-resistant gloves or a small weight to keep light pressure on the item while it cools.

Additional Designs Tips:

In-Depth Designs

You can even create a 3D effect using different sublimation vinyl which is great for logos, text, or any design and looks better with added depth. 

Double-Sided Designs:

You can create double-sided designs for items like tote bags or coasters because this method makes the items more interesting while showing your creativity level. Try to use the heat press that can do double-sided pressing.

Our Insights

At Craft Vinyl, we believe in keeping in touch with the latest trends and technology in the sublimation process, like discovering new sublimation process tools and methods that will help you to do more with universal craft.

Always try to use new and different sublimation vinyl and heat press techniques while staying updated with these various sublimation vinyl tips, which will let you create professional-looking products that stand out. 

Always remember, practice makes perfect, so experiment, have fun, and be creative!