Sublimation Essentials Checklist

The hottest new trend in personalization is SUBLIMATION!. Thanks, in part, to nationwide shutdowns due to COVID-19, many creators were seeking ways to earn additional income or expand their hobby into a viable business.  So now you are here and ready to make a go of it.  Let's make sure you have what you need to get started as a sublimator.

What is sublimation?

In short, sublimation is the conversion of a solid to the gaseous phases of matter, with no intermediate liquid stage. Its chemistry! So for sublimation, specially formulated inks and papers are use to facilitate this process which is activated through high heat using a heat press.  Once you print your design onto to the sublimation paper, the heat from the heat press transfers causes the sublimation inks to "gas out" and transfer to your substrate. The result is a permanent design that creates a professional and lasting impression. As long as your substrate is designed for sublimation, the design possibilities are endless.  

Getting Started Checklist

Sublimating is a fun and easy way to enter into the design space and is easily scalable as a business. Do you have what you need to get started? Use our checklist below to help guide you on your new adventure.

• Sublimation Printer - Espson printers are the preferred choice as they have a wide variety of entry level printers to choose from). 

• Sublimation Ink - The ink you choose is critical to your success.  Inferiors inks will not give you correct colors, may not "gas out" properly and can damage your printer.  Use the recommended inks for the sublimation printer you choose. 

• Sublimation Paper - Using sublimation paper is crucial if you are going to pursue sublimation as a reputable business or want the best quality results as a hobby sublimator. You may hear copy paper works for sublimation and is much cheaper. This is true that copy paper will allow you to sublimate. However, your colors values, the intensity of color and quality of the print will not be nearly as good. Don't skimp on your quality! 

• Heat Press - You will need a heat press that can heat consistently across the platen to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Sublimation requires high heat settings to work. Invest in a quality heat press to ensure consistency of heat and pressure, your safety and your pockets. Having to replace faulty heat presses can make sublimation pricey. 

• Substrate/Blanks - You will need an item to sublimate. Most hard goods that are designed for sublimation have been specially treated so they can be sublimated. This is true especially for items like mugs and other drinkware. Most soft goods and textiles are made of polyester an need no special treatment to take the sublimation. The issue with being sublimation blanks is that you cannot tell from looking at an item if it is suitable for sublimation. Most sublimators find this out by accident when their design doesn't transfer or washes away after the first use. Strike Zone Creative Supply blanks are guaranteed to be 100% compatible for sublimation.  

• Sublimation Supplies - Sublimation may require a few extra supplies to make pressing your transfer easy an avoid errors in the print. Heat tape is the most used since most sublimation paper will need to be taped to your project. Other items like drinkware require special wraps to ensure a proper transfer of your design. An Infrared heat temperature gun will give you an accurate assessment of the actual heat output from your press. Adhesive sprays are also useful on projects you don't want to shift but cannot use heat tape.

Now that you have your essentials lined up, are you ready? Leave a comment or question below and let us know.

Stay tuned to this blog for more design tips and information.