Sublimation printing is both a science and an art, and while the term may be new to you, the process isn’t. At it’s core, sublimation printing simply involves heating ink until it becomes vapor, which then coats and adheres to whatever media you’re applying it to (most commonly fabric).
This means that any surface that can withstand the heat of the press is fair game for sublimation printing, whether it’s paper, plastic or something else entirely.
How to Make sublimation prints
sublimation printing is a great way to add graphics and photos to clothing, accessories and a variety of other items. Most people think they need expensive equipment or special materials to create these colorful prints, but you can use supplies you likely have at home in your own print studio
It’s easy, fun and inexpensive to make sublimation prints! Follow these steps below on how to create simple sublimation prints with household items.
Sublimation Printing Equipment
What You Need to Know: Before you begin sublimation printing, you’ll need certain supplies. Many of these are easy to find and purchase from your local office supply store (you can see what we use in our shop here).
If they don’t have it, try an art supply store or online retailer like Amazon or Office Depot. Wherever you find it, make sure you’re getting a high quality printer! Our choice is currently Canon and below are some suggestions for specific models depending on your needs
How to Make sublimation prints
When you want to do something with photography, but aren’t quite sure how to get started, and you don’t have a lot of money to spare, it can be difficult. You may try using your smartphone to take photos or may even think about buying an expensive professional camera.
Instead of going that route, however, why not consider trying out sublimation printing? It is a great way for new photographers to learn their craft without having to spend too much money.
5 Easy Steps:
- Get Your Image Ready: It’s important to make sure your image is ready for sublimation printing before you get started. Most of your images will come in digital format, so make sure they’re not too big or too small and that they have high enough resolution to produce a good quality print. The size of your image will affect how many you can fit on a sheet, but most printers recommend at least 300 DPI (dots per inch).
- Check Your Printer’s Specifications: This step is pretty straightforward–you just want to check with your printer about what kind of paper it takes and how it works with sublimation ink.
- Prepare Your Paper: Once you’ve got your image ready, it’s time to prep your paper. You’ll need special sheets designed specifically for sublimation printing–just follow the instructions on your package and make sure everything is lined up correctly.
- Set Up Your Printer: Now that you’ve got everything prepared, it’s time to set up your printer! Just follow all of its instructions carefully and double-check all connections between your computer, display device, and printer.
- Run Some Test Prints: Before sending anything through your printer for real (which could be costly if something goes wrong), run some test prints!
What Is A Sublimation Printer?
A sublimation printer is a machine that is used to print designs and images onto fabric. A special ink is used that transfers straight from paper onto fabric instead of being printed on top of it. Because of its ability to print on different fabrics, many artists, craft enthusiasts and clothing manufacturers use sublimation printers.
There are three different types of sublimation printers available including inkjet, laser and dye-sub. All three operate in similar ways but they use different technologies to function. Typically, one type will be better suited for certain applications than another.
How To Use A Sublimation Printer?
Using a sublimation printer is a lot easier than you’d think. The machine itself is about as complex as your average inkjet printer and it will already come with its own software on CD (or you can download it online). Start by loading a photo onto your computer that you want to print.
You’ll also need to convert it into a JPG format first, otherwise your sublimation printer won’t recognize it when you try and load it onto your device. Next, plug in your printer and wait for Windows or Mac to locate and install any required drivers. Then, follow any on-screen instructions to open up your chosen application for editing photos or graphics.
What Are The Settings On The Printer?
Many sublimation printers come with preset functions that allow you to print on a variety of products. It’s important to know what your settings are in order to make sure you don’t accidentally put your garment in an improper setting and ruin it. If you’re unfamiliar with how these settings work, take a look at your printer’s manual. This information is typically listed on a sticker attached to one of your machine’s knobs or buttons (commonly known as control panel). You’ll want to note down any text here so that when you go back through and refer to it, there won’t be any confusion over which button does what function.
Tips for Making Sublimation Prints
While there are many ways to create sublimation prints, here are some tips for making a sublimation print. First, choose your materials wisely. You’ll need special heat transfer paper and sometimes adhesive sheets (depending on what you’re printing). Once you have your materials, follow these steps:
1) cut your heat transfer paper to size and prepare it according to manufacturer’s instructions;
2) place image face down on heat transfer paper (you may need an extra person for that step), peel off protective layer;
3) iron image for specified time. Then let cool and voila! You’re done!
Conclusion
The first thing to remember about sublimation printing is that it requires a special printer, which can be found for sale for a few hundred dollars. If you need to reprint something that has already been made, or print something very specific and unique, then you are going to have to consider whether buying a printer is actually a sensible option.
Alternatively, if you just want to print some general designs onto clothing and other items, then it may be worth purchasing your own sublimating printer. However, you should keep in mind that while they are good at what they do and produce decent prints, there are still many limitations involved with using these printers compared with normal printers.
Last Updated on November 9, 2022
