What is the heat transfer setting for sublimation?

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Learn common sublimation heat press settings with this handy guide!

Sublimation is SO fun, but can be confusing to remember all the times and temperatures, let&#;s be honest. Unlike heat transfer vinyl, dye sublimation is a popular method of printing images on a sublimation printer with sublimation ink and transferring them to various materials with high heat. The sublimation process creates a beautiful, vibrant, and long-lasting result. However, achieving the best results requires the right sublimation heat press settings. It&#;s easy to guess wrong and ruin your sublimation transfers. A lower heat press temperature can seem like a safe starting point, but can produce light colors. Higher temperatures can overcook your sublimation prints. So let&#;s talk about common sublimation heat press settings and how to determine times, temperatures, and pressures for different materials.

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Tip: I&#;ve tested hundreds of sublimation blanks on various heat presses and ovens, and put all of my results into what I call the Sublimation Cookbook! Everything is in one place and SO easy to look up and use! Get your copy of Sublimation Cookbook now.

The correct sublimation heat press settings vary depending on the substrate (which is a fancy word for material or surface) and as well as the heat presses being used. The following are some common sublimation heat press settings for different materials. Note that I&#;m listing degrees Fahrenheit here.

Sublimation Settings for Shirts and Polyester Fabric

Polyester fabric is the most common substrate for sublimation printing, as many of us love to make sublimation shirts. The following are the recommended sublimation heat press settings for polyester fabric. Note that times and temperatures vary by type of heat press &#; if you would like more specific recommendations for over 150 popular sublimation projects, consult my Sublimation Cookbook (you can get 12 free pages with specific sublimation settings, too).

• Temperature: 375°F to 400°F
• Time: 40 to 75 seconds
• Pressure: Light to medium pressure (35 to 50 psi)

Note: If you want to use cotton shirts instead, lower temperatures (and special layers or coatings) are recommended to avoid scorching. See my How to Sublimate on Cotton and Dark Colors tutorial for more details.

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Stainless Steel Tumblers

Specially-coated tumblers are a very popular sublimation project and look really amazing when done properly! Here are the generic ranges of temperatures we use for stainless steel projects in a tumbler press:

• Temperature: 360°F to 385°F
• Time: 100+ seconds (times increase significantly when you move to a convection oven or air fryer)
• Pressure: Medium pressure (40 psi)

Ceramic Mugs

Ceramic mugs are another popular substrate for sublimation printing, but again they must have a special sublimation coating on them &#; regular ceramic mugs without the coating will not hold the sublimation ink. The following are the recommended sublimation heat press settings for ceramic mugs in a mug press (note that a convection oven takes quite a bit longer than this):

• Temperature: 350°F to 400°F
• Time: 60 to 80 seconds
• Pressure: Medium to high pressure (35 to 50 psi)

Tip: If you&#;re using the Cricut Mug Press, you don&#;t need to worry about temperature, time, or pressure! Be sure to check out my Ultimate Guide to the Cricut Mug Press.

Aluminum Panels

Aluminum panels are a popular substrate for sublimation printing. The following are the recommended sublimation heat press settings for aluminum panels:

• Temperature: 400°F to 425°F
• Time: 45 to 60 seconds
• Pressure: Medium pressure (35 psi)

Mouse Pads

Mouse pads are a popular substrate for sublimation printing. The following are the recommended sublimation heat press settings for mouse pads:

• Temperature: 375°F to 400°F
• Time: 40 to 45 seconds
• Pressure: Medium pressure (35 psi)

Glass

Glass is a popular substrate for sublimation printing, but again, they must be sublimation friendly or have a coating or layer applied that accepts the sublimation ink. The following are the recommended sublimation heat press settings for glass:

• Temperature: 400°F to 425°F
• Time: 45 to 60 seconds
• Pressure: Medium pressure (35 psi)

How to Determine the Best Sublimation Heat Press Settings

Sublimation heat press settings vary depending on the material being used &#; there&#;s a huge difference. Here are the steps I take to figure out the different settings:

Consult the Manufacturer&#;s Instructions

The first step is to consult the manufacturer&#;s instructions for the substrate you are using. The manufacturer&#;s instructions will provide you with the recommended sublimation heat press settings for the substrate.

Do a Test Print

The second step is to conduct a test print. This involves printing a small design on the substrate using a range of temperatures, times, and pressures. After the test print, inspect the substrate to determine the best sublimation heat press settings for the substrate.

Adjust the Settings

The third step is to adjust the settings based on the results of the test print. If the design is blurry, faded, or smudged, increase the temperature, pressure, or time. A little bit of experimentation goes a long way here. If the design is too dark or has ghosting, decrease the temperature, pressure, or time. And when you DO find the right settings, be sure to write them down!

Tips for Achieving the Best Sublimation Results

The following are some tips for achieving the best results when using sublimation heat press:

Use High-Quality Ink

High-quality ink is essential for achieving vibrant and long-lasting prints. Make sure to use sublimation ink that is compatible with your printer and substrate. I like to use Hiipoo ink in my Epson EcoTank and SubliJet in my Sawgrass.

Use High-Quality Sublimation Paper

High-quality sublimation paper is also essential for achieving the best results. Make sure to use sublimation paper that is compatible with your printer and substrate. I recommend A-Sub sublimation paper. Low-quality paper can result in poor quality prints, such as blurry or faded designs.

Use the Right Pressure

Using the right pressure is important for achieving a good transfer of the design onto the substrate. Too much pressure, or overly heavy pressure, can result in the design being pressed too hard into the substrate, causing distortion or damage. Too little pressure can result in the design not being transferred properly, resulting in a blurry or faded print. Usually, you only need medium pressure, but it does depend on what you&#;re doing. I prefer to use the pressure notes in my Sublimation Cookbook.

Use Heat-Resistant Tape

Using heat-resistant tape can help prevent the substrate from shifting during the transfer process. It can also help ensure that the design is aligned correctly on the substrate. Make sure to use tape that is heat resistant and safe to use with your material. I like to use Cricut blue heat-resistant tape.

Consider the Material Type

Different materials require different sublimation heat press settings. Make sure to consult the manufacturer&#;s instructions and conduct a test print to determine the best settings for the material you are using. Test, test, test!

Consider Fiber Content

Sublimation printing works best with synthetic materials that have a high polyester content. While it is possible to print on natural fibers such as cotton or rayon, the results won&#;t be as vibrant or long-lasting, and will eventually fade away. When printing on cotton fabric, it is important to use a pre-treatment spray or coating to help the ink bond with the fabric.

Are you interested in learning more about dye sublimation heat transfer? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Find the Best Temperature

The temperature is one of the most important factors when determining sublimation heat press settings. It is important to find the best temperature for the material you are using. Too high of a temperature can cause damage to the substrate, while too low of a temperature can result in a blurry or faded design. I list all of the temperatures I&#;ve successfully used on all the blanks I&#;ve tried in my Sublimation Cookbook.

Sublimation heat press is a popular method of printing designs onto various substrates. However, achieving the best results requires the right sublimation heat press settings. It is important to consult the manufacturer&#;s instructions and conduct a test print to determine the best settings for the material you are using. Using high-quality ink and sublimation paper, using the right pressure, and considering the material type are all important factors in achieving the best results. And, consider taking a shortcut to all this by using my Sublimation Cookbook, which really makes a huge difference! With the right sublimation heat press settings and techniques, you can create vibrant and long-lasting designs on a wide range of substrates.

Exactly how long do I press my sublimation print on ______ ?

Can&#;t remember how long to press that particular sublimation blank? Not sure what order to stack your layers? Confused about how to get the best transfer? The Sublimation Cookbook guide can help, with step-by-step sublimation project recipes for over 150 different sublimation blanks. Each of these &#;recipes&#; show you exactly what to use, how long to press, how hot to press it, and how to take care of your sublimated project for long lasting results. Plus, it&#;s the best way to help you avoid common sublimation problems before they arise!

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Knowing how to sublimate vivid pictures on diverse items would be fantastic, and you will get more professional in garment crafting.

Since sublimation is an advanced heat transfer technique that requires only sublimation ink to print and a higher temperature, mastering a comparatively precise range of sublimation times and temperatures is last but not least.

Look no further here. I have prepared you a

sublimation times and temperatures chart

as your sublimation reference.

Sublimation Heat Press Settings

In addition to the Sublimation Times and Temperatures Chart of the above materials, we also provide you with the Temperature and Time Chart for Sublimation on the fabric.

 

Substrate

Temperature 

Press Time

Canvas bag

185 to 190 °C

40 seconds

Polyester fabric

200 to 205 °C

35 to 40 seconds

Polyester, fabrics with a cotton content of less than 30%

180 to 200&#;

35 to 45seconds

Cotton fabric

155 to 165&#;

15 seconds

Jeans

150&#;

40 to 70 seconds

 

And you must note to check out carefully the operational manual of your manufacturer, and make sure you always do a test of the heat press temperature for sublimation before you start rolling the rock!

Sublimation Printing Tips

Here are several warm tips for you to help bring out a more vibrant result.

1. Must print images with sublimation ink and an inkjet printer.

2. Choose high saturation modes like &#;vivid&#; while printing.

3. You must wait for the ink of the images to dry before sending it to cut.

4. Too high temperature, hard force, or long pressing time will affect the transferred image to finally form on items, and the results can be blurry.

5. Prepare a bunch more substrates of different types to do tests.

6. While sublimating textiles, remember to adopt polyester articles of clothing with cotton of less than 30% and apply certain sublimation heat press temperatures for polyester.

7. If you&#;re going to apply sublimation mugs, tumblers, glass, ceramic items, key chains, or cases, you have to spray and cover sublimation coating on the surfaces.

8. If you prefer the texture of 100% cotton shirts, you can actually sublimate on heat transfer vinyl. Apply heat transfer vinyl for sublimation first to set the backing and then work with the best sublimation paper. This type of HTV for sublimation can become a medium between the cotton and sublimation ink. Once you set the correct sublimation heat press settings for cotton, you will get bright and colorful projects.

9. It&#;s much easier to press and heat transfer the images with heat-resistant tape, which you can use to fix the position of your design.

10. Next is your heat press. Calibrate your heat press before use, no matter if it&#;s new, to avoid inaccurate sublimation temperature.

11. Do not let the heat plate touch the materials directly, or your designs and garments can be ruined. Therefore, use a Teflon Sheet.

12. Last, iron your shirts before sublimation to ensure a better and complete garment craft.

Take these tips in mind, and you will churn out tons of ideal projects!

How to cut sublimation paper with Cricut?

When designing with the best sublimation paper, you can take advantage of the print-then-cut feature of Cricut cutters. After editing and printing through the Cricut Design Space, you can cut out the contour of images precisely with Cricut machines.

Suppose you print out a sheet of colorful patterns, and there&#;s no need to cut out the contour. In that case, you can extract a pretty shape from a picture or just create some simple shapes like rectangles, squares, and circles in Cricut Design Space and cut.

Remember to mirror while printing, or your design will be reversed!

What is the best Sublimation Paper?

The best sublimation work is from the best Sublimation Paper! HTVRONT provides a selection of sublimation paper near me to meet various printing needs and specifications.

Create Vivid and Clear DIY Prints with HTVRONT Sublimation Paper

• Characterized by fast drying and high transfer rate, images printed on it can maintain vivid visual effects.
• Not only are the patterns clear and long lasting.
• Increase your creative options with unique designs and prints on a variety of surfaces.

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The best Sublimation Paper has to take fast-drying and high transfer rate into account. And the images printed on it can remain a vivid visual effect and last for a longer time. This way, the final results on mugs, glass, tumblers, key chains, and more will demonstrate your expectation.

covers all these features mentioned, which always meet my sublimation needs.

The best Sublimation Paper has to take fast-drying and high transfer rate into account. And the images printed on it can remain a vivid visual effect and last for a longer time. This way, the final results on mugs, glass, tumblers, key chains, and more will demonstrate your expectation. HTVRONT Sublimation Paper covers all these features mentioned, which always meet my sublimation needs. Click Here if you're looking for more detailed reviews across most popular sublimation papers.

 

FAQ

1. What is the best temperature for sublimation?

Since sublimation temp and time differ from brand to material, there&#;s no certain specification for various sublimation projects. But most of the time, you can get access to a base range of heat press settings for sublimation according to substrates. For example, the temperature for sublimation tumblers is around 160 to 170°C or 320 to 338°F.

2. What temp to sublimate a shirt?

If you&#;re going to sublimate on a shirt directly, you can adjust the heat press temp for sublimation to 365 to 400°F, which is 185 to 205°C.

Or you plan to apply the heat transfer vinyl for sublimation first on cotton, then you need to set the temperature at 266 to 284°F for HTV Vinyl. After you have embedded the vinyl into the cotton fabric, you apply the sublimation heat press settings for cotton again(365 to 400°F) for the further transfer process.

3. Can you use parchment paper for sublimation?

Yes. Typically, the cardinal rule of the sublimation process is to avoid the straightforward touch between the heat plate and the materials. Teflon Sheet is better for its durability and premium quality. Parchment paper is more like a disposable item, which can work well but is not for repeated use.

4. Can you use regular ink on sublimation paper?

No. The sublimation technique requires only sublimation ink, or your printing may be unwanted. You can use regular printers or inkjet printers to print out your design, but with dye-sublimation ink.

5. Can I use sublimation ink on heat transfer paper?

Actually, you can! I&#;ve tried several times before with my light fabrics, and this method can really work. The color brilliance was fantastic when I combined sublimation ink and heat transfer paper together. But the salient point is the color will fade, and the ink will evaporate after a few washes and days. So I don&#;t really recommend it.

6. What is a sublimation paper used for?

Sublimation paper is for dotting items with vibrant and vivid images and colors for a long time. However, the substrates working with this technique must be covered with sublimation coating, like sublimation mugs, tumblers, glass, sublimation key chains, etc. Moreover, sublimation paper works best when applied on 100% polyester fabric.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of polyester sublimation transfer paper. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.