How to Sublimate a Shirt: A Comprehensive Guide

Sublimation is a popular technique for creating vibrant and durable designs on shirts. Whether you're looking to start a sublimation t-shirt business or make custom shirts for personal use, this guide will walk you through the process.

Materials Needed

• 100% polyester shirt or a high-polyester blend
• Sublimation printer and sublimation ink
• Sublimation paper
• Heat press
• Butcher paper or cardstock (to place inside the shirt)
• Heat-resistant tape
• Lint roller

Steps to Sublimate a Shirt

1. Design Your Image:

• Create or choose a design for your shirt. Use software like Adobe Photoshop or Canva to create your design.
• Ensure the image is mirrored before printing to appear correctly on the shirt.

1. Print Your Design:

• Print the design onto sublimation paper using a sublimation printer and sublimation ink.
• Trim the edges of the design to avoid press lines.

1. Prepare Your Shirt:

• Preheat your heat press to 385°F (196°C).
• Place butcher paper or cardstock inside the shirt to prevent the design from bleeding through.
• Use a lint roller to remove any dust or fibers from the shirt.

1. Position the Print:

• Place the sublimation print face down on the shirt where you want the design.
• Secure the print with heat-resistant tape to avoid movement during pressing.

1. Sublimate the Shirt:

• Place butcher paper on top of the print to protect the heat press.
• Press the shirt with the heat press for 45-60 seconds using medium pressure.
• Allow the shirt to cool down before removing the tape and sublimation paper.

1. Finishing Touches:

• Carefully peel off the sublimation paper to reveal your design.
• Your shirt is now ready to wear!

Sublimating on Dark Colors and Cotton

Sublimation works best on light-colored, polyester shirts. For dark colors or cotton shirts, use a special sublimation spray or apply a white polyester coating before sublimating.

Popular Questions

• How to sublimate on black shirts? Apply a white polyester coating or use a sublimation spray for dark fabrics.
• How to make sublimation shirts? Follow the steps above using a high-polyester shirt and sublimation supplies.
• How to start a sublimation t-shirt business? Invest in a good sublimation printer, heat press, and high-quality shirts. Market your designs online and build a brand presence on social media.

Tips for Success

• Ensure Proper Pressure and Heat: Consistent pressure and temperature are crucial for even sublimation.
• Test Different Fabrics: Practice on different fabric blends to see which provides the best results.
• Use High-Quality Designs: High-resolution images produce the best results for sublimation.

By following these steps, you can create stunning sublimation shirts that are vibrant, durable, and professional-looking. Happy sublimating!