Designing Your Own Sublimation T-Shirt: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to design a sublimation t shirt

Designing a sublimation T-shirt is a fun and easy way to create custom clothing. Sublimation is a process where heat and pressure are used to transfer ink at a molecular level, resulting in a permanent transfer. This means that your designs won't crack or fade over time and can be washed without the colours running.

To get started, you'll need a few essential materials: a sublimation-ready printer, sublimation ink, sublimation paper, a heat press, and a T-shirt with at least 50% polyester content. The higher the polyester content, the more vibrant and permanent your colours will be.

Once you have your materials, the process is simple. First, create or download your design and print it onto sublimation paper using sublimation ink. Make sure to mirror the image if it contains text or any elements that need to be in a specific direction. Preheat your heat press according to the instructions, and prepare your T-shirt by placing it on butcher paper and using a lint roller to remove any dust or hair. Place your printed design on the T-shirt, cover it with another piece of butcher paper, and press it with the heat press for the recommended time. Finally, remove the butcher paper and admire your handiwork!

Characteristics Values
Process Transferring a design onto a T-shirt using heat to turn ink into a gas which then turns back into a solid when cooled, infusing into the fabric
Ease Not intimidating; special sublimation dyes and papers are activated with heat
Feel Printed designs become part of the shirt's fibres, so can't be felt
Design Any design your printer can create, e.g. high-quality PNG files and similar designs with gradients
Materials Sublimation T-shirt with at least 60-65% polyester, sublimation paper, sublimation printer and ink, heat press, protective paper, heat-resistant tape, laptop or desktop computer
Cost $5-$10
Time 45 minutes

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Choosing the right t-shirt material

When it comes to choosing the right material for your sublimation t-shirt, the most important factor is the type of fabric and its polyester content.

The best results for sublimation printing are achieved with 100% polyester shirts. This is because the sublimation process involves turning ink into gas through heat, which then bonds with the fibres of the fabric. Polyester fibres can fully absorb the ink, resulting in vibrant and long-lasting prints.

However, if you're going for a more vintage or faded look, a lower polyester content will be better suited. A blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton is recommended for this style, as it will allow for some of the images to wash out and create a faded effect. Keep in mind that anything lower than 65% polyester may not last through multiple washes.

It is important to note that natural fibres like 100% cotton, silk, and wool are not ideal for sublimation as the ink will not bond effectively, resulting in less vibrant designs that will eventually wash out.

Additionally, the colour of the t-shirt should be considered, as lighter colours will allow your design to show up better. If your design includes colour, a white shirt will give you the best outcome.

Some recommended 100% polyester shirts for sublimation include:

  • Cricut Sublimation Crew Neck
  • Cricut Women's V-Neck
  • Hanes Cool Dri Crew Neck
  • Hanes Cool Dri Women's V-Neck

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Preparing the sublimation design

The first step in the sublimation process is to prepare your design. You can create your own design or use a pre-made one. If you're using a pre-made design, make sure it's in a format that your printer can handle, such as a high-quality PNG file or a similar design with gradients. You can also use image editing software or Google Docs to prepare your design.

Once you have your design, you need to print it onto sublimation paper. This paper has a special coating that allows the sublimation process to work, so don't skip this step. When printing, make sure to mirror your image, especially if it contains text or any elements that need to be in a specific direction. The printed image will look dull, but don't worry, as the heat from the sublimation process will activate the dye and make the colours more vibrant.

If you're using a Cricut machine, load your sublimation paper face-up onto the cutting mat. After cutting, use a weeding tool to remove the negative space around your design. Leave at least half an inch of blank space around your design to help it stick to your shirt.

Now you're ready to move on to the next step of the sublimation process!

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Preparing the t-shirt

Firstly, select the right t-shirt material. The best material for sublimation is 100% polyester, which yields the most vibrant and permanent colours. However, you can also use a polyester blend, but ensure it contains at least 60% polyester. Lighter-coloured shirts, preferably white, will also allow your design to show up better. Remember, the higher the polyester content, the brighter and more durable the design will be.

Once you have selected your t-shirt, it is important to pre-treat it before printing. Start by lint-rolling the shirt to remove any dust, hair, or fibres that may cause imperfections during the sublimation process. Use a lint roller and run it all over the shirt, especially on the area where your design will be placed.

Next, you will need to pre-heat your t-shirt. Place your shirt on the heat press and cover it with a piece of parchment or butcher paper. Press it for a few seconds to make it perfectly flat and to pre-heat the fabric. This step is important as it removes moisture and ensures a good transfer.

Now, you can position your design on the shirt. If you are using a printed sublimation transfer sheet, trim the sheet close to the design to avoid any unwanted lines transferring to the fabric. Then, gently fold the sheet the same way as the shirt and crease it at the top and bottom of the paper, ensuring you don't fold through any part of the printed image. Place the design ink-side down on the pre-heated shirt, lining up the creases. For a crew neck t-shirt, the top of the design should be placed about 2 inches below the collar. For a v-neck shirt, place the design about 1 inch below the collar. Use heat-resistant tape to secure the design on all four edges to prevent ghosting or fuzzy images.

Finally, cover the design with another piece of butcher paper, ensuring it is larger than your heat plate. Do not use parchment paper, wax paper, freezer paper, or Teflon paper, as these can trap moisture and affect the quality of the transfer. Now, your t-shirt is prepared and ready for the sublimation process!

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Applying the design

Now that you have your design printed on sublimation paper, you're ready to apply it to your shirt. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Prepare your work area:

  • Set your heat press to the recommended temperature for the sublimation paper you are using. The temperature should be between 385°F and 400°F (196°C to 204°C).
  • Place a piece of butcher paper on your work surface to protect it from any ink transfer.
  • Put a piece of cardstock or butcher paper inside the shirt, behind the area where your design will be applied, to prevent the ink from bleeding through to the back of the shirt.

Prepare the shirt:

  • Use a lint roller to remove any dust, pet hair, or fibres from the shirt, especially in the area where the design will be applied. This step is important to ensure a crisp and clear print.
  • If your shirt has wrinkles, give it a quick press to make it perfectly flat and remove any creases.

Position the design:

  • Fold your shirt in half vertically and press it for about 10 seconds to create a centre crease. This will help you centre your design.
  • Gently fold your printed design the same way as the shirt and crease it at the top and bottom, being careful not to fold through any printed areas.
  • Position the design on the shirt, lining up the creases. For a crew neck t-shirt, the top of the design should be placed about 2 inches below the collar. For a v-neck shirt, the top of the design should be placed about 1 inch below the collar.
  • Secure the design with heat-resistant tape on all four edges to prevent ghosting or blurry images.

Apply the design:

  • Place a piece of uncoated white butcher paper over the design and shirt. This will protect your heat press from any ink transfer.
  • Once your heat press has reached the desired temperature, press the shirt for 45 to 60 seconds. If using an EasyPress or traditional heat press, apply light to medium pressure.
  • When the time is up, carefully lift the press and remove the butcher paper and sublimation paper.
  • Allow the shirt to cool completely before removing the tape.

Your sublimation t-shirt is now ready to wear and show off! Remember to follow the care instructions to ensure the longevity of your design.

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Finalising the t-shirt

Now that you have your design printed onto your sublimation paper, you can finalise your t-shirt. The process is simple, but there are some important steps to follow to ensure the best results.

Firstly, you will need to preheat your heat press to the recommended temperature for the sublimation paper you are using. While the press is heating up, place your shirt on it and put a sheet of butcher paper or cardstock underneath the layer you will be printing on. This will ensure that the design doesn't transfer to the other side of the shirt. You can also place the shirt on a heat press mat to protect the pressing area.

Next, use a lint roller to remove any dust, hair or fibres from the shirt. This step is important as any particles on the shirt can cause dull spots or imperfections in the final design.

Now you are ready to place your design on the shirt. Make sure there are no air bubbles and that the edges are secure. You can use heat-resistant tape to secure the design and prevent it from moving during the pressing process.

Place another piece of butcher paper or a Teflon sheet over the design. This will protect your heat press from any ink transfer.

Once your heat press has reached the correct temperature, you can begin the sublimation process. Place the press directly over the design and apply medium to heavy pressure. The amount of pressure and the duration of the press will depend on the instructions for your specific sublimation paper, but it is usually around 30-60 seconds.

After the specified time, carefully remove the press by lifting it straight up. Then, remove the butcher paper and transfer sheet. Allow the shirt to cool completely before removing the tape and paper.

And that's it! Your sublimation t-shirt is now ready to wear and show off!

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Frequently asked questions

A sublimation T-shirt is a shirt that has been customised with text or graphics that are dyed directly into the fabric. This process involves using heat to turn sublimation ink into a gas, which then infuses into the material and cools back into a solid, creating a permanent design.

To design a sublimation T-shirt, you will need a sublimation printer or a converted inkjet printer, sublimation ink, sublimation paper, a heat press or similar heat source, and a T-shirt with a high polyester content (at least 60%- 65%.)

You can create your own design using software such as Silhouette Studio, Procreate or Photoshop, or you can download pre-made designs from websites like Etsy, Creative Fabrica and Design Bundles. Remember to mirror your image before printing!

First, print your design onto sublimation paper using your sublimation printer. Then, preheat your heat press and prepare your T-shirt by lint-rolling it and placing butcher paper inside to protect the back. Place your design on the shirt, secure with heat-resistant tape, and cover with another piece of butcher paper. Press according to your heat press instructions, then carefully remove the butcher paper and sublimation paper once complete.

Caring for a sublimation T-shirt is simple—just follow the washing instructions provided with your shirt. There is no need to worry about the design peeling off, as it has been permanently infused into the fabric.

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  • Byeon
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