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TLDR: Our favorite heat-resistant tape for crafts is MakerFlo Sublimation Tape! 🏆 It’s affordable, easy to use, and completely clear (meaning no ruined blanks!).
Keep reading to see all 4 options and the pros and cons of each.
You’re probably here because:
- You’re looking for a good heat-resistant tape but haven’t found the winning brand yet.
- You’re starting your journey with sublimation or HTV and want to find the right tape for your new hobby.
- Or your last tape brand left a permanent residue on your blank (ugh!) and you’re looking for something better.
If you can relate to any of these statements, you’re in the right place!
We’ll share some of best heat-resistant tape for crafts and what to consider about each of them.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a commission if you make a purchase using third-party links.
Best Heat Resistant Tape for Crafts: 3 Brands to Try
#1 - MakerFlo Sublimation Tape
Like all proud parents, we wholeheartedly believe our sublimation tape is the best.
We engineered it to be strong and heat-resistant even in the high temperatures of a heat press or sublimation oven.
And it’s completely clear, which means there’s no chance any dye will leak onto your item.
Our tape has a narrower width of 0.375 inches, which means it covers less of your design. (We're working on a wider size, so stay tuned for more updates!)
The tape is thick and extra sticky, which keeps your design tight and secure even in super high temperatures.
Finally, we give you tons of tape—a grand total of 216 feet in one roll. And at $6.95, it’s a steal at 3.2 cents per foot.
Are we a little obsessed with our heat tape? Yes, we are—but for good reason!
#2 - Cricut Strong Heat Resistant Tape
Another favorite heat tape of crafters is the Cricut Strong Heat Resistant Tape.
It has a purple tint, which makes it easy to see on your tumbler or shirt, but you want to be careful to stay under the recommended temperature so the purple dye doesn’t stain your item.
That said, we haven’t seen any reviews where the blue has seeped out, so it doesn’t seem likely that you’ll run into a problem with it.
This tape is 0.8 inches wide.
Cricut heat tape is designed to work with heat presses, but it makes no mention of convection ovens, so you’ll want to test it out with an oven before using it on a big project.
This tape is a bit more expensive, at $7.99 for 52 feet of tape (15 cents per foot).
Buy Cricut Strong Heat-Resistant Tape
#3 - PYD Life Tape
Many people mention this tape, available on Amazon, as their go-to for crafting.
You can find multiple versions, from 0.4 inch to 1.57 inches wide and with a length of 52 or 108 feet.
This tape also has a blue tint but is resistant to temperatures up to 480 degrees F, so it shouldn’t leave a residue with proper use.
Prices vary based on size and the package you choose, but a 0.8-inch roll with 108 feet of tape was about $3.74 a roll or 3.5 cents per foot, making this another affordable option.
Reviews are generally positive, but some reported a slight residue on a shirt or some missing rolls in their order.
#4 - Sublifun Sublimation Tape
Sublimation brand Sublifun offers a teal-colored sublimation tape that's easy to see on blanks.
Reviews are very positive, and many say that it's not "too sticky" like other brands.
Sublifun tape doesn't leave a residue, but if you want to be absolutely sure to not leave markings on your projects, we still recommend clear sublimation tape.
We found a 4-pack of 0.8-inch rolls with 108 feet of tape for $12.99 or $3.25 per roll, which works out to a very affordable 3 cents per foot.
Buy Sublifun Sublimation Tape on Amazon
Best Heat Resistant Tape for Crafts: Comparison Table
| Brand | MakerFlo | Cricut | PYD Life | Sublifun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coloring 🎨 | Clear | Purple | Blue | Teal |
| Width 📏 | 0.375 inches | 0.8 inches | From 0.4 to 1.57 inches | 0.8 inches |
| Max Temperature 🌡️ | 425F for 30 minutes | 400F | 480F | 390-480F |
| Length of Roll 📏 | 216 feet | 52 feet | 52 or 108 feet | 108 feet |
| Price per Foot 💵 | 3.2 cents | 15 cents | 3.5 cents | 3 cents |
*Prices are from March 2024 and may vary.
Here's a side-by-side comparison for you:
What is Heat-Resistant Tape?
Heat-resistant tape, also called heat tape or sublimation tape, is a type of adhesive tape that (as you can tell by the name) can stand up to very high temperatures, like those you would find in a typical convection oven or heat press.
This kind of tape is the absolute best choice for crafts like sublimation or heat transfer vinyl, because it won’t leave a residue, burn, or curl up and ruin your transfer.
So if you’re trying to find the best heat tape for sublimation, choose a high-quality heat-resistant tape that’s supported by good reviews.
What Kind of Heat-Resistant Tape is Best?
Now, you may be wondering, how can I choose one product everything is so similar and seems to work fairly well?
Here are some factors to look at that can guide your search:
- Buy from a company you trust. If you know the company and you’ve had a good experience with their products, or if you know you can trust them, it’s very likely they’ll have reliable tape, too.
- Think about the width you want. Heat tape widths vary so much. Do you want something thin, like our 0.375 inch tape? Or do you want something wide, like 0.8 or 1 inch?
- Consider the unit cost. Think about the per-foot cost by dividing the total price by the amount of feet you get. We’ve included those prices in the table above.
- Try it out! If all else fails, try one out and see how it goes. If you choose a high-quality tape, you’ll generally have a successful experience.
All told, we love our MakerFlo Sublimation Tape and wholeheartedly recommend it to you if you’re working with convection ovens or heat presses and don’t want any ink stains or ghosting on your final product.
It’s also a part of our handy-dandy Epson F170 Sublimation Ultimate Starter Kit if you’re looking to purchase your very own true sublimation printer.
Or try the Sublimation Mini Starter Kit, which allows you to experiment with sublimation without a printer!
Happy crafting! And if you still have questions about heat tape and the right tape for crafting, check out the FAQ below and leave any more questions you have in the comments!
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Or hop on over to the Official MakerFlo Facebook Community to interact with us and the entire family of MakerFlo crafters in a fun and supportive space. See you there!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What tape can you use for sublimation?
You want to use high-quality craft-grade heat-resistant tape for sublimation. Other types of tape, like masking or painter’s tape can catch fire, curl up, and otherwise ruin your transfer.
Do you need heat resistant tape for sublimation?
Yes! If you use other types of tape like masking or painter’s tape, the tape is likely to burn, stain your item, and/or leave an unremovable residue behind.
What can I use instead of heat-resistant tape for sublimation?
Don’t substitute real heat tape with any other kind! Other kinds of tape are likely to run into issues like burning, staining, and leaving a sticky residue that you cannot remove.
Why is my heat-resistant tape leaving marks?
Make sure you’ve firmly pressed the tape down and it’s completely secured with no bubbles of air under your transfer paper. If you miss any air pockets, the transfer might leave white spots. And if the tape isn’t totally stuck down, it could curl up and create air bubbles, too. Finally, if you’re getting stains from your tape (which often happens with a certain brand of yellow tape), switch to a clear tape or a higher quality brand—like MakerFlo Sublimation Tape!
