DIY CRAFT GUIDE
Sublimation FAQ's
What is Sublimation?
What is Sublimation?
Sublimation is the transition of a substance directly from the solid to the gas state, without passing through the liquid state. For the purpose of crafting, it's a heat transfer process. Using special sublimation friendly tools you can transfer an image on to a different surface that is either sublimation friendly or coated for sublimation.
What is Sublimation Friendly?
What is Sublimation Friendly?
Sublimation friendly items are things that you can sublimate on without having to coat first. Materials like Polyster, Nylon and Spandex will take the transfer process without issue. Most lighter in color woods, will take the transfer but may need a little assistance. Other things, like tumblers and glasses, must be specifically coated with a poly-coating in order for the ink transfer to take place
How do I take care of my sublimated item?
How do I take care of my sublimated item?
For cups and glasses, we would recommend handwashing, do not use the microwave or dishwasher.
For clothing materials, be sure to check the label, but some easy tips would be to always wash inside out, no bleaching or ironing, and wash on cold.
For wood, we would recommend sealing your project with clear sealer for wood, and try to avoid direct sunlight.
Each crafting surface is a little different so be sure to read any and all instructions included with your products.
What do I need in order to sublimate?
What do I need in order to sublimate?
Depending on your product, you may need a few more or less things, but here are the basics.
- Heat source, like a dedicated oven or heat press
- Sublimation printer & sublimation paper, or preprinted sublimation designs printed with sublimation ink on sublimation paper
- Sublimation coated or sublimation friendly item
- Sublimation tape to attach your printed design onto your surface (Tape Dispenser, optional)
- Parchment paper
- Heat glove
- Internal thermometer (if using oven)
- Heat resistant matt
- Scissors to cut your design
- Weeding tool to peel of the design after baking (if needed)
What kind of Printer do I need?
What kind of Printer do I need?
A sublimation printer is something specifically designed for sublimation. It provides features liking pre mirroring your images and can handle the heavier sublimation ink that this craft will require. We would not recommend converting your non sublimation printer into a sublimatable one for a few key reasons. One being that you will void your warranty by adding sublimation ink and you will no longer be able to be protected from manufacturer defects. Two, the heads on a regular printer are not designed to manage the heavier sublimation ink that this craft needs, and will eventually cause the printer to quit on you, premature to it's normal life span.
Where do I get my Prints?
Where do I get my Prints?
You can use websites like Creative Fabrica or Etsy, or you can design them yourself using design software! The world of sublimation is your oyster!
How do I know what size to print my image?
How do I know what size to print my image?
Measure! Mostly, that's it.
Here's a few steps that should help in most situations regarding sublimation.
- Determine the product and its printable area.
- Measure the printable area's width and height.
- Calculate the image dimensions based on the aspect ratio.
- Consider a resolution of at least 300 DPI.
- Resize and adjust the image accordingly.
- Preview the image and print using a sublimation printer, following instructions.
Remember to consult specific instructions for accurate measurements and guidelines.
How do I keep my sublimation colors Vibrant
How do I keep my sublimation colors Vibrant
To achieve vibrant colors and sharp details, it's important to use high-quality sublimation inks, high-resolution images, and proper color management techniques. Calibrate your equipment regularly by running these checks or cleanings as needed.
Under the maintenance tab of our recommended Epson SureColor F170, you can do things like a print head nozzle check, a head cleaning, or a power cleaning if you were having printer issues. There is also a “print density” feature. With this slider, you can adjust how much ink is put on your paper. If you feel like you’re not getting enough ink or maybe too much, that can be adjusted here.
What are MakerFlo's standard baking times for Tumblers and Pens?
What are MakerFlo's standard baking times for Tumblers and Pens?
When using a convection oven, all of Makerflo’s cups should be able to be baked at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes. (This is a great starting point, but ultimately it all depends on your oven and how hot it runs.)
If you are using a heat press, we would recommend 360-365 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 seconds. If the cup needs to be rotated in the heat press, repeat the steps.
For the crafters gel pen and pencil barrel's we recommend 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 minutes in the oven.
Common Do's and Don'ts
Common Do's and Don'ts
DO:
- Wrap it like a pro: Embrace your inner mummy and wrap that tumbler tight! The tighter the wrap, the better the results. Remember, sublimation loves a snug fit.
- Tape it, don't escape it: Use heat resistant tape to secure your image onto the tumbler. Make it tight like a superhero's costume! If you need some extra oomph, grab some shrink wrap to apply pressure, but it's not always necessary.
- Measure twice, sublimate once: Be a sublimation mastermind and measure your product before diving in. You don't want to waste materials or end up with a wonky design. Precision is key!
DON’T:
- DO NOT and we repeat DO NOT, do this in your regular cooking oven. This process lets off some gasses that are not safe for consumption and can be toxic if ingested. If you are going to use a convection oven, make it a dedicated craft room oven.
- Don’t use regular ink. Refer to this article on sublimation printing for beginners to help you understand what is required
- Don’t get frustrated if you see a little bit of seam once the image is transferred. It’s bound to happen. Practice makes perfect.
- Don’t use just any tumbler. Tumblers used for sublimation must have a polyester coating that binds with the sublimation ink during the heating process
- Don’t put your image design side facing out. In order to transfer the image, your design needs to be on the inside, with direct contact to the outside of sublimation tumbler
Where can I get ideas and help for learning new techniques?
Where can I get ideas and help for learning new techniques?
Join our MakerFlo Facebook community! Our crafters are at all different levels and are always sharing and engaging in what’s the latest and greatest in tumbler making and more! You can also get ideas from checking out customer reviews on our product pages as well as videos we share throughout the site!