If the graphics on all of your favorite t-shirts seem faded or damaged, you may wish to convert to sublimation printed t-shirts. Complex pictures are created using this original printing technology, and they never fade!
So, are you ready to learn how to use a sublimation printer to print t-shirts?
In sublimation printing, the dye is converted into a gas by using high temperatures and heat-reactive dyes.
The gas then fuses the polyester fabric’s threads together to create detailed, long-lasting designs. This technique is for polyester t-shirts and requires a heat press, sublimation inks, and a sublimation printer.
In this post, you will discover how sublimation printing works. You’ll learn how to make your own custom sublimation print for t-shirts by using the best sublimation printer.
Getting Started
Before you can start printing a design to a t-shirt, you must first prepare the surface of the t-shirt by downloading your design.
To get a t-shirt ready for printing:
- Use a heat press or an iron to make sure the surface is level and smooth wherever you want to put the design.
- Your artwork can get smudged and have holes from wrinkles.
- If you’re using an EasyPress or similar small hand press rather than a full clamshell heat press, make sure you have a clean, level surface to work on.
- Stock up on lint rollers. Use the transfer paper on the shirt a few times before putting it.
- This is a crucial step since any fluff might cause stains and spots to appear in your picture.
- Put a piece of thick paper inside the shirt before applying the heat press to stop the dye from leaking through to the other side.
Design:
This process may be as complex or simple as you pick. Online resources provide free graphics if you’d rather use a pre-made design.
OR, you can take a digital photo. You may use Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape to design your own lettering or picture.
Another paid option for creating shirt graphics is Corel Draw. When choosing a shirt design, be aware of the differences between raster and vector graphics. Pixels comprise raster graphics.
Three image formats are JPEG, GIF, and PNG. Stretching them could cause them to become hazy because of their many pixels.
The majority of photographs are in this format and depending on how many pixels they contain; they may have varied digital resolutions.
An image with more pixels will be more detailed. Vector graphics use more complicated lines, curves, and angles to create images that can be easily expanded.
Although making a vector artwork does need some graphic design knowledge, many artists prefer this method of working because of its adaptability.
These images are available in EPS, PSD, and JPEG formats. Last but not least, keep in mind that you should put the transfer paper to your shirt inverted.
This indicates that you must “mirror” any text in your design if it appears anywhere. This function is common in design software and is easy to find.
Make a Print
Making a print on clothing is the best part of sublimation printing, also you can use the best DTG printer! You get to see how the magical aspect of the process manifests.
- Print your image or typography with your sublimation printer on sublimation transfer paper. The design may seem duller than you had imagined, but it will shine brightly when heat is added later.
- Ink the side facing out, and apply your design to the shirt’s fabric. Make sure to place it directly on the ground without sliding or spreading.
- You could even choose to attach the paper’s corners using heat-safe glue for even more security.
- Next, cover the paper with a Teflon sheet to provide protection. Frequently, a protective sheet like this will be included with your heat press.
- See the transfer paper package for details on the heat-press temperature to use. For sublimation printing, a temperature range of 360°F to 400°F is often required.
- Under the heat press, place the Teflon sheet. You would close a clamshell press and enable pressure to be applied.
- If you have an EasyPress or any other comparable hand press, you will need to put in a lot of work yourself.
- The length of time will vary depending on the kind of sublimation paper you choose. The design should be placed in the heat press for between 30 and 40 seconds, but see the paper packaging for specific instructions.
As soon as you’re through using the heat press, take off the Teflon sheet and the transfer paper.
Now, look at your eye-catching t-shirt!
