Sublimation

6 Quick Sublimation Tips

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QUICK ANSWER

  • 1. Backup your artwork files on an external USB or cloud drive
  • 2. Use brand name inks
  • 3. Choose the the best sublimation paper for your project
  • 4. Use protective paper
  • 5. What to do about lines on your transfer print
  • 6. Always use a lint roller

Hello creator!

Sublimation is definitely no easy task. For our creative souls out there, you have quite a learning curve to wrap your head around which inks work best, to what sublimation paper works for different substrates, and it can be quite overwhelming for newbies to feel confident enough to dip their toes into these complex processes.

That’s why I’ve put together 6 quick tips for beginner creators to remember when working on their projects. 

First, let me address that you should research the best printer to use for your line of work, and make sure the printer can takes sublimation ink and/or can be converted to use your sublimation ink. This is extremely important that you have a printer that can, first, print your files you purchase from my studio. All of my graphics are high-quality 300 DPI, and to get the most out of my crisp prints you will need a printer that can do the job.

Just as important as your equipment is your file storage! Some of you have hundreds of art files—can you imagine how it would feel to lose them all? 

1. Backup your artwork files on an external USB or cloud drive like Google.

Some of you have hundreds of design files in your storage, just waiting for the right project for you to use them. I get it. Don’t lose your precious stockpile of designs to a computer glitch. Don’t rely on your technology to see your files safe. I recommend moving them to an external USB hard drive to keep them safe. You can also use a cloud drive or Google to keep another copy of them that you can get access to elsewhere. I’ve lost a ton of my designs by forgetting to make backups (as much as I hate to admit it).

2. Use Brand Name Inks

You may be asking yourself, aren’t all sublimation inks the same? Nope! Just like most things in life; you get what you pay for!

It is always advised to research the printer you are going to use as well as the ink you plan to use. Using name brand inks gives you more consistency from batch to batch. Do keep up on your ink vender, as some change ink suppliers and formulas without notifying their customer base.

 

Reminder: You should not be mixing different brands of ink in your printer without going through a purge cycle and possibly running a cleaning kit.

 

3. Choose the best sublimation paper for your project

The best paper isn’t always the most expensive. Make sure you research which paper will best serve your purpose. Standard paper provides image clarity and color on hard substrates like ceramic tile, name badges, plaques, and coffee mugs. High-release paper is designed to release sub ink in the heated transfer process, resulting in vibrant colored transfers on soft substrates like t-shirts, towels, mousepads, and tote bags. 

Pro-tip: Using pre-cut paper helps eliminate waste and drastically reduce the your production time.

Here are 3 of the most popular kinds:

1. A-Sub Transfer Paper

2. Hiipoo Sublimation Heat Transfer Paper

3. TexPrintR Transfer Paper

4. Use protective paper

Unless otherwise instructed, always use uncoated white butcher paper not he top and bottom of your sublimation project. This paper is thrown away after each use, but is essential for protecting your heat plates, bottomed, and substrates from debris and ink during the sublimation process. Use poly-poplin fabric for ChromaLuxe metal and glass.

5. Lines on your printed transfer?

When you see lines running across your transfer after printing, that is called horizontal banding. This is an issue with your printer, not the print file.

Possible causes include:

1. Incorrect driver settings

2. Printer out of alignment

3. Incomplete nozzle check

4. Computer is sending information too slow

5. Encoder wheels need cleaning

If you need further assistance with your printer, please contact your printer’s technical support department to determine your problem and how to fix it. 

Always double check that your printer can take sublimation inks!

6. Always use a lint roller

Use a cheap Lin roller over your fabric products to remove any loose fibers and debris before pressing. This will prevent blue spots on your substrate. The lint roller trick also works for hard surfaces, so keep it nearby!

7. Research, Research, Research!

No matter what, always do your research into your printer’s abilities and which inks will best serve your purpose. Save yourself some headaches by reading instructions clearly and taking the time to make sure your materials will work together for you desired project.

If you have further questions about accessing your digital purchases from my Etsy shop, contact me at studiosupport@honeypegs.com.


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