Sublimation printing is a powerful tool for creating long-lasting, full-color designs on tumblers, mugs, apparel, and many other items. With the right equipment and a little practice, you can produce beautiful prints and high-quality results, even if you're just starting out.

This beginner's guide takes you through the entire dye-sublimation printing process, from the initial designs to the finished product. You'll learn how to sublimate shirts, tumblers, and mugs with easy-to-follow steps and practical tips. We'll also walk you through the essential equipment and supplies you'll need to get started.

Whether you're launching a craft business or starting a new creative hobby, this guide will help you begin your first sublimation project with confidence.

Sublimation for Beginners: Overview of the Printing Process

Sublimation printing is an enjoyable and accessible technique for creating vibrant, long-lasting designs. This process enables you to transfer custom artwork onto a wide range of materials, including fabrics, ceramics, metals, and more.

Sublimation produces prints that are exceptionally vivid and highly durable, making them ideal for a variety of crafting applications. These prints tend to outlast those created with screen printing, heat transfer vinyl (HTV), and direct-to-garment (DTG). Unlike these traditional printing methods, sublimation embeds the design within the surface rather than sitting on top, resulting in a smoother finish that won't crack or peel.

To begin the sublimation process, you'll create a design and print it onto special transfer paper using sublimation ink. Next, carefully place this printed paper on your chosen substrate, such as a polyester t-shirt or sublimation tumbler.

Once the design is perfectly aligned, you use a heat press to transform the sublimation ink from a solid into a gas. This gaseous ink bonds with the polyester or sublimation coating on a molecular level, allowing the design to become part of the material itself. The result is a permanent, high-resolution transfer.

With the right transfer paper, sublimation ink, and heat press, you can make breathtaking designs for polyester t-shirts, tumblers, mugs, keychains, mouse pads, and more.

What You Need: Sublimation Supplies Checklist

Before you start pressing designs, you'll need to gather the right sublimation supplies. Here's a breakdown of everything you'll need to complete a successful project, whether you're making custom tumblers or apparel:

• Design Software: Programs like Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, GIMP, Cricut Design Space, and Silhouette Studio can help you create or size your artwork before printing. Your sublimation printer may come with its own design program, as is the case with Sawgrass printers.
  
• Sublimation Printer: You'll need a specialized printer that uses sublimation ink instead of standard ink. Some crafters use converted inkjet printers for sublimation, but it's best to buy a purpose-built sublimation printer to achieve consistent and reliable results.
  
• Sublimation Ink: Sublimation ink is heat-activated and turns into a gas during the heat-pressing process. It bonds permanently with polyester and polymer-coated surfaces, creating vibrant, full-color transfers. For the best results, use your printer's own sublimation ink or compatible sublimation ink bottles.
  
• Sublimation Paper: You’ll need special transfer paper to hold the printed sublimation ink until you’re ready to apply it. Regular printing paper won’t work because it can’t release the ink properly during the pressing process. 
  
• Sublimation Blanks: You'll need items made from polyester or coated with a polymer surface, such as sublimation tumblers, mugs, and t-shirts.
  
• Lint Roller (optional): If you're sublimating t-shirts or other apparel, use a lint roller to remove dust or debris before pressing.
  
• Heat Press Machine: Heat presses are essential for applying the necessary heat and pressure to transfer your design onto the blank. The type of heat press you'll need will depend on your sublimation crafts, such as drinkware, t-shirts, or hats. For drinkware, use a tumbler press or mug press with a curved heat element. For flat garments, like t-shirts, a clamshell press is the most suitable option. 
  
• Heat Tape: Use this high-temperature-resistant tape to secure your printed transfer to the sublimation blank, preventing it from shifting during the pressing process.
  
• Heat-Resistant Gloves: To protect your hands, use specialized heat-resistant gloves when handling hot items from the heat press.
  
  

Step 1: Design Your Dye-Sublimation Print

Your first step in creating stunning sublimation crafts is to choose or design artwork that fits the item you plan to sublimate. Use graphic design software to make sure your artwork is properly sized for your blank.

If you're working with drinkware, using a digital wrap template can save time and help you align your designs. The Stainless Depot Company offers a variety of digital sublimation wrap templates to help you apply the exact dimensions and correct print sizes you’ll need. These templates match the shape and size of various tumblers and mugs, allowing you to create seamless, edge-to-edge designs. Using digital wrap templates can help you avoid scaling and cropping issues when customizing your tumblers or mugs.

After completing your design, save it in a high-resolution format such as PNG or PDF. Double-check colors, alignment, and print settings before moving to the next step. Clean, well-sized artwork that matches the exact print size will make the transfer process smoother, minimize wasted ink, and yield professional final results.

Step 2: Print Your Design

The next step is to print your completed design using your sublimation printer. There are plenty of great beginner sublimation printers to help you get started, including the Sawgrass SG500 and the Epson SureColor F170 sublimation printer.

To get started with printing, load your sublimation paper into the printer according to the manufacturer's instructions. The printable side is usually brighter white or has a slightly coated texture. Check your print settings and ensure you use the highest print quality available.

Remember to set it to print as a mirror image so that you can transfer it onto the blank correctly.

Allow the design to dry completely after you finish sublimation printing. Handling the print before it fully dries can smudge the ink, resulting in blurry or faded sublimation transfers. Store your sublimation transfer flat in a clean, dry area until you're ready to apply it to your sublimation blank.

Step 3: Prepare Your Sublimation Blank and Apply the Heat Press

The instructions below will guide you through the heat press process for both drinkware and apparel. To achieve the best results, use a tumbler or mug press for your drinkware and a clamshell heat press for your apparel.

How to Do Sublimation Tumblers and Mugs:

1. Clean the sublimation blank's surface with a lint-free cloth or alcohol wipe to remove dust, fingerprints, or oils. Even tiny particles can interfere with how sublimation ink bonds to the surface.
2. Wrap the printed sublimation transfer tightly around your tumbler or mug. Make sure the design is aligned correctly for an even transfer.
3. Use heat-resistant tape to secure all edges and prevent the design from shifting during pressing.
4. Place your cup into the tumbler or mug press. Make sure to center the design and ensure it's in full contact with the heat platten.
5. Apply the recommended time, temperature, and pressure for your specific sublimation blank to ensure a smooth, full-color transfer.
6. Wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands when removing the cup.
7. Carefully remove the tumbler or mug from the press and allow it to cool on a heat-safe surface.
8. Avoid peeling off the wrap or tape immediately, as movement while the ink is still hot can cause ghosting. Let it cool first.

How to Do Sublimation Shirts and Apparel:

1. Begin by lint rolling the fabric to remove dust or loose fibers.
2. Use your heat press to pre-press the fabric. Pre-pressing the fabric to flatten it and remove moisture will help ensure the ink transfers more cleanly, preventing ink gaps and white creases.
3. Position the printed sublimation transfer face down on the fabric where you want the design to appear.
4. Secure the transfer in place using heat-resistant tape to prevent any shifting during pressing.
5. Set your heat press to the recommended temperature, time, and pressure based on your fabric blend.
6. Lower the heat press with the transfer in position and begin pressing.
7. Do not move the fabric or paper while pressing. Movement can cause blurring and ghosting.
8. Once the timer finishes, open the press carefully and peel off the transfer paper while the fabric is still warm.
9. Use heat-resistant gloves to safely handle the hot garment and avoid burns.

Taking the time to prepare your blanks and apply heat correctly makes all the difference to the final product. With the right tools and proper care, you can create stunning sublimation crafts in no time.

Sublimation Printing for Beginners: Final Tips and Troubleshooting

When done correctly, sublimation printing produces durable, vibrant images, but common mistakes can diminish the overall appearance of your prints.

Here's a list of common design issues and how to avoid them during the pressing process:

• Blurry or Ghosted Images: Blurry designs usually occur when the sublimation transfer paper shifts during pressing, while ghosting can happen if you peel the paper or wrap too soon. To avoid these issues, secure your design firmly with heat-resistant tape. For hard surfaces, like tumblers and mugs, allow the item to cool completely before removing the transfer.
  
• Faded or Washed-Out Colors: To ensure your colors are vibrant, follow your heat press manufacturer's settings for each sublimation blank, including the time, temperature, and pressure. Fading can also result from using the wrong substrate, so ensure your blank is polymer-coated or, for fabrics, contains at least 65% polyester.
  
• Uneven or Patchy Transfers: Always pre-press fabrics to remove moisture and flatten wrinkles. For hard items like mugs and tumblers, thoroughly clean the surface with a lint-free cloth or alcohol wipe. Additionally, ensure your heat press applies even and consistent pressure across the entire surface to prevent uneven transfers.
  
• Backwards Designs: Always mirror your image before printing, especially if your design includes text. Otherwise, your image will transfer in reverse and appear backwards on the final product.
  
• Ink Smudging or Bleeding: This can result from using too much ink, the wrong paper, or excessive pressure. Adjust your print settings to reduce ink output if necessary, and verify that your paper and blank are compatible with the sublimation printing process.
  
• Paper Sticking to the Blank: This typically happens when the heat press temperature is too high or the pressing time is too long. Try lowering the heat or reducing the press time slightly. Placing a sheet of butcher paper or parchment between the transfer and the press can also help prevent sticking.
  
• Banding or Faint Lines in Print: This typically indicates that your printer requires maintenance or is running low on ink.
  
• White Specks or Light Spots: White specks or light spots may appear when dust, lint, or stray fibers block the sublimation ink during the transfer. Always thoroughly lint-roll fabrics and wipe down hard blanks with a lint-free cloth or alcohol wipe before pressing to ensure a clean transfer.

With a little troubleshooting and attention to detail, you can avoid these common mistakes and make beautiful crafts.

Where to Buy Sublimation Printing Supplies

Getting started with sublimation requires the right supplies, and finding reliable suppliers with high-quality products can save you time and money.

Online marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon offer a wide range of sublimation blanks, inks, and accessories. Keep in mind that quality can vary widely, so it's important to read customer reviews. You should also verify that the products are designed specifically for sublimation to avoid purchasing the wrong equipment or supplies.

You can also find sublimation supplies at craft and office supply stores, such as Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and even Dollar Tree. However, these stores typically only carry a limited selection and may not offer the best-quality sublimation products.

For small businesses and dedicated crafters, wholesale sublimation suppliers provide the best value. These suppliers offer bulk pricing on essential items, like sublimation paper, ink, and blanks, helping you save money on high-quality products.

The Stainless Depot Company is a trusted source for sublimation wholesale supplies. We specialize in providing crafters with high-quality sublimation blanks and heat press bundles, perfect for budget-conscious crafters looking to start or expand their sublimation projects.

FAQs

How Long Do Sublimated Designs Last?

When done correctly, sublimated designs can last for many years without fading, cracking, or peeling. On polyester apparel, sublimation prints stay vibrant and durable even after dozens of washes. For tumblers and mugs, the design becomes permanently embedded into the surface, ensuring it won't wear off with regular use or washing.

Can I Sublimate on Cotton Shirts?

Cotton is not ideal for sublimation because sublimation ink bonds best with polyester fibers. Pure 100% cotton shirts will not absorb the ink properly, resulting in faded or incomplete prints that will not last long. You can sublimate on polyester/cotton blends, but it's best to choose apparel with a minimum of 65% polyester content. The higher the polyester content, the more vibrant and long-lasting the sublimated print will be.

Can I Sublimate on Dark-Colored Apparel?

Sublimation works best on light-colored or white fabric. Since sublimation ink is transparent, it won't show up as well on dark backgrounds. Black shirts and other dark apparel can mute the design, making the colors appear dimmer. For bold, colorful transfers, choose light polyester garments.

Can I Use Oven Mitts for Heat Pressing?

Oven mitts offer some protection against heat sources, but they are not designed for the high temperatures and precision required in heat pressing. Most oven mitts are bulky, making it difficult to securely grip items like tumblers or mugs. For safety and better control, use heat-resistant gloves made specifically for sublimation and crafting. These gloves are thinner, more flexible, and can handle the high heat from presses without slipping or melting.

Get Everything You Need to Start the Sublimation Printing Process

With the right supplies and a little practice, beginners can produce custom sublimation products that are both eye-catching and long-lasting. From designing your print to applying it with heat, each step plays a crucial role in achieving a clean, vibrant transfer.

If you're ready to start sublimating, you can compare the best sublimation equipment with our articles “What Is the Best Heat Press Machine for Small Business Owners in 2025?” and “Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners: A Complete Comparison Guide.” These guides can help you choose the best tools based on your products and production goals. 

You can also find high-quality sublimation equipment and supplies on The Stainless Depot Company website, including sublimation printers, heat presses, wholesale sublimation blanks, wrap templates, and more. Whether you're just starting out or growing your crafting business, we're here to support your success with premium sublimation products.