Most sublimation issues can be traced to a handful of common factors: incorrect temperature, pressure, pressing time, moisture, incompatible materials, or printer settings. These mistakes can lead to faded colors, ghosting, transfer lines, and other print defects on shirts, tumblers, mugs, and other sublimation blanks. Fortunately, most sublimation mistakes are preventable once you identify the underlying cause.
Whether you're just getting started with sublimation printing or have years of experience, it's important to be able to diagnose and fix printing issues. That way, you can avoid wasting your blanks while saving time on future projects.
This guide will help you identify and fix sublimation mistakes that can affect your final products. You’ll learn what causes each issue and the steps you can take to fix it going forward.
We’ll break down the most common sublimation issues for both drinkware and apparel, so you can skip to the section that is most relevant for your crafting.
These troubleshooting tips and instructions will help you produce more consistent results with your sublimation crafting.
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What Are the Most Common Sublimation Mistakes?
Most sublimation mistakes can be traced back to problems with your blanks or equipment settings.
The most common printing problems fall into these categories:
- Using Incompatible Materials: Using the wrong type of fabric or blanks can prevent sublimation ink from bonding properly and reduce transfer quality. Sublimation requires polyester fabrics or polymer-coated blanks designed for the sublimation process.
- Not Preparing the Surface: Failing to remove moisture, wrinkles, lint, dust, or oils from the surface before applying heat can interfere with the transfer. Proper preparation helps create cleaner, more consistent sublimation results.
- Printing and Design Errors: Forgetting to mirror the design, printing on the wrong side of sublimation paper, using incorrect ICC profiles, or selecting incorrect print settings can result in printing mistakes or poor results.
- Pressing and Heat Errors: Incorrect temperature, pressing time, or pressure can cause faded prints, scorching, ghosting, blurry details, and incomplete transfers. Using settings that don't match the substrate or equipment can also lead to inconsistent results.
These problems can affect the color and clarity of the image on your cups, apparel, and other blanks.
Luckily, you can diagnose these issues easily to prevent them going forward.
In the next sections, we will explain how to identify and fix sublimation issues, starting with drinkware and then apparel.
Diagnosing and Fixing Sublimation Mistakes on Drinkware
Since tumblers, mugs, and other drinkware are hard substrates, you can run into problems caused by uneven heat distribution, shifting transfer paper, incorrect heat settings, or surface contamination.
Let's explore the most common print and transfer issues and the best ways to address them.
Faded or Uneven Colors
Faded or uneven colors are among the most common sublimation color problems on drinkware. Parts of the design may appear lighter than others, or the entire image may lack the vibrant colors expected from dye sublimation.
Here are the signs of the printing issue, causes, and solutions for fixing these color problems:
How It Appears:
- Colors appear dull or washed out
- Certain areas of the design are lighter than others
- The transfer looks inconsistent across the surface
- Blacks appear gray instead of deep black
Common Causes:
- Incorrect temperature, pressing time, or pressure
- Uneven heat distribution in the tumbler press or sublimation convection oven
- Incorrect ICC color profile or printer settings
- Printing on the wrong side of the sublimation paper
- Using expired or improperly stored sublimation ink
- Sublimating onto drinkware without a polyester coating
How to Fix It:
- Verify the manufacturer's recommended settings for the blank
- Check that the heat press or oven is heating evenly
- Use the correct ICC profile and recommended print settings
- Print on the coated side of the sublimation paper
- Replace expired or degraded sublimation ink if necessary
- Always use sublimation blanks with a polyester coating
Taking time to troubleshoot these factors can help restore color accuracy and improve the quality of your finished drinkware.
Ghosting and Double Images
Ghosting occurs when the sublimation transfer paper shifts while the ink is still a gas. The shift results in a second, lighter impression around the original design that often appears as blurry edges or double images.
How It Appears:
- Shadowing around graphics or text
- Blurry outlines
- Double images
- Misaligned portions of the design
Common Causes:
- Sublimation print moves during pressing
- Not securing the design with heat-resistant tape
- The seam is not secured tightly against the tumbler
- Heat-resistant tape is loose or insufficient
- Not using shrink wrap (if using a sublimation oven)
- The transfer paper shifts as you remove the tumbler
How to Fix It:
- Secure the transfer paper with heat-resistant tape before pressing
- Wrap the transfer tightly against the tumbler to eliminate movement
- Double-check taped seams
- Wrap heat-safe shrink wrap around the cup (if using a sublimation oven)
- Open the press or oven carefully and avoid shifting the paper
- Remove the transfer paper immediately after pressing
Taking extra care when securing and removing the transfer can help prevent ghosting and create cleaner, more accurate sublimation designs.
Transfer Lines
Transfer lines are marks that appear on the finished drinkware at the edge of the sublimation transfer paper.
These lines are usually caused by excessive pressure during pressing or improper placement of the transfer.
How It Appears:
- Horizontal or vertical lines along the edge of the transfer paper
- Visible marks where the transfer paper edge pressed against the tumbler
- Faint outlines or impressions surrounding the transferred image
- Uneven color near the edges of the design
Common Causes:
- Excessive pressure during pressing
- Transfer paper extending beyond the usable surface of the tumbler
- Excess paper bunching or creating uneven pressure areas
- Improper positioning of the transfer on the tumbler
- Using pressure settings that are too high for the sublimation blank
How to Fix It:
- Reduce pressure on your heat press
- Trim excess transfer paper that extends beyond the tumbler surface
- Smooth the transfer tightly against the tumbler before pressing
- Secure the transfer with heat-resistant tape to prevent movement
- Follow the recommended pressure settings for your specific sublimation blank and equipment
Making small adjustments to your pressing process can help eliminate transfer lines and create cleaner sublimation designs.
Brown Marks, Spots, and Discoloration
Brown marks, spots, and discoloration usually happen because of surface contamination, trapped moisture, or excessive heat during the transfer process.
These defects are especially noticeable on white or light-colored drinkware because discoloration is easier to see.
How It Appears:
- Brown or yellow discoloration
- Small colored spots
- Random marks outside the design
- Uneven staining across the surface
Common Causes:
- Dust, debris, fingerprints, oil, or residue on the sublimation blank
- Excess moisture trapped during pressing
- Contaminated butcher paper
- Excessive temperature or pressing time
How to Fix It:
- Clean the tumbler thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol before applying the transfer
- Avoid touching the printable surface after cleaning
- Use fresh butcher paper for each project
- Ensure the tumbler and sublimation paper are dry before pressing
- Reduce temperature or pressing time if overheating causes discoloration
- Store sublimation blanks and paper in a clean, dry environment
Overall, fixing common drinkware printing issues is straightforward.
Simply clean the cup surface, carefully secure the design, trim excess transfer paper, remove moisture, and follow recommended settings for your press or oven to achieve cleaner, more consistent transfers.
How to Fix Sublimation Mistakes on Apparel
While different than sublimating drinkware, heat transfers on apparel can have similar issues, like color problems, transfer lines, and unwanted marks.
The good news is that these problems usually have easy solutions once you identify the source.
Faded or Dull Colors
One of the most common apparel problems is that the finished design looks noticeably less vibrant after pressing than it did on the computer screen. Colors may appear washed out, and the finished design may have less contrast.
How It Appears:
- Colors appear faded or washed out
- Dark colors lack depth
- The finished design looks dull instead of vibrant
Common Causes:
- Low pressing temperature or insufficient pressing time
- Incorrect pressure during transfer
- Using the wrong ICC color profile or print settings
- Printing on the wrong side of the sublimation paper
- Using fabric with a low polyester content
- Using expired or improperly stored sublimation ink
- Printing on black t-shirts or other dark apparel
How to Fix It:
- Verify the recommended temperature, time, and pressure settings for the apparel
- Print on the coated side of the sublimation paper
- Confirm that the correct ICC profile is installed for your printer and ink
- Replace old or improperly stored sublimation ink
- Use apparel made from at least 65% polyester, preferably 100% polyester
- Print on white or light-colored apparel
Using the right fabrics and settings can help you achieve the bright, long-lasting colors that make sublimation such an effective printing method.
Small Dots and Browning
Small dots and browning can occur if you use excessive heat or the apparel has moisture, lint, or debris before pressing.
It's important to fix this printing issue because discoloration and speckles can ruin your vibrant, one-of-a-kind designs.
How It Appears:
- Small blue, black, or colored dots
- Random speckles throughout the design
- Yellow or brown scorch marks
- Discolored areas surrounding the transfer
- Common Causes:
- Dust, lint, or loose fibers on the garment
- Excess moisture trapped in the fabric
- Overheating during pressing
- Dirty heat press platens or butcher paper
How to Fix It:
- Use a lint roller to remove dust and fibers from the fabric
- Pre-press the shirt for a few seconds to remove moisture before applying the transfer
- Cover the garment with clean butcher paper during pressing
- Clean your heat platen
- Reduce the temperature or pressing time if scorching occurs
By preparing the apparel properly and avoiding excessive heat, you can reduce the chances of speckles, scorch marks, and other surface imperfections.
Ghosting and Blurry Edges
Image ghosting can happen when the sublimation transfer moves during pressing, creating an additional faint image around the design. This results in blurry edges or double images that you cannot remove after pressing.
How It Appears:
- Double images around text or graphics
- Blurry outlines
- Shadowing along the edges of the design
Common Causes:
- Sublimation transfer paper shifts during pressing
- The transfer is not securely attached with heat-resistant tape
- The shirt or transfer paper moves while the ink is still hot
- The press opens abruptly, causing the transfer paper to shift before removal
How to Fix It:
- Secure the transfer paper with heat-resistant tape before pressing
- Use the recommended pressure settings for the garment and heat press
- Open the heat press carefully to avoid disturbing the transfer
- Remove the transfer paper immediately after pressing and avoid sliding it across the garment
- You can prevent most apparel sublimation mistakes by preparing the garment and verifying your equipment settings before every press.
Cleaning your heat press, briefly pre-pressing your fabrics, and carefully securing transfer paper with heat tape can eliminate the most frequent issues before they impact the finished design.
Now that you know the most common issues when sublimating drinkware and apparel, let's unpack sublimation mistakes more broadly.
We'll explain errors that can affect anything you may want to sublimate and how to fix them.
Sublimation Printing Material and Preparation Errors
Using incompatible materials and failing to prepare your blanks can cause serious printing defects, whether you're printing on apparel, drinkware, signage, home décor, or any other blank.
These common material and prep errors can cause costly transfer issues:
- Incorrect Fabric: Sublimation works best on light-colored polyester fabrics because the dye bonds with polyester fibers. Use apparel made from at least 65% polyester for acceptable results, and choose 100% polyester garments for the brightest, most vibrant designs. The sublimation process will not work on cotton and other natural fabrics unless they're mixed with polyester.
- Non-Coated Blanks: Hard blanks like tumblers, signs, coasters, and keychains require a polyester coating for sublimation ink to bond. Always choose sublimation blanks specifically designed for dye sublimation, as the heat-activated dye will not bond properly with uncoated blanks, even metal.
- Dirty or Unprepared Surfaces: Dust, lint, oils, fingerprints, and debris can interfere with the sublimation process and create spots, faded areas, or uneven transfers. Use a lint roller on apparel and clean hard blanks with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth before applying the transfer.
- Moisture in the Substrate: Excess moisture can affect transfer quality and lead to faded designs or small spots. Pre-press apparel for a few seconds before applying the transfer to remove moisture and wrinkles, and make sure your hard blanks are dry before pressing.
Proper material selection and preparation can prevent many sublimation mistakes before they happen.
Using compatible blanks, cleaning each surface, and removing moisture before pressing will help you achieve better results.
Printing and Design Errors
Not all sublimation mistakes happen during pressing. Mistakes made while preparing the artwork or configuring the printer can affect the finished transfer before it ever reaches the heat press or oven.
Fortunately, these errors are easy to avoid by following a consistent printing workflow and verifying your settings before printing.
Avoid these critical printing mistakes:
- Skipping Nozzle Checks: Clogged printheads or inconsistent ink flow can cause banding, missing areas, and uneven colors in sublimation transfers. Run a nozzle check before printing to confirm that the sublimation printer is producing clean, consistent lines, and perform head cleaning if issues appear.
- Forgetting to Mirror the Design: Sublimation transfers are applied face down onto the substrate, so designs must be mirrored before printing. Forgetting this step will cause text, logos, and graphics to appear backward after pressing.
- Printing on the Wrong Side of Sublimation Paper: Sublimation paper has a coated side designed to hold and release ink during the sublimation process. Printing on the wrong side can result in faded colors, weak transfers, and inconsistent image quality.
- Using Incorrect Printer and Color Settings: Printer settings, ICC profiles, and color management all affect the final appearance of sublimation designs. Using the wrong settings can cause colors to shift, appear dull, or fail to match the original artwork.
- Failing to Test Prints: Testing a small design before starting a larger production run can help identify issues with color accuracy, image placement, or print quality before wasting materials.
Creating a consistent printing routine can prevent many sublimation problems before they occur.
Double-checking the design orientation, printer settings, and running nozzle checks takes only a few minutes but can improve the quality of the final transfer.
Prevention and Quick Fixes Checklist
Regardless of what you plan to sublimate, you can prevent many transfer issues by using the following checklists.
We've organized these checklists by sublimation stage, including "before printing," "before pressing," and "after pressing."
By ensuring your blanks are compatible, checking your equipment, preparing your materials, and following recommended settings, you can prevent sublimation mistakes and create one-of-a-kind items with professional-quality results.
Sublimation Issues FAQs
Why Does My Sublimation Look Faded on a Tumbler?
A faded sublimation design on a tumbler is usually caused by incorrect heat press settings, insufficient pressure, or using a blank without a proper polyester coating. Check that you are using compatible sublimation blanks, the recommended temperature and time settings, and the correct ICC profile for your printer and ink.
Why Does My Sublimation Look Faded on a Shirt?
A faded sublimation print can happen if you use a shirt with low polyester content or dark colors. Sublimation works best on light-colored 100% polyester or high-polyester blends. Additionally, ensure you're using correct heat press settings and the appropriate ICC profile.
Can You Fix a Sublimation Mistake?
Sublimation is permanent, so you cannot reverse a mistake after pressing. However, you can prevent future mistakes by adjusting your heat press settings, using compatible sublimation blanks, improving surface preparation, and testing a sample before starting a larger project.
How Do I Make My Sublimation Colors More Vibrant?
To make sublimation colors more vibrant, use your printer's correct ICC color profile and light-colored sublimation blanks. For apparel, use 100% polyester fabrics when possible, and for drinkware, choose products with a polyester coating designed for sublimation printing.
Can You Overpress Sublimation?
Yes, you can overpress sublimation by using too much time or heat. Overpressing can cause faded colors, blurry designs, scorching, yellowing, and other sublimation issues.
How Do You Fix a Sublimation Mistake on a Shirt After Pressing?
A sublimation mistake on a shirt cannot be removed after pressing because the ink permanently bonds with the polyester fibers. Depending on the issue, the best solution may be to recreate the design on a new shirt or cover the mistake with another compatible decoration method.
Get the Best Sublimation Designs with The Stainless Depot Company
Mastering sublimation and avoiding mistakes mostly comes down to properly preparing your blanks and equipment while following recommended equipment settings.
Paying attention to these details can help you prevent most sublimation issues before they affect your custom products.
Additionally, using reliable equipment and supplies plays an important role in creating vibrant, professional-quality products.
Fortunately, you're in the right place for getting the best sublimation supplies and equipment.
The Stainless Depot Company features high-quality heat presses, sublimation ovens, sublimation printers and ink, sublimation paper, and other essential supplies.
We also offer a wide selection of sublimation blanks designed for professional crafting, including sublimation shirts, ceramic mugs, stainless steel water bottles, and wholesale sublimation tumblers.
When you pair the right equipment and blanks with proven sublimation techniques, you can achieve clean, durable sublimation projects every time. Create professional, one-of-a-kind items today with the help of The Stainless Depot Company.
