Sublimation on Canvas: Best DIY Guide For Crafters

One of the fantastic ways to create vibrant and durable designs for your custom projects is through canvas. Canvas is a crafter’s favorite material when expressing creativity and personal style and one of the ways to achieve this is through sublimation. 

In this blog, we’re going to discuss all that you’ll need and the steps involved in making your sublimation project on canvas a success. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, this guide is ideal for you. Enjoy!

Absolutely yes, you can do Sublimation printing on canvas because the material is typically made out of cotton or polyester. There are plenty of canvas products that you can choose from and in the color, you want for your project. Here’s what you’ll need and how to go about it.

Before starting your project, here’s a list of materials you’re going to need to make your sublimation a success. They include:

After gathering all the materials you’ll need, it’s time to make the magic happen. Let’s have a look at the best technique when doing sublimation on canvas:

The first thing you need to do is come up with the design you want to sublimate. You’re going to need design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, LokLik IdeaStudio, and Cricut Design Space among others. You can choose the software program you’re well conversant with. Once you’ve created your designs, mirror them to ensure the text and directional elements are transferred correctly.

Now it’s time to print them. Make sure your printer is well connected and the sublimation paper has been loaded properly with the printing side facing upwards. Do a test print on regular paper to confirm if you’ve mirrored your designs properly before printing. 

Once printed, let the sublimation paper rest for 1 to 2 minutes in the printer tray to allow the sublimation ink to completely dry before proceeding.

The next step is to get your canvas ready for transfers. Here’s how to do it:

For Pre-Coated Sublimation Canvas :

Use a lint roller to remove any lint, dust or dirt that might affect the transfers. This is to make the surface clean and smoother for perfect transfers.

For Un-Coated Sublimation Canvas:

Lay the un-coated sublimation canvas on a flat surface and evenly spray a sublimation coating spray over the canvas. Hold the spray bottle 5 to 8 inches from the canvas surface and gently spray with overlapping strokes. Now allow the coating to completely dry for about 40 to 60 minutes.

We recommend applying a second layer of the coating so that your transfers are more vivid than those of a pre-coated canvas.

Once your designs are printed and your canvas is ready, it’s time to start the application process by positioning your designs.

Use the craft knife or the scissors to trim the sublimation paper so that it’s slightly bigger than your designs. Place the sublimation paper facing downwards on the canvas and use heat-resistant tape to secure the edges to prevent movement when heat pressing.

Now set your heat press machine to the recommended temperature and time. For most sublimation on canvases, the recommended temperature is about 375°F–400°F (190°C–204°C) with a heat press time of 60 to 90 seconds and medium to firm pressure.

Once you’ve set the temperature and press time, place a parchment paper or Teflon sheet on the heat press plate to prevent sublimation ink from staining it. Place the canvas with the attached sublimation paper onto the heat press plate and cover it with another layer of parchment paper or a Teflon sheet. Then simply press your for 60 to 90 seconds with consistent pressure.

After the press time is complete, Cut the heat-resistant tape with scissors, then carefully and gently peel off the sublimation paper from the canvas while it’s still warm. Then allow the canvas to cool on a flat surface to prevent warping. And that’s it, you’ve just sublimated your designs on canvas.

Yes, you can also sublime on a 100% cotton canvas. If you want to print on natural fibres then this part is for you. The process is almost the same as we’ve discussed above. The only difference is that you’re going to need a Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) when dealing with cotton canvas. The HTV paper will be the base layer where you’re going to sublimate.

Here’s how to go about it:

• Start by preparing your designs as always with design software. Mirror and print them on a sublimation paper.

• Then cut the HTV paper into shape using a cutting machine such as Silhouette, Cricut, or LokLik iCrafter . Make sure your HTV paper is the same size as your sublimation paper.

• Now prepare the canvas by removing any particles and pre-press it to get rid of moisture. Do the same thing on the HTV paper. The recommended heat press time and temperature should be 260 °F to 280 °F for 10 to 15 seconds .

• Now let the fabric and HTV cool off for a while before the sublimation process. Then press the sublimation design on the HTV to complete your project.

Your sublimation on canvase projects will not always go as smoothly as we’ve explained in this guide because some factors can lead to unexpected results. Here’s a list of common issues you’re bound to come across when doing your sublimation project and how to solve them with ease for perfect transfer processes

1. Faded or Blurry Sublimation Prints 

Several factors such as insufficient heat/pressure, uneven sublimation coating, and sublimation ink saturation issues normally cause blurry or faded sublimation prints. To prevent this issue, ensure the following:

• Double-check your heat and pressure settings, You can increase the recommended temperature by about 5–10°F or you can adjust the pressure to ensure firm contact between the paper and the canvas.

• Make sure you’ve evenly applied the sublimation coating if you’re using un-coated sublimation paper and let it completely dry before sublimating.

• Ensure your design files are set to a high resolution of 300 DPI and that you’re using the right paper type and printer.

2. Ghosting or Shadowed Sublimation Designs 

This is caused by the shifting of the paper during pressing. To prevent this issue, do the following:

• Make sure the sublimation paper is secured to the canvas with a heat-resistant tape before heat pressing.

• Avoid moving or lifting the heat press machine when pressing.

• Use medium pressure when pressing to avoid unnecessary movement of the paper.

3. Washed-Out or Dull Colors in Prints

This is also caused by several factors such as incorrect printer settings, low sublimation temperatures, and poor sublimation coating. Here’s how to prevent washed-out or dull colors in your project:

• Ensure you’re using the correct ICC profile for your sublimation printer and ink.

• Double-check your press time ( 60 to 90 seconds ) and your temperature settings ( 375–400°F ) before heat pressing.

• If you’re using a coating spray, ensure it is evenly applied and completely dry before doing the sublimation.

4. Warping Canvas 

Sometimes when doing the sublimation, your canvas can warp. This is because of the high heat and unsecured canvas with the sublimation paper. Make sure the canvas is secured with heat-resistant tape when heat pressing. Lay the canvas on a flat surface after peeling the sublimation paper and let it cool completely before handling it. You can also use a pressing pillow or foam insert to provide even support, especially for stretched canvas.

5. Scorching or Yellowing of Designs

This is also caused by excessive heat when pressing. Lower the temperatures and pressing time slightly if your designs come out scorched. Alternatively, you can add another layer of parchment paper or teflon sheet to make sure the heat is distributed evenly.

6. Uneven Transfers

Uneven ink transfers come about because of uneven pressure or dust particles in the canvas. Make sure your heat press is correctly adjusted to the thickness of the canvas for firm even pressure when pressing. Also, do a thorough job when cleaning the canvas because dust and lint particles can block the ink from transferring to some places.

7. Designs Not Sticking to Canvas 

This can happen when you use the wrong canvas material or insufficient pressure and time. Sublimation ink only works well with polyester canvases so make sure you get the right canvas and of high quality. You can also increase the pressure time by 10 to 15 seconds when heat pressing.

8. Bleeding Ink 

This is caused by moisture in the canvas or sublimation paper. It can also be caused by excessive heat when pressing. Make sure the sublimation paper and canvas are completely dry before heat pressing. Also, store your sublimation papers in a cool and dry place to prevent them from absorbing moisture.

Here are some of the tips and precautions you should keep in mind when doing your sublimation transfers on canvas to make your projects successful.

• Do Test Prints: Always conduct tests. Test if your printer is printing properly, test the design on a small part of a sublimation paper and canvas. Testing will let you know how compatible your materials are.

• Choose The Right Canvas: We recommend using polyester pre-coated sublimation canvas for better results because the regular canvas can be tricky in applying the coating spray. Make sure the canvas is very clean before starting your sublimation process.

• Use High Quality Designs and Materials: Ensure your design is high resolution ( 300 DPI or higher ) for sharp and vibrant prints and always mirror your design before printing. Purchase high quality sublimation papers, sublimation ink and canvases for your projects.

• Prioritize Safety Measure: Always have protective gloves and masks on when doing sublimation transfers. Protect your hands from the heat and any fumes that might come out of the heat press as you press. Since sublimation inks release fumes when heating, sure you’re working in a well ventilated environment, this will also help with cooling of the canvas after peeling.

• Seal or Frame Your Canvases: You can protect your finished designs by framing or sealing them with a clear protective spray to make them last longer.

If you’ve sublimated on canvas before please share your experience with us - we would love to hear about your experience. Share this with friends and family so that they can also create unique designs on canvas. Happy sublimating!