Sublimation Guide

SUBSTRATE TEMP (°F/°C) TIME (SEC) PRESSURE NOTES
Polyester Fabric / Fabrics with < 30% Cotton 255-410 °F / 124-210 °C 35-80 Medium-High Ensure that the fabric is completely dry before sublimating the design. Pre-press shirt for 3-5 seconds to eliminate moisture. Tack spray transfer and use blow-out sheet to avoid ghosting. Choose a shirt made of polyester material to ensure good binding of ink. With clear HTV vinyl, you can sublimate patterns on cotton content > 30%. General fabric guidelines also applied.
Polyester / Cotton 310-330 °F / 150-166 °C 15-30 Light-Medium Pre-press the shirt for 3-5 seconds to remove moisture.
Poly Linen Hat Patch 400 °F / 204 °C 50-60 Light-Medium Pre-press the shirt for 15-20 seconds, hot peel. General hat guidelines also applied.
Pillows 380-400 °F / 193-204 °C 60-70 Light-Medium Once printed, take the transfer and place it under the hovering heat to dry for just about 30 sec.
Bags / Tote Bags 380-400 °F / 193-204 °C 55-70 Medium Start with a temperature of 385 degrees and press for 55 secs.
Socks 360-385 °F / 182-196 °C 45-60 Medium Press your socks one side at a time. After the sock about 30-60 secs cool, peel off the transfer. For full wrap, press 60-90 sec & rotate 180 degrees & press a second time for 60-90 sec.
Tumblers 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 60-90 Medium-High Time varies with press. If you are doing a full wrap, press for 60-90 sec. then rotate your tumbler 180 degrees and press a second time for 60-90 sec.
Ceramic Sublimation Mugs / Ceramic 350-375 °F / 177-191 °C 150-180 Medium-High Mugs to cool down after transfer paper is removed in bucket of water or cooling plate. Time varies with press. Mugs should be cooled down after transfer paper is removed in either a bucket of warm water or using a cooling plate. Make sure the cup is cool to prevent burns. General ceramic guidelines also applied.
Frosted Glass Can 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 120-240 Medium Colder temp can cause the glass to become more fragile during the transfer process. General glass guidelines also applied.
Ceramic Car Coaster 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 150-240 Medium Use a lint roller on the coasters to remove any dust or debris. General ceramic guidelines also applied.
Phone Case 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 45-60 Medium Preheat your heat press to 360 degrees & place the paper with aluminum insert face up.
Air Freshener 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 45-60 Medium Make sure the whole thing is under heat plate and press for 60 seconds at 385 degrees.
Puzzles 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 45-60 Medium Keep the cardboard rectangle behind the puzzle to hold it in place. General puzzle guidelines also applied.
Passport Cover 380-400 °F / 193-204 °C 30-60 Medium Suggests putting a small piece of fabric in the crease to get even pressure
Ceramic Ornament 360 °F / 182 °C 120-160 Light-Medium Prepare your ornament by using denatured alcohol on a lint free cloth to remove any fibers. General ceramic guidelines also applied.
Mouse Pad 380-400 °F / 193-204 °C 40-60 Medium Use the lint brush very well over the mousepad to prevent having specks in your work.
Garden Flag 320-400 °F / 160-204 °C 45-60 Medium Recommend pre-pressing the flag first to decrease its folds.
Graduation Stole 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 45-60 Medium-High Substrate should be at room temperature. General fabric guidelines also applied.
Graduation Cap 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 50-60 Medium Prepare your cap topper by using a lint roller to remove any fibers or dust. General hat guidelines also applied.
Graduation Tassel 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 45-60 Medium-High For clearest image, we prefer sublimation heat tape for securing transfer. General fabric guidelines also applied.
Slate Frame 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 300-420 Light-Medium Place the paper with your design face down onto the white part of the slate. General photo slate guidelines also applied.
MDF Plaque 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 60-90 Medium During pressing, it is normal for trapped moisture to escape through the substrate's edge foil. Remove plastic coating and press with the transfer paper on top. Remove immediately after pressing unless the surface is textured, then wait for substrate to cool and remove the transfer paper. 3 General MDF guidelines also applied.
Aluminum Plate 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 45-60 Medium Use heat-resistant tape to prevent plate from shifting during the transfer process. Time varies with metal manufacturer (always consult manufacturer for correct time and temp). Place absorbent sheet on bottom of heat press. Then, place product transfer side DOWN on top of the absorbent sheet. 4 General aluminum guidelines also applied.
Glass or Ceramic Tiles 370-370 °F / 188-188 °C 180-480 Medium-High Time varies depending on tile type and size. Always consult manufacturer. Press tiles from back (transfer side down). Press into silicon 5 pad. General glass/ceramic guidelines also applied.
Key Chain 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 45-90 Medium-High For double sided blanks, it is not recommended to transfer both sides at the same time. General metal/Unisub product guidelines may apply depending on material.
Fridge Magnet 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 45-60 Medium Once transfer is over, simply turn off with the magnet inside and cool for 10-15 mins.
Fiberglass 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 60-90 Medium Requires a little longer pressure time than MDF. General plastic/Unisub product guidelines may apply.
Other Glass Items 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 180-240 Medium Be careful not to put too much pressure on the glass. General glass guidelines also applied.
Other Metal Aluminum Items 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 45-90 Medium Always place absorbent sheet on bottom of heat press. General aluminum guidelines also applied.
Other Plastic Items 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 60-70 Medium Remove transfer paper immediately after pressing. General PET/PU guidelines also applied.
Hardboard 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 60-90 Medium Remove immediately after pressing unless the surface is textured, then wait for substrate to cool and remove the transfer paper. 6 General MDF guidelines also applied.
Neoprene 350-375 °F / 177-191 °C 45-60 High Look for a tight knit and high white point for more vibrant color.
Unisub Products 350-400 °F / 177-204 °C 60 High Remove plastic coating. Remove transfer paper immediately after pressing.
Fire Retardant Plastics 350-375 40-75 High
Acrylic 350-375 60 High

Sublimation FAQs

Most projects use 350–400°F for 30–180 seconds, but always check substrate guidelines.

Prevents heat reflection and ensures even absorption. Use an absorbent sheet underneath.

No! Sublimation requires specialized dye-based ink. Regular ink won’t gasify or bond properly.

Secure the transfer paper tightly with heat-resistant tape and ensure even pressure.

A light mist neutralizes residues, reducing yellowing. Use sparingly before pressing.

Overheating, low-quality ink, or residual moisture. Lower temps, use premium supplies, and pre-press.

It is recommended to choose hard materials with flat and smooth surfaces for hot pressing, such as MDF, wood, and stainless steel.

Materials with uneven or rough surfaces, such as some types of wood or materials that have undergone processing that resulted in an uneven surface, can lead to inconsistent hot pressing results due to poor contact and uneven pressure distribution.

There are several potential risks:
1. Uneven Heating: The heating plate of the machine may not be perfectly flat, leading to uneven heating and potential under-pressing or scorching in certain areas.
2. Uneven Pressure on Substrate: The hard substrate itself might have thickness variations, bumps, or uneven coating distribution, which can also cause uneven pressure and inconsistent results.
3. Poor Conformability: Both the heating plate and the hard substrate are rigid materials with poor conformability. This lack of cushioning can lead to localized areas of high pressure and other areas with insufficient pressure.
4. Safety Concerns: Some hard substrates may have poor high-temperature and pressure resistance, making them prone to melting or cracking during hot pressing, potentially creating safety hazards.
5. Machine Damage: Repeatedly using very hard materials for hot pressing can potentially cause wear and tear or damage to the hot pressing machine, reducing its lifespan.

Uneven heating or non-uniform pressure can lead to areas where the material is under-pressed (not properly bonded or processed) or scorched (overheated and potentially damaged).

Not necessarily. Some hard materials might have poor resistance to high temperatures and pressure, which could lead to melting, cracking, or other safety issues during the hot pressing process. It's important to consider the material properties.

Yes, repeatedly using very hard materials can potentially cause wear and tear on the machine, which may reduce its overall lifespan.

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