Many people think that sublimation does take place on polyester items only. However, new techniques and advanced ink systems can help you sublimate to cotton. We will discuss the Sublimation on Cotton Process and Tips to obtain the fine results. Before heading to-dos and don’ts of cotton printing, we will explore the facts about sublimation printing.
What is sublimation?
Sublimation is called the transition of a substance from solid to gas without converting it into water. In addition, when we talk about sublimation on cotton, it means that with the help of dye ink, you will heat press it with sublimation paper. Furthermore, this ink will convert into gas and lock into your cotton fiber permanently.
How to Sublimate On the Cotton T-Shirt
Sublimating on the cotton t-shirt is not a complicated process. You need a special transfer paper for this process.
- This particular transfer paper consists of a light, thin polyester film, but it provides the best coverage on cotton.
- After doing the whole process, you will love the result of your cotton fabric.
Now check some unique tips and tricks and 100 working processes if you want to sublimate on cotton.
Transfer Paper
As we discussed above, that will be a highly recommended method that brings 100% results on cotton. Moreover, use transfer paper with sensible heat, and you will find a surprising impact on your cotton fabric. Now given tips and tricks make your work easier.
Things You Need
- Cotton fabric
- Sublimation printer
- Ink
- Heat transfer paper
- Heat tap
- parchment paper
- heat press
Tips for Transfer Paper
- Image size matters a lot in sublimation, so adjust your desired image size for transfer paper. It will help you transfer the right image from paper to cotton fiber.
- Now pick transfer paper, and I will recommend subli –light transfer paper because this paper has fast and high quality to transfer. So insert paper on your printer and get the image.
- Now iron the fabric and fix the transfer paper with the help of heat tape.
- Before pressing the fiber, place parchment paper to prevent ink transfer to undesired areas.
- Give intense pressure for 1 to 2 minutes, and the temperature of the printer should be 355 to 380.
- After completing this process remove parchment paper, transfer paper, and tape carefully.
- See the result that will surely mesmerize you.
Heat Transfer Vinyl
We know that vinyl is a polyester material, so by using HTV Vinyl, you can sublimate the required image on your desired cotton surface.
Things you need
- Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Heat press
- Heat tape
- Sublimation Printer
- Sublimation Paper and ink
- parchment paper
Tips for Heat Transfer Vinyl
- On your cotton fabric, press HTV Vinyl but use parchment paper in between your material.
- Now remove the sheet of vinyl that stays original material on your fabric.
- Using a printer, adjust the size, print the image, and fix it on a vinyl surface with heat tape.
- You can use parchment paper that will prevent the mess.
- The heat press will help you at 360 to 380 Fahrenheit for 120 seconds. After completing the process, you will get sublimated cotton fabric.
Sublimation Spray
In this process, you will use a special sublimation spray. You will apply this solution on the cotton surface that makes a polyester layer on it now, absorbing the ink completely.
Things you need
- Sublimation spray solution
- parchment paper
- Sublimation printer
- Sublimation ink and paper
- Tape
- Heat transfer
Tips For Sublimation Spray
- Spray this special spray on the required surface of cotton fabric.
- Now print the image and attach it to the sprayed area with the help of hating tape.
- Put your material on the heat press and use parchment paper
- Use350 Fahrenheit for 120 seconds and press your fabric.
- After taking off the tape from cotton fabric, you will see a good result.
Wrapping Up!
If anyone asks you why you cannot sublimate on cotton, then you have a detailed answer to give. You can also sublimate on dark cotton by picking any step from above. So enjoy the sublimation process that will help you make your life more colorful and attractive.