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Sublimating a t-shirt involves a heat transfer process that creates vibrant and long-lasting designs on polyester or polyester-blend fabric. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to sublimate a t-shirt:
Materials You'll Need
1. Sublimation-Ready T-Shirt: Ensure you have a t-shirt made of 100% polyester or a polyester blend with at least 65% polyester content. Lighter-colored shirts work best as sublimation inks are transparent, and the fabric color affects the final print.
2. Sublimation Ink and Printer: You'll need a printer with sublimation ink. Ensure your printer is loaded with sublimation ink cartridges or that you have a sublimation ink refill kit compatible with your printer.
3. Sublimation Paper: Use high-quality sublimation paper specifically designed for the process. It has a special coating that allows the ink to transfer effectively.
4. Heat Press: A heat press machine is crucial for sublimation. It provides the even heat and pressure needed to transfer the ink from the paper to the fabric. Make sure it's set to the appropriate temperature and pressure for your shirt material.
5. Teflon Sheet or Heat-Resistant Paper: This helps protect your t-shirt and heat press from any stray ink during the transfer.
6. Design and Software: Create or select the design you want to transfer onto your t-shirt using graphic design software. Ensure the design is mirror-reversed as it will transfer in reverse during sublimation.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preparation:
- Preheat your heat press to the recommended sublimation temperature for your t-shirt material (typically around 375-400°F or 190-205°C).
- Place a Teflon sheet or heat-resistant paper on the heat press platen to protect your t-shirt and prevent ink transfer.
2. Printing:
3. Trimming:
4. Positioning:
5. Heat Transfer:
6. Cooling:
7. Peeling:
8. Final Touches:
9. Caring for Your Sublimated T-Shirt:
With these instructions, you can create custom sublimated t-shirts with vibrant and durable designs. Remember that sublimation works best on polyester fabrics, so choose your t-shirt material accordingly.
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