Dye Sublimation Equipment for Beginners
- Joanne Krapf
- Feb 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 2
I have always needed a creative outlet. It calms my soul when I can make something.
In early 2004, I was a photographer, then I made jewelry, made stenciled wood frames, opened an art and gift shop in Dunedin, Florida, learned how to make gifts with vinyl and then graduated to dye sublimation.
My best friend describes it as "constantly reinventing myself." She is in marketing, so it is a lovely way of saying that I sure do change my mind a lot.
What I think really happens for me is that I learn something and then want to expand on it, make it different.
Anyway, enough of that. You are not here to learn about the evolution of my craft, you are here for some tips to continue your creative journey, right?
What is Dye Sublimation?
I could talk about how dye sublimation is a printing technique that allows for the vibrant and long-lasting transfer of images onto various materials. Unlike traditional printing methods that lay ink on top of a surface, dye sublimation infuses the ink directly into the substrate, creating a seamless and durable image that doesn’t fade, crack, or peel.
What it means for my fellow creatives is this: You can print something on a special printer, attach it to the item (also called a substrate), use a heat press or oven to fuse the image onto it and voila! You have a beautiful gift.
Dye sublimation changed my creative world. It gave me the opportunity to make thousands of different items to sell and give away as gifts. I have been using this technique since 2018 to make name tags, tumblers, luggage tags, ornaments and more. I have printed on glass, acrylic, metal and pressed board. I am fortunate to have been able to sell these items online and at vendor events.
When I first looked into sublimation, all of the sites provided great information on the process. However, their equipment was geared toward larger companies and so it was expensive. I searched a little more and found other like-minded people who were able to start sublimating without having to take out a loan. I was a home based crafter at that point and wasn't even sure I was going to do well at it.
I searched YouTube for ideas. I wish I could remember who the person was who had a video online on how to convert a regular printer into a dye sublimation printer so I could give them credit. Alas, I was not thinking I would ever be teaching other artists how to sublimate, so I did not write it down.
Equipment
Printer
My first printer was an Epson Artisan1430. Fortunately, I already had it and was able to convert it to a sublimation printer. It took a minute, since I first used it as a regular printer, but after that, it worked great. I currently use an Epson ET-8550. I like it because it will hold 13" x 19" sublimation paper, which makes bigger projects go quicker. You have to buy dye sublimation ink for the printer that you use. Please remember, not every printer is able to be upgraded to a dye sublimation printer, so do your research. I have the Epson I used linked below.
Heat Press
My first heat press cost me $264. It is a 15" x 15" workhorse that is still going seven years later. It was on sale because it is yellow. Apparently, people were not buying it in yellow. I had no qualms about buying it in a bright color. I have not been able to find it since, so I just have the one in that size. I linked a comparable unit to the one I have below. I haven't used it, but it is great price.
When we bought our camper, I had grand plans of traveling and sublimating while I was on the road and bought a smaller heat press. My "travel" heat press is a 12" x 10" little beauty. It has never left my studio. It is definitely not necessarily portable. It cost me $125.00 and I have been pretty happy with it. The timer never worked for some reason, but a kitchen timer works just as well.
Oven or Mug Press?
After I was pressing flat items like glass cutting boards, coasters, ornaments and keychains, I wanted to try tumblers and mugs. There are two ways that I have sublimated tumblers and mugs - a mug press or an oven. There are pros and cons to both.
For tumblers, I like to use an oven. I searched a bit, because I knew what size I wanted and needed to make sure the one I bought would fit them. I found one on Country Door. It is no longer available, so I can't give you a link, but check that your substrates will fit. Also note that you can only use the oven for sublimation. It cannot be used for food. You will also need a thermometer inside the oven, as the gauge on the unit is typically not accurate. I have added a link to a timer I use below.
For mugs, I liked a mug press. I feel that it gives a better press.
Design
I have worked with Photoshop since the early 2000's, so for me, it is the best software option. Most of the substrate companies have templates for the items they sell online, so it will help you with your designs.
It is always best to pay for your images, not pull them offline for free. There are copyright laws and if someone wanted to call you out on it and you haven't paid for it, they would be right to do so. I also believe it is good karma to do the right thing, since I would be upset if someone used my artwork and did not ask permission or pay for it. We are all artists, right? You can also buy templates online, too. Etsy, Design Bundles, Shutterstock are just a few options.
Substrates
The blank items you use to sublimate are called substrates. They need to be polyester based or have a coating on them so that the dye will adhere to it. I have mostly purchased my substrates from known industry suppliers like Johnson Plastics Plus, Conde, SEPS Graphics. I had a large project that I thought warranted purchasing tumblers in bulk from Alibaba. They were definitely not the same quality and I had to buy them twice. It took me three years to get rid of the tumblers that did not work. In my opinion, it will save you time and money if you use quality items.
Alright, let's create something magical! Feel free to ask me questions. I always encourage people to follow their passion and if I can help you in any way, I will always try.
Read the next blog for more tips.
Enjoy.
Product Links:
Equipment:
Sublimation Essentials:
Teflon Sheets (16" x 20") (for heat press)
Substrate Blanks: Johnson Plastics Plus, Conde and Happy Monkey Gifts
Miscellaneous:
Kitchen Timer (in case the timer on your press does not work)
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