How To DIY An All Over Sublimation Shirt – Even Seams!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE FLORAL DESIGNS

First, download my All Over Sublimation Shirt designs from my free library – look for Design #580. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

There are three designs in the folder: a flower, a flower bunch, and a wreath. You can customize and print them using Cricut Design Space.

I used an AI art generator to create the designs, then made them even more fantastic with image editing software. If you want to learn more about the process, check out my workshop on creating and using AI-generated art in your crafts.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload files to Cricut Design Space.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND PRINT YOUR DESIGN

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. Open Cricut Design Space and click “New Project.”
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Select your preferred flower PNG.
5. On the Upload Image screen, click “Complex” and “Continue.”

6. Click “Apply and Continue.”
7. Select “Print Then Cut Image” and click “Upload.”

8. On the next screen, select your image and click “Add to Canvas.”

9. With the design selected and the Size Lock icon closed, resize it to about 5.25” wide or smaller. Depending on the amount of images you want to place on the shirt, you can adjust the sizing to your preference.

NOTE: You may see a low resolution warning even after resizing your image, and that's OK. It will print just fine at the size needed for an All Over Sublimation T-shirt. However, I don't recommend enlarging these images for larger projects.

10. Click the “Duplicate” icon to make the amount of design repeats you want for the shirt. I will create 20 designs to cover my shirt’s front and back.

11. You can flip the direction a flower is facing by selecting it and then clicking "Flip" and "Flip Horizontal."

12. Also, with the Lock icon closed, resize a few of the duplicates to be larger or smaller to add interest. Your designs are ready for printing.

13. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
14. Click “Make.”
15. If prompted, click "On Mat," choose your mat size, and click “Confirm.”
16. On the Prepare Screen, make sure your Material Size is set to “8.5 in x 11 in (Letter).”
17. If your designs are small enough that more than one can fit on a sheet, select one and click the icon with three dots.
18. Click “Move Object.”
19. Select a mat with open space in the popup.
20. Click “Confirm.”
21. On the newly combined mat, drag the designs apart so you can cut or tear them apart later.

22.Click “Mirror” for each mat since we’ll apply the designs face down.
23. Select the first mat again and click “Continue.”

PRINTING

1. On the Make Screen, click “Send to Printer.”

2. Select your printer from the Printer dropdown.
3. Toggle “Add Bleed” off.
4. Toggle “Use System Dialog” on.

5. Click “Print.”

TIP: You may need to minimize or move your Design Space window to see the print dialog window. It sometimes appears behind Design Space. There is a chance the system dialog box will not work on all printers. Each printer is different, so consult your printer's user guide for additional support.

6. The print dialog box should have the correct printer selected, the Media set to “Premium Photo Matte,” and the Quality set to “Best.” “Flip Horizontally” should be unchecked.


NOTE: Your screen and settings may look different, but use mine as a guide to pick the closest options you have available.
Make sure the sublimation paper is loaded correctly in your printer.

7. Click “Print.”
8. Set the print aside to let it dry. Be careful not to smudge it.

9. Repeat for the other designs.

NOTE: We’ll cut the designs by hand, so you’re done with Cricut Design Space.

CUTTING

1. Cut your designs apart with scissors so you have one per sheet.
2. The paper’s edge can leave an indent during pressing. Tearing the paper, or feathering around the designs, helps, but be careful close to the ink.

NOTE: Make sure you remove the black registration marks when cutting or tearing around your designs.

STEP 3: PREPARE AND PRESS THE ALL OVER SUBLIMATION SHIRT

CAUTION: Good ventilation is important any time you use sublimation. Have your windows open and a fan going to help the fumes dissipate quickly. And don’t breathe in very close to the project while it’s still warm.

NOTE: Your design’s colors will be influenced by the printer profile you use and will not exactly match what is on the printed paper. It’s a good idea to sublimate a test design on some scrap white polyester fabric using these steps before moving to your final project.

1. Set your heat press to the correct temperature and time. According to my Sublimation Cookbook, the EasyPress 2 needs to be set at 385℉ (196℃) for 40 seconds with light pressure for polyester fabric.

NOTE: When pressing along the seams, use medium to firm pressure for a better result.

2. Lint roll the T-shirt all over to remove dust or debris.
3. Lightly press the shirt all over for 10 seconds to remove excess moisture from the material, and smooth out any extra wrinkles.

4. Insert a pressing pad with a fresh piece of white, uncoated cardstock on top in between the shirt’s layers under your first design area.

5. Tape the first printed design face down on top of the shirt with heat resistant tape.

NOTE: Start with your end goal in mind (a pattern, centered, offset, random, etc.) in mind. Beginning in the middle and radiating out from there makes it easier to avoid reactivating earlier designs when adding new ones.

6. Place a piece of butcher paper on top of the shirt and taped design.

TIP: If your designs are small, you can re-use your piece of butcher paper on your next press by folding it with the surface that touched the design facing inward to trap any excess ink.

7. Press the design with light pressure for 40 seconds at the correct temperature.

8. After pressing, allow the design to sit for approximately 10 seconds to help prevent ghosting.
9. Remove the tape and transfer sheet to reveal the first design on your shirt.

10. Add more design repeats all over the shirt’s front, avoiding the seams and sleeves for now.

NOTE: Remember to move the pressing pillow and pressing pad as needed, always secure the design with heat-resistant tape, cover it with fresh butcher paper, and don’t let your heat press get too near existing designs or the ink could reactivate.


11. Flip the shirt over and put fresh white cardstock on the pressing pillow under the shirt’s back.
12. Repeat the process to add more designs on the back. Be very sure the pressing pillow stays between the front designs and your heat source to avoid reactivating the pressed ink.


PRESS THE SLEEVES

1. To decorate a sleeve, smooth out any wrinkles and press the sleeve to get rid of a crease if needed.

NOTE: If the design is small, you can put a small pressing pillow inside the sleeve.

But if the pressing pillow is smaller than your design, fold clean white cardstock so it fits in the sleeve, then slide it in between the layers to keep the fabric flat and protected.

TIP: If the existing designs or seams are too close to the pressing area, put the large pressing pad under the sleeve or whole shirt. That can protect the ink and help smooth any seams.


2. Place the printed image face down on the sleeve, and tape it down.

3. Place a piece of butcher paper on top of the sleeve and taped design.

4. Press the design with light pressure for 40 seconds at the correct temperature.

5. After pressing, allow the design to sit for approximately 10 seconds to help prevent ghosting.
6. Remove the taped design and the cardstock from inside the sleeve to reveal your finished sleeve.

7. Follow steps 1-7 to decorate the other sleeve if you want!


PRESS OVER A SEAM

1. To add a design over a seam, move the pressing pillow and protective cardstock under the seam and press it completely flat, avoiding the previous prints.


NOTE: The seams are the most difficult, and you will likely have some bleeding where the ink drifts along the indent.


2. Prepare and position the design just like the others, but press even harder with heavy pressure to try to trap more of the ink right where you want it to be.

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF!

Here is what my finished all over sublimation shirt looks like!