Sublimation Beginners Starter Kit: No Printer Needed!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY BEGINNER SUBLIMATION DESIGNS

If you bought a JenniferMaker Sublimation Starter Kit, you’re ready!JenniferMaker
If you want to print the designs for sublimation separately, download them from my free library – look for Design #741. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you. Measure the blank you’re using and print the related design following the steps in my Printing Sublimation Designs With Google Docs tutorial.


IMPORTANT: As with all sublimation projects, turn on a fan and open a window to improve your ventilation before beginning.


FOR ALL SUBLIMATION BLANKS

1. Put your heat-safe glove on your dominant hand and keep it on while working with the hot press and blanks.
2. Set your heat press to 380° F (193° C) for a 5-second preheat.
   
3. Place your pressing mat on your work surface with a piece of white cardstock on top of the pressing mat to protect it.
   NOTE: If you don't have white cardstock, you can use printer paper or uncoated white butcher paper.
   

COASTER

1. Use scissors to trim the coaster designs (pond, mountain) apart, leaving an even amount of white space to help with taping.
   
2. Lint roll the coaster to remove debris, which can interfere with the design.
3. Place the coaster on the pressing mat with white uncoated butcher paper on top to protect it from the direct heat.
   Press the coaster for 5 seconds to remove any moisture, which can also interfere with the design's transfer.
   
4. Set it aside to cool in a clean area.
5. Put the printed design face up on the cardstock.
6. Place the coaster face down on the print and center it so there is an even border of color around the edges.
   
7. Use heat-resistant tape to secure its edges to the paper so it won't shift.
8. Turn the taped print and coaster over and place them on cardstock.
   
9. Add white uncoated butcher paper on top of the design to protect your press.
10. Keep the press at 380° F (193° C) and set it for 60 seconds.
11. Lower the press straight down on the design and heat it for 60 seconds with medium pressure.
12. When the time is up, lift the press straight up to avoid blurring the design by shifting the materials while the ink is still sublimating and return the press to the cradle.
    
13. Remove the butcher paper and let the project cool for about 10 seconds.
14. Then flip over the project and remove the design to see your results!
    
    

LUGGAGE TAG

1. Use scissors to trim the luggage tag designs (sign post, luggage) apart, close to the ink.
   
2. Lint roll the tag to remove debris, which can interfere with the design.
3. Place the tag face up on the pressing mat with white uncoated butcher paper on top to protect it from the direct heat.
4. Press the tag for 5 seconds to remove any moisture, which can also interfere with the design's transfer.
   
5. Remove the protective paper and let the blank cool.
6. Use four pieces of heat-resistant tape to secure the print face down on the tag.
   TIP: Avoid taping over ink as it can interfere with the transfer.
   
7. Add white uncoated butcher paper on top of the design to protect your press and the blank.
8. Keep the press at 380° F (193° C) and set it for 60 seconds.
9. Lower the press straight down on the design and heat it for 60 seconds with medium pressure.
10. When the time is up, lift the press straight up to avoid blurring the design by shifting the materials while the ink is still sublimating and return the press to the cradle.
11. Remove the butcher paper and let the project cool for about 10 seconds.
12. Then remove the design to see your results!
    
    
    
    

BOTTLE OPENER

1. Use scissors to trim the opener designs (hedgehog, duck, cat, dog) apart, leaving an even amount of white space to help with taping.
   
2. Lint roll the opener to remove debris, which can interfere with the design.
   TIP: You can also use rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth to clean the surface if it gets sticky from the lint roller.
3. Place the opener face up on the pressing mat with white uncoated butcher paper on top to protect it from the direct heat.
4. Remove the protective paper and let the project cool.
5. Use four pieces of heat-resistant tape to secure the print face down on the opener.
   TIP: Avoid taping over ink as it can interfere with the transfer.
   
6. Add white uncoated butcher paper on top of the design to protect your press.
7. Keep the press at 380° F (193° C) and set it for 100 seconds.
8. Lower the press straight down on the design and heat it for 100 seconds with medium pressure.
9. When the time is up, lift the press straight up to avoid blurring the design by shifting the materials while the ink is still sublimating and return the press to its cradle.
10. Remove the butcher paper and let the project cool for about 20 seconds. The metal opener will stay hot longer than the other blanks, but you can safely move it with the heat glove on after 10-15 seconds.
11. Then remove the design to see your results!
    
    
    

POUCH

1. Fold the dish cloth (or another you have on hand) so it’s slightly larger than the design but will fit inside the bag without bunching.
   NOTE: You can also use a pressing pillow if you have one of the right size. The goal is to raise the bag’s design area away from the zipper and seams, providing a flatter pressing surface.
   
2. Use a lint roller to remove debris from the bag, which can interfere with the design.
3. Place the prepared bag face up on the protected pressing mat and make sure there are no wrinkles.
4. Add a sheet of white uncoated butcher paper on top of the design to protect the fabric from direct heat.
5. Press the bag for 5 seconds without pressure to remove any wrinkles or moisture, which can also interfere with the design's transfer.
6. Remove the protective paper and let the project cool.
7. To minimize the paper’s indent on the fabric, gently tear the pouch designs (snacks, makeup) away from the others, leaving some white space.
   TIP: This is called feathering.
   
8. Center the design face down on the bag and use heat-resistant tape to secure its edges to the fabric so it won't shift.
   TIP: The tape can leave marks on the bag, so use the minimum amount to keep the design in place.
   
9. Add a sheet of white uncoated butcher paper on top of the design to protect your press.
10. Keep the press at 380° F (193° C) and set it for 60 seconds.
11. Lower the press straight down on the design and heat it for 60 seconds with light to no pressure.
12. When the time is up, lift the press straight up to avoid blurring the design by shifting the materials while the ink is still sublimating and put the press back in its cradle.
13. Let the project cool completely before removing the tape and design to reveal your project.
    TIP: If you remove the tape while it’s still warm, it is more likely to leave a mark on the fabric.
    
    
    
    

DISH TOWEL
NOTE: I used the included dish towel while sublimating the pouch, so you might want to work on it first before completing the cloth!

1. Trim the cloth designs (sunflower, Maker Farm logo) away from the others, leaving some white space.
   
2. Use a lint roller to remove debris from the cloth, which can interfere with the design.
3. Fold the cloth in half the long way to find the center and place it face up on the protected pressing mat and make sure there are no wrinkles.
4. Add a sheet of white uncoated butcher paper on top of the project to protect the fabric from direct heat.
5. Press the design area for 5 seconds with medium pressure to remove any wrinkles or moisture, which can also interfere with the design's transfer. This will also add a slight middle crease to help with design placement.
   
6. Remove the protective paper, unfold the cloth face up, and let the blank cool.
7. Gently bring the design’s sides together to make small center creases at the top and bottom on the white paper.
8. Place the design face down on the cloth, aligning the creases to center the image.
9. Use heat-resistant tape to secure its edges to the fabric so it won't shift.
   
10. Add a sheet of white uncoated butcher paper on top of the design to protect your press.
11. Keep the press at 380° F (193° C) and set it for 30 seconds.
12. Lower the press straight down on the design and heat it for 30 seconds with medium pressure.
13. When the time is up, lift the press straight up to avoid blurring the design by shifting the materials while the ink is still sublimating and put the press back in its cradle.
14. Let the project cool completely before removing the tape and design to reveal your project.
    
    

4” WIND SPINNERS

1. Use scissors to trim the wind spinner designs (rainbow circles, kaleidoscope) apart, leaving an even amount of white space to help with taping.
2. Lint roll the spinner to remove debris, which can interfere with the design.
3. You can also use rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth to clean the surface.
4. Place the first copy of the design face up and oriented correctly on the protected mat.
5. Center the wind spinner on the design so the hanger is at the top and there is an even border of ink visible around the blank.
   
6. Use four pieces of heat-resistant tape to secure the spinner to the print.
   
7. Flip the project so the spinner is on top.
8. Add white uncoated butcher paper on top of the project to protect your press.
9. Keep the press at 380° F (193° C) and set it for 60 seconds.
10. Lower the press straight down on the design and heat it for 60 seconds with medium pressure.
11. When the time is up, lift the press straight up to avoid blurring the design by shifting the materials while the ink is still sublimating and return the press to its cradle.
12. Remove the butcher paper and let the project cool. The metal spinner will stay hot longer than the other blanks, but you can safely move it with the heat glove on after 10-15 seconds.
13. Then remove the design to see your results!
    
14. Follow Steps 4-13 to complete the second side, ensuring that the designs are oriented the same way.
    NOTE: If you want your wind spinner’s colors to hold up to outdoor weather and sun, you can add a layer of protective spray.
15. Once the project is ready, hold the spinner up so its bottom point is on the protected work surface for stability.
16. Start with the outermost ring and bend it perpendicular to the middle of the spinner.
    
17. Go a little less on the next smaller ring bend, and so on until you’ve bent all of the rings an equal distance on one side.
    
18. Then repeat on the other side, with the bends going in the opposite direction.
    
    
    SHOW IT OFF
    Here are the finished beginner sublimation projects!