DIY Sublimation Ornaments: With Free Christmas Sublimation Designs!

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Over the past few years I have made a few variations of Christmas ornaments. I’ve made glitter ornaments, wood slice ornaments, infusible ink ornaments, and even some floating ornaments, just to name a few! This is the first time I made DIY sublimation ornaments however, so I’m really excited about this project! Sublimation is a great way to add your own personal touch, and you can sublimate any design onto an ornament, making it unique and special. In this project, I’ll walk you through the steps of sublimating ornaments, from start to finish. By the end, you’ll be an expert at sublimating ornaments!

Watch the full step-by-step video showing you exactly how to create your sublimation ornament with a VIP pass to Maker Academy Weekend 2022!

If you want to make a sublimation ornament with one of my free Christmas sublimation designs, you’ll need special sublimation ornament blanks, which can be ceramic or MDF — but they must have the special sublimation coating on them. You’ll also need a sublimation printer with compatible sublimation ink and paper, and a heat source. I’m going to use my trusty Autopress. You’ll also need a fan for ventilation, a free Google account, and a desktop computer. If you are new to sublimation, I recommend you watch my Sublimation for Beginners tutorial first.

You’ll need pretty much the same things to make the snowflake ornament with a photo. And if you’re making the Infusible Ink versions, you’ll need sublimation-friendly ceramic ornament blanks, the transfer sheets with their butcher paper, a green machine mat, your Cricut, and a Fine Point Blade.

For whichever project you choose, make sure to have extra butcher paper, white cardstock, heat resistant tape, a pressing mat, measuring tape, a lint roller, and scissors ready.

The seven printable sublimation Christmas designs have cute winter and holiday sayings on watercolor backgrounds. The blended, soft colors will look so pretty on the ornaments! Every printable design I am sharing has different shapes and fit nicely on the MDF ornament blanks from my material list.

I’ve provided free Christmas sublimation designs for your ornaments — there is a PNG file for each design, as well as an SVG file for the Infusible Ink designs. The printable designs have a transparent background where it makes sense, too! Designs include a Christmas tree, gifts, Christmas lights, sweaters, snowflakes, and fun winter quotes. My digital files are free for you to use and you’re welcome to sell the physical items you create with them!

Here’s a supply list of what you need to make DIY Sublimation Ornaments! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

How to Make Your Own DIY Sublimation Ornaments

The detailed step-by-step assembly video on how to create sublimation ornaments debuted during Maker Academy Weekend 2022, held online November 3-6, 2022. Get an on-demand pass to watch all 20+ workshops, each with a printable handbook, transcript, audio files, design files, and support with a VIP pass below:

Add a ribbon or hook through the loop and your ornament is ready to display, give as a gift, or both!

Answers to Your Questions About How to Make DIY Sublimation Ornaments

Q: Where is your tutorial for this project?
This is a special project we made for our free Maker Academy Weekend 2022 event! A complete and detailed step-by-step video premiered during the event November 3-6, 2022 — specifically, this tutorial video was available to watch for free for 24 hours beginning November 6 at 3:00 pm ET! You can get access to the full video, the printable handbook that details how to make this beautiful project if you get a VIP Pass to Maker Academy Weekend 2022, which comes with other perks and bonuses, too! 

How does the sublimation process work?

Sublimation uses a special ink from dye-sublimation printers that can then be transferred to another object with a compatible coating. You first print a design with a sublimation printer — which uses special sublimation ink on special transfer paper — then use high temperatures and pressure to transfer the ink permanently to something else that has a coating that can absorb the ink, such as a sublimation ornament blank. After the sublimation cools, which happens quite quickly, the design becomes embedded right in the surface of the object, and won’t crack, peel, rub off, or wash away. 

Can I make sublimation ornaments without a printer?

Yes, just use Infusible Ink transfer sheets instead. For the best results, cut out a design out of the transfer sheet with a Cricut cutting machine for fun and unique designs.

Can I use your Christmas sublimation designs in my small business?

Yes, you’re free to sell the physical product you make with these sublimation designs. Like so many of my projects, this one is perfect for small business use and you may use my designs for commercial use.

Can I put your sublimation transfers on other sublimation products?

Yes! Use these designs for tote bags, shirts, and other keepsakes!

What fonts did you use for your sublimation designs?

• Andala / Free alternative: Asterik Font
• Divine Light Hand / Free alternative: Theraphiest
• Market Street / Free alternative: Strawberry Blossom

Free alternatives are for personal use. A commercial license is required if you are selling your projects.

How do I get your Christmas sublimation designs?

Get the free digital download in my zip folder available at the link below.

Get my free PNG files to make these cute Christmas sublimation ornaments!

I hope you’ll make these sublimation ornaments this holiday season! I love seeing what you make with my designs and how you use them! Please share a photo of your DIY Sublimation Ornaments in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.

Love,

Want to remember this? Save this DIY Sublimation Ornaments Tutorial to your favorite Pinterest Board!