How to Sublimate Clear HTV on Dark AND Cotton Shirts!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET A SUBLIMATION DESIGN

You can use my free Vacation Sublimation PNG design files from my free resource library—look for design #502. Get a free password to my library with thousands of designs here.

Download the files and unzip the file. If you need help unzipping the file, see my guide.

There are three PNG designs in my collection: Sunflower Beach, Palm Beach, and Beach Vibes.

I'll show you how to use the Sunflower Beach PNG with Cricut’s Print Then Cut feature to sublimate on both black and white 100% cotton shirts. You can use these steps for any of the designs in the collection.

NOTE: Sublimation printing requires high-quality design files for the best results. I've used PNGs. Since we're using Cricut's Print then Cut feature, we'll upload the designs to Cricut Design Space. The software brings PNGs in very large, but it's easy to fix, I'll show you!

We’ll also use my handy T-Shirt ruler guides! You can download them from my free library under Design #433. They're easy to prepare, so make a set to have on hand if you'd like.

TIP: Since we’re using the Print Then Cut feature on our Cricut, I highly recommend you calibrate your Cricut before beginning this project. See my Print Then Cut Calibration video to learn how.

STEP 2: UPLOAD AND PREPARE YOUR DESIGN

Upload the PNG file to Cricut Design Space and add it to your Canvas.

TIP: If you're not sure how to upload a file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you are on an iPad or iPhone, here is how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app.

For a PNG, use the same upload steps until you reach a screen with the PNG on the left.

Select "Complex" for the image type and then click "Continue" in the lower right corner.

You do not need to do anything on the next screen, so click "Apply & Continue."

For Upload Type, select "Print Then Cut" and click "Upload."

You should now see your design in your Recent Uploads. Select it and click "Add to Canvas."

First I’ll take you through how to sublimate on a white, 100% cotton shirt using clear HTV.

Here is what my Sunflower Beach design looks like on the Canvas. You can zoom out to see the entire design by clicking on the minus (-) sign on the lower left.

As you can see, the design is quite large. That's because of the way Design Space uploads PNGs. We need to resize the image to fit the shirt, and make it fit within the maximum Print Then Cut dimensions. Click the red exclamation mark in the Layers Panel. It will tell you that the image is too large for your paper. If the dimension listed doesn't match the sublimation paper you're using, click "Change Paper Size" to adjust it. Then, click "Auto-Resize Image" to make the design as large as possible,  

The design will now be 6.76" x 8.5" and the red exclamation point in the Layers Panel will disappear. This will be the image we print on sublimation paper.

NOTE: If you'd like your image to be larger than the 6.76" x 8.5" image size, you can use my Tiling Sublimation Projects tutorial to slice the image and transfer the parts together.

We need to create the layer for our clear HTV. I want it to be the same size as my design because I like the look of softer edges without the clear vinyl showing. I'll show you a different way to make your layers a bit bigger for the black shirt.

Click "Duplicate."

Use the Layers Panel to make sure you have the new layer selected and change the Operation to "Basic Cut." The shape will automatically change to gray, which is fine. 

STEP 3: PRINT AND CUT YOUR DESIGN

Make sure the correct machine is selected, then click "Make It" in the upper right corner.

If prompted, click "On Mat," "12 x 12," and "Confirm" in the popup.

On the Prepare screen you will have two mats - one "Print Then Cut" and one "Basic Cut." 

Double-check that your design fits within the maximum dimensions for Print Then Cut and that the "Material Size" fits your sublimation paper. Mine is 8.5" x 11". Set the Basic Cut mat's size to match your vinyl.

Turn ON the "Mirror" toggle for BOTH mats.

Select the first mat again, then click "Continue."

On the Make screen, click the green "Send to Printer" button to prepare to print the design.

Select your sublimation printer, then turn on “Add Bleed” and “Use System Dialog” before clicking the "Print" button.

NOTE: Your printer’s controls will appear but might be hidden behind Cricut Design Space. Minimize your Cricut window to find it. It may look different depending on your printer, computer, and software. Use my settings as a guideline, but adjust as needed to fit your tools. 

Make sure your sublimation printer is selected under "Printer." I’ll use the drop-down menu to adjust the media type to "Photo Matte Paper" and the quality to "Best." Pick the closest similar settings for your printer. Since we have already mirrored the design, make sure NOT to flip the image if it's an option in your printer settings.

Before I print I will make sure my paper is loaded correctly in my printer. Check your printer manual and paper packaging for help identifying the right side to print on and how to load it. Then press "Print."

After your design has been printed, set it aside until the ink is completely dry to avoid any smears during the cutting process.

See the black corner marks around the design? These are called registration marks and are used by your Cricut machine to tell it exactly where to cut your project.

On your Make Screen, set the Print Then Cut mat's material to "Photo Paper," which you can find by clicking "Browse All Materials" in the upper right of the screen. Type in "photo paper" in the search bar and click the magnifying glass icon. Select "Photo Paper" from the results list and click "Done." Set the pressure to "More" for cleaner cuts.

Place your printed sheet on your blue LightGrip machine mat like it is on the screen prompt. Lay a clean piece of printer paper over the top and use a brayer to adhere it well.

Remove the blank piece of printer paper. Check that your Fine-Point Blade is clean and in Clamp B.

Then, load the mat with your printed sheet into the machine and press the flashing button to cut your design.

When the cut is finished, unload the mat, flip it over, and roll it back to release the paper. This helps prevent the material from curling and ripping.

Back in Cricut Design Space, move on to Mat 2 on the Make screen to cut the clear HTV.

Set the Base Material to "Vinyl" per the manufacturer’s suggestions. If it’s not in your favorites, click “Browse All Materials” and type "Vinyl" in the search bar to find it. Set the pressure to "More" for cleaner cuts.

Use a brayer to smooth the clear HTV - shiny side down - onto a clean green StandardGrip mat. The matte side should be facing up.

Line up your mat with the guides on your machine, check that the Fine-Point Blade is clean and in clamp B, and press the flashing load/unload button. Then press the flashing Go button to cut the clear HTV.

TIP: If you ever have any questions about cutting vinyl, I have a great resource to help -- my Ultimate Guide to Vinyl, which explains how to tell which side of the iron-on vinyl goes down on the mat.

When the cut is finished, unload the mat, flip it over, and roll it back to release the vinyl. This helps prevent the material from curling and ripping.

Next, trim away the excess clear HTV and "weed" the design by removing the excess vinyl around the outside edges of the solid design shape.

Here's what the cut pieces for my white shirt's design look like.

STEP 4: SUBLIMATE YOUR DESIGN

I'm using my EasyPress, but you can also use another type of heat press. If you're using different materials or tools, consult the Cricut Heat Guide or my Sublimation Cookbook to check your settings.

Set the temperature of your press to 385° F (196C°) and the time to 30 seconds.

Make sure you have proper ventilation by opening a window or turning on a fan.

Use a lint roller to remove any dust and debris from the t-shirt.

We also need to preheat the entire shirt before sublimating. When the press is ready, fold the shirt in half the long way and place it on your pressing mat. Press it for 10 seconds to remove moisture and create a central crease.

Open the shirt and slide a piece of clean white cardstock inside to prevent ink bleed through at the design's sides.

If using a ruler guide, line up the correct T-Shirt Ruler Guide's center line on the crease. Now your design will be placed in the standard spot for a t-shirt of this size and style. I’m using a white Gildan heavy cotton t-shirt in size Medium so I’ll use the Adult Crew Neck ruler. 

Using the t-shirt guide, find where you'd like to place the clear HTV layer and position it sticky side down.  The HTV carrier sheet is sticky so you don't need to tape this down.

Remove the guide, then adjust the inner cardstock to be under the design if needed.

Cover the clear HTV with white butcher paper and press at 385° F (196° C) for 30 seconds using heavy pressure. Press down with both hands and use some of your body weight.

When the time is up, lift the EasyPress straight upward. Remove the butcher paper but wait until the HTV has completely cooled before removing the carrier sheet, about 5-10 minutes - this is a COLD peel.

Once completely cooled, remove the carrier sheet.

Next, place your printed and cut design face down on top of the HTV, making sure it’s properly aligned. Use heat-resistant tape to secure it.

Place clean butcher paper on top of the whole area.

Press the design at 385° F (196° C) for 55 seconds using medium to firm pressure just with your hands.

Remove the butcher paper and let the design cool off for a few seconds before removing the tape and paper while it’s still warm to reveal your design. 

Admire your finished shirt!

VARIATION: WHITE IRON-ON AND CLEAR HTV ON A DARK SHIRT

This "hack" uses layers of sublimation paper, clear HTV, AND white iron-on vinyl. Adding a base layer of white vinyl is good for dark-colored shirts. It will provide the opaque surface needed to see the sublimated design on a dark background. We usually use white glitter iron-on vinyl for this technique, but this way you can skip the sparkle!

PREPARE THE DESIGN

Upload your PNG to your Design Space Canvas and resize the image like you did in Step 1.

This time, we want to create two new layers - one for the clear HTV and one for the white. I also want the layers to be just a tiny bit smaller than my design because I like the look of softer edges and how the design fades into the dark fabric. But you can make it slightly larger than the design if preferred.

Select the image and click the Offset icon in the toolbar, set the slider to -0.05, choose rounded corners, and click "Apply."

Use the Layers Panel to make sure you have the Offset layer selected and change the Operation to "Basic Cut." The shape will automatically change to gray, which is fine. This will be my clear HTV layer.

Select the offset you just made and click the Offset icon in the toolbar again. Set the slider to -0.05, select rounded corners, and click "Apply."

This offset should default to black. I’ll use the Layers Panel to make sure I have the correct Offset layer selected, and change the color to white. This will be my white iron-on vinyl layer.

The two offsets should be just barely smaller than the design. This approach helps blend the design’s edges, but if you want to have all of the design on white and more visible, set the Offsets to 0.

That is all for the Canvas. Make sure the correct machine is selected, then click "Make It" in the upper right corner.

PRINT AND CUT THE DESIGN

Follow the same steps in Step 3 above to print and cut your design and HTV layers. Note that here you will have three mats instead of two. Make sure all are mirrored before continuing to print and cut.

For the white iron-on vinyl layer, prepare a green StandardGrip machine mat with the white HTV, shiny side down, and secure it with a brayer.

Use the same material settings as before for the clear HTV and the printed design. For the white vinyl mat, change the Base Material to "Everyday Iron-On" and choose "More" pressure for cleaner cuts.

When the cuts are finished, flip over each mat, and roll it back to release the material. This helps prevent the material from curling and ripping.

Next, trim away the excess clear HTV and the excess white iron-on and "weed" the designs by removing the excess vinyl around the outside edges of the solid design shapes.

Here's what the three cut pieces for my black shirt's design look like.

SUBLIMATE THE DESIGN

Set the temperature of your press to 340° F (171° C) and the time to 10 seconds.

Make sure you have proper ventilation by opening a window or turning on a fan.

Just like before, use a lint roller to remove any dust and debris from the T-shirt.

We also need to preheat the entire shirt before sublimating. When the press is ready, fold the shirt in half the long way and place it on your pressing mat. Press it for 10 seconds to remove moisture and create a central crease.

Open the shirt and slide a piece of clean white cardstock inside to prevent ink bleed through at the design's sides.

If using a ruler guide, line up the correct T-Shirt Ruler Guide's center line on the crease. Now your design will be placed in the standard spot for a t-shirt of this size and style. I’m using a black Gildan heavy cotton t-shirt in size Medium so I’ll use the Adult Crew Neck ruler. 

Using the T-shirt guide, find where you'd like to place the white iron-on vinyl and place it face down. 

Remove the guide, then adjust the inner cardstock to be under the design if needed.

Cover the project with white butcher paper and press at 340° F (171° C) for 10 seconds using medium pressure just to tack the vinyl to the shirt.

When the time is up, lift the EasyPress straight upward. Remove the butcher paper and carefully hot peel the carrier sheet from the vinyl.

Next, increase the temperature of your press to 385° F (196° C) and the time to 25 seconds. 

Place your clear HTV over the white vinyl, making sure it’s properly aligned.

Place clean butcher paper on top of the whole area.

Press the design using heavy pressure at 385° F (196° C) for 25 seconds.

When the time is up, lift the EasyPress straight upward. Remove the butcher paper but wait until the clear HTV has completely cooled before removing the film, about 5-10 minutes - this is a COLD peel.

Once completely cooled, remove the carrier sheet.

Next, place your printed and cut design face down on top of the layered HTV, making sure it’s properly aligned. The paper will be just slightly larger than the vinyl layers. Use heat-resistant tape to secure it.

Place clean butcher paper on top of the whole area.

Using firm, medium to heavy pressure, press the design at 385° F (196° C) for 55 seconds.

Remove the butcher paper and let it cool off for a few seconds before removing the tape and paper while it’s still warm to reveal your design. 

TIP: Wait 5-10 seconds before removing the print to prevent ghosting.

Admire your finished shirt!

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF!

Here is what both of my finished black and white 100% cotton shirts look like!

Now you can give the gift of summer vibes with one of these shirts! Or you can don your new shirt on your summer vacation. No summer travel plans? These shirts will bring the beach vibes to you at home too!