How To Sublimate Hoodies: Back, Chest, And Sleeve!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE SUBLIMATION HOODIE DESIGNS

First, download my Cute Sleepy Animal Sublimation designs from my free library – look for Design #561. 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 four large sleeping baby animal designs: a fox, a sloth, a rabbit, and a mouse.

I’ve also included four smaller, matching sleepy baby animal designs, and three phrases: “Happy Dreaming,” “Zzzzz,” and “Chase Your Dreams.”

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 AI Art Design workshop on creating and using AI-generated art in your crafts.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND PRINT YOUR DESIGNS

1. Open Google Docs in the Google Chrome web browser on your computer. You can also download and open the Google Docs app, but be aware that you won’t be able to install or access any printer profiles from a mobile device, and you’re also limited in features, so I do not recommend it on a mobile device. (Note: You will need a free Google account to use the free Google Docs software.)

2. With Google Docs open, click on Blank in the upper left corner to open a new document.

3. Go to the File menu and select Page setup. Change your margins to “0” and change your Paper Size to match your sublimation paper size.

4. Go to the Insert menu, select Image, and select Upload from Computer. Locate the sublimation design you want to use for the back (hint: it’s probably in your Downloads folder), and click Open. 

5. Resize the image to 8.25” wide. Either select the image then click and drag a corner or you can right-click the image and select Image Options and change the size in the fields.

6. Reposition the image on your page by selecting the image, then click on “Wrap text” from the menu that appears below it. Once you do this, you can click and drag the image anywhere on your page. I recommend putting your design in the center of your page, as that ensures it won’t get cut off at the edges and you have plenty of space for cutting/tearing edges.

7. Give your document a name so you can find it later (you don’t have to worry about auto-saving, as it saves itself as you go).

8. Go to the File menu and choose Print.

9. Select your printer under “Destination.”

10. Click the arrow beside “More Settings” and click on “Print Using System Dialog.”

11. Your print menu may look different - make sure you “mirror” the print and select the highest quality print.

NOTE: The printed designs will appear lighter before pressing.

12.  Determine the center line of your sublimation design by carefully folding the sides together and pinching the top and bottom edges of the paper without creasing the image itself. 

13. Carefully tear the paper closely around each printed design, leaving a ragged edge. This makes a pressing line less likely to appear when the paper is pressed into the hoodie.

14. Follow Steps 1-13 above to prepare and print the front sublimation design and the sleeve sublimation design.

• Resize the front animal design to 3.5” wide.
• Resize the ZZZZZ and Happy Dreaming sleeve design to 9.5” tall.
• Resize the Chase Your Dreams sleeve design to 10.5” tall.

STEP 3: PREPARE AND SUBLIMATE THE HOODIE

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.

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° F (196° C) for 40 seconds with light pressure for polyester fabric.

OPTIONAL: Use the pressing steps below to test your prints on polyester fabric to save yourself from using expensive blanks.

SUBLIMATE THE BACK OF THE HOODIE

1.  Find the center of the back by folding the hoodie in half vertically, matching up shoulder seams to make sure the sides are even.

2.  Lightly press the folded hoodie for approximately 10 seconds to help set the center line, remove excess moisture from the material, and smooth out any extra wrinkles.

3.  Lay the hoodie flat so the back is visible and the hood is lifted above the neck line, then insert a pressing pad and piece of cardstock into the hoodie.

4. Lint roll the hoodie.

5. Center the design on the hoodie by lining up the creases on the paper with the pressed line on the back of the hoodie about 5” below the neckline.

6. Pull the hood down onto the back to see if the design is mostly or completely visible.

7. If necessary, pull on the bottom of the design slightly until the image is visible. (Approximately 6” down from the neck seam works well if using the hoodies I have listed on my supply list.)

TIP: My T-Shirt Rulers are a great help when determining placement of designs on clothing.

8. Tape all four edges of the design with heat resistant tape.

9. Place a piece of butcher paper on top of the hoodie and taped design.

10. Press the hoodie with light pressure for 40 seconds at the correct temperature.

11. After pressing, allow the design to sit for approximately 10 seconds to help prevent ghosting.

12. Remove the taped design from the hoodie, and the pressing pad or cardstock from inside the hoodie.

13. The back of your hoodie is ready!

SUBLIMATE THE FRONT OF THE HOODIE

1.  Lay the hoodie flat so the front is visible, then insert a pressing pad and piece of cardstock into the hoodie. 

sublimate-hoodies-front-insert-pad (show a photo of the seams dropping below the edge of the pressing pad when it is inside the hoodie.)

NOTE: I recommend a pressing pad to help protect the sublimation that is already on the back of the hoodie and to help flatten areas around the seam. 

2. Lightly press the hoodie for 10 seconds to help remove excess moisture and any wrinkles.

3. Lint roll the material.

4. Measure the location to place the design for the front upper left of the chest. I placed the center of my design approximately 5.5” from the right of where the hood meets the center of the collar, and approximately 5.5” down from the shoulder seam. (The placement can be adjusted to what works best for you!)

5. Place the printed image face down on the hoodie, using the straight edge seam of the hoodie as a guide to make sure your creased top and bottom on the design are aligned vertically on the hoodie. Make sure the pressing pad or cardstock inside the hoodie is directly below the design.

6. Tape all four edges of the design with heat resistant tape.

7. Place a piece of butcher paper on top of the hoodie and taped design.

8. Press the hoodie with light pressure for 40 seconds at the correct temperature.

9. After pressing, allow the design to sit for approximately 10 seconds to help prevent ghosting.

10. Remove the taped design from the hoodie, and the pressing pad or cardstock from inside the hoodie.

11. The front of your hoodie is ready!

SUBLIMATE THE SLEEVE OF THE HOODIE

1.  Find the center of the sleeve by pinching the upper seam in the middle of the shoulder and folding it in half vertically, making sure the sides are even.

2.  Lightly press the folded sleeve for approximately 10 seconds to help set the center line, remove excess moisture from the material, and smooth out any extra wrinkles.

3.  Pull the sides of the sleeve apart so the crease now runs down the middle of the sleeve with flat material on either side. Then insert a pressing pad or piece of cardstock into the sleeve. (I found a piece of 12” x 12” cardstock folded in half works quite well for the sleeves.)

4. Lint roll the material.

5.  Decide where to apply the sleeve image. I placed my designs approximately 3.5” from the top shoulder seam so they will still be visible if the sleeves are pushed up the arms.

6. Place the printed image face down on the sleeve, making sure to line up the creased edges with the center line pressed on the sleeve. The pressing pad or cardstock inside the sleeve should be directly below the design.

7. Tape all four edges of the design with heat resistant tape.

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

9. Press the hoodie with light pressure for 40 seconds at the correct temperature.

10. After pressing, allow the design to sit for approximately 10 seconds to help prevent ghosting.

11. Remove the taped design from the hoodie, and the pressing pad or cardstock from inside the sleeve.

12. The sleeve of your hoodie is ready!

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF

Hoodies are great for keeping you warm in the cold! You can also give them as personalized gifts! You can even choose unique locations for the designs - such as text above the pocket.