How To Sublimate On Toilet Paper: Fun Gift Or Decor!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE TOILET PAPER SUBLIMATION DESIGNS

First, download my toilet paper sublimation designs from my free library – look for Design #733. 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 nine design files in the PNG folder – a top, middle, and bottom image for three different flowers: a Morning Glory, a Rose, and a Black-Eyed Susan. You can use all three images of a flower to sublimate a three-roll stack, or choose your favorite and sublimate a single roll of toilet paper.

I’m using Google Docs to prepare and print my sublimation designs, and my Cricut EasyPress to sublimate them, but you can use any flat heat press with a plate large enough to fully cover one square of toilet paper.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND PRINT YOUR TOILET PAPER SUBLIMATION DESIGNS

1. Use a tape measure to measure the length and width of one square of the toilet paper.
   
   NOTE: My toilet paper’s squares measure 3.75” by 3.75”.
   
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. With Google Docs open, click on “Blank document” in the upper left corner to open a new document.
4. Go to the File menu and select “Page setup.”
5. Check the box next to “Landscape,” change your margins to “0,” and change your Paper Size to match your sublimation paper size (it’s probably 8.5” x 11”). Then click “OK” to apply the settings.
   
   
   
6. Go to the Insert menu, select “Image,” and select “Upload from Computer.”
7. Locate a sublimation design you want to use (hint: it’s probably in your Downloads folder), and click “Open.”
8. Check your image size, and if necessary, click “Image options” and resize it to the same height as a square of your toilet paper.
   
   
   
9. Reposition the image on your page by selecting the image, then click on “Wrap text” from the menu that appears below it.
   
   
   TIP: 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.
   
   
10. If you’re sublimating multiple rolls of toilet paper, follow steps 6-9 to upload and add your other designs to your Google doc.
    
    
    
11. Give your document a name so you can find it later. Google Docs will automatically save the document.
12. Go to the File menu and choose “Print.”
13. Select your printer under “Destination.”
14. Click the arrow beside “More Settings” and click on “Print Using System Dialog.”
    
    
    
    
15. Your print menu may look different, but use these settings as a guide - make sure you “mirror” the print and select the highest quality matte paper setting.
    
    
    
16. Check how many sheets you are printing, and load that number of sheets of sublimation paper correctly into your sublimation printer.
    
    NOTE: Check the packaging for information on how to load the paper.
    
    
17. Click “Print.”
18. Allow the print to dry before handling it, as the ink can smear.
    
    NOTE: The printed designs will appear lighter before pressing.
    
    
19. Use scissors or a paper trimmer to cut the printed designs into three sections—top, middle, and bottom—each matching the height of your toilet paper (mine is 3.75”). Be sure the blunt ends of the vine on all three pieces are flush to the edges of the paper.
    
    
    NOTE: The designs are oriented correctly when the vine is running vertically.
    
    
20. If you’d like, trim around the images on the left and right sides of each design section, leaving the top and bottom edges untouched. This allows you to tape the design onto the white cardstock instead of directly onto the toilet paper.
    
    
    
    

STEP 3: SUBLIMATE YOUR DESIGNS ON TOILET PAPER

As always, turn on a fan and open a window before you sublimate!

OPTION 1: BASIC SUBLIMATION DIRECTLY ON TOILET PAPER

The basic method is the simplest, and results in colors that are soft and muted.

1. Turn on your heat press and set the temperature to 385° F (196° C) and the timer to 45 seconds.
   
   
   TIP: Check out my Sublimation Cookbook to get time and temperature settings for tons of sublimation projects!
   
   
2. Lay down a pressing pad on your work surface.
3. Place a clean piece of 12” by 12” white cardstock on top of the pressing pad.
4. Unroll one roll of toilet paper so the third square from the end is in the center of the cardstock, and the rest of the roll is out of the way. Make sure the pieces are rolling off the top and not the bottom, so the design shows on the outside of the roll when it’s rolled back up.
   
   NOTE: The glue that holds your toilet paper roll closed may penetrate the first couple of layers on the roll. Tear off the sheets that have glue on them and discard them first.
   
   
   
5. Preheat the toilet paper and remove excess moisture by placing your heat press on top of the cardstock and toilet paper and pressing with medium pressure at 385° F (196° C) for 5-10 seconds.
   
   
   
6. Remove the press by lifting it straight up and place it back into its cradle.
7. Place the top section of the design transfer face down onto the center of the toilet paper square. Align its bottom edge so it is flush with the bottom edge of the toilet paper square.
   
   
   
8. Use heat-resistant tape to tape the design to the white cardstock – not onto the toilet paper.
   
   
   
9. Place a sheet of butcher paper over the toilet paper and design.
   
   
   
10. Press at 385° F (196° C) with medium pressure for 45 seconds.
11. When the time is up, remove the press by lifting it straight up and place it back into its cradle.
12. Let the toilet paper and design cool for a minimum of 10 seconds before removing the butcher paper to help prevent ghosting.
13. Remove and discard the taped design.
    
    
    
14. Repeat the steps to sublimate the middle and bottom designs, making sure the sublimation design is flush with the top and bottom edge of the toilet paper.
    
    
    
15. Roll the end of your toilet paper roll back up and re-adhere it to the roll using lines of glue or pieces of cellophane tape. Do the same thing for the other two sublimated rolls.
    
    
    TIP: You can also create a water stamp by holding the roll under a (turned off) faucet and firmly pressing the loose end up against the faucet opening. The residual water from the opening will help seal the end!
    
    
    
16. This is what my finished direct sublimation toilet paper rolls look like!
    
    
    
    

OPTION 2: DYEPRESS SUBLIMATION ON TOILET PAPER

The dyepress method produces vibrant and colorful results, with a wrinkled texture to the toilet paper.

1. Mix the Dyepress PolyTpro spray solution following the directions on the bottle. I recommend using bottled or filtered water rather than tap water, as it can have additives that may cause the solution to not work properly. The instructions on my packaging say to mix equal parts solution and water.
   
   
   NOTE: The solution has a shelf life of 6 months once mixed, so save the mixed solution for a future project – or make more sublimated toilet paper rolls!
   
   
2. Place a sheet of butcher paper down onto your work surface to protect it from the Dyepress spray.
3. Unroll your toilet paper roll so the third square from the end is in the center of the butcher paper, and the rest of the roll is out of the way. Make sure the pieces are rolling off the top and not the bottom, so the design shows on the outside of the roll when it’s rolled back up.
   
   NOTE: The glue that holds your toilet paper roll closed may penetrate the first couple of layers on the roll. Tear off the sheets that have glue on them and discard them first.
   
   
   
4. Spin the nozzle on the bottle to change the spray width until you have a fine mist.
5. Spray the third square from the end until the toilet paper is saturated, but not soggy. If you spray too much, just tear off the affected sheets and try again.
   
   
   
6. Keeping it connected to the roll, move the saturated piece of toilet paper onto a dry part of the butcher paper.
7. Let the toilet paper dry thoroughly, which will take approximately 15-20 minutes. The toilet paper will be wrinkly when dry.
   
   
   
8. Follow steps 1-15 in "OPTION 1: BASIC SUBLIMATION DIRECTLY ON TOILET PAPER" above to sublimate your toilet paper roll(s).
9. Here’s what my finished dyepress sublimation toilet paper roll looks like!
   
   
   
   

OPTION 3: LAMINATION SUBLIMATION ON TOILET PAPER

The lamination method produces vibrant and colorful results with a shiny finish.

1. Use a ruler and scissors or a paper trimmer to trim a closed laminate pouch to the same size as one square of toilet paper.
   
   
   
2. Set your heat press to 385° F (196° C) and set the time to 45 seconds.
   
   
   
3. Lay down a pressing pad on your work surface.
4. Place a clean piece of 12” by 12” white cardstock on top of your pressing pad.
5. Unroll your toilet paper roll so the third square from the end is in the center of the cardstock, and the rest of the roll is out of the way. Make sure the pieces are rolling off the top and not the bottom, so the design shows on the outside of the roll when it’s rolled back up.
   
   NOTE: The glue that holds your toilet paper roll closed may penetrate the first couple of layers on the roll. Tear off the sheets that have glue on them and discard them first.
   
   
6. Peel the laminate layers apart, and place one laminate piece shiny side up and dull side down on the third square from the end. You do not need to tape it in place.
   
   
   
7. Place the design face down in the center of the laminate. Align its bottom edge so it is flush with the bottom edge of the toilet paper square.
8. Follow steps 8-14 in “OPTION 1: BASIC SUBLIMATION DIRECTLY ON TOILET PAPER” above to sublimate the laminate on the toilet paper.
   
   NOTE: When sublimating laminate, after removing the butcher paper, leave the design in place for about 60 more seconds to avoid ghosting.
   
   
9. While the laminate is still warm, but cool enough to handle, roll the toilet paper back up, smoothing the laminate over the curve of the roll while it cools.
   
   
   
10. Repeat steps 4-9 above to sublimate your remaining toilet paper rolls.
11. Re-adhere the loose ends of your toilet paper rolls using a line of glue, a piece of cellophane tape, or press the loose end up against your sink faucet to create a water stamp.
    
    
    
    

STEP 4: PACKAGE YOUR SUBLIMATED TOILET PAPER FOR GIFTING

1. If you decorated a stack of toilet paper, slide all three rolls, in order, onto the handle of a new plunger.
   
   
   
2. Place the plunger into a 16” x 24” cellophane bag.
   
   TIP: To package a single decorated roll, simply place it into a 9” x 12” cellophane bag!
   
   
3. Gather the cellophane at the top of the plunger stick and tie it closed with ribbon.
4. Add a festive bow!
   
   
   
   
   

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF

Here are what my sublimated toilet paper projects look like!