Learn how to sublimate clay and make full-color clay holiday ornaments!
Ever have a craft that makes you want to give up and walk away? Crafty experiments don’t always go smoothly, but if you stick it out, you can always learn something along the way! I certainly learned a lot while trying to figure out the best way to sublimate clay. Yes, you can sublimate on polymer clay! You can use what I’ve learned (from many tests, including some hacks!) to make your own projects, like holiday ornaments.
The full step-by-step video showing you exactly how to create your own sublimated glay ornaments was part of Maker Academy Weekend 2024. Get a pass to watch all 18 workshops, each with a printable handbook, transcript, audio files, design files, and support with a Maker Academy Weekend 2024 VIP pass!
Did you know ADVANCE with JenniferMaker annual members get a free 2024 VIP pass and lifetime access to the 2024 Maker Academy Weekend projects? Join now!
I seem to think of a new thing I’d like to sublimate every day. Sometimes, figuring out the process goes really smooth, so I have a new project to share with you right away! But some ideas have bumps and challenges along the process, right? That’s how learning how to sublimate polymer clay went for me.
After lots of testing with different kinds of clay, baking settings, pressing details, and watching the results over time, I finally have a way to sublimate clay. I will say, sublimating directly on the clay looks beautiful once you get it down! My sublimation design results did blur over time, like I’ve seen with other sublimation projects, unfortunately. So, I’ve also included the steps to add a layer of sublimation-friendly vinyl to the clay, which keeps the design looking correct for longer.
First, we’ll create the ornament and bake it. Unlike other clay, the kind we’ll use hardens in the oven. You can use your regular kitchen oven for this — it doesn’t have to be craft-purposed. I used a 3″ pastry cutter to get a perfect circle shape.
Once we prepare the design in Google Docs, I’ll show you how to print your transfer using a sublimation printer. Inkjet printers won’t work here (unless you’ve correctly converted one), so be sure you have the right kind — and the right ink!
Then we’ll prepare the ornament for sublimation. Remember that sublimation printing often looks dull on the transfer paper, and your printed image will be much more colorful and vibrant after it has been transferred to the ornament using the high temperatures of a heat press.
They turned out pretty well, don’t you think? While clay isn’t one of my typical sublimation blanks, I feel accomplished having given it my best effort! I hope you’ll give them a shot with my free designs, or print some of your own to try!
Let me show you how to sublimate on clay and make 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, there is no additional cost)! Read my full disclosure policy.
Materials to Sublimate on Clay Ornaments
View my Amazon shopping list for the exact items I used!
- White Polymer Clay – I used Sculpey III -OR-
- White Glitter Polymer Clay – I used Sculpey III
- Clear Matte Iron-On Vinyl (optional)
- Hole Punch, ¼” (optional)
- A way to trace (optional)
- Piece of 180 Grit Sandpaper (optional)
- Weeding Tool (optional)
- 8.5″ x 11″ 125g Sublimation Paper
- 12″ x 12″ White Cardstock
- White Uncoated Butcher Paper
- Wax Paper (for preparing clay only)
- Ribbon – 0.39″ Wide – 12″ long for each ornament
- Oven (for baking clay, a standard kitchen oven can also be used)
- Clay Tools and Small Cutters
- Large Round Pastry Cutters – I used the 3″ ring
- Glass Baking Dish – I used a 7″ x 11″ one
- Heat Safe Gloves
- Sublimation Printer – I used a converted Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Inkjet Printer
- Sublimation Ink
- Heat Press – I used the Cricut EasyPress 2
- Cricut EasyPress Mat
- Fan (for ventilation)
- Heat Resistant Tape
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Lint Roller
- Microfiber Cloth (damp, to help remove stuck paper)
- Design #674 – My free PNG/PDF design files are available in my free resource library (get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page) or get additional access to the workshop video and printable workbook by getting a 2024 VIP Pass to Maker Academy Weekend or by joining the ADVANCE with JenniferMaker program as an ANNUAL (yearly) member!
How to Sublimate On Clay!
The detailed step-by-step assembly video on how to sublimate clay ornaments was available to watch for free for 24 hours during Maker Academy Weekend 2024, held online November 7-10, 2024. Get access to the Maker Academy Weekend 2024 videos, printable handbooks, and design files with a 2024 VIP Pass to Maker Academy Weekend or by joining the ADVANCE with JenniferMaker program as an ANNUAL (yearly) member!
Answers to Your Questions About My Tutorial To Sublimate on Clay
Q: Where is your tutorial for this project?
A: This is a special project we made for our free Maker Academy Weekend 2024 event! A complete and detailed step-by-step video premiered during the event November 7-10, 2024. You can get access to the video tutorial and printable handbook that details how to make this great project if you get a 2024 VIP Pass to Maker Academy Weekend or by joining the ADVANCE with JenniferMaker program as an ANNUAL (yearly) member which comes with other perks and bonuses, too!
Q: Can you sublimate clay?
A: Yes, I did successfully sublimate on polymer clay, but the designs blurred over time. An alternative method is to add sublimation-friendly vinyl to the surface and apply the printed design to it instead of the clay.
Q: Do you bake polymer clay to harden it?
A: Yes, you must bake polymer clay at a specific temperature to harden it correctly.
Q: What happens if you bake polymer clay too long?
A: Clay can singe, discolor, break, or become brittle if it’s baked too long.
Get my free PNG files to sublimate on polymer clay!
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I love seeing what you make with my designs and tips! Please share a photo of your sublimated clay in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.
Love,
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