How To Sublimate Faux Leather: Make Patterned Key Fobs

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE SUBLIMATE FAUX LEATHER DESIGNS

First, download my Sublimate Faux Leather designs from my free library – look for Design #632. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the PNG folder, you’ll find seven sublimation designs I have created for you:

A ducks design,
A flower design with a teal background,
A flower design with a white background,
A hearts design,
A lemons design,
A rainbows design,
And a watermelon design.

I’ll show you how to use these designs to create a custom print area using free shapes and the Pattern Fill function. I’ll also demonstrate how to sublimate your design onto faux leather to make a unique fashion accessory.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to download Zip files, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs because the steps are similar for PNGs.

STEP 2: CREATE YOUR WRISTLET AND CUSTOM PRINT AREA

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. Open Cricut Design Space and click “New Project.”
2. Since we’ll be working with shapes that are too large for 12” x 12” machine mats and letter-size paper, let’s change our default “Load Type” settings to prevent sizing issues when sending our project to the Make screen.
3. Click on your name up in the top menu bar of Design Space, then click on “Settings.”
   
4. Click the “Load Type” tab, then select your machine in the “Defaults for” field.
5. Set the “Load Type” field to “On Mat - 12 in x 24 in” and the “Print Then Cut Page Size” field to “8.5 in x 14 in (Legal).”
   
6. Click “Done” to return to your Canvas.
   NOTE: After you have finished this project, you can return to these settings to change them back if you want.
7. To create your wristlet, click on “Shapes” and select the free Square shape.
   
8. In the Size Menu at the top, click the “Lock” icon to open it.
   
9. Type “11.5” into the “W (width)” box and “1” in the “H (height)” box to set the dimensions for your wristlet.
   
10. To create a custom-sized print area for your design pattern, click on “Shapes” again and add another free Square.
11. I want the print area to be larger than the wristlet to provide good coverage during sublimation, so I’ll type “12” into the “W (width)” box and “1.5” in the “H (height)” box to set its dimensions.
12. Click “Save” and give your project a name so you don’t lose your wristlet.
13. To add a downloaded Pattern to the larger print area shape, click “Upload.”
14. Select “Pattern fill” and click “Upload Pattern.”
    
15. Click "Browse" to find your downloaded design files, then select the pattern you want in the “PNG” folder. I’ll choose the “hearts” design.
16. Click “Open” to add it to Cricut Design Space as a Print Then Cut Pattern.
    
17. Click “Upload.”
18. Your Canvas will reload with a message at the top saying “Pattern Upload Successful.”
    
19. Select the larger rectangle to apply the Pattern Fill to the print area.
20. Click “Operation” to open a drop-down menu and select “Print Then Cut.”
    
21. Then, click the Color Box next to “Operation.”
22. Click the drop-down menu below “Print type” and select “Pattern.”
    
23. Select the Pattern Fill you want to use.
    
    NOTE: Your most recently-added Pattern Fill will be the top left preview square.
24. If you want to adjust the Pattern Fill, click “Edit Pattern.”
    
25. In the “Edit Pattern” menu, use the arrows in the “Scale” field or the slider to the right to adjust the density of your pattern. Increasing the “Scale” will make the pattern elements bigger and use fewer repeats. Decreasing the “Scale” makes the elements smaller and tiles more of the original pattern to fill the space.
    NOTE: To learn more about Pattern Fill options, check out our Patterns in Cricut Design Space tutorial.
26. When the Pattern Fill looks the way you want, click the “X” in the top right corner of the menu to return to your Canvas.
27. Your wristlet and your print design are ready to go!

PRINTING AND CUTTING

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
2. Click “Make.”
3. On the Prepare screen, you should have one “Print Then Cut” mat and one “Basic Cut” mat.
4. Make sure your “Material Size” matches for each type of mat and material you’re using.
5. Your Print Then Cut mat should be “8.5 in x 14 in (Legal).” Toggle ON “Mirror” for this mat as well since we’ll apply the design face down when sublimating.
6. For your Basic Cut mat, select “12 in x 12 in.”
7. Click back on the first mat, then click “Continue.”
8. On the Make screen, select “Send to Printer.”
9. In the “Print setup” window, select your printer, then make sure “Add Bleed” is toggled off and “Use System Dialog” is toggled on.
   
10. Click “Print.”
    NOTE: Your System Dialog window might be hiding behind Cricut Design Space, so minimize Design Space if you don’t see the settings.
11. In the System Dialog window, make sure your printer is selected. Change the Media Type to “Photo Matte Paper,” and set the Quality to “Best.” “Flip Horizontally” should be unchecked, or else you’ll undo the mirroring we set on the Prepare screen!
    NOTE: Not all printer settings will be the same, but you can use my choices as guidelines.
    
12. Click “Print.”
13. Once your design is printed, set it aside to dry.
    
    NOTE: Your ink will be a lighter color, but this is normal for sublimation prints.
14. On your screen, click on Mat 2 to select the Basic Cut mat with the wristlet.
    NOTE: We’re skipping the “Cut” part of Print Then Cut for now, but we’ll trim our print down to size later.
15. Set the Base Material to the “Faux Leather (Paper Thin)” setting and change the Pressure to “More.”
    TIP: Changing the Pressure to “More” results in a cleaner cut.
    
    NOTE: If you don’t see “Faux Leather (Paper Thin)” in your materials list, click on “Browse All Materials,” search for “faux,” and select the correct material from the list.
16. Use your paper trimmer to cut a 1.5″ x 12″ strip of white glitter faux leather.
    TIP: Use white faux leather with small, or fine glitter -- chunky glitter may not sublimate the way you expect.
    NOTE: I recommend only using the paper trimmer to trim the leather down to size, and then using the Cricut to cut the wristlet since the machine cuts are more precise.
    
17. Place your faux leather glitter side up on a purple StrongGrip machine mat.
    
18. Use a brayer to adhere it well.
    TIP: If you have trouble getting the faux leather to stick to your mat, you can use painter’s tape.
19. Check that your Premium Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
20. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
21. Press the flashing “Go” button to begin cutting.
22. When the cuts finish, don’t unload the mat right away. Gently lift a corner of the material to make sure the cuts went all the way through. If not, press the “Go” button again to make a second pass of cuts in the same spots.
23. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the faux leather.
    TIP: If you have any issues with your cuts, go to jennifermaker.com/cleaner-cuts.
24. If there are any frayed edges or spots the machine didn’t cut through, use your scissors to trim away the excess leather.
25. Your printed design and faux leather wristlet are ready for sublimation!
    
    

STEP 3: SUBLIMATE AND ASSEMBLE YOUR WRISTLET

SUBLIMATE YOUR PRINT ONTO YOUR WRISTLET

IMPORTANT: As with all sublimation projects, turn on a fan and open a window to improve your ventilation before beginning.

1. Set the temperature of your EasyPress to 380℉ (193℃), and set the timer for 40 seconds.
   TIP: I’ll use the settings that I’ve found work the best for this type of project, but if you’re not sure where to start, check out my Sublimation Cookbook to get time and temperature settings for tons of sublimation projects!
2. Place your pressing pad on your work surface.
3. Place a piece of white cardstock onto your pad to protect it from any ink that may escape during the sublimation process.
   TIP: Your cardstock should be clean and free of any ink or other marks that could transfer to your blank during the sublimation process.
   
4. Use your lint roller to clean your faux leather wristlet of any dust, debris, or extra glitter.
5. Put the faux leather wristlet face up on your protected pressing pad.
6. Place a fresh piece of white uncoated butcher paper on your wristlet to completely cover it.
7. Cover the entire area of your wristlet with the EasyPress and preheat the blank for 10 seconds to remove moisture.
   
8. When the time is up, lift the EasyPress straight up.
   NOTE: Always remember to place your press back on the base after using it.
9. Carefully lift away the butcher paper and allow the faux leather to cool.
10. Use scissors to trim away most of the white area around your printed design. Don’t let any of the black Print Then Cut registration marks remain on your print, or else they’ll transfer during sublimation!
    
11. Place your trimmed print face up on your work surface.
12. Hold your leather wristlet glitter side down and position it on top of your print, leaving a border of ink around the wristlet to ensure full coverage.
    
13. Place heat-resistant tape around all the edges of the faux leather to secure the wristlet to the print.
    
14. Turn your wristlet over so that the print is on top and place it on the protected pressing pad.
    
15. Place a fresh piece of white uncoated butcher paper on your leather wristlet to completely cover it.
16. Make sure the EasyPress has come up to temperature and the timer is set for 40 seconds.
17. Cover the entire area of your wristlet with the EasyPress and heat it with light pressure for 40 seconds to sublimate the print.
    TIP: Keep even pressure on both sides of the press for best results.
    
18. When the time is up, lift the EasyPress straight up to avoid ghosting.
19. Remove the butcher paper.
20. Allow your wristlet to cool completely.
21. Once the faux leather is cool, peel the tape from the print to release and remove the wristlet.
    
22. Your image is sublimated onto the faux leather wristlet and ready to be assembled!
    
    

ASSEMBLE YOUR SUBLIMATED WRISTLET

1. Check your wristlet for any frayed edges or hanging strings, and use scissors to trim away any that you find.
   NOTE: Sometimes the tape loosens little bits you might have missed earlier, so check this even if you did so before sublimating.
2. Fold your wristlet in half so the two short ends meet and your design is on the outside.
   
3. Insert the key fob hardware between the two flat pieces of the pliers that come with the kit.
   TIP: If the hardware doesn’t fit in snugly, you can squeeze the pliers just enough to hold it in place, but don’t close it!
   
4. Tuck the leather ends into the key fob hardware so they touch the back of it, and line up the wristlet’s edges with the edges of the hardware.
   
   TIP: If you’re using a design that has an obvious front side, keep the key fob’s teeth on the back of the wristlet.
5. Squeeze the pliers firmly until the metal pieces are clamped on the ends of the faux leather.
   TIP: Keep your fingers away to avoid pinching them!
   
   

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF!

You now have a fully sublimated faux leather wristlet, ready to sparkle anywhere you attach it!