Sublimation T-Shirts for Beginners: Tips and Designs

Instructions

STEP 1: GET OR PREPARE A SUBLIMATION DESIGN

You can use any of my Sublimation T-Shirt design files from my resource library, Design #394.

The four designs I’ve included have positive sayings with beautiful watercolor backgrounds.

I've also included the background designs without words if you'd like to add your own.

Today, I’m going to make the rainbows and sunshine design, but you can use these steps for any of the designs.

We'll print the design on a good-quality sublimation paper for the best results. I’m using A-SUB paper in my Epson EcoTank with Hiipoo ink. You can use another combination, of course.

You can use image editing software to prepare your design, but I'll show you my favorite way: Google Docs.

Go to Google Docs in the Google Chrome web browser on your computer. You can also download and open the Google Docs app on a phone or tablet, BUT be aware that you won't be able to install or access any printer profiles from a mobile device.

To begin, click on "Blank" to open a new document.

In the top File menu, select "Page Setup." Change your margins to 0 and change your Paper Size to match your sublimation paper size. I’ll use letter size, 8.5" x 11". Click OK.

Now click on the Insert menu at the top and select "Image." Then, select "Upload from Computer." Locate the sublimation design you want to use in the folder you downloaded from my library. I’ll use the Rainbows design. Then click "Open." The image will appear and fill your page!

We need to resize the design to fit our shirt. For an adult large, we can make the design up to 10.5" wide or 12" tall. But remember to stick to your paper size! I’m using letter size paper, so I won’t go taller than 11.5".

TIP: If you're using a different size shirt, here are the recommended design dimensions for several common styles:

Maximum Recommended Design Sizes for Adult Shirts

Adult Small: 10" wide by 12" long

Adult Medium: 10" wide by 12" long

Adult Large: 10.5" wide by 12.5" long

Adult Extra Large: 11" wide by 13" long

Adult 2X: 12" wide by 14" long

Adult 3X: 13" wide by 15" long

Adult 4X: 14" wide by 16" long

Maximum Recommended Design Sizes for Youth Shirts

Youth Extra Small: 8" wide by 12" long

Youth Small: 8.5" wide by 12" long

Youth Medium: 10" wide by 12.5" long

Youth Large: 10.5" wide by 12" long

Youth Extra Large: 11" wide by 13" long

Maximum Recommended Design Sizes for Toddler Shirts

18 Months: 4" wide by 5" long

24 Months: 5" wide by 6" long

3T: 6" wide by 7" long

4T: 6" wide by 7" long

Maximum Recommended Design Sizes for Infant Shirts

0-3 Months: 3" wide by 4" long

3-6 Months: 3" wide by 4" long

6-9 Months: 4" wide by 5" long

12 Months: 4" wide by 5" long

To resize the design, select the image, then click and drag a corner until it fits the page. Or, you can right-click the image, select "Image Options," then "size and rotation," and change the size in the fields.



Next, let’s make sure the design will print in the right spot. To reposition the image, select it and then click on "Wrap text" from the menu that appears below. You might have to hover your cursor at the bottom of the image to bring up the menu.

Now, 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 to feather the sides for a clean press. I’ll show you that trick when we get to the pressing stage!

Once you’re happy with the design, give it a name by clicking where you see “Untitled” in the top left field. Another great thing about Google Docs is the auto-saving feature!

Before printing, make sure your paper is loaded correctly. Check your printer manual and paper packaging for help identifying the right side to print on and how to load it. If you’re using A-SUB paper in an Eco Tank like me, place the paper facedown with the words “A-SUB” visible so that the design will print on the bright white side of the sublimation paper.

The printing settings and steps depend on the type of printer you're using. While printer settings vary, the main things we have to watch for are paper type and print quality.

Epson Print Method
If you have an Epson, go to the File menu and choose "Print."

Select your printer under "Destination." Then, click the arrow beside "More Settings" and click "Print Using System Dialog."

Make sure your sublimation printer is selected under "Printer." Then, under "Layout" click "Flip horizontally" to mirror your image. Most sublimation projects need to be mirrored, so remember that step!

Choose "Print Settings" and change your media type to "Premium Presentation Paper Matte" and Print Quality to "High Quality."

We already mirrored the image, so don’t click that. And don’t use high speed!

If you’ve installed an ICC printer profile for better colors, which I covered in my sublimation printer setup sublimation printer setup sublimation printer setup videos, you can select that here as well. Select "Color Matching" and choose your printer profile. If you’re on a Mac as I am, choose "Color Sync," click on the menu, select "Other Profiles," and select your printer profile from the list.

Once you’ve correctly adjusted your settings for your printer, click on "Presets" and choose "Save Current Settings as a Preset" and then you can choose that from now on!

Sawgrass Print Method
To print on a Sawgrass, go to the File menu, choose "Print," and select your printer under "Destination." Then, click the arrow beside "More Settings" and click "Print Using System Dialog."

This is where the steps change. Select the PDF menu in the lower left corner and choose "Sawgrass Print Manager." If you’re having an issue finding this, look for your Print Options and select "Sawgrass Print Manager" as your printer. This is the only way to access the helpful ICC printer profiles that Sawgrass provides.

Your window might look different, but choose your settings that match your shirt. For mine, I’ll set the substrate – that means what we’re sublimating on to – to “Polyester” and paper to “Type A”. Again, I recommend High Quality over High Speed! Sawgrass automatically knows we want to mirror the design, so don’t uncheck that box by accident.

Then, look at the preview to the right and make sure your design looks correct. If not, hit "Cancel" and make any adjustments you need until you’re happy.

Finally, click the pink Print button and watch the magic happen!

STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR PRINT AND SHIRT FOR SUBLIMATION

Here's how my design looked printed on the Epson. The colors don't look like they did on the screen, but that will happen when we press it.

Trim the paper close to the design to avoid the lines at the edges transferring to your fabric. You can also gently tear the edges to smooth out the transition. Tearing also prevents any lines of sublimation ink that might have snuck onto the edge of your paper undetected.



Now, set your heat press to a temperature between 385°F and 400°F which is 196°C to 204°C, to warm up. I’m using the Cricut AutoPress, and I find shirts work best at 400°F and with a time of 60 seconds.

You can also use a traditional heat press or a Cricut EasyPress! Do not use a household iron, however, as it will not get hot enough.

Since sublimation produces fumes, open your windows and turn on a fan to craft safely.

I'll show you how to press a design using a white 95% polyester shirt from Cricut. For this project, don’t use anything less than a 65% polyester shirt, or your ink will be faded and eventually mostly disappear in the wash.

You don't have to prewash your shirt if you don’t want to – my rule is I’ll pre-wash it if it’s for me or a family member, and I don’t pre-wash if I’m going to gift or sell it. Lint roll the shirt to remove any dust or hair, which can cause strange dots and marks to sublimate onto the surface.

We’ll add a vertical crease to help center the design.

Fold your shirt in half vertically and press it for 10 seconds along the crease. When you open it up, you have a center line! This also serves as the pre-heat, removing moisture and ensuring a good transfer. Pre-heating is important for a beautiful sublimation result!



Unfold your shirt and lay it face up on the pressing area. Slide a piece of white cardstock inside the shirt under where your design will be. This will protect the back layer of your shirt and the pressing mat from any sublimation ink that may bleed through.



Gently fold your printed design the same way as the shirt, and crease it at the top and bottom of the paper. Don’t fold through any of the printed image!



Since I’m making a crew t-shirt, the top of the design should start about 2" below the collar.

For a v-neck shirt, the top of the design should start about 1" below the collar.

Lightly place the design ink-side down on the pre-heated shirt, lining up the creases.

Secure the design with heat resistant tape on all four edges to keep it in place and prevent ghosting or fuzzy images. Do not skip over this step!



Place a piece of white uncoated butcher paper larger than your heat plate on top of the t-shirt. Do not use parchment paper, wax paper, freezer paper, or teflon paper as these will trap moisture and can produce fuzzy transfers. I also recommend you avoid colored butcher papers, as sometimes they are dyed and the color can transfer to your shirt.

STEP 3: PRESS YOUR SUBLIMATION PRINT

Once your heat source reaches the right temperature, you’re ready to go!

If you’re using the Cricut Autopress as I am, the pressure is set for you automatically. If you’re using an EasyPress, you want light pressure, so press lightly with one hand. If you’re using a traditional heat press, you want light to medium pressure, about 40 PSI.

To avoid ghosting, press down as straight as possible and don't move the heat source.

Press your shirt for 45 to 60 seconds. If you’re not sure which to do, start with forty five seconds. Some experimentation is normal if you’re using a different shirt or press. If your transfer looks dull or washed out, that means you should press for longer. If your transfer has a brown or yellow hue, you pressed it too long.

If you’re using the Autopress, it will automatically open when its done. If you’re using the EasyPress, lift it up straight from your shirt. The pressing area and materials will still be hot, so be careful. You can remove the butcher paper but leave the t-shirt in place to cool down. The sublimation process is still taking place for 10-15 seconds, so moving the t-shirt immediately could make the image blurry.

When you are confident that your shirt has cooled down, remove the tape and paper. Step back and enjoy your gorgeous, full color sublimated t-shirt!

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF!

With the right care, your shirt will last a long time! Here are a few tips for keeping it look its best:

• Turn your shirts inside out before washing them. That way, the front of the shirt won’t rub against other things in the machine.
• Use cold or warm water and a mild detergent to keep the design vibrant.
• If you’re using white shirts like these, don’t wash them with lots of other colors. Especially new items which can bleed excess dye.
• Take your sublimated shirts out of the wash right when they’re done. You don’t want them sitting crumpled up and wet.
• Then you'll want to AIR dry them, which you do either on a hanger or in a dryer set to air dry or low heat.
• The key is not to expose your sublimation shirts to super high heat again, as the ink might sublimate out. That said, your washer and dryer probably don't get up to 350°F to reactivate the sublimation ink, so you should be just fine.

Here are the results of my wash tests! The main takeaway was that the higher the polyester content, the brighter the designs stayed after washing.