Sublimation Printing
Bring vibrant, full-color designs to life with sublimation printing at the MakerLab! Sublimation printing infuses your artwork directly into the material for a long-lasting, professional finish.
Sublimation printing is a technique that uses heat to transfer high-quality, full-colour images onto a variety of items. It works best on:
• Polyester fabrics (especially white or light-coloured).
• Poly-coated hard surfaces such as mugs, mouse pads, and coasters.
The result is a vivid, long-lasting image that becomes part of the material itself, rather than just sitting on top of it. Sublimation is ideal for customised gifts, promotional items, or creative personal projects.
The MakerLab uses a converted Epson EcoTank 2800 for its sublimation printing needs and prints on specialty heat transfer paper using sublimation ink.
The sublimation printer is typically used in conjunction with the Cricut EasyPress or the Cricut Mug Press.
Locations
Full-service sublimation printing is only available at the MakerLab. The sublimation printer cannot be shipped to other SDG Library Branches.
Hours & Information
Sublimation Printing FAQs
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Sublimation printing utilizing a heat press is a widely recognized technique for producing high-quality images on various fabrics. This method is particularly effective for items such as polyester apparel in white or light colors, as well as hard surfaces that feature a poly-coating, including coasters, mugs, and mouse pads, among others. When an image is printed using the sublimation process, it retains clarity comparable to the original source, ensuring that the product maintains its quality over time.
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Sublimation printing works best on materials with a high polyester content or polyester coatings. This includes fabrics like polyester, polyester blends, and certain plastics and hard materials with a polyester coating. Specifically, fabrics with a high percentage of polyester, like 65/35 blends, are suitable for sublimation printing. Please check with staff to ensure that the item you are brining in is suitable for this use. Please note that sublimation does not work on dark materials.
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Most picture formats brought in on a USB stick are acceptable, including JPEGs, PNGs and PDFs.
Designs can also be created within Cricut Design Space using the SDG Library’s Cricut Design Space subscribed account when at the MakerLab. Patrons who wish to use their own Design Space account are welcome to do that as well.
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The MakerLab has limited stock of items for sublimation such as mugs and tote bags. Unless you are participating in a program, it is recommended that you bring your own. Please check with staff at the booking of your appointment for availability or recommendations and to confirm your item is suitable for this type of project. Please note that items need to be designed with sublimation in mind (high polyester content or specialty coating) for this transfer process to work.
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Sublimation and vinyl transfer are both heat-transfer methods utilized for applying designs to fabrics, each with distinct characteristics regarding application and material compatibility. Sublimation involves infusing ink directly into the fabric, resulting in durable, vibrant, and smooth designs that integrate seamlessly with the material. However, it is primarily suitable for polyester-based fabrics. In contrast, vinyl transfer offers greater versatility, being applicable to a wider range of fabrics, including those in darker colors. Nevertheless, the vinyl layer may have a different texture and can be prone to cracking over time.
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