About
Sublimation printing is a digital printing method that uses heat to transfer dye onto materials such as fabric or specially coated surfaces. The process begins by printing your design onto sublimation paper using sublimation inks. Then, using a heat press, the printed image is transferred to the desired item. Under heat and pressure, the ink turns into a gas and bonds with the fibers of the material at a molecular level—resulting in vibrant, durable, and long-lasting prints.
At the Print and Production Center, our Brother Sublimation Printer and Heat Press allow Spartan students and staff to bring their creative designs to life on items like T-shirts and other compatible fabrics.
Please Note: The Print and Production Center provide sublimation printing services, transfer paper, and access to our heat press. However, you must supply your own fabrics or blank items for printing, as we do not provide these materials.
Pricing
Sublimation Printing pricing details| Type of print | Price |
|---|
| 8.5 x 11 Sheet | $2.00 |
| Heat Press | Free to use |
How to Create a Sublimation Printer Design in the Hollander Print and Production Center
Step 1: Get Your Design Ready
- Make or save your design on a USB flash drive so it’s ready to go.
- A simple way to create your design is with Google Docs.
Step 2: Set Up Your Page
- In Google Docs, click Blank to start a new document.
- At the top, go to File → Page setup.
- Change all margins to 0.
- Change paper size to Letter (8.5 x 11) — that’s the sublimation paper size we have at the Hollander Print and Production Center.
Step 3: Insert Your Design
- Go to the Insert menu → Image → Upload from computer.
- Find your design file and click Open.
Step 4: Resize Your Design
- Click on your image, then drag a corner to make it bigger or smaller.
- Adjust it so it fits the size of your project (like a t-shirt or sticker).
Step 5: Reposition Your Design
- Select your image.
- Click Wrap text (a small menu will pop up below your image).
- Now you can drag your design anywhere on the page!
- Center your design so nothing gets cut off at the edges when printing.
Step 6: Name Your File
- At the top left of Google Docs, click where it says Untitled document.
- Give your project a name (so it’s easy to find later!).
Your design is now ready to be printed on the sublimation printer. If you have any questions, please see the Hollander Print and Production Center staff.
Printing Using the Hollander Print and Production Sublimation Printer:
Step 1: Save and Transfer Your File
- Once your design is ready, save it as a PDF or PNG (this keeps the quality sharp).
- Plug in your USB flash drive and move your file onto it.
- Insert your USB drive into the USB slot on the computer.
- You will click on This PC to find your USB drive
- The computer will show your files.
- Select Your File
- Click OK to select it.
Step 2: Print Your Design
- On the computer, choose Printer Icon
- Double-check that:
- Paper is loaded correctly (paper will be loaded correctly by Hollander Print and Production center staff only).
- Settings match (Letter, 8.5x11, color)
- Click the print
- The printer will take a moment to print your design.
Step 3: Collect Your Print
- Carefully take the printed sublimation sheet from the tray.
- Remember: this is special sublimation paper — don’t touch the printed side too much!
- Once you have completed your design printing, please use the heat press directions. If you have any questions, please see the Hollander Print and Production Center staff.
Set Up the Heat Press
Once you have printed your design onto the transfer paper, it's time to focus on your heat press settings. First, plug in and switch on your machine correctly. Once you turn on the machine, set the correct temperature and timing settings according to the instructions provided by the machine's manufacturer. Please use settings that are next to the machine.
Ensure that the plates and the entire machine are clean before use to prevent damage or the transfer of unwanted particles to your fabric. Set your press machine to the recommended temperature and pressure based on the type of heat transfer vinyl you use.
Position the Fabric Between the Top and Bottom Plates
Once you have set up your heat press and selected your materials, it is time to begin printing. The first step is to position the fabric you want to print on between the top and bottom plates of the heat press.
Ensuring you correctly position and spread the fabric evenly on the press is essential. That's why we have created this easy guide for you. You can do this by following these simple steps:
- Lay the fabric flat on the heat press's bottom plate, smoothing out any wrinkles or creases.
- Ensure the fabric is positioned centrally on the plate so your design prints accurately.
- If you are printing on multiple layers of material or a garment with a seam or collar, take extra care when positioning the fabric.
- Once you correctly position the fabric, you can proceed to the next step: placing your design on the cloth.
For consistent results, always ensure even heat distribution across your design when using a heat press machine. Be cautious of the type of heat transfer paper or fabric. The heat transfer vinyl process requires attention, and you should perform it with all the safety measures in place.
Place Your Design on the Cloth
Now that the fabric is on the heat press, you can put your design on it. Before doing this, double-check that you correctly printed your design on the transfer paper.
To place your design on the cloth, follow these easy steps:
- Carefully peel the heat transfer paper from the backing paper, ensuring the design remains on the paper.
- Position the transfer paper on the fabric with the design facing downwards. Ensure that the design aligns correctly with the fabric underneath.
- Place a sheet of Teflon paper over the transfer paper and fabric. The Teflon paper will protect the design and your heat press plates from any excess ink or residue.
- Secure the Teflon paper and fabric in place on the heat press by locking down the top plate.
- Heat-resistant tape is essential for holding steady heat transfer vinyl or sublimation paper on your garment. When aligning your design on fabric, apply heat-resistant tape to ensure perfect placement throughout the press cycle.
- Set the heat and time settings on the heat press according to the instructions on your heat transfer paper; whether you need a medium pressure setting or high, adjust with the pressure knob.
- Once the press has finished printing, release the locks and carefully lift the top plate to remove the fabric.
- Allow the fabric to cool completely.
Peel the Transfer Paper
Peeling the heat transfer paper indicates the end of the heat press process. After you press the transfer paper onto the fabric with heat, the next step is to remove it. This step is critical for ensuring the design has transferred successfully and permanently onto the fabric.
To begin, let the fabric cool down for a few seconds before attempting to peel off the transfer paper. Hot transfer paper can cause burns to the skin, so be careful when handling it. Wear heat-resistant gloves and use both hands to grab the edge of the inkjet transfer paper and pull it back slowly. If you notice that the design has not transferred fully, stop peeling the paper and place it back on the fabric before applying heat and pressure again to ensure the design transfers successfully onto the fabric. When removing the transfer paper, it is essential to pay attention to the type of fabric used.
Peeling the transfer paper is crucial in the heat press process. Handling the heat transfer paper carefully and ensuring it successfully transfers onto the fabric is essential. After pressing, peel the backing sheet while the heat transfer vinyl is still warm. Always use heat-resistant tape instead of regular adhesives, as it can withstand the high temperatures of a heat press machine without leaving residue. By following these instructions, you can be sure that your final product looks professional and aesthetically pleasing.
