Sublimation vinyl, also known as sublimation transfer vinyl or sublimation heat transfer vinyl, is a type of vinyl specifically designed for use with sublimation printing. It allows you to transfer vibrant, full-color designs onto various materials, such as polyester fabrics and specially coated items like mugs, plates, and phone cases. Here's how to use sublimation vinyl:
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Design Your Artwork: Create or choose the design you want to transfer onto your substrate. Ensure that your design is mirrored (flipped horizontally) before printing, as this is necessary for sublimation transfers.
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Print Your Design: Print your mirrored design onto sublimation transfer paper using a sublimation printer and sublimation ink. Make sure your printer is set up correctly for sublimation printing, and use the appropriate printer settings.
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Prepare Your Vinyl: Cut a piece of sublimation vinyl slightly larger than your design. Sublimation vinyl typically comes with a clear carrier sheet on top and a heat-activated adhesive backing. Place the vinyl onto your cutting mat with the carrier sheet facing down.
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Cut Your Design: Use a vinyl cutting machine (e.g., a Cricut or Silhouette) to cut out your design from the sublimation vinyl. Follow the cutting settings recommended for sublimation vinyl on your machine's software or adjust the settings manually.
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Weed Your Design: After cutting, carefully weed away the excess vinyl from around your design using a weeding tool. Take your time to ensure that only the parts of the design you want to transfer remain on the clear carrier sheet.
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Prepare Your Substrate: Preheat your heat press to the temperature and time recommended for sublimation transfers on your specific substrate. If you're using fabric, make sure it's pre-pressed to remove any wrinkles or moisture.
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Position Your Design: Place your substrate on the heat press and pre-press it briefly to remove any moisture and wrinkles. Then, position your weeded sublimation vinyl design face down onto the substrate, with the carrier sheet facing up.
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Apply Heat and Pressure: Close the heat press and apply the recommended temperature, time, and pressure settings for sublimation vinyl transfers. The heat activates the sublimation ink on the transfer paper, causing it to sublimate and bond with the polyester fibers or special coating on your substrate.
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Remove the Carrier Sheet: After the pressing cycle is complete, carefully open the heat press and remove the carrier sheet from the vinyl while it's still warm. Be cautious not to smudge the design.
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Allow to Cool: Allow your substrate to cool completely before handling it. This ensures that the sublimation ink has fully bonded with the material, resulting in a durable, vibrant transfer.
That's it! You've successfully used sublimation vinyl to transfer your design onto your chosen substrate. Enjoy your personalized creations!
Note: Different products may have slightly different operating procedures. If you are not sure how to use it, please contact qyuan1371@gmail.com for personalized guidance.