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How To Sublimate Cushions
With customers set to spend £1 billion on personalised gifts over the next 12 months, is now the time to take advantage? What better way than by offering the simple yet effective printed cushion? Take a look at our guide to sublimating cushions below...
1. Create your design and print in mirror.
2. Cut a square of silicone paper slightly smaller than the cushion and insert inside, keeping it as flat as possible. This is to avoid printing through the cushion onto the back.
3. Cut loosely around the design.
4. Place your design onto the cushion and secure in place with heat tape.
5. Place the cushion on the heat press with the transfer paper on the top and cover with a silicone sheet. Try and avoid pressing the zip. Press at 200°C for 60-80 seconds using a light/medium pressure.
6. Once cooled down, remove the silicone sheet from inside the cushion and insert cushion inner (sold separately).
Sublimation is speedy and efficient, making it perfect when you need smaller batch orders turned around quickly. It really shines with more complicated designs, giving you the creative freedom to bring intricate artwork to life with excellent results.
You can choose a design that covers nearly the entire product if you want maximum impact, and the best part? Your designs won't crack, peel, or fade over time, so they'll keep looking sharp for years to come.
1. What equipment is required for sublimation?
For a full sublimation setup, we recommend the following equipment:
- Heat press (for mugs, a specific mug press is required)
- Sublimation printer & ink
- Computer or tablet for designing
- Heat transfer tape
- Protection sheets/pillows
- Sublimation paper
2. Why can’t I sublimate on dark garments?
It isn't possible to sublimate on dark coloured garments because there is no white sublimation ink.
We do offer black mugs with white squares for sublimation as a close alternative.
3. Why does the image on my screen differ from the final printed result?
A print from a sublimation printer can look different to the image on your computer screen. This is because sublimation inks often change colour during the heat pressing process.
As the ink reacts when it is heated, it sometimes becomes brighter and more vibrant than the image printed on the sublimation paper. We highly recommend that, during your testing stage, you heat press the image onto a product to see the final result before beginning a batch order.
4. Can I use an iron instead of a heat press?
No. You need a continuous, even heat and pressure to be applied simultaneously to the entire surface area. This can only be effectively achieved using a heat press.
Get Started Sublimating T-shirts
Now that you know how to sublimate a t-shirt, you’re ready to start creating professional-quality, personalised garments. Explore the full range of sublimation printers, blanks, and accessories to bring your unique designs to life.
