Updated By TeckWrap Craft On September, 5, 2024
Can You Sublimate On Cotton?
Table of Contents
- How Does Sublimation Printing Work?
- How Can You Sublimate On Cotton Shirts?
- How To Sublimate On Cotton Using Coating Spray?
- How To Sublimate Using Heat Transfer Vinyl?
- Can You Sublimate On Poly-Cotton Blend Shirts?
- How To Sublimate On A Towel?
- The Temperature And Time Settings For Sublimation
- Will Sublimation Print Wash Out Of Cotton Shirts?
- What Are The Benefits Of Sublimation Printing?
- Perspectives On Sublimation Process
- Frequently Asked Questions
Sublimation on cotton garments? Yes, you can do that! You can easily sublimate on cotton using heat transfer vinyl or a sublimation coating spray as the base.
You may have initially learned that sublimation on cotton shirts or dark-colored garments is not recommended. That is an outdated rule. You can now confidently print colorful designs on a cotton shirt using sublimation printing. Read further to find out everything you need to know about transferring designs on 100% cotton through sublimation.
How Does Sublimation Printing Work?
To understand why you cannot sublimate on cotton directly, you need to understand how sublimation printing works. In this method of design transfer, the special sublimation dye ink turns into gas without becoming a liquid first and then solidifies and infuses with the fibers of the fabric.
It works best with synthetic fibers, like polyester, because when they are exposed to heat, they open up, absorbing the gas and locking the ink in once it becomes solid. Finally, the dye and synthetic fabric permanently bond on a molecular level.
Though polyester is the preferred fabric for
How Can You Sublimate On Cotton Shirts?
Direct sublimation printing on a cotton shirt is not advised. You can sublimate on cotton using heat transfer vinyl or sublimation spray coating. Both these workarounds have proven to be effective and the end product is just magnificent.
For best results, follow the instructions stated below. This way you can design any cotton product, may it be a shirt, hoodie, or sweater.
How To Sublimate On Cotton Using Coating Spray?
The method of sublimating on cotton using a coating spray is recommended for light-colored shirts only. If you want to print on a dark-colored cotton garment, you will have to use heat transfer vinyl with sublimation which we have discussed next.
So what is a sublimation coating spray? It is a liquid solution, usually, a white chemical, sprayed over the cotton garment. It forms a layer on the surface, mimicking the chemical properties of polyester allowing sublimation inks to fuse with the cotton fibers in the same way they do with polyester.
Sublimation coating spray can be used on cotton shirts, mugs, ceramics, canvas, leather, and even acrylic. You can even spray it over light-colored polyester shirts for a more vibrant color. Here’s how you can sublimate on cotton fabrics using a coating spray:
- Finalize the design on your computer then print it using the best print settings. Make sure you only use a sublimation printer with sublimation ink in it. You will print it on sublimation paper. Don’t forget to mirror the image!
- After printing, let the ink dry for several minutes before proceeding further.
- Using scissors, cut the excess portion of the sublimation paper (the one without the print) and set it aside.
- Pre-press the cotton shirt for 5 to 10 seconds using your heat press machine. Let it cool.
- Spray the sublimation coating evenly over the area where you intend to print the sublimation design. Continue to do so until the print area feels damp.
- Let the shirt dry for a few minutes then press it at 330℉ for 30 seconds. The purpose of this step is for the liquid coating to stick and adhere to the fabric. Repeat this process twice. After the second time, the area where you sprayed should give a plastic-like feel, much like the surface of a polyester shirt.
Note: Sublimation coating instructions may vary depending on the product you purchased. The temperature and time may differ, so check the product instructions. The spraying and pressing process is somewhat similar.
There you have it! You have now sublimated on cotton fabric. Just remember that this process will only work on light-colored cotton shirts. If you intend to sublimate on a dark-colored cotton shirt, follow these next steps.
How To Sublimate Using Heat Transfer Vinyl?
This printing option is best used for dark-colored cotton shirts. In a nutshell, all you have to do is press the heat transfer vinyl design first. Right after, press the sublimation print over the HTV. That's it!
In this printing method, the heat transfer vinyl serves as the base layer that sticks to the cotton shirt, and you can sublimate on the HTV then. So what kind of heat transfer vinyl can you use? It is best to use white PU HTV or white glitter HTV from TeckWrap Craft. Following are the instructions:
- Finalize the vinyl design on your cutting machine’s software. Do not forget to mirror it.
- Cut the exact shape and size of the design. If you want, allow a small offset of the design of less than 1cm. If the sublimation print is bigger than the heat transfer vinyl, that will mess up the project. Weed the excess vinyl and set it aside.
- Use the best quality print settings. Don’t forget to mirror the design before printing it on the sublimation paper!
- After printing, let the ink completely dry. Do not touch the design to avoid smearing and smudging.
- Cut the excess portion of the sublimation paper using scissors. It will be easier for you to layer the sublimation paper above the HTV later on if both the HTV and sublimation paper have the same size.
- Pre-press the garment for 5 to 10 seconds to wick away moisture and ensure the print area is crease-free.
- Press the HTV onto the garment where you want the design to be. Apply the recommended settings of the heat transfer vinyl you are using. Check out our Heat Press Temperature Guide for Vinyl.
- Let the cotton shirt and HTV cool off then place the sublimation paper with the printed side facing down on the heat transfer vinyl. Make sure your design aligns perfectly. Use thermal tape to keep the design in place.
- Place parchment paper on top and press the sublimation paper at 190℃ for 50 seconds. For this method as well, do not use a mini heat press machine when sublimating because this may cause ghosting.