Can You Sublimate On Cotton? Sublimation Secret Revealed!

Updated By TeckWrap Craft On February, 24, 2025

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 That is an outdated rule.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.

Can You Sublimate On Cotton?

Yes, you can sublimate on cotton but you will have to tweak the method. Dye sublimation ink will not transfer directly to cotton. Polyester is the preferred fabric for this kind of printing. You will have to use a base material such as the sublimation-compatible HTV to apply the print. First, you will have to press white sublimation HTV onto the cotton blank and then print the sublimation design on it.

Another way to do so is to first spray your garment with a polyester-based coating spray generously and then apply your sublimation print on it. These methods might not be as long-lasting as sublimation printing on pure polyester. The print will last as long as the base material remains intact. If the HTV or coating spray wears off, the print will lose its vibrance and original look too

Temperature And Time Settings For Sublimation

How Does Sublimation Printing Work?

Sublimation printing is an easy method in which the special sublimation dye ink turns into a gas without becoming a liquid first when heat and pressure are applied. It then solidifies and infuses with the fibers of the fabric forming a permanent print. It works best with polyester because when it is exposed to heat, this fabric absorbs the gas and locks the ink in once it becomes solid. Hence the dye and synthetic fabric permanently bond on a molecular level.

How Can You Sublimate On Cotton Shirts?

Direct sublimation printing on a cotton shirt is not advised. You can sublimate on cotton using sublimation HTV or a special polyester 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 sublimation heat transfer vinyl first. Right after, press the sublimation print over the HTV. That's it!

In this printing method, the sublimation HTV serves as the base layer that sticks to the cotton shirt, and you can transfer your graphics on it then. So what kind of heat transfer vinyl can you use? It is best to use the special white sublimation HTV by 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 sublimation 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

There you have it! You now have a beautifully sublimated dark-colored cotton shirt. The same process is followed if you intend to use sublimation fabric sheets. A sublimation fabric sheet serves the same purpose as an HTV. Check out these photos below! These are sublimated cotton shirts with White Glitter HTV. It’s something, isn’t it?

Can You Sublimate On Poly-Cotton Blend Shirts?

Yes, you can sublimate on poly-cotton blend shirts. The ideal recommendation is 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Although, there may be a chance that the direct sublimation print may not be as vibrant-looking.

Also, the ink would not last longer and may fade after several washes. Although you can directly sublimate on poly-cotton blend shirts, it’s recommended to use sublimation spray coating or heat transfer vinyl for best results.

How To Sublimate On A Towel?

You can sublimate on a towel the same way you sublimate on a polyester shirt if it is of the same material. If it is a cotton towel, you will have to use coating spray to transfer the sublimation design to it. You cannot use heat transfer vinyl as the base material for sublimating on a towel.

The ideal temperature for sublimating on towels is 380°F for 45 seconds. Do not press for too long if you want the perfect transfer of your design. You might have to use the trial-and-error method till you get that ideal heat and pressure setting for your towel

Will Sublimation Print Wash Out Of Cotton Shirts?

If you directly sublimate on a cotton surface, the print will fade away after a few wash cycles. Dye sublimation ink does not stick for long on all-natural cotton fibers. But with the sublimation options mentioned above, the indirect sublimation print will last for a long time.

Not only does the sublimation process offer vibrant designs, but long-lasting prints as well. So the next time you’re even thinking of directly sublimating on a cotton shirt, think again and better grab that sublimation spray coating or heat transfer vinyl.

What Are The Benefits Of Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation printing is fast, easy, and cost-efficient, and you can print any colorful design you want. Following are some of its advantages:

• Sublimation prints are unnoticeable to touch when transferred to the garment or merchandise.
• The print cannot be scratched or cracked.
• Sublimation prints last for many years and do not lose their vibrant colors.
• This is a cost-effective printing method. A set of sublimation ink bottles (four having 400ml each) costs less than $25 and will last for many projects (probably thousands of sublimation paper). As for the 100 sheets of sublimation paper at TeckWrap Craft, these only cost less than $17. When you come to think of it, the overhead cost of printing 1 sublimation paper is less than 90￠(accounting for the sublimation paper and ink cost only).
• Sublimation printing is fast too! Print as you usually do on a printer that can work with sublimation inks, then heat press to the garment. For one garment, you can have your finished product in under 10 minutes.

Perspectives On Sublimation Process

Sublimation is excellent for transferring long-lasting designs on fabrics, especially polyester. However, our experts are of the view that it can be used on cotton after tweaking the method a bit, the horizons of sublimation have widened. Here’s how you can successfully execute this:

xperts are of the view that it can be used on cotton after tweaking the method a bit, the horizons of sublimation have widened. Here’s how you can successfully execute this:

• Invest in high-grade tools and products.
• The coating spray should completely cover the place where you want to transfer the design. The area should get that plastic-like feel.
• One pure cotton, the print might fade after a few washes. The design will last longer if you use a poly-cotton blend fabric with more than 65% polyester content.
• If you are sublimating on a dark cotton shirt with HTV, cut around the borders of the sublimation paper to make it easier to line up with the vinyl shape.
• You can use HTV for sublimating on a light-colored cotton shirt too.
• Sublimation designs with HTV will last as long as the vinyl holds up, which is typically more than 50 wash cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions