Posted By TeckWrap Craft On April 22, 2023
Can You Sublimate On Wood: 4 Methods To Use
Table of Contents
- 4 Methods of Sublimating on Wood
- Method 1: Cover the Wood with Thermal Lamination Pouch
- Method 2: Treat the Wood with Polycrylic
- Method 3: Apply Sanding Sealer
- Method 4: Use Poly-coated Wood Blank
- Supplies Needed To Sublimate Wood
- How To Sublimate On Wood?
- Tips On How To Sublimate On Wood
- Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can sublimate on wood after treating it with a thermal laminating film, polycrylic, or sanding sealer. You will also need premium-quality sublimation sheets, a specialized sublimation printer, and a heat press. In this blog, we will discuss in detail, the most popular methods of sublimating on wood that are easy to follow even for a beginner.
4 Methods of Sublimating on Wood
You can sublimate on wood by treating it in four ways. These methods help the wood absorb the sublimation ink, resulting in vibrant, long-lasting prints. Here’s how to do it:
Method 1: Cover the Wood with Thermal Lamination Pouch
In this method, you will use a thermal lamination pouch to cover the wood and prepare it for sublimation. One sheet should be enough to cover the piece of wood. Follow these steps:
- Put butcher paper on top and preheat the plain, smooth, uncoated piece of wood at 380°F for 50 seconds.
- Apply white latex paint to it with a foam roller. The strokes should be even and smooth. This will give you a vibrant sublimation print and prevent the wood from warping.
- Allow the paint to dry completely before sublimating your design on it.
- Cut the laminate sheet according to the size of your wood blank and place it shiny side up on the painted part so that it completely covers the area.
- Place butcher paper on top and press for 15 seconds at 375°F.
- When the time is up, remove the
butcher paper . Your laminate will be stuck on top of your wood blank. Remove the excess sheet from around it with a sharp craft knife. It is now ready for sublimation.
Method 2: Treat the Wood with Polycrylic
Polycrylic treatment is another option for preparing the wood for sublimation. Here’s how to do it.
- Follow the first three steps mentioned above about painting the wood.
- Clean the wood with a lint roller to remove any dust or debris.
- Apply a smooth coat of polycrylic to the surface of the wood with a paintbrush. The strokes should be even.
- Let it dry completely. The surface should not feel sticky. It is now ready for sublimation.
- If your sublimation sheet sticks to the surface because of polycrylic after the application of heat, dampen it with a sponge to remove it. Do not rub. Gently dab the sheet and it will come off.
Method 3: Apply Sanding Sealer
You can also coat the wood with a sanding sealer to sublimate on it. The sanding sealer is thinner compared to polycrylic so you only need a light coat. Follow the first three steps of painting the blank as mentioned above. Then get a sponge or cloth, saturate it with the sanding sealer, and casually wipe it across the wood blank. When it dries, your blank is ready for sublimation.
Compared to polycrylic, sanding sealer dries faster so you can get your projects finished quickly. The sublimation sheet will also not stick to the wood after the application of heat. It is less expensive too.
Method 4: Use Poly-coated Wood Blank
This is the easiest way to sublimate on wood. Your wood blank is ready with a poly-coating that will facilitate sublimation on it. These are easily available from craft shops. You just have to clean it with a lint roller, preheat it to remove moisture, and follow the basic steps of sublimation to transfer amazing, vibrant designs and images on it.
Supplies Needed To Sublimate Wood
First, let’s discuss the supplies you will need to sublimate on wood. Following are the basic tools that you should have:
- Wood Blank: You can get this in different shapes and sizes. Get a poly-coated sublimation wood blank or a plain, smooth, uncoated one that you will treat yourself to make it ready for sublimation.
- Sublimation Paper: It is a special sheet on which you will print your design. Check out the premium-quality sublimation sheets at TeckWrap Craft.
Sublimation Printer : This is a type of inkjet printer compatible with dye sublimation ink. If you have a home inkjet printer, you’ll need to convert its printhead so that it can handle sublimation ink.- Heat-resistant Tape : This is needed to secure the sublimation print on the wood substrate so that it does not move during the application of heat and pressure.
Heat Press : We recommend a flatbed or industrial press for sublimation projects but if you’re on a budget, you can also use the portable Cricut EasyPress.- Butcher Paper: This will ensure even distribution of heat to the whole design and will also protect the surface and the heat press.
Craft Knife : This is important to remove excess material from around the wood blank.- Lint Roller: You will need this to clean dust and debris from your wood blank before sublimating.
- Other Sublimation Supplies: Depending on the method you choose to sublimate on wood, you will need laminating pouches, polycrylic, sanding sealer, or a poly-coated sublimation wood blank.
How To Sublimate On Wood?
Here are the general steps on how to successfully sublimate a remarkable design on wood:
- Preparing The Wood Blank: Get a piece of wood with an even surface. Its thickness should also be compatible with your heat press. Select one of the methods mentioned above, and prepare the blank accordingly.
- Print Your Design On Sublimation Paper: Set the dimensions of your image according to the size of your wood blank on a design software of your choice and print it on a high-quality sublimation sheet. Do not forget to mirror your design before printing.
- Sublimate Your Design on Wood: After the print has dried completely, cut it around the edges, and place it on your prepared wood blank with the image facing down. Secure it with heat transfer tape. Place butcher paper on top and apply heat for 90 seconds. The temperature should be 375°F.
- Remove the Sublimation Sheet: When the time is up, let the wood cool down completely then remove the sublimation sheet. You have successfully sublimated a beautiful design on wood.
Tips On How To Sublimate On Wood
- Always use a warmed-up heat press.
- Use butcher paper for the bottom platen of your heat press machine to protect it from scratches.
- A lamination pouch has two sheets. You can use one.
- Use the glossy side of the lamination sheet for coating the wood blank. It should face up.
- Use light-colored wood for the best results.
- The area where you are sublimating should be properly ventilated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
You can sublimate on wood with the right tools and methods. You may find it difficult at first but with practice, you can create amazing designs. For the best sublimation sheets and heat-resistant tape, visit the TeckWrap Craft online store.
