23
Sep
Dye-sublimation limited to light colors only? Not anymore! Learn how to sublimate dark T-shirts in this step-by-step guide!
Sublimation printing is a magical process that allows us to turn our artistic imaginations into vibrant realities. From customized items to textile printing, sublimation is taking over other printing methods because of its quality and durability. While direct sublimation is suitable for lighter colors only, you can also print darker shades; all you need is the right technique. We will walk you through the method and the required materials in this article.
Starting with the basics, sublimation is a physical process where a solid material transforms directly into a gas without turning into a liquid. In sublimation printing, solid ink turns gaseous and chemically bonds with the substrate (receiving material). The prints don’t lay on top like traditional printing methods but become one with the material.
Sublimation printing requires heat and pressure to turn the solid ink into its gaseous form. It is usually a two-step process. Firstly, the design is printed on a special sublimation paper. After that, the printed paper is placed on the T-shirt and put under a heat press. The final results are near-permanent, vivid, and sharp.
Traditionally, direct sublimation printing is limited to white or other light colors. Darker colors can not be directly printed because the final print will be invisible. This is because, in sublimation, the ink does not adhere to the surface of the fabric, instead, it penetrates the fabric and chemically bonds with it. A darker fabric will not allow the ink to be visible.
Whether you’re a hobbyist or a business owner, no one likes to be limited in their choice of colors. Many prefer darker colors over light ones for their T-shirts. Imagine a black shirt with a vibrant print of your choice, it looks bold yet elegant. Dark colors provide better contrasting effects when printed. Learning the right techniques will expand your versatility and capacity as a business.
We will give you a step-by-step method to sublimate on dark T-shirts. But before that, you need to ensure you have all the required supplies. Here’s a list of all the products you’ll need:
A Heat Transfer Vinyl is the most important product in this process. This vinyl will serve as an intermediary between your t-shirt and the ink. Get your HTV from a reputable vendor to ensure high quality. Glitter White Heat Transfer Vinyl is the most popular choice.
If your designs are simple, you can use scissors to cut them. For intricate designs, invest in a good-quality automated vinyl-cutting machine. These machines will save you time and help you avoid mishaps.
A weeding tool will help you weed out the excess parts of your print.
You will need a reliable heat press to apply heat and pressure uniformly. Many kinds of heat press machines are available such as clamshell, swing-away, draw type, sublimation type, etc. Choose the type that best suits your needs.
A sublimation printer prints the designs on the special transfer paper using sublimation ink. Ensure your printer comes with sublimation software that can be easily installed into your computer. A quality sublimation printer allows smooth ink flow and doesn’t change ink properties in the printing process.
Get high-quality sublimation papers from a reputed vendor. Your transfer papers should be compatible with your printer and ink type.
High temperatures can damage your fabrics. A non-stick Teflon sheet or a parchment paper will serve as a protective sheet. A butcher paper can also be used in their stead.
A heat-resistant tape helps to secure your design on the fabric where needed. It can endure high temperatures and is removed easily once used.
Now that we’ve covered all the supplies necessary for sublimation on dark t-shirts, we’ll move on to the methods. There are typically two methods that can be used:
Create your designs using software that is compatible with your cutting machine. Create two designs; one for printing on the sublimation paper and the other for cutting the vinyl.
Print the actual design on the sublimation transfer paper and set it aside for drying. Cut the extra transfer paper for accuracy.
Use the duplicate design to cut the vinyl in the desired shape with a vinyl-cutting machine. Use the weeding tool to weed out the excess film.
Firstly, press your fabric in the heat press for five to ten seconds to remove any moisture or creases. Then, place your cut vinyl on the fabric and cover it with parchment paper or a Teflon sheet. Finally, set the heat press to the recommended vinyl setting and put your fabric under it.
After pressing the vinyl, set the fabric aside to let it cool.
Place the sublimation transfer paper on the fabric. Ensure the transfer paper is aligned correctly with the HTV so the final result comes out exactly as you envisioned. Use heat-resistant tape to secure it in place. Follow the recommended heat settings for sublimation to get perfect prints.
After printing, let the fabric cool completely before removing the sublimation paper. This allows the colors to be set properly.
Note: Printable heat transfer vinyls are also available on the market. You can use those to print directly on the vinyl and skip the layering process.
Print your design on a sublimation transfer paper. Cut the excess paper off using scissors or a cutting machine.
Take measurements of your design and select the part of your shirt you want to print on. Spray bleach on the exact area where you want your designs to be printed.
Note: Place a cardboard in your shirt so bleach doesn’t affect the back panel.
After bleaching, wash your shirt with a detergent. Let it dry completely and pre-press it to remove any moisture or creases. The design area of the shirt is now lighter than the rest of the shirt.
Place your sublimation paper on the bleached area and put the T-shirt under a heat press. Secure the paper with thermal tape so it doesn’t move. Apply heat at 400°F for 60 seconds. Allow the shirt to cool before removing the sublimation paper. Your printed dark T-shirt is ready!
Learning how to sublimate dark T-shirts opens up many possibilities. You are no longer limited to lighter colors now. Whether you want to fulfill customer preferences or your projects, adding dark colors to your sublimation options makes you versatile. The final results make the extra effort and learning worth your time. Good luck on your next sublimation adventure!
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