Sublimation on Cotton (Dye Sublimation Printing on 100 Cotton)
Sublimation has been a great way of transferring your favorite sublimation designs onto the desired material through the heat press. And you are always required to have the polyester material to sublimate for getting the best and expected results. Because the sublimation ink transfers much better onto the polyester-coated material than the non-polyester. You may have thought that your sublimation is possible onto polyester materials, not cotton. But now sublimation on cotton garments isn’t impossible anymore. And you can sublimate to cotton by using the Glitter HTV and following the given easy steps. And the coming results will be as much prominent as you get onto the polyester fibers.
Sublimation isn’t a rough or difficult thing rather it’s an interesting thing as we are doing it for the past few years. Whether you do this for yourself or for your business. It would be very interesting if I get my own picture or my favorite design onto the cotton t-shirt. Because it matters a lot for those who are fond of having sublimated materials or whatever material they want to sublimate on. But always follow the right strategy to get the best results and here you gonna get the right strategy with more easy steps to have the required results.
Table of Contents
- Materials required for sublimation on cotton garments
- How to Sublimate on Cotton
- Step 1 – Purchasing Sublimation ink markers and a plastic bag
- Step 2 – Colors mixing with some water by Paintbrush
- Step 3 – Ready the design via design software
- Step 4 – Mirroring and cutting the design
- Step 5 – Removing the excess from the glitter and paper
- Step 6 – Using a lint roller
- Step 7 – Heating your heat press and press the design
- Step 8 – Adding the mixed color paper onto Glitter HTV
- Step 9 – The design is ready
- Sublimation on Cotton FAQs
- Conclusion
Materials required for sublimation on cotton garments
These are the must-have materials to complete this process and to have wonderful results. Let’s talk about how you can sublimate the cotton without facing any difficulty.
How to Sublimate on Cotton
You may see many other materials to be sublimated because polyester materials are easy to sublimate and get brilliant results. But when it comes to sublimating the cotton shirt, it compels you to think that how it will be sublimated. And for a matter of time, we accept that we can sublimate the cotton but what about the results when the process will be done? Let me tell you that it’s not as difficult as you are thinking because I have proven it by our experience and I am gonna show it to you in an easy way.
Step 1 – Purchasing Sublimation ink markers and a plastic bag
First of all, you will have to have a mixture of markers but it should be coordinated to look good. If you want to add mixing colors to your sublimation designs that you want to sublimate. And the other thing you will need here is a plastic bag for getting the colors of selected markers.
Step 2 – Colors mixing with some water by Paintbrush
In this step, you will color your plastic bag with each marker and then add some water. The reason for coloring on your plastic bag is that you will mix it with the paintbrush because the water has also been added there. Now you will mix the color with a paintbrush and after mixing the colors well, mixed colors sublimation ink will be added to the paper by the paintbrush.
But make sure you have colored more area than the area where you want to sublimate to get as better results as the polyester gives. And when the coloring process gets done, leave it for some time to get dry completely.
Read more: Best Sublimation Printer 2023
Step 3 – Ready the design via design software
Before going to the next step, make sure you have the design that you want to sublimate. If you don’t have the design and want to create some brilliant and eye-catchy designs? You must read this helpful article on how to make a sublimation design. It will help you in making some customized and attractive designs.
Because it has been discussed in detail and not only the detail is given but all the applicable software has also been mentioned. So, you can create blinders within the minutes, even if you don’t have the design sense because of their easy-to-use interfaces and designing abilities.
Read More: Best Sublimation Printers for Heat Transfer
Step 4 – Mirroring and cutting the design
Now you will cut the design from the glitter HTV and the paper as well. But before cutting your design, mirror your design. Because we prefer you to mirror your design when the mat or any other thing is facing your material downside. Once you mirrored the design, it’s time to put the paper that is colored with a paintbrush.
The colored side should be facing the Cricut machine to cut properly excessive areas. But you need to keep in mind one thing the colored side must be against the HTV. Besides the Cricut machine, you can also use the joy or Cricut maker to do this process. Also, make sure you have an idea about the Cricut machine and how it works and it cuts the materials.
Related: How to do Sublimation with Cricut
Step 5 – Removing the excess from the glitter and paper
Before starting the sublimation process, make sure to remove all the excess from the glitter and the paper as well. So that you allow the heat press to press only this little paper not the excessive whole paper.
Related: Top 5 Best Sublimation Papers of 2023
Step 6 – Using a lint roller
Well, I have seen many sublimation business owners who don’t recommend any safety equipment to have better results. And I would suggest you use the lint roller. It will help you to clean all the moisture or dust from the shirt to get them clean and smooth sublimation results.
Read More: Types of Sublimation Printers
Step 7 – Heating your heat press and press the design
Just start heating your heat press and when it’s heated properly according to manufacturer instructions. But recommended sublimation temperature for cotton or heat press setting for cotton sublimation is 360 F for 30 seconds. Then you can press the design that you have made through the designing software covered with the carrier sheet. Let me tell you that plz don’t ignore the time and temperature. Because applying the wrong temperature can spoil your hard work and shirt as well. This is the most thing that you should ask your manufacturer before going through the sublimation process.
Related: How to Remove the Sublimation Ink from Shirt?
Step 8 – Adding the mixed color paper onto Glitter HTV
When the pressing process gets done successfully, remove the covered sheet carefully. Now you will add that inked or colored paper onto the material to be pressed. But make sure to fix it with heat-resistant tape to avoid any kind of ghosting towards the design. Also, use protective paper or any kind of protective sheet on the upper side of the glitter and the underside. Only to avoid the design passing toward the backside of the shirt.
Related: 15 Types of Shirt Printing 2023
Step 9 – The design is ready
When you see that you have pressed it for a recommended time and at recommended temperature. Then leave it for some time to let it cool because in case of touching the hot shirt can burn or hurt your hands. But if you don’t want to spend more time, use the gloves to remove the paper and the resistant tape from glitter.
Congrats! Your design is completely ready. This is the best way to sublimate the cotton shirts and you can use it for your business or your shirts.
Sublimation on Cotton FAQs
Conclusion
We are gone through one of the best methods to sublimate the cotton shirts which is Glitter. And we have mentioned every minor thing related to this process and guided you in detail with easy steps. You can easily complete your project by following these steps within the minutes. But make sure to follow all the steps carefully and apply the time and temperature directed by the manufacturer.
