With this sublimation method, you can use any color shirt that you want! A white shirt works just as well as a black or colorful shirt.
It’s okay if your design’s length or width isn’t exactly 6. 75 inches x 9. 25 inches (17. 15 x 23. 5 cm). Just make sure it’s not larger than those dimensions.
You’ll now have a black image–your offset–behind your original design. The offset is the image that you’ll cut out of your Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV). Your design will actually sublimate onto the HTV on your shirt. Because your offset is slightly larger than your design, a bit of the HTV will be visible on your shirt. If you don’t want to see any, make your offset the same size as your design. If you want to see more, make the offset larger.
Make sure the reverse image option is deselected. You already mirrored your image in Cricut Design Space.
Regular matte, shiny, and holographic HTV’s are great to use for sublimating on a cotton shirt. Always place the shiny or more decorative side of your HTV face down on your mat. This is the side that you’ll see on your shirt.
If you want to apply your design precisely, use your heat press to create a crease down the center of your shirt. Simply fold your shirt in half and apply the heat press to the fold for several seconds.
To prevent any potential color bleeding, put a piece of paper inside your shirt.
If you want extra security as you press, use heat resistant tape to stick your design to the HTV so it doesn’t move.
For this sublimation method, T-shirts in lighter colors like white, gray, and pastels usually work the best.
Be sure to print your design on the side of the paper with no words. Whether you place your paper up or down in your paper tray depends on your printer. Before printing, double check that the reverse image option is deselected.
Sublimation doesn’t usually work well on cotton because the dye can’t penetrate the cotton fibers. The sublimation spray gives the sublimation dye something to soak in to.
White, gray, and lighter colored t-shirts tend to work the best with this method. With “Print and Cut,” remember to size your image to a width no more than 6. 75 inches (17. 15 cm) and a height no more than 9. 25 inches (23. 5 cm). It’s okay if your design’s length or width isn’t exactly 6. 75 inches x 9. 25 inches (17. 15 x 23. 5 cm). Just make sure it’s not larger than those dimensions.
Because you already mirrored your design, sure the reverse image option is deselected.
Do not press your design. This can smudge the ink and melt the adhesive.
When you finish pulling off the excess paper, you’ll be left with your design resting on top of translucent, backing paper.
Preheating your shirt before you press on your design removes any pesky wrinkles and unwanted moisture.
To prevent any potential color bleeding, put a piece of paper inside your shirt too.
