The sublimation magic all starts with a few essential items.
Ready to start your sublimation journey? You will need a few things like a heat press, sublimation printer, and software. Below is a list of everything you will need to get started with sublimation.
Your Checklist
- Bare substrate
- Printed transfer
- Heat tape
- Cleaning cloth
- All purpose cleaner
- Heat gloves
- Scissors
- Protective paper
- Heat press
Heat Press
A heat press is an essential item to your sublimation success. Click below to understand what heat press is right for you.
Sublimation Printer
Another item you will need is a sublimation printer filled with sublimation inks and sublimation transfer paper. Below are a few options recommended by our industry partners.
- Sawgrass SG500
A4 desktop inkjet printer using 4 color Sawgrass SubliJet-HD inks - Sawgrass SG1000
A4 / A3 desktop inkjet printer using 4 color Sawgrass SubliJet-HD inks - Epson SureColor F100/F130/F170
A4 desktop inkjet printer using 4 color Epson UltraChrome DS inks - Epson SureColor F500/F560/F570
A4 / A3 / 24inch (60cm) desktop inkjet printer using 4 color Epson UltraChrome DS inks - Sawgrass Virtuoso 628
25 inch (63cm) desktop inktjet printer with 4 or 8-color SubliJet-HD ink configuration
Design Software
There are many software options ranging from basic to advanced that you can use to create designs.
- Sawgrass CreativeStudio online design software
This is a design software compatible with your Sawgrass sublimation printer. This program comes loaded with free Unisub templates to help guide your creations. - Sublimation design software for your PC/MAC
There are a variety of software options for free or to purchase that you can make sublimation designs with. Some examples of this software are Adobe products, Microsoft office products, etc. - Creative software for your smartphone or iPad
There are a variety of software options for free or to purchase that you can make sublimation designs with. Some examples of this software are Adobe products, Microsoft office products, etc.
Sublimation Compatible Product
If you are looking for amazing, high-quality sublimation blanks you came to the right place. Unisub has more than 320 products all manufactured specifically for dye sublimation.
Other Items
Besides the items noted above, there are a few other items you made already have laying around your house that will help make your sublimation journey a successful one.
- Heat Tape
Heat tape will be used to secure the transfer from your sublimation printer to your product. Heat tape can be purchased at your local craft store. - Scissors
Scissors are needed to cut any excess white paper from around your printed transfer. - Clean Microfiber Cloth or Compressed Air
You will want to make sure that the surface of your product and transfer is clean and free of any dust or lint. - Heat Resistant Gloves
The products you are pressing will be hot coming off of the press. You will need heat resistant gloves or an oven mitt to avoid getting burned by your press. - Cooling Rack
You will want a cooling rack so your product can cool off for a bit after sublimation. - Protective Paper or Blowout Paper
Protective paper will absorb any excess inks from your transfer, keeping your heat press in great condition.