Are you new to sublimation or just looking to expand your craft?

If that’s you, you’re probably trying to figure out what else you can sublimate on. 

Well, you’re in luck. We are going to uncover some sublimation-friendly materials for you.

You’ll see that there are lots of craft projects made by sublimation that you may not have thought of.

I get commissions for purchases made through some of the links in this post. There is no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

What are the best materials for sublimation? 

There are lots of craft supplies that you can use for sublimation.

Some will be better than others.

It all depends on how much work you’re willing to do.

We’ll cover the best materials from fabric, metal, ceramic, and wood.

Fabric

The best fabric for sublimation is 100% polyester.

Other blended materials will do but aim for a minimum of 50% polyester. 

Apart from polyester, other good options include nylon spandex and lycra.

All these materials are human-made, which makes it easy for the material to absorb and retain the ink. 

Can you sublimate on cotton?

Stay away from natural fibers like cotton (unless you use the two-step trick in the video at the end of the post).

These fibers can’t absorb ink as well as artificial fibers.

On top of that, ink fades away faster on cotton when you wash it.

A blend of polyester and cotton can work, but it will still fade away very quickly. What about rayon? Can you sublimate on rayon without it fading? Find out in this post.

If you’re a Cricut user, try their Infusible Ink t-shirts.

Unlike using iron-on transfers or vinyl, where the design is applied to the surface using adhesive, an Infusible Ink heat transfer becomes one with the material itself.  

This is perfect for you if you don’t want the bulk that can come from cutting multiple layers of heat transfer vinyl to put on fabric.

Meaning, no more bulky layers, peeling, flaking vinyl or wondering how to fix wrinkled vinyl on shirts.

Want to save this post? Pin it to your sublimation crafts board on Pinterest and come back to it later.

Polymers

Polymers like Teflon and nylon also blend well with sublimation dyes.

You can use both natural and synthetic polymers. 

However, synthetic polymers usually work better for sublimation.

Some of the options that you can sublimate on include:

• keychains
• notebooks
• skinny tumblers
• bookmarks
• beer can cooler sleeves

Ceramic

Ceramic is a hard heat-resistant material that is commonly used to make earthenware. 

Because it is heat resistant, ceramic makes another excellent option for sublimation.

Once the dye sticks to the ceramic, it won’t peel off, and the microwave or dishwasher won’t damage your print.  

You can sublimate on all ceramic objects like tiles, mugs, or vases.

Here again, the microwave or dishwasher won’t damage your prints.

Can you sublimate on any mug? 

If your mug is made of ceramic, it will be easier to sublimate.

However, other mugs may need you to put a polymer coating before you sublimate. 

An easy, ready-to-make option is the Cricut mug press bundle. It comes with

• a ceramic mug
• pens
• markers
• transfer sheets
• a mug press

Need ideas for making mugs? See my post on 20 tumbler crafts that are easy to make.

Can you sublimate on wood?

You can’t directly sublimate on wood because it can’t withstand the press’s high temperatures. 

However, you’ll be happy to know that there is a way around this.

How to safely sublimate on wood

If you add a polymer coating to the wood, you can safely sublimate on it. 

It’s common to cover the wood with a few coats of polymer-based paint. Once the polymer paint cures, you can sublimate on the wood. 

For a shortcut, use wood blanks that are already coated like this pack of earring blanks from Amazon.

Can you sublimate on stainless steel or metal? 

To sublimate on metal, you will need to apply polymer paint and let it cure. The polymer paint allows the metal to absorb the ink better. 

Another option is to use metal that is already coated, like these metal business cards 

Pros and cons of sublimation on metal

Metal is a good option to sublimate on because it lasts long.

It’ll be around longer than your average t-shirt.

The only negative about sublimating on metal is that it’s difficult to get the color matching correct.

The color on the sublimation paper may look very different from how it looks on the metal. 

Can I Sublimate on Cotton?

Putting your sublimation ink onto cotton is usually a difficult process; it may smudge or disappear after the first few washes.

However, you can use a two-step process. 

2 steps for sublimating on cotton fabric

Instead of sublimating directly on the cotton, put your sublimation in print onto a white glitter vinyl.

Then you can use the white glitter vinyl to imprint the cotton with a heat press machine. 

Let’s Talk About the Best Sublimation Material For You

Polyester: Your Go-To for Awesome Sublimation

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of sublimation materials. First up, polyester is your BFF in the world of sublimation.

Polyester shirts, whether they’re 100% polyester or a solid polyester blend, are just perfect for this.

Why? Because polyester fabric has this cool ability to absorb sublimation ink like a sponge, locking in those vibrant colors and designs. 

How Sublimation Works on Polyester

In case you don’t know how the sublimation process works, I’ll give you a quick recap.

Sublimation printing works by changing the solid form particle directly into a gaseous state and into the fibers of the fabric. 

Type of Shirt

Polyester black shirts also work but if you’re aiming for the best shirts that really pop, go for white polyester. It’s the ideal choice – it’s like a blank canvas waiting for your creativity!

Why Cotton Just Doesn’t Cut It

Now, about cotton shirts and natural fibers… well, they’re kind of a no-go for sublimation.

They just don’t mesh well with sublimation dye. You can try using products like Siser EasySubli or sublimation spray to make cotton work, but it’s a bit hit or miss.

They can give a cool vintage look or work on dark shirts, but they don’t quite match up to the wow factor of polyester.

Sublimation’s Not Just About Clothes!

Guess what? Sublimation’s not just about clothes. There’s a whole world out there beyond polyester fabric!

You can sublimate on all sorts of things like coffee mugs, ceramic tiles, even wood blanks – as long as they’ve got a special coating or polymer paint.

It’s a great way to put your own spin on everyday items. Whether it’s for your business, a personal project, or just for fun, there’s so much you can do with sublimation.

So, why stick to just polyester t-shirts when you can put your printed design on so many things?

From turning a plain mug into a masterpiece in your mug press to impressing your friends with custom tumblers, the possibilities are endless.

You’ll quickly find new favorite sublimation blanks. 

And remember, experimenting is the best part – you never know what amazing creation you’ll come up with next in the vibrant world of sublimation printing!

Yield: 1

How to Sublimate On Cotton

Print

Sublimation on cotton can be done but it's usually a difficult process. The ink can smudge or disappear after the first few washes. However, there is another option to get it done. You can do it if you use a two-step process. 

Active Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Difficulty Medium

Estimated Cost 25

Materials

• white glitter vinyl
• sublimation paper
• cotton t-shirt

Tools

• heat press machine

Instructions

1. Print your design on sublimation paper and also onto a white glitter vinyl sheet
2. Apply the sublimation paper and the vinyl sheet onto the cotton shirt

Notes

There are several methods to sublimate on cotton. Check out a few to find out which method you prefer. See the method used by FairyTale Dreams in the video below.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Gildan Women's Heavy Cotton V-Neck T-Shirt, 2-Pack, White, X-Large
• 
  WHITE Glitter Vinyl, 12" x 12" Sheets Self-Adhesive Glitter Vinyl for Cricut Maker Explore, Silhouette Cameo, Crafts, Stickers, Decals, Tumblers, Bottles + Bonus Exclusive Sample by Turner Moore (5pk)
• 
  Sublimation Paper 100 Sheets 8.5 x 11 Inches, for Any Inkjet Printer with Sublimation Ink Epson, HP, Canon Sawgrass, Heat Transfer Sublimation for Mugs T-shirts Light Fabric

What’s next? What is needed for sublimation printing?

When it comes to sublimation materials, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Now that you know how many items you can sublimate on, you can check out my 10 must-have supplies for sublimation t-shirts and make your first project today!

Want to save this post for later? Click the link to save it to your crafts board on Pinterest.