Sublimation On Cotton Without Spray! Although sublimation produces vivid results on polyester, sublimation on cotton is still possible. Yes, indeed! Cotton can be sublimated. But, natural fibers cannot be sublimated. Sublimation ink does not bond to them.
We had to use a variety of indirect methods in place of sublimating onto the cotton. We identified two efficient methods. They produced cheap and long-lasting outcomes. Now let’s examine the techniques that are being used.
Sublimation On Cotton By Utilizing 2 Methods
I achieved colorful results with polyester. My preferred way is utilizing Siser EasySubli HTV. It’s a durable and vibrant process. Even though it requires a few extra pieces of equipment, beginners could find it pricey.
But how can I disregard the interest of creating among beginners? I prefer using a depress poly-t plus spray on a cotton towel or t-shirt to sublimate. It’s less expensive, but I can’t promise that it will stay longer or won’t wash out.
But, yes! I tried this strategy because there is something you can count on with it.
Does cotton require sublimation spray? If you want to sublimate a shirt or garment with 0% polyester, you can still achieve brilliant colors, no-hand feel, and permanence of sublimation with this 100% cotton sublimation spray, according to its promises.
Process 1: Using Siser Easysubli With Sawgrass or Epson Printer (Preferred)
Sawgrass allows you to print on heat transfer vinyl from the Sawgrass print manager. That’s why I prefer the Sawgrass SG500 over the Epson Ecotank. Epson sublimation printers are also an option.
But, Sawgrass performs its functions more. It takes into account the substrate’s substance and improves color correction.
Supplied Required:
A t-shirt sublimation printer, Sawgrass, is preferred. Easysubli is HTV. The Sawgrass sublimation printer agrees with us in choosing the material. It also corrects colors according to the material.
· Sublimation inks
· Siser Easysubli HTV (In the first method)
· Lint roller
· Cricut cutter
· Cutting mat
· Weeding tool
· A heat press
· Cotton shirts
· A squeegee or a card
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Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Calibrate With Cricut
Calibrate your printer using a vinyl cutter as the initial step. Although I usually use the Cricut vinyl cutter, I’ve tried the GCC vinyl cutter this time. An alternative to the Cricut is a silhouette vinyl cutter, which you may also use.
Import your design into the software once it has been calibrated. To trace the image, make sure the registration marks are activated on the image as well. Furthermore, for GCC to cut a picture, printed registration marks must surround it.
Step 2: Print Using Sawgrass
Use a sawgrass printer to print the design after it has been imported and adjusted. The next step is to use Sawgrass Print Manager. Set the print substrate to heat transfer vinyl. Make sure the mirror option is not selected.
as the printed side will not be transferred to the substrate. Press the print button to print the design after the mirror is unchecked.
Step 3: Printing
We will cure the printed sheet because the paper may be damp after printing the design. Place the printed sheet under the heat press. Hover the upper plate a few inches above the printed sheet. We will only hover at a medium temperature over the printed page.
Step 4: Cut The Design
Once it has cured, lay the printed sheet over the cutting mat, insert it into the vinyl cutter, and begin cutting.
Step 5: Weed & Transfer
Following the cutting of the design, you can either hand-weed from the corner or use a weeding tool. Peel off the transfer sheet’s backing. Then, put it to the weeded picture after weeding the printed sheet. Using a credit card or squeegee, press it hard.
Step 6: Peel off the transfer
Once the transfer sheet has been applied, flip it over. Take the printed sheet out of the corner. Then, peel off the transfer sheet. Do this so that the printed pattern transfers onto the transfer sheet.
Step 7: Ready To Sublimate
For the Siser Easysubli, set the heat press to 15 seconds, 311F, and medium pressure. When the heat press is ready, position the cotton t-shirt underneath it.
Align the transfer sheet with the white transfer side facing down. Put butcher paper over the top and begin pressing.
Step 8: Final Result
Once the allotted time has elapsed, remove the heat press and remove the mask. That’s it.
Process 2: Using A Poly-T Spray (Affordable But Not Durable As Siser EasySubli)
Now, this process necessitates pretreating or curing the fabric before sublimating it. Thus, we’ll walk you through curing cotton for sublimation.
Supplied Required:
· A Sublimation printer
· Sublimation papers
· A heat press
· Cotton shirts
Required Supplies For Pretreatment
· 4-ounce Poly-T Plus Spray concentrate
· Spray bottle
· Cardboard
· Parchment paper
Step By Step Guide:
Step 1: Prepare Concentrate
To produce the combination, fill the 16-ounce spray bottle with 12 ounces of water. Then, add 4 ounces of concentrate. Once the spray is well-shaken, it’s ready. Now sandwich one piece of cardboard between the t-shirt.
Place the second piece over the center of the t-shirt, where you want to sublimate your image. Once the cardboard is in place, spray the corners to create the markings for the t-shirt. mist the T-shirt until it becomes damp.
Step 2: Heat press
Now place the t-shirt under the heat press. Cover it with the parchment paper. Press at 330 degrees for 40 seconds. When it’s finished, the second coat can be applied. You’ll also notice that the heat press is producing steam.
Compared to the first coat, the second coat will now be less wet. Now, the spray is in the same spot.
Step 3: Heat Press Again
Press the shirt with the parchment paper after the second spraying. And we’ll only heal it for 20 seconds this time. The cotton shirt has now dried and is prepared for sublimation.
Step 4: Print The Design
Use your sublimation printer to create the design. Then, transfer it to the cured region of the t-shirt. Press it for 70 seconds at medium pressure and 385F. After placing the parchment or butcher paper on top, secure it with heat-resistant tape. Fine! It’s here: our colorful sublimated cotton t-shirt.
Ways To Sublimate On Cotton
Besides my precise cotton sublimation techniques, I found a few more ways to achieve cotton sublimation. Some of them are pretty unconventional.
· Using DTF powder coat
· Sublimation fabric method
· White glitter HTV sublimation
Except for white glitter HTV, it’s worth experimenting with these techniques. Because, even as an experienced crafter, I seem to find the other two approaches difficult. My methods are streamlined. You can use them for do-it-yourself projects or business-to-business sales.
Will Sublimation Wash Out Of Cotton
Sublimation is a real chemical process that bonds with synthetic fibers. If it is used on cotton without curing, it is likely to fade or wash out. Additionally, sublimation ink is fused to the polymer covering of the t-shirt.
This is instead of cotton. Thus, the ink will also be removed if the coat is taken off. You Can Read More. Sublimation On Dark Shirt
Can You Sublimate On 100 Cotton
On t-shirts made of cotton, sublimation is possible, but not straight onto the material. Either the coat procedure or the Siser HTV process must be followed. Both are robust and long-lasting.
The SIser HTV is the better option because it is more robust and versatile. It can also remove color limitations. In the article The Best Sublimation Paper for a Dark Shirt, I also reviewed the Siser HTV. Can you sublimate directly on cotton?
Yes, you can do it! You can do it in two ways. 1 Heat Transfer Vinyl. 2 sublimation coating spray. You may have initially learned the basic rules of t-shirt printing that do not recommend sublimation on cotton shirts or dark-colored garments.
Conclusion
Make use of these two techniques; you won’t be sorry. You can sublimate on cotton in a few easy steps. It doesn’t matter if you’re sublimating it for a printing project or a family member’s t-shirt.
I would never tell sublimating on pure cotton. The sublimation ink won’t stick to it. One wash will destroy your labor-intensive DIY project.
