Sublimation on faux leather Sheets and Keychains (With Pictures)
Sublimation on faux leather sheets is a good way to turn your handmade pastime into a profitable business, whether your goal is to create leather wallets, shoes,
jewelry, or jackets. Before beginning any kind of sublimation on leather, you should familiarize yourself with the necessary supplies, tools, and kinds of leather. Let’s continue reading to learn more about sublimation on leather.
Can You Do Sublimation On Leather?
Indeed, leather can be sublimated. This personalizes different kinds of leather substrates. They can be utilized for customization. It’s also a great idea to start selling them online.
Which Type of Leather Works Well for Sublimation?
There are several varieties of leather, such as synthetic and natural leather. Synthetic leather is sometimes known as faux leather. It can endure sublimation. This is because synthetic fibers including plastic, polyurethane, PVC, and wax are used in its production.
Therefore, several kinds of leather substrates are sublimated using faux leather. The sublimated synthetic leather can be used to make shoes and clothes. It may also be used on notebooks, pet tags, keychains, and other items. While faux leather is more affordable and long-lasting than PU, it nevertheless has the same tactile quality.
Synthetic leather also comes in various types, such as PU, PVC, and vinyl. These types are best for sublimation and are available in PU leather sheets. However, PU and faux leather differ greatly from one another. PU is 100% polyurethane synthetic. It can be used for sublimation. Faux is a mixture of synthetic substances.
Supplies You’ll Need
· An inkjet printer that works with Circuit Maker I’ve decided on ET-3760 & and ET-4800.
You can utilize the sublimation paper with the A-sub sublimation bundle. A-submit document
· Sublimation inks – Cosmos or Hippo (Recommended)
· A Cricut Maker to cut the leather – Cricut Explore 3
· Butcher paper
· Heat-resistant tape
· Scissor
· Sublimation HTV – I’m using HTVRONT to use as a laminate surface on leather
· Track Easy press or A flat exterior heat press
· Plain Faux leather sheets – According to your choice
A Comprehensive Guide for Sublimating on Leather
We’ll use an HTVRONT vinyl sheet as a lamination over the faux leather to keep the sublimation ink from harming the leather. I’ve already covered steps 2, 3, 4, and 5 for getting the imitation leather ready.
Step 1: Print the design
Print the 8” x 11” size design or according to the size of the substrate. Free internet resources and design packs are fantastic sources of inspiration.
Step 2: Prepare the Faux leather
The next step is to cut the faux leather according to the size of the printed sublimation paper. Place the leather on the grip mat and cut an 8 by 11-inch substrate. Make sure the leather’s smooth side is facing downward on the grip mat, then fasten it firmly with painter’s tape. Additionally, cut the vinyl sheet to fit the substrate’s dimensions. My substrate size is 8 by 11 inches.
Step 3: Press the vinyl on the faux leather
It’s time to laminate the leather after cutting both the vinyl and the leather. Place the butcher paper on the vinyl grip mat. Put the faux leather facing up on the smooth surface. Now, place the already cut vinyl sheet on the smooth surface of the leather. Make sure the vinyl sheet’s glossy side will be facing up.
Step 4: Tape down
After placing the vinyl sheet, tape down the faux leather and vinyl sheet. This prevents them from moving while heat pressing. Now cover the top of the substrate that has been taped down with another sheet of butcher paper.
Step 5: Press the substrate
Heat press the leather substrate for 20 seconds at 395F after covering it with butcher paper. The leather is prepared for sublimation; remove the butcher paper and heat-resistant tape.
Step 6: Ready to Sublimate
Now place the printed sublimation paper facing down on the prepared surface of the faux leather. The printed side should be touching the surface. Secure it with heat-resistant tape and place the butcher paper over the top.
Step 7: Heat press
395F for 50 seconds is the heat press temperature for the leather. Remove the tapes and sublimation paper. And voilà! Your design on leather is ready to use in making different personalized items.
How Long Do You Sublimate Faux Leather?
The ideal time for leather sublimation is 50 seconds, and the temperature is 395F with medium-heavy pressure.
You may like sublimation on stainless steel
Useful Tips to Do Sublimation On Leather
1. You have the option to use pre-printed sublimation patterns that are provided by Circuit in addition to the sublimation printer. Printed patterns can be used to create a variety of designs for wallets and keychains.
2. I’ve sublimated the plain faux leather sheet. You can use the sublimated leather sheet to make keychains using keychain hardware and a crimping tool. You can make notebooks, leather wallets, and much more.
3. To print on genuine leather, use the printable heat transfer vinyl to make the designs.
4. Other than printing on the leather sheet, there are various types of pre-made leather sublimation blanks available, you can sell and start sublimating them immediately.
5. You can use scissors or the XACT knife as an alternative to the cutting machine like Circuit or Silhouette if you’re limited on a budget.
Asked Questions
Can a printer print on leather?
Commercial leather printing requires a printer to print onto leather shoes and various sublimation materials. Either it is the dye sublimation on the commercial grade printers or the use the various types of curated inks. Commercial business owners also use pigment ink to make the ink and leather UV and water-resistant.
Does heat damage faux leather?
Faux leather is often a heat-sensitive fiber. It could deteriorate if it is not shielded from the sun and chemical detergents. But, faux leather contains polyurethane that protects the leather from all harsh elements but despite that, you need to take care and not expose it to direct burning sunlight and damping.
Conclusion
With this article, I hope you can get started with DIY sublimation printing. In addition to sublimating on polyester t-shirts, acrylic, and glass, leather can be used to create lovely designs. Now you’ve got the answer can you do sublimation on leather? Say yes! Follow the above steps to do the dye sublimation.
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Read More: How to Start A Sublimation Business | How Much It Costs
