10 Common Sublimation Issues & How to Fix Them

Sublimation printing is a game-changer for creating custom apparel, but it’s not always smooth sailing. Blurry prints, dull colors, ink bleeding, and incomplete transfers can quickly turn a project into wasted materials. Whether you’re designing on blank apparel, experimenting with youth sublimation shirts, or personalizing gifts, troubleshooting these mistakes is essential to achieving high-quality results.

Many sublimation mistakes happen due to using a low poly blend blank, incorrect pressure, improper materials, or issues with the heat press. Fortunately, these problems can be fixed with a few adjustments. Understanding the sublimation process and knowing how to avoid common sublimation mistakes will help you get crisp, vibrant designs every time. Keep reading to learn how to fix these issues and prevent them in the future.

Understanding the Sublimation Process

What do you need for sublimation? Before starting any sublimation project, it’s important to understand what you need. A proper setup includes a sublimation printer, high-quality sublimation ink, sublimation transfer paper, a heat press, and, above all else, 100% poly or high poly count blanks. Each element plays a crucial role in achieving vibrant, long-lasting prints.

Dye-infused printing turns sublimation ink into a gas using high heat and pressure. This gas then bonds with polyester fibers, creating a permanent design that won’t crack, fade, or peel. Unlike heat transfer vinyl, sublimation becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it. Key factors that impact the sublimation success are: 

• Temperature control: Pressing at the recommended temperature is crucial. Too much heat can lead to overheating sublimation and color shifting, while too little results in dull colors.
• Pressure settings: Inadequate pressure leads to incomplete transfers, while too much pressure can flatten the fabric texture and cause ink bleeding.
• Sublimation paper: Using the wrong sublimation paper can prevent proper ink release, leading to poor color accuracy and uneven pressure.
• Moisture management: Trapped moisture in the fabric or sublimation transfer paper can cause blurry designs or ghosting. Pre-press materials before sublimating to eliminate moisture.

By controlling these factors, you can ensure optimal results and avoid common sublimation problems.

Advanced Troubleshooting: 10 Common Sublimation Issues & How to Fix Them

Even with high-quality materials, common sublimation mistakes can still happen. These troubleshooting solutions will help you correct them.

1. Blurry or Ghosted Sublimation

Blurry or ghosted sublimation prints happen when the transfer paper shifts during pressing, creating a double-image effect that ruins the sharpness of the design. This issue is often caused by inadequate pressure, movement while lifting the heat press, or failure to secure the transfer paper properly. Even a slight misalignment can cause ghosting, making your design look unprofessional and unclear.

How to Fix Blurry or Ghosted Sublimation Prints

To prevent shifting, always secure the sublimation transfer paper with heat-resistant tape before pressing. This will keep the paper in place, ensuring the design stays crisp and aligned. When removing your fabric from the heat press, lift the platen smoothly without jerking or sliding the material. Moving the fabric too soon after pressing can cause the ink to smear, resulting in a blurred image.

If the problem persists, check your heat press for uneven pressure. Inconsistent pressure across the platen can lead to areas transferring at different rates, causing ghosting. Test for hot or cold spots using a heat gun and adjust your pressure settings to ensure an even press across the entire design. By securing the transfer properly and maintaining even heat and pressure, you can eliminate ghosting and achieve sharp, professional-quality sublimation prints.

2. Sublimation Colors Appearing Dull or Washed Out

When sublimation prints appear dull or washed out, the problem usually starts before the transfer. The quality of your sublimation ink, sublimation paper, and printer settings all determine how vibrant your final product will be. If your colors look faded straight out of the printer, it’s a sign that the ink isn’t laying down properly or your color profile is off. If the colors look fine on the paper but dull after pressing, the issue is likely the fabric, heat press settings, or paper quality.

How to Fix Dull or Washed Out Sublimation Prints

To achieve vibrant colors, first, check your printer settings. Using the correct ICC profile ensures accurate color reproduction and prevents your prints from looking faded or muted. Cheap sublimation paper or ink can also contribute to dull colors, as lower-quality products don’t absorb and transfer ink efficiently. Make sure you are using high-quality sublimation paper specifically designed for bright, long-lasting prints.

The fabric also plays a huge role. Sublimation requires polyester or polyester-coated surfaces to properly bond with the ink. Printing on fabrics with a low polyester content or using cotton will result in weak, washed-out designs. When working with blank women's clothing or youth sublimation shirts, check the fiber composition — polyester-rich fabrics will always produce the best results.

3. Sublimation Design Too Light or Faded

A design that looks too light or faded after pressing can be frustrating, especially when everything seemed fine before applying heat. This issue often stems from incorrect heat distribution, pressure problems, or using sublimation paper that doesn’t properly release the ink. If your design is faint, uneven, or missing details, something in your transfer process is preventing full ink transfer.

How to Get Vibrant Sublimation Prints

The first thing to check is your heat press settings. Sublimation ink requires a precise temperature to activate and bond with the material. If the heat is too low or uneven, the ink won’t fully transfer, leaving you with a faded or incomplete design. Ensure your press is reaching the recommended temperature and apply even pressure across the entire design.

Using high-quality sublimation blanks also makes a big difference. Some materials don’t absorb ink as well, which results in weaker prints. Always choose sublimation-ready blanks with a polyester coating or a high polyester percentage. If you’re printing on shirts, ensure they're designed for sublimation printing, as different fabrics yield different results.

4. Sublimation Transfer Looks Uneven or Patchy

Patchy or uneven sublimation transfers create an inconsistent, unprofessional look. These prints may have some areas that appear fully transferred while others look faded, leading to a design that doesn’t stand out. Uneven heat, moisture trapped in the fabric, or incorrect pressure settings are often to blame.

Best Fixes for Uneven Sublimation

The first step in solving this issue is checking your heat press. Uneven pressure can cause some parts of the design to transfer better than others. If certain areas of your press aren’t reaching the correct temperature, your design won’t be evenly applied. Use a heat gun to check for cold spots and adjust as needed.

Another common cause is moisture in the fabric or sublimation paper. Even a small amount of moisture can prevent the ink from bonding properly, leading to faded or uneven results. Pre-pressing your fabric for a few seconds before sublimating will eliminate moisture and create a smooth surface for the transfer. If using sublimation transfer paper, store it in a dry area to prevent humidity from affecting ink release.

5. Press Marks or Scorching on Sublimation Shirts

Scorching and press marks are among the most frustrating sublimation issues. A design might look perfect, but the entire shirt is ruined if there’s a visible press mark or a burnt area around it. This issue occurs when the heat is too high, the pressure is too strong, or the fabric is particularly sensitive to heat.

Avoiding Heat Damage on Sublimation Shirts

To prevent press marks, adjust your pressure settings so they’re firm but not excessive. Too much pressure flattens the fabric and can leave a visible imprint of the heat press plate. You can also use protective materials like Teflon sheets or butcher paper to create a barrier between the press and the fabric.

If you’re experiencing scorching, the temperature is likely too high. Reduce the heat slightly and press for a longer time if necessary. If scorching still occurs, try using heat-resistant foam pads to distribute the pressure more evenly. Some fabrics are more sensitive than others, so always test a small area before pressing a full design.

6. Sublimation Image Bleeding or Spreading

Ink bleeding occurs when the design appears smudged or runs beyond the intended print area. This happens when the ink is overheating, the material absorbs too much ink, or the sublimation paper isn’t properly holding the ink before transfer.

Sublimation Printing: How to Stop Ink Bleeding or Spreading

Lowering the heat press temperature will help control ink spread. If the ink is bleeding beyond the edges of your design, the press is likely getting too hot and over-activating the sublimation ink. Reducing the temperature slightly while extending the pressing time can prevent this.

The type of sublimation paper you use also plays a big role. Cheap or incorrect paper won’t properly contain the ink, leading to bleeding or smudging. Using high-quality sublimation transfer paper ensures the ink remains in place until it’s transferred to the material. If you’re experiencing ink oversaturation, adjusting the print settings to release less ink may also help.

7. Black Sublimation Prints Turning Brown or Red

Black sublimation ink should transfer deep and rich, but something is off when it turns brown, red, or even greenish. This issue happens when the ink is overheating, the color profile is incorrect, or the fabric isn’t properly absorbing the ink. Since black ink is a combination of cyan, magenta, and yellow, any imbalance in heat or color settings can cause unwanted shifts in tone. 

How to Fix Color Shifts in Sublimation

The first step is checking your heat press temperature. Overheating causes black ink to break down into its component colors, leading to reddish or brown hues instead of true black. Lowering the heat press temperature slightly can help maintain a deep black without shifting to unwanted colors. 

Using the correct ICC profile is also crucial. If your printer settings don’t match your sublimation ink and paper combination, the printed colors won’t translate accurately after pressing. Ensure your software uses the correct color profile for your specific brand of ink. Additionally, avoid using low-quality ink, as cheap formulations are more prone to color distortion under high heat. 

8. Sublimation Print Not Fully Transferring

One of the most frustrating sublimation issues is when part of the design transfers perfectly while other areas are faint or completely missing. This issue happens when the heat press isn’t applying even pressure, the temperature is too low, or the material isn’t fully sublimation-ready. 

How to Get Complete Sublimation Transfers

Start by ensuring your heat press is providing even heat and pressure across the entire design. If some areas of the print look great while others are faded, the problem is likely uneven pressure. Test your press with a blank sheet of paper to see if all areas are being pressed evenly. If needed, adjust your pressure settings or use a pressing pillow to help distribute the heat more consistently. 

Fabric choice is another factor. If you’re using sublimation on materials that don’t have a high polyester content, the ink won’t bond properly, leading to incomplete transfers. Stick to high-quality sublimation blanks made for heat transfer. Also, check that you’re using the right sublimation transfer paper — cheap or incompatible paper may not release enough ink onto the fabric. 

9. White Creases or Gaps in the Design

Nothing is more frustrating than completing a sublimation project only to discover that white creases or gaps have ruined the design. These gaps usually appear because the sublimation paper wrinkles during pressing, preventing the ink from fully transferring to the fabric. Moisture in the material can also create similar issues, causing certain areas to resist ink absorption. 

How to Avoid White Creases on Sublimation Blanks

To prevent creases, always make sure the sublimation transfer paper is completely flat before pressing. Even the slightest wrinkle can leave behind a white gap, so smooth out the paper carefully before securing it with heat-resistant tape. If you’re pressing fabric, lay it completely flat on the heat press to avoid folds or bunching. 

Pre-pressing fabric for a few seconds can also help eliminate moisture that might interfere with ink transfer. If you notice white areas appearing only in certain spots, humidity might be the issue. Storing your sublimation paper in a dry area and preheating your fabric before pressing will help prevent this from happening. 

10. Ink Residue or Staining on Sublimation Shirts

If you’ve ever pulled a freshly pressed sublimation shirt from the heat press and noticed unwanted ink smudges or stains, you know how frustrating it can be. Ink residue left behind on the press, paper, or fabric can transfer onto your next project, ruining the design. 

How to Prevent Ink Stains and Residue on Sublimation Shirts

Regular heat press maintenance is essential to avoid ink buildup. Over time, residual ink can accumulate on the platen and transfer to your next project. Cleaning your press regularly with heat press-safe cleaning agents will prevent this issue. 

Never reuse sublimation paper. Even if it looks like there’s ink left behind, reusing the same paper can cause unwanted ghosting or smudging. Always use fresh sublimation transfer paper for every project. Additionally, placing a sheet of butcher paper or blowout paper between the press and fabric will help absorb excess ink and prevent staining.

Optimizing Your Sublimation Setup for Better Results

A well-optimized sublimation setup is the key to achieving vibrant, long-lasting prints with minimal errors. Even the best designs can be ruined if the printer, heat press, or materials aren’t working together properly. Below are essential steps to optimize your sublimation process for the best possible results.

Proper Printer Maintenance

Your sublimation printer is one of the most critical parts of the process, and regular maintenance is essential for consistent results. Clogged nozzles, ink buildup, or outdated software can cause print quality issues that affect the final transfer. Running nozzle checks, cleaning the print heads, and keeping firmware up to date will keep your printer running smoothly. 

Choosing the Right Materials

The materials you use for sublimation significantly impact the quality of your prints. Not all fabrics and surfaces work for sublimation—polyester-based materials produce the best results. Avoid printing on cotton or fabrics with a low polyester content, as the ink won’t bond properly, leading to dull or faded designs. 

What Blanks to Use for Sublimation

If your goal is a bold, vibrant design, the result starts with the right blanks. Sublimation ink only bonds with polyester or polymer-coated materials, meaning fabric with too little polyester content will result in dull, faded designs. If you’re wondering what shirts to use for sublimation, the best choice is 100% polyester for the brightest, most durable results. Shirts with at least 65% polyester can also work, but the colors may appear slightly muted compared to higher-polyester fabrics.

Blended fabrics that contain cotton will not hold sublimation ink properly, leading to washed-out prints that fade after washing. While cotton shirts may feel softer, they are not ideal for sublimation unless treated with a special coating. When selecting blank apparel, always check the material content to ensure the fabric is suitable for sublimation printing. Selecting the correct blanks ensures that your designs transfer clearly, maintain color vibrancy, and last wash after wash.

Using High-Quality Sublimation Ink

Not all sublimation ink is created equal. Cheap ink can lead to inconsistent colors, fading, and poor transfer results. Investing in high-quality sublimation ink ensures accurate color reproduction, sharp details, and long-lasting designs. If you notice color shifting or poor print quality, switching to a premium ink brand may solve the problem. 

Working With Sublimation Transfer Paper

Sublimation transfer paper is crucial in transferring ink from the printer to the material. Using the wrong paper can lead to poor ink absorption, ghosting, or incomplete transfers. High-quality sublimation transfer paper holds ink properly, allowing it to release efficiently when heat is applied. If you’re struggling with dull colors, check that you’re using the correct paper and blank material for your printer. 

Flawless Sublimation Starts with the Right Blanks!

Sublimation success isn’t just about fixing mistakes — it’s about preventing them in the first place. Using the right sublimation blanks, high-quality sublimation transfer paper, and proper printer settings will ensure your designs are vibrant, sharp, and long-lasting. Whether you're working on personalized gifts or custom apparel, the right materials and setup make all the difference. 

For the best results, shop Bubbakins Blanks for premium-quality sublimation blank apparel designed for sublimation printing. Get high-quality materials and start pressing with confidence!