You have the creativity and the designs. Now, you're ready to make something cute with those blank shirts. So, how do you bring the two together without ending up with cracks, peeling edges, or worse... faded color right after the first wash?
Sublimation printing offers one of the most reliable ways to create custom apparel that actually lasts. If you’re ready to learn how it works and avoid common mistakes, we’re about to walk through everything that matters. From materials to prep to pressing, this guide will help you turn those plain shirts into something worth showing off.
It might sound technical, but sublimation is surprisingly simple once you understand what’s happening. Instead of laying ink on top of fabric, like vinyl or screen printing, sublimation lets the ink soak in and bond with the fibers.
Here’s how it works: you print your design onto special sublimation paper using special sublimation ink. Then, using heat and pressure, the ink turns into gas and fuses with polyester threads in the shirt. The end result feels smooth to the touch.
This process only works on polyester-rich fabric, and it shows up best on white or light colors. The ink is transparent, so it won’t cover dark shirts or anything with a lot of cotton. If you try pressing onto a dark cotton shirt, don’t be surprised when the image looks dull or completely disappears.
Once you know the material limitations, though, sublimation is one of the most fun and consistent ways to print on apparel.
The blank shirt you start with plays a huge role in how your final print turns out. Even the best design can look washed out or uneven if the fabric isn’t right. Start with high-quality sublimation shirts blank and ready for your design. With sublimation, it’s simply about what the shirt is made of and how it reacts to heat and ink.
Sublimation ink needs polyester to work correctly. Remember... the ink doesn’t just sit on the surface like screen printing or heat transfer vinyl. It actually bonds with the fibers. If those fibers aren’t polyester, there’s nothing for the ink to cling to.
Shirts made from 100% polyester will always give you the strongest, brightest results. Blends with at least 65% polyester can still work, but the colors might look more muted or fade faster over time.
Cotton doesn’t hold sublimation ink because the ink needs to bond with polyester fibers during the heating process. Since cotton lacks the synthetic structure that sublimation ink latches onto, the dye has nowhere to settle. You might see the design at first, but it’ll sit on the surface instead of bonding, and it usually fades fast or vanishes completely after washing.
White shirts work best for sublimation. Since the ink is see-through, there’s no way to print a design with white because the shirt provides that part of the design. Light pastels can also work, but expect the colors to shift slightly.
Stick with smooth fabric. If the surface is ribbed or textured, the print can come out blotchy. Run your hand across the shirt before pressing — if it’s not flat, your design won’t be either.
Before you start creating colorful, customized shirts, you'll need the right supplies. The sublimation process doesn’t require a ton of gear, but each item plays a key role in your final results. From your printer to the paper to your press, getting the right setup makes a huge difference in both quality and consistency.
You’ll need an inkjet printer specifically designed for sublimation or one that’s been properly converted. Popular choices include desktop-sized models that are beginner-friendly, as well as pro setups for higher volume.
The key is making sure your printer uses sublimation ink, not regular inkjet cartridges. If you’re starting from scratch, investing in a purpose-built sublimation printer will save you time and troubleshooting.
Sublimation paper is specially coated to hold sublimation ink and release it efficiently under heat. It’s designed to keep your colors crisp and your edges clean. Paired with special sublimation ink, it’s responsible for the vibrancy and sharpness of your final design.
Low-quality paper or off-brand ink can lead to dull colors, smudges, or ghosting. For best results, choose paper that’s recommended for your specific printer model and stick to ink brands known for their color consistency and durability.
Designing your artwork is half the fun. Programs like Canva, Photoshop, Silhouette Studio, and Affinity Designer all work well for sublimation projects. These programs are perfect for simple jobs or even more complex sublimation projects that require layering or multiple design files.
Make sure your design is high-resolution and correctly sized for the shirt you're printing on. You’ll also want to mirror the image before printing so it transfers correctly when pressed.
A few small accessories can go a long way toward improving your workflow and print quality. Heat-resistant tape helps secure your transfer paper in place. This prevents it from shifting during pressing, which can lead to ghosting. You’ll also want a lint roller, blowout paper, and maybe a pressing pillow or foam pad for seams and buttons.
Creating a standout shirt starts with more than just a cool image. The way you prep and size your design has a huge impact on how it looks once transferred. Even the most stunning artwork can fall flat if it’s blurry, misaligned, or printed at the wrong scale.
Start with a high-resolution file. Your design should be at least 300 DPI to ensure it stays sharp when printed. If you’re using photographs or intricate graphics, vector files like SVG or high-res PNGs will give you cleaner results than low-quality JPEGs.
Always mirror your design before printing — this is especially important if it includes text. When it’s time to press, the design needs to face the shirt in reverse to come out correctly. Skipping this step is an easy way to end up with backwards lettering.
A design that looks perfect on an adult large might overwhelm a youth medium. Sizing matters, especially when working across different garments. Make sure to resize your image depending on the shirt type — a chest logo for youth blank shirts will need to be smaller than one for a men's tee.
Some crafters like to create design templates for common shirt sizes. This helps you place the artwork correctly and avoid designs that are too high, too low, or off-center.
One of the most common issues in sublimation is color mismatch. Always preview your design on screen with color profiles that closely match your printer's color settings. What looks neon pink on your monitor might print as soft coral if your settings are off.
One thing a lot of people forget is transparency. If your design includes white areas, they’ll come out as the fabric color since sublimation doesn’t use white ink. Designing for sublimation is not the same as designing for heat transfer vinyl, so skip the glittery fonts and high-opacity layers that don’t translate well with ink.
When it comes to custom shirts, there’s more than one way to add your artwork. Each one has its strengths, so the best choice often depends on your shirt type, design, and budget.
Screen printing is a traditional method that uses stencils and layers of ink to build your design on a shirt. It works well on cotton, handles bold designs easily, and is cost-effective for large batches. The downside is that it requires a lot more setup, especially for multi-color designs, and the inks sit on top of the fabric, which can crack or peel over time.
Sublimation, on the other hand, doesn’t peel or crack because the ink bonds with the fabric. It’s also better for full-color designs and small runs since there’s no screen setup involved.
Think of direct-to-garment printing like an inkjet printer for shirts — it sprays color directly onto the fabric, no transfer paper needed. DTG works well on cotton and dark fabrics, which gives it an edge where sublimation falls short. However, DTG prints don’t have the same fade-resistant longevity that sublimation provides on polyester.
DTG printers also tend to be more expensive and require more maintenance. If you're mainly working with poly-based shirts, sublimation still delivers the best combo of color and durability.
From tiny infant tees to oversized adult shirts and tricky styles like tanks, knowing how to adjust your approach by size and cut can make the difference between a wonky print and a polished final product.
Infant blank t-shirts and youth sizes are smaller and more delicate to work with. You'll need to resize your design so it fits well without overwhelming the shirt. Pressing pillows are helpful for these smaller garments, especially around seams and snaps.
Adult shirts give you more room to work with, but they also introduce new challenges. Larger sizes may need a wider press or extra attention to heat distribution. Make sure your heat press is covering the entire design evenly, especially for full-front prints.
Tanks, V-necks, and scoop-neck tees are popular choices, but their unique cuts require a little extra care. For tanks, avoid pressing over seams. Use foam inserts or pillows to create a level surface.
V-necks often call for lower placement of the design, but don’t go too low. Keep your artwork visible and balanced with the shirt’s shape. Always double-check alignment from multiple angles before pressing.
Even the most seasoned sublimation crafters run into hiccups. From unexpected color issues to faded transfers or ghosting, things can go sideways if your setup isn’t dialed in. Knowing what to look for — and how to fix it — helps you get back on track quickly without wasting materials.
5689happens when the transfer paper shifts during pressing, leaving a faint double image behind. Faded prints usually point to incorrect pressure, low temperature, or too little polyester in the shirt.
Color mismatches can occur if your printer settings don’t match your design software. You might also run into press marks, especially on softer fabrics or seams.
To prevent ghosting, always secure your paper with heat-resistant tape. For fading, check that your heat press is fully warmed up and maintaining even pressure. If you're using a heat press machine with adjustable pressure, fine-tune it for the specific shirt thickness to avoid over-compression or faded edges.
If your colors are off, calibrate your printer and double-check your color profiles. It helps to run a test print on a scrap piece before committing to your final blank.
A clean, well-maintained heat press delivers better results. Wipe down the press regularly to avoid ink buildup. Check your pressure settings often, and keep an eye on the temperature consistency.
If your press starts to feel uneven or unreliable, give it a once-over for loose screws or worn-out pads. A few simple checks between sessions can extend your machine’s life and keep your projects running smoothly.
By now, you know that sublimation printing is more than pressing a shirt and hoping for the best. It’s a craft that combines creativity, precision, and the right materials. With the right blanks, solid prep, and a little practice, you can turn every shirt into something you’re proud to sell, wear, or gift.
If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of choosing blanks, shop at the best blank clothing store, Bubbakins Blanks. From youth blank shirts to tanks, tees, and more, you’ll find everything you need to bring your next great idea to life — one vibrant shirt at a time.
