Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Sublimation Printing

You know that moment when you lift your heat press, expecting to see a bold, flawless design… and instead you're greeted by a smudged, ghosted mess that looks like your printer sneezed? Yeah, we’ve all been there.

Sublimation printing can feel like magic when it works and like a chaotic craft room meltdown when it doesn’t. The good news? Most sublimation fails are caused by just a few common missteps. Once you know what to look for, avoiding them is easy, and your final print will come out crisp, colorful, and ready to show off.

If you're tired of wasting your sublimation blank, ink, or patience, keep reading to find out which sublimation mistakes to ditch, and how to get your best press yet.

Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Type or Color of Shirt

You could have the perfect design, perfect printer, perfect press… but if your shirt isn’t made from the right material, your sublimation transfer will look dull, faded, or worse, completely invisible.

So, what kind of shirts can you sublimate on? The answer is simple: the sublimation process requires shirts with at least 65% polyester content. Sublimation ink needs polyester to work its magic. The higher the percentage, the more vibrant your sublimation prints will be. Anything lower, such as cotton, won’t bond with the ink and will fade fast.

Color matters, too. Since sublimation ink is transparent, it shines on white or light-colored garments. Dark fabrics absorb the ink instead of displaying it, so your once-beautiful design could vanish into the background.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to Mirror Your Design

Forgetting to mirror your design before printing means pressing backwards text, reversed logos, or upside-down graphics. And once it’s pressed, you can't just fix lines and hope it works — no amount of wishful thinking or clever cropping can undo that sublimation fail.

Mirroring your design is critical when working with words, logos, or directional graphics. Most design software has a mirror or flip feature; use it every single time before you hit print.

Want a tip? Add a sticky note to your monitor that says “MIRROR IT!” until it becomes second nature. One tiny click can save a perfectly good shirt from hitting the "oops" pile.

Mistake #3: Not Using Enough Pressure or Heat

Your heat press might look like it’s doing its job, but if your sublimation prints come out faded, blotchy, or uneven, there’s a good chance your settings aren’t dialed in properly.

Inconsistent or low pressure and heat can prevent the sublimation ink from fully transferring to the fabric. You may see missing sections, patchy color, or an overall dull result. You’ll need firmer pressure and consistent heat coverage across the press bed on thicker items.

Different blank require slightly different setups, and not all heat press surfaces apply pressure evenly. Test a few pieces and watch how your final print changes depending on pressure. If you notice weak color on just one side, your press might have a cold spot, or your garment wasn’t placed flat.

Mistake #4: Using Designs That Are Too Complicated or Low-Contrast

The finer the detail, the harder it is to get clean results, especially when printing on textured fabrics or garments with seams and stitching near the design area. If your sublimation printer works hard to spit out details that won’t survive the press, you’re wasting ink and effort.

Want better sublimation prints? Go bold. Thick lines, high-contrast colors, and simple shapes transfer better and are crucial when designing for items like youth sublimation shirts, where you want high impact without overcomplicated visuals.

Mistake #5: Laying Out Your Design Too High or Too Low

You might nail the print quality, choose the perfect shirt, and press like a pro, only to realize your design is floating awkwardly near the collar… or sagging halfway down the torso. Placement matters, and it can make or break your finished look.

Proper layout is more than guesswork. Measuring from the neckline, using a T-shirt alignment ruler, or even folding the shirt in half vertically can help you center your design every time. Adjusting your placement method becomes even more important with blank clothing or uniquely cut shirts, where the neckline might be wider or sleeves longer.

Mistake #6: Using the Wrong Side of Sublimation Paper

This mistake happens more often than we’d all like to admit. You’re rushing through a project, loading your sublimation paper, hitting print, and realizing after pressing that you used the wrong side. The design is faint, patchy, or completely nonexistent.

So what can you sublimate on? Most sublimation paper has a bright white side (print side) and a duller backing. The sublimation printer must lay the sublimation ink on the correct surface, or the ink won’t transfer properly. It’s not just about paper orientation either; quality matters too.

Mistake #7: Not Securing the Transfer Properly

Even the best design can turn into a blurry mess if your transfer shifts during the press. One small slide while clamping down your heat press, and boom, ghosting, double images, or an oddly fuzzy final print.

The fix? Tape it down. Heat-resistant tape is your best friend when it comes to securing sublimation paper. Just a few pieces at the edges keep everything in place. Some crafters also swear by repositionable spray adhesive for smooth, flat transfers with zero movement.

If you’re still getting movement-related issues, check your press technique. Opening or closing the heat press too quickly can cause your paper to slide, especially on slick or textured blank. This is a great time to double-check your transfer paper, too. If it’s curling or lifting, that’s a recipe for ghosting.

Mistake #8: Skipping the Lint Roller, Pre-Press, and Test Prints

They might seem like optional steps, but skipping these is like trying to bake a cake without preheating the oven. You might get lucky… but chances are, something’s going to fall flat.

Lint can cause mysterious blue dots on your sublimation prints. A quick pass with a lint roller before pressing can prevent those tiny disasters. Pre-pressing is equally important. It removes moisture trapped in the fabric, which can lead to blurry or uneven transfers.

And while we’re at it: always test your design before pressing on a fresh blank. Whether it’s a new sublimation printer, unfamiliar material, or just a tricky new layout, using a scrap or old shirt gives you a risk-free way to dial in your paper and print settings.

Mistake #9: Inconsistent Pressure Across the Heat Press

Think your heat press is doing its job just because the top plate closes? Think again.

Not all heat press surfaces apply pressure evenly. Uneven clamping, worn-out padding, or improper setup can create cold spots or uneven pressure zones. That leads to vibrant sublimation prints on one side and faded on the other — not exactly the look you’re going for.

To test this, inspect the results by pressing a solid-color transfer across your press. If certain areas look noticeably weaker, you’ve got a pressure problem. This is especially important when working with thick garments or layered projects like heat transfer vinyl combined with sublimation.

Mistake #10: Pressing Without Protective Parchment Paper

Parchment paper isn’t just for cookies. This type of paper is your last line of defense against ink bleed, melted vinyl, and press contamination.

Sublimation ink can bleed through or even transfer back onto the press without parchment paper between your transfer and your press plates. That means the next item you press could end up with ghost images or unwanted designs.

This is especially critical when using glossy paper settings or matte paper setting options, which affect how ink is released. Pressing thicker items like a hoodie or a sweatshirt? Definitely add parchment paper to avoid melted or scorched areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use any printer for sublimation printing?

Not really. You’ll need a true sublimation printer, such as Epson printers made specifically to use dye sublimation ink. It’s best to stick with machines made for the job to avoid print quality issues.

Why does my sublimation print look dull before pressing?

Totally normal. Sublimation paper holds muted tones until heat activates the ink. Once pressed, the sublimation prints come out bright and vivid.

How often should I maintain my sublimation printer?

If you want consistent sublimation prints and fewer clogged nozzles, print a small test file at least once a week to keep the sublimation ink flowing and prevent vertical roller marks or streaks.

Avoid the Oops, Nail the Press

Sublimation printing isn’t just about pressing buttons on your sublimation printer and hoping for the best. It’s about knowing your materials, settings (do you keep the default printer settings or adjust?), and techniques inside and out. The more you understand what causes problems, the easier it becomes to avoid them.

Bubbakins blank has everything you need to get started or level up your sublimation game, from youth sublimation shirts to blank women’s clothing and premium sublimation sweatshirt options made to shine under the press.

Ready to skip the mistakes and start pressing with confidence? Visit Bubbakins blank today and stock up on blank you can trust to do your designs justice.