Transferring full-color designs in full coverage to clothing are done through dye sublimation printing. The inks are heat-transferred from the polyester film (heat press) or dye rollers onto the fabric. Then a protective top sheet is placed on top to help with easy peeling after pressing and prevent bleeding for lighter colors. Sublimation is so fun to do. But then, there are frequent questions and concerns regarding the sublimation in cotton and dark colors with HTV.

If you were to ask a regular person with limited experience in all-over dye sublimation t-shirt printing, the answer would be a quick NO. But then, you've come to the right place if you're one of those crafters wondering how to sublimate on cotton and dark-colored shirts. Let me tell you how it works before you waste money on unsuccessful sublimation printing.

Can I sublimate on dark colors?

Can dark colors shirts be sublimated? The quick response is YES. You can, but your outcomes will differ significantly. Dye sublimation printing is fantastic. Sublimation color issues may occur if you're starting or testing a new sublimation blank like cotton and dark color shirts. Sublimation color issues include ANYTHING that stands in the way of a flawless sublimation color transfer onto your blank.

But what about sublimation on cotton shirts? Is this also possible?

Again, yes, but the outcome may not be your preference. Sadly, I discovered that sublimating a cotton shirt led to less vivid designs that faded more quickly in the wash. The color will eventually wash out. So I advise against wasting your time and energy on a T-shirt that is made entirely of cotton.

A polyester substrate or garment is required to use the sublimation transfers. Although 100% is advised for the brightest results, poly-blends will also work! Shirts with a polyester content of 90% or more will still produce stunning, vibrant designs. In comparison, those with a polyester content closer to 65% will create a more worn-in, vintage appearance. When selecting a garment to sublimate on, we advise limiting your choice to at least 65% polyester. It's also important to remember that white ink is not used in the sublimation transfers. The color of the shirt will be visible wherever there is white in the design.

How do you sublimate on dark colors and cotton?

You might be surprised at how simple dye sublimation t-shirt printing can be. There are only a few steps to complete, and the most crucial one is deciding which product will complement the color of your garment. Remember that every color reacts to heat differently, so it's critical to pick your products wisely, or you'll just end up with a mess. In particular, if you are using black cloth, this is true.

The only printing on light-colored shirts should be done using direct sublimation. However, today you will learn the trick to sublimating on dark fabrics. Press the heat transfer vinyl onto the shirt first if you want to sublimate on dark shirts before doing so.

You didn't know that trick before reading this post, did you? You will learn how to sublimate on dark shirts in this post, along with several tips to keep in mind as you go through the process.

Now that we've cleared that up check out this step-by-step tutorial on sublimating dark clothing.

Let's begin by gathering the materials listed below.

• Light-colored heat transfer vinyl of your choice (preferably Neon PU Heat Transfer Vinyl or Glitter White Heat Transfer Vinyl)
• Cutting machine
• Scissors
• Weeding tool or pen
• Heat press machine
• Sublimation heat transfer paper
• A garment you want to print on.
• Inkjet printer (sublimation printer) with dye sublimation ink
• Heat-resistant tape
• Parchment paper of Teflon sheet

Let's get into the procedures:

Step 1: Cut the vinyl.

Ensure that the sublimation vinyl and the sublimation transfer paper have the same size when you cut in the cutting machine. The size of the vinyl and the sublimation print can be changed using the software on your cutting machine.

You can cut the vinyl in a square, circle, or the precise shape of the design, depending on the final appearance of the project you want to create. It is simpler to cut the vinyl with the outline of the design as a whole than with cavities in between for more intricate designs with larger spaces between them.

Make sure only to use white or other light-colored heat transfer vinyl. After cutting the vinyl, weed the extra design elements to achieve your preferred design!

Step 2: Print the sublimation paper and cut it.

Print the design on the sublimation paper inside the design studio for your cutting machine. Keep in mind that the size of the vinyl and the sublimation paper must match. Thus, be sure to adjust as necessary.

When printing the sublimation paper in the design studio of your cutting machine, use the best quality paper and the longest printing time, and remember to mirror the design. You can find these options in the design software's printing preferences.

The sublimation paper should be printed, set aside, and dry for a few minutes. The next step is to trim the excess sublimation paper off with scissors. The tendency of waste ink to be printed on the sublimation paper is why you want to cut the extra portion of the transfer paper.

Any extra ink could bleed onto the vinyl or a garment. The excess area of the sublimation paper doesn't need to be cut off with a cutting machine. Scissors will do just fine. The design must have the proper outline, even if the cut is imperfect.

Step 3: It's time to Heat Press the Vinyl.

Heat pressing the vinyl is necessary after assembling the sublimation transfer sheet. Of course, the standard shirt printing procedures remain in effect. Remember to use Teflon or parchment paper, align the design, and pre-press the fabric for 5 to 10 seconds.

Observe the suggested temperature, pressure, and time for the vinyl you use. If you're using PU HTV or Glitter HTV, press the material between 266 and 284 °F within 8 and 12 seconds.

Step 4: Press the sublimation paper.

Allow the HTV to cool for a while after pressing it. Prepare to press the sublimation paper against the HTV at this point. Align the sublimation paper correctly before placing it on top of the HTV. When heat pressing, heat-resistant tape prevents the sublimation paper from moving.

Do not press the sublimation paper using your mini heat press. The print may ghost or scatter when using a mini heat press machine on sublimation paper, destroying the entire project. Use 190°C for 50 seconds in terms of the time and temperature.

Is it simple to sublimate dark clothing? And you have it now! If you want to use the sublimation process on 100% cotton shirts as well, whether they are light or dark t-shirts, you can also use this procedure.

What can HTV be sublimated on?

Whether you're a professional crafter or just doing this for fun, sublimation transfers are an excellent and straightforward way to make gorgeous custom t-shirts. The only drawback to sublimation is that it requires a polyester (or high poly blend) garment to work well, remarkably light or white. The good news is, though! You can get around this by using Glitter HTV to apply sublimation transfers to any color and material of clothing.

Some printing and transfer paper companies tried to develop products that work on dark-colored fabrics due to the high demand for sublimation on dark colors. We've listed a few below to make it easier for you to determine which are genuine and which are merely deceptive advertisements.

• Glitter Heat Transfer Vinyl Sublimating

You can use any color garment and any material that can be used with HTV when you sublimate on glitter! A glitter HTV silhouette of the design can also be sublimated if you don't have a light or white polyester garment. This works because the sublimation transfer sticks to our glitter's polyester construction without difficulty. Even though white glitter HTV is the most popular option, you can also use other pale colors. Remember that the design will allow the color to show through.

• Siser Glitter HTV

When it comes to full-color dye sublimation t-shirt printing, this product is very well-liked. It boasts a high-pressure sensitive carrier that makes it simple to sublimate even the smallest details. Considering how difficult it is to print on black fabrics, it is also incredibly user-friendly and durable.

However, as opposed to with dyed shirts, your sublimated print will show minor cracks after 19–20 washings. The image will still be highly vivid and accurate to its design.

• B-Flex Glitter HTV

Another item renowned for working well with dark shirts is this one. Since it contains 320 microns, many people still use this product even though the print is noticeably duller than Siser Glitter HTV, even though it works. There are ten colors, but it is not widely accessible.

• Subli Flock

Subli Flock still unquestionably works on dark-colored shirts, although it is less well-known than Siser Glitter HTV. I like how colorful and vibrant the print turned out.

The print's longevity, however, is the main issue with this product. The image will have visible cracks after about ten cycles of washing. You will see more noticeable cracks and possibly even dark lines across the print after washing it about 20 times.

• Subli Flex

This might be the one for you if you're looking for a fantastic sublimation product that prints well on dark shirts. When using this product, the final result is great, and the colors are brilliant and shiny. The print, however, is less resilient than you might anticipate and will begin to crack after about five washings. The material is quite delicate, so try hand washing it to avoid breaking.

• Sublimate

I've heard many good things about Sublimate, and they say it works well on dark shirts. The print appears a little opaque when using this. It implies that the black background on images will still be visible. Additionally, it is explicitly advised on the product's packaging to wash it carefully to preserve the design for a longer time.

• Siser EasySubli

Siser EasySubli is the undisputed champion in terms of color and toughness! When printed, the color looks much better than it did in the previously mentioned products. The design holds up well even after numerous washing and does not show any cracks. However, it is printer-sensitive, so before purchasing and using the product, ensure it is compatible with your printer.

I hope I answered your concerns regarding proper sublimation on cotton and dark color shirts. Remember to share your sublimation project with us!

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