What Materials Can You Actually Sublimate On? Beginners Guide

You guys! One of the most common questions I get about sublimation is "can I sublimate on [insert random material here]?" The answer isn't always straightforward, so I've put together this beginners guide to sublimation blanks to help you understand exactly what materials work with sublimation and which ones don't!

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Here's the thing about sublimation: It's NOT like heat transfer vinyl that can go on practically any type of fabric. Sublimation has very specific requirements for the materials it works with. Understanding these requirements will save you SO much time, money, and frustration!

The Basic Rule of Sublimation Materials

For sublimation to work, you need materials that are: white or very light colored, made of polyester OR coated with a special polyester coating, and heat-resistant enough to withstand 380-400°F temperatures.

This is why you can't just grab any random item from the dollar store and expect to sublimate on it. The item needs that special polyester component to bond with the sublimation ink!

Fabrics: What Works and What Doesn't

This is probably the biggest area of confusion when it comes to sublimation.

Fabrics That Work Great for Sublimation:

100% polyester fabrics are the GOLD STANDARD for sublimation. Polyester blends can work too, but the higher the polyester content, the more vibrant your design will be. I recommend at least 65% polyester for good results.

If you use a 50/50 blend, your design will look faded and vintage like this bleached sublimation shirt.

Fabrics That NEVER Work for Direct Sublimation:

You won't have any luck with 100% cotton...or really any natural fiber including linen, canvas, and silk.

No matter how much pressure or heat you apply, sublimation ink CANNOT bond with cotton fibers.

If you've seen people sublimating on cotton shirts, they're using one of these workaround methods like using EasySubli or sublimating onto white glitter HTV then pressing that onto a cotton shirt.

Temperature Considerations: Not All Materials Can Take the Heat

Sublimation requires high temperatures - typically 380-400°F (193-204°C) and usually for a relatively long period of time. Some materials simply can't handle that kind of heat - even if they can be sublimated on.

For example, you can sublimate onto light colored acrylic sheets, but when acrylic is heated it becomes soft and pliable so you have to take additional steps or modify the time and temperature to accommodate the material itself.

Hard Goods: The Importance of Poly Coating

For hard goods to work with sublimation, they need to be coated with a special poly coating. That's why you'll see tumblers and mugs designated as "sublimation mugs" or sublimation hardboard.

Basically, hard goods whether it's a mug, cutting board, or an ornament need to be manufactured specifically for sublimation. Again, you cannot take a regular ceramic mug from the dollar store and sublimate on it....but it's not terribly difficult to find sublimation blanks as there are a wide assortment on the market.

The Color Rule: Light Colors Only!

Sublimation ONLY works well (and directly) on white or very light-colored items. This is because sublimation ink is translucent, not opaque.

Think of sublimation ink like a colored marker on paper: - On white paper, you see the true color of the marker - On yellow paper, all your colors will have a yellow tint. On black paper, you wouldn't see the marker hardly at all! This is exactly how sublimation works too!

EasySubli Used to sublimate on dark shirt

Even if you have a 100% polyester black t-shirt, sublimation will NOT show up on it. There is no white ink in sublimation printing so there's no surface for the ink to sit on as a base like there is with DTF or DTG where a white layer is printed between the dark fabric and the image.

Final Thoughts: Don't Waste Money on the Wrong Materials!

Understanding what materials work with sublimation will save you SO much money and frustration!

Remember the basic rules:

White or light colors only
Must be polyester fabric or have a polyester coating
Must withstand high heat (380-400°F)

If you follow these rules, you'll have much more success with your sublimation projects!

If you need help troubleshooting your sublimation projects or want personalized recommendations for your specific needs, I offer one-on-one sublimation support through Silhouette U.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!

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