Sublimation ornaments are one of the most profitable seasonal products you can sell. From Christmas tree decorations to memorial keepsakes and year-round home decor, ornaments offer high margins, low production costs, and massive demand during the holiday season. This guide compares every sublimation ornament material — aluminum, ceramic, MDF, and acrylic — so you can choose the best blanks for your customers and your business.
Aluminum Ornaments
Aluminum ornaments produce the most vibrant, eye-catching sublimation prints of any ornament material. The metallic surface makes colours pop with a brightness and depth that other materials cannot match. Aluminum is also extremely lightweight, scratch-resistant, and waterproof — making these ornaments durable enough to last for years on a Christmas tree or as year-round hanging decor.
Press settings: 375–400°F, 45–60 seconds, medium-heavy pressure
Best for: Photo ornaments, memorial ornaments, premium Christmas gifts, pet memorial keepsakes, first Christmas/baby ornaments. Any ornament where colour vibrancy and long-term durability matter most.
Trade-offs: Higher per-unit cost than MDF. Limited to standard shapes (round, oval, star, heart, snowflake) unless custom die-cut.
Browse our full selection of aluminum sublimation ornaments in multiple shapes.
Ceramic Ornaments
Ceramic sublimation ornaments have a classic, traditional look and feel. They are heavier than aluminum, which gives them a solid, premium weight in the hand. The smooth, glossy ceramic surface produces clean, vibrant prints, and the material is heat-resistant and scratch-resistant.
Press settings: 375–400°F, 180–300 seconds (3–5 minutes), medium pressure. Ceramic requires longer press times than flat aluminum because of its thickness and thermal mass.
Best for: Traditional Christmas ornaments, keepsake gifts, ornaments that will be displayed on a shelf or mantel where the weight and feel of ceramic add to the presentation.
Trade-offs: Fragile — ceramic ornaments can chip or break if dropped. Heavier than aluminum (which adds shipping cost). Requires a flat press with padding or a mug press attachment depending on shape. Longer press time than aluminum.
MDF Ornaments
MDF (medium-density fibreboard) ornaments are the most affordable sublimation ornament blank and come in the widest variety of shapes. From standard circles and stars to novelty shapes like gingerbread men, snowmen, stockings, candy canes, and custom die-cut designs, MDF offers shape diversity that no other material can match.
Press settings: 375–400°F, 50–70 seconds, medium pressure
Best for: Budget-friendly bulk production, craft show inventory, children’s ornaments, themed ornament sets (12 days of Christmas, alphabet letters), seasonal market products where low cost per unit is important.
Trade-offs: Not waterproof (MDF absorbs moisture). Less durable than aluminum or ceramic. Matte finish means colours appear slightly less vibrant. Edges can chip or dent with rough handling.
Browse our MDF sublimation ornaments in dozens of shapes.
Acrylic Ornaments
Acrylic ornaments offer a modern, clean look with a transparent or frosted appearance. Clear acrylic ornaments allow the design to appear as if it is floating inside the ornament, which creates a unique visual effect that other materials cannot replicate. They are lightweight, shatter-resistant (unlike ceramic), and produce bright, vivid prints.
Press settings: 360–385°F, 45–60 seconds, light-medium pressure (acrylic is softer and more heat-sensitive than aluminum)
Best for: Modern/minimalist ornament designs, double-sided ornaments (clear acrylic shows the design from both sides), suncatchers, year-round hanging decor, products where a lightweight and shatter-proof option is preferred over ceramic.
Trade-offs: Less scratch-resistant than aluminum. Can yellow with prolonged UV exposure. Requires careful pressure — too much can warp the blank.
Shop our acrylic sublimation ornaments in various shapes and sizes.
Material Comparison Table
| Feature |
Aluminum |
Ceramic |
MDF |
Acrylic |
| Colour vibrancy |
Excellent |
Very good |
Good |
Very good |
| Durability |
Excellent |
Fragile (chips/breaks) |
Moderate |
Good (shatter-proof) |
| Water resistance |
Waterproof |
Water-resistant |
Not waterproof |
Waterproof |
| Weight |
Light |
Heavy |
Medium |
Very light |
| Shape variety |
Standard shapes |
Limited |
Most variety |
Good variety |
| Press temperature |
375–400°F |
375–400°F |
375–400°F |
360–385°F |
| Press time |
45–60 sec |
3–5 min |
50–70 sec |
45–60 sec |
| Price per blank |
$$ |
$$ |
$ |
$–$$ |
| Perceived value |
Premium |
Traditional/premium |
Budget |
Modern |
Best Ornaments for Different Use Cases
Photo memorial ornaments: Aluminum ornaments are the top choice. The vibrant colour reproduction makes photos look stunning, and the durability ensures the keepsake will last for years. Memorial ornaments for loved ones and pets are consistently the highest-selling ornament niche on Etsy and at craft shows.
Budget craft show inventory: MDF ornaments let you stock a wide variety of shapes at low cost. Price them at $5–$8 each and offer bundle deals (3 for $15) to maximize craft show revenue.
Premium Christmas gifts: Aluminum or ceramic ornaments in a gift box. Personalized with a family photo, pet photo, or "First Christmas" design, these command $15–$25 each.
Modern decor and suncatchers: Acrylic ornaments work beautifully as year-round hanging decor and window suncatchers. The transparent material creates a unique visual effect that stands out from traditional ornaments.
Seasonal bulk sets: MDF ornaments in themed shapes (12 days of Christmas, alphabet, snowflakes) sold as complete sets for $20–$35.
When to Start Making Ornaments
If you sell ornaments seasonally, timing is everything. Here is the ornament production calendar for Canadian sellers:
August–September: Design your ornament collection, order blanks in bulk, and begin production. If selling on Etsy, list your ornaments by early September to build search ranking before peak season.
October: Full production mode. Early-bird Christmas shoppers start buying in October, and many craft show circuits begin their holiday market season.
November–mid-December: Peak sales period. This is when 60–70% of annual ornament revenue happens. Keep inventory stocked and processing times tight.
Late December–January: Post-holiday slowdown for Christmas ornaments, but memorial and pet ornaments sell year-round.
Year-round ornament sellers can also target Valentine’s Day (heart ornaments), Mother’s/Father’s Day (family photo ornaments), graduation, and baby shower markets.
Shop Sublimation Ornament Blanks in Canada
Browse our complete ornament collection — aluminum ornaments, MDF ornaments, acrylic ornaments, and Christmas and holiday ornament blanks. All shipped from Canada with no minimum order. Whether you are pressing a sample or stocking up for the holiday rush, we have every material and shape you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best material for sublimation ornaments?
Aluminum produces the most vibrant and durable sublimation ornaments, making it the best choice for photo gifts and memorial keepsakes. MDF offers the widest shape variety at the lowest cost, ideal for bulk production and craft shows. Acrylic provides a modern, transparent look, and ceramic has a traditional premium feel.
What temperature for sublimation ornaments?
Temperature varies by material: aluminum at 375–400°F for 45–60 seconds, ceramic at 375–400°F for 3–5 minutes, MDF at 375–400°F for 50–70 seconds, and acrylic at 360–385°F for 45–60 seconds. Always test on a sample blank before pressing a full batch.
When should I start selling sublimation ornaments?
Begin production in August–September and list products by early September if selling on Etsy. October through mid-December is peak sales season, with 60–70% of annual ornament revenue occurring in this window. Memorial and pet ornaments sell year-round.
Which sublimation ornaments sell best?
Photo memorial ornaments (aluminum) and personalized "First Christmas" ornaments are consistently the highest sellers. Pet memorial ornaments are a growing niche with passionate buyers. At craft shows, MDF ornaments in novelty shapes sell well as impulse purchases at $5–$8 price points.
Where can I buy sublimation ornament blanks in Canada?
WestCoastCraft (Craftera Wholesale) ships sublimation ornament blanks in aluminum, MDF, acrylic, and ceramic across Canada with no minimum order. Browse the full ornament collection at westcoastcraft.ca for dozens of shapes and materials, all pre-coated and ready to press.
