How to Sublimate on Aluminum Blanks: Complete Beginner Guide

Before you start pressing, make sure you have these essentials ready. You will need a heat press (a flat press works for most aluminum blanks, though a mug press is needed for curved items), sublimation ink loaded into a compatible printer, sublimation paper, heat-resistant tape, a lint-free cloth, and of course your aluminum blanks. The blanks must be sublimation-coated — raw aluminum will not accept sublimation ink. All of our aluminum sublimation blanks come pre-coated and ready to press.

Aluminum Sublimation Temperature and Time Settings

Getting the temperature and time right is the single most important factor in aluminum sublimation. Press too cool or too briefly and your colours will look washed out. Press too hot or too long and you risk yellowing, colour shifting, or warping the blank.

For most aluminum sublimation blanks, use these settings as your starting point:

• Temperature: 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 204°C)
• Time: 45 to 60 seconds
• Pressure: Medium to heavy (approximately 50-60 PSI)

Thinner aluminum blanks like aluminum keychains and aluminum bookmarks typically press well at the lower end of that range (375°F for 45 seconds), while thicker blanks like signs and plaques may need the full 400°F for 60 seconds. Always run a test press on a spare blank before committing to a full batch.

Step-by-Step: How to Press Aluminum Sublimation Blanks

Step 1: Print your design. Print your image using sublimation ink on sublimation paper. Remember that your design must be mirror-flipped before printing, because the image transfers face-down onto the blank. Use high-quality print settings for the best colour saturation.

Step 2: Prepare the blank. Wipe the surface of the aluminum blank with a lint-free cloth to remove any dust, fingerprints, or oils. Even a small smudge can cause imperfections in the final print. Some crafters use a quick wipe of rubbing alcohol for extra-clean results.

Step 3: Position and tape. Place your printed sublimation paper face-down on the coated side of the aluminum blank. Secure it with heat-resistant tape on at least two edges. The paper must not shift during pressing — even a fraction of a millimetre of movement causes ghosting (a blurry shadow around your design).

Step 4: Pre-heat your press. Set your heat press to 375–400°F and allow it to fully reach temperature. Place a sheet of butcher paper or a Teflon sheet on the bottom platen to protect it, and have another sheet ready for the top.

Step 5: Press. Place the taped blank and paper assembly on the press, close it with medium-heavy pressure, and start your timer for 45–60 seconds. Do not open the press to check progress — lifting the platen releases heat and can cause uneven colour transfer.

Step 6: Remove and cool. When the timer sounds, open the press and carefully remove the blank using heat-resistant gloves. Immediately peel off the sublimation paper in one smooth motion while the blank is still hot. Set the blank on a heat-safe surface and allow it to cool completely before handling. The colours will appear slightly different when hot and settle into their final vibrancy as the aluminum cools.

Common Aluminum Sublimation Problems and How to Fix Them

Faded or washed-out colours: This almost always means the temperature was too low or the press time was too short. Increase your temperature by 10°F or add 5–10 seconds to your press time. Also check that you are using sublimation ink (not regular inkjet ink) and that your printer’s colour profiles are set correctly.

Yellowing or discolouration: Too much heat or too long a press time causes the sublimation coating to yellow. Reduce temperature by 10–15°F or shorten your press time. This is more common on thinner blanks that heat through quickly.

Ghosting (blurry edges): The paper shifted during pressing. Use more tape to secure the paper, and be careful not to bump or slide the assembly when closing the press. Some crafters also use a spray adhesive specifically designed for sublimation to keep the paper perfectly flat against the blank.

Lines or marks on the surface: These can come from wrinkles in the sublimation paper or from debris on the press platens. Always use smooth, wrinkle-free paper and clean your platens regularly. A protective Teflon sheet helps prevent marks from building up on the platen surface.

Which Aluminum Blanks Are Best for Beginners?

If you are new to aluminum sublimation, start with flat, single-sided blanks like keychains or bookmarks. These are small, affordable, and forgiving — a great way to dial in your temperature and time settings without wasting expensive materials. Once you are confident with your settings, move on to larger items like aluminum ornaments, dog tags, and aluminum signs.

For crafters running a small business or selling at craft shows, aluminum keychains and ornaments are consistently among the best-selling sublimation products because of their durability and premium feel. Customers love that aluminum prints do not fade, scratch, or peel the way some other substrates can over time.

Why Choose Aluminum Over Other Sublimation Materials?

Aluminum produces the most vibrant and long-lasting sublimation prints of any common substrate. The colours pop with a brightness that is difficult to achieve on ceramic, MDF, or fabric. Aluminum is also waterproof, scratch-resistant, and UV-stable, making it ideal for products that will be used outdoors or handled frequently — like keychains, luggage tags, and garden markers.

The main trade-off is that aluminum blanks cost more per unit than MDF or hardboard alternatives. However, the premium look and feel of aluminum allows you to price your finished products higher, which often results in better margins for your crafting business.

Shop Aluminum Sublimation Blanks in Canada

Ready to start pressing? Browse our full range of aluminum sublimation blanks — all shipped from Canada with no minimum order. Whether you need aluminum keychains, ornaments, bookmarks, or dog tags, every blank is pre-coated and ready to press right out of the package.