The Complete Sublimation Printing Guide: Settings for Every Material
The Complete Sublimation Printing Guide: Settings for Every Material
Every sublimation project comes down to three numbers — temperature, time, and pressure — and they change with every material you press. This guide puts them all in one place: a master settings chart covering every blank type we stock, with a detailed how-to guide for each material. It's written for Canadian crafters by the team behind 370+ sublimation blanks shipped from our warehouse in Langley, BC — in CAD, with no minimum orders.
Bookmark this page: we update it as we test new blanks, and you can download the printable chart to keep beside your press.
Master Sublimation Temperature & Time Chart
These are verified starting points compiled from press and blank manufacturers' published guidance. Presses, papers, inks and blanks all vary — always test one blank first and record what works for your setup. Where an exact product differs, its product page spec table wins.
| Material | Temperature | Time | Pressure | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester shirts & apparel | 375–400°F (190–204°C) | 40–75 sec | Light–medium | Shirts & fabric guide |
| Poly/cotton blends (65%+) | 310–330°F (154–166°C) | 15–30 sec | Light–medium | Shirts & fabric guide |
| Ceramic mugs (mug press) | 350–400°F (177–204°C) | 150–300 sec | Medium–high | Mug guide |
| Stainless tumblers (tumbler press) | 360–385°F (182–196°C) | 40–90 sec | Medium | Tumbler guide |
| Stainless tumblers (convection oven) | 375°F (190°C) | 5–6 min | Shrink wrap | Tumbler guide |
| Coated aluminum (signs, panels) | 385–400°F (196–204°C) | 35–120 sec (size-dependent) | Medium–high | Aluminum guide |
| MDF & coated wood | 350–400°F (177–204°C) | 45–90 sec | Light–medium | MDF & wood guide |
| Acrylic | 350–400°F (177–204°C) | 60 sec (230 sec panels) | Varies by blank | Acrylic guide |
| PU leather | ~360°F (182°C) — run cooler | 45–60 sec | Light | PU leather guide |
| Neoprene & foam | 375–400°F (190–204°C) | 35–60 sec | See guide (sources differ) | Neoprene guide |
| Glass (blank-specific!) | 360–425°F (182–218°C) | 45 sec–12 min | Per vendor spec | Glass guide |
| Blankets & pillow covers | 380–400°F (193–204°C) | 45–55 sec | Light–medium | Blankets & plush guide |
| Garden flags (double-sided) | 385–400°F (196–204°C) | 50–55 sec per side | Medium | Garden flag guide |
| Slate | 370–390°F (188–199°C) | 6–13 min (yes, minutes) | Medium | Slate & specialty guide |
| Sequin | 380–400°F (193–204°C) | 45–55 sec | ~40 psi | Slate & specialty guide |
| Hardboard | 380–400°F (193–204°C) | 60 sec | See guide | Slate & specialty guide |
Ranges reflect real differences between published manufacturer guidance — that's why testing your own setup matters more than any chart. Each linked guide shows the per-source numbers, the technique that prevents the classic failures (ghosting, seams, scorching, cracking), and which of our blanks it applies to.
How Sublimation Works (60-second version)
Sublimation ink turns into gas under heat and pressure and bonds INTO a polyester coating or fabric — it doesn't sit on top like vinyl. That's why it never peels or cracks, and why it only works on polyester or poly-coated blanks: no coating, no transfer. White or light blanks only — sublimation ink is translucent and can't print white.
The Universal Rules (every material)
- Mirror your image before printing — with one exception: single-sided acrylic pressed from the back is NOT mirrored (see the acrylic guide).
- Test one blank first, every time you change blanks, paper, or press.
- Use protective paper above and below — sublimation ink blows through and will stain your press platen.
- Handle blanks clean — fingerprints and moisture cause patchy transfers.
- Know your press's real temperature — many run 10–20° off their display. An infrared thermometer pays for itself the first time it saves a batch.
Choosing Blanks by Material
- Drinkware: stainless tumblers · ceramic mugs · glass cans — see the glass guide
- Apparel & textiles: t-shirts, hoodies, blankets, pillow covers, garden flags, totes
- Metal: aluminum signs, plates & ornaments — our largest category, 85+ blanks
- Ornaments & keychains: MDF, acrylic, PU leather — see each guide for which material presses how
- Specialty: slate photo frames, sequin, hardboard, plush animals
Every product page lists its own spec table with dimensions, case quantity, and press settings for that exact blank.
FAQ
What temperature is sublimation done at? Most materials press between 350°F and 400°F (177–204°C), but time is where materials really differ — from 15 seconds for poly blends to 13 minutes for slate. Use the chart above for your material, then the linked guide for exact per-source settings.
Why did my sublimation come out faded? The four usual causes: temperature too low, time too short, pressure too light, or a blank without proper polyester coating. Each material guide has a troubleshooting section for its specific failure patterns.
Can I sublimate on cotton or dark shirts? Not directly — sublimation needs polyester (65% minimum, 100% for full vibrancy) and light-coloured blanks. The ink is translucent and bonds only to polyester fibres.
Do you have a printable version of this chart? A printable download is coming soon. The full chart lives right here on this page and is kept current — bookmark it in the meantime.
Where can I buy sublimation blanks in Canada? From us — WestCoastCraft (Craftera Wholesale Ltd.) stocks 370+ sublimation blanks in Langley, BC: wholesale prices in CAD, no minimum orders, shipping to every province. Shop all blanks.
📄 Get the Printable Settings Chart
Printable chart download coming soon — the full chart above always stays current on this page.
Material guides: Tumblers · Mugs · Shirts & Fabric · Aluminum · MDF & Wood · Acrylic · PU Leather · Neoprene · Glass · Blankets & Plush · Garden Flags · Slate & Specialty
Settings compiled from press and blank manufacturers' published guidance; always confirm against the instructions supplied with your specific blank and equipment.