You have everything set up: the sublimation printer, the ink, and the heat press machine, all ready to print on your substrate but does that guarantee the best results? Unfortunately, no. You need to tweak and correct sublimation heat press settings to ensure accurate, vibrant results. I faced dull-looking results when I first started sublimating and after the painstaking process of checking my printer settings, paper type, and trying out various ink brands, it became clear it was my heat press settings.
The solution to your poor sublimation results could be as simple as more heat, more time, or extra pressure.
Sublimation Heat Press and Temperature Settings
| Material | Temperature | Time | Pressure |
| Polyester | 400° F | 40-60 seconds | 40 psi |
| Ceramic | 350-400°F | 150-210 seconds | 40 psi |
| Metal | 400° F | 60-80 seconds | 40 psi |
| Hardwood | 360-400°F | 40-80 seconds | 40 psi |
| MDF(fibreboard) | 400°F | 80-90 seconds | 40 psi |
| Plywood | 400° F | 60-70 seconds | 40 psi |
| Fiber-reinforced plastic | 380-400°F | 60-75 seconds | 40 psi |
There are multiple sources online with rough guidelines as to what temperature, time, and psi different substrates respond well to. You will notice they all vary and that is because there is no one-shoe-fits-all answer. Sublimation is a bit of a learning curve for all of us but the above heat press settings chart is a great jumping-off point.
The name of the game when fine-tuning your sublimation process is as little waste of your blanks as possible – especially if you are a small business owner. To counteract this always note down what works, re-adjust your heat press settings, and recreate the conditions consistently.
Our favorite sublimation printer for beginners:
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges (1) – that’s enough to print up to 4,500 pages black/7,500 color (3)
- Stress-Free Printing — Up to 2 years of ink in the box (4) – and with every replacement ink set – for fewer out of ink frustrations
- High-Capacity Ink Tanks — Epson’s exclusive EcoFit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
- Zero Cartridge Waste — By using an EcoTank printer, you can help reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills
As mentioned, if your sublimation prints come out dull and washed you either didn’t leave it on long enough or it wasn’t hot enough.
Dull print? Here’s what to do
- Pre-heat your flat / mug press – make sure it is at your desired temperature and holds when you begin the press.
- Try increasing the length of your heat press time in 30-second increments.
- Still dull? Increase temperature by around 50° F (make sure it is still below melting point).
- Still dull? Combine the above and increase the pressure of your press (see manual).
- Polyester: Polyester is an excellent substrate for sublimation because the fibers bond well with the sublimation ink. It is also the go-to choice for sublimation enthusiasts because printed apparel is a huge market. The recommended heat press settings for polyester are 400° F for 35-40 seconds at a medium pressure of 40 psi.
- Ceramic: Ceramic sublimation is also an equally lucrative industry, but it requires a special heat press that can adjust to the product’s design. For best results, set the heat press to a 350-400°F temperature at 40 psi pressure. It takes a bit longer than polyester, between 150-210 seconds.
- Metal: Metal sublimation looks shinier than any other sublimation material while retaining the details. Before sublimating on metal surfaces, always remove the plastic coating. Then warm up the heat press to 400°F and press the design for 60-80 seconds at a medium pressure of 40 psi.
- Hardboard and MDF: Unlike metal, hardboard is an engineered wood product and needs 40-80 seconds of pressing time at a 360-400°F temperature range. Keep the pressure medium (40 psi). For MDF, press the design at 400°F temperature and medium pressure for 80-90 seconds.
- Plywood: If you are sublimating on plywood, remove the plastic coating and clean the surface before placing it in the heat press. Warm up the press to 400°F and press the design for 60-70 seconds at medium pressure.
- Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics: FRP requires a little longer time than MDF. You must press the design for 60-75 seconds at medium pressure with a temperature of 380-400°F.
Printer used for the above results:
- DESCRIPTION You will receive: 1 Original F170 sublimation printer. 100 Sheets of original sublimation Paper for polyester garments 3 sheets Forever Subli-Flex 202 for 100% cotton dark garments (sublimation to Black cotton) 5 Sheets Subli Light Cotton for 100% cotton light color garments (sublimation to white cotton) 1 sublimation mouse pad 1 Thermal Tape 1 full set of sublimation Inks. User guide and AC power cable SCF170
Sublimation tips & tricks for the perfect print
Using the correct temperature and time settings with the best heat press is vital for vibrant and consistent sublimation. If your timings are off of the heat press is not hot enough, it can leave you with poor quality transfers onto your substrates. This is down to the fact that higher temps result in a vapor pressure increase but either side of optimum can result in a poor finish. Too high and you may see uneven spots, whereas too low in temps and you get a less vibrant result.
Durability
When done correctly, sublimation printing provides long-lasting designs that won’t fade or peel. The correct heat settings ensure that the ink fully penetrates the substrate and creates a strong bond with the material. This process is what makes it resistant to wear and tear, giving you durable prints. Sublimation printing with the incorrect heat settings can lead to poor adhesion, making your print susceptible to damage, and reducing its durability during washing or when out and about.
Professional results
Regardless if you are printing for yourself, friends, or customers, you want high-quality end results. Correct heat press settings not only ensure your designs look as they should on various substrates but they also minimize wastage of ink, paper, and materials.
Consistency is key for professional results and highly accurate temperatures are the best place to start with this. A lot of sublimation can be honed with trial and error but when you finally sync up perfect timing with the best possible temperature setting, you will be onto a winner.
Don’t forget to pre-press the substrate
Your settings could be spot on but sometimes a little pre-press may be required to ensure perfect printing results. A pre-press will help remove moisture, wrinkles, and other imperfections that can impact your print. This process will also help ensure better ink absorption and improve general adhesion.
If you are unfamiliar with a pre-press, simply close your press for a few seconds before applying your transfer.
Safety precautions when using various heat press machines
Even the best heat press machine will need careful safety considerations. There are very high temps involved (exceeding 400°F /204°C) with sublimation printing, even if you were to use a convection oven for sublimation. As such, safety is paramount to prevent accidental burns or even workplace fires.
Some substrates can retain heat for quite some time and will need to be removed from a heat press with gloves or speed if you have incredible heat tolerance. We advise you to grab a pair of heat-protective gloves so you can easily handle your prints and transfer them to a cooling tub or shelf without any discomfort or accidental harm.
It is also advisable to have key emergency equipment on hand just in case. Burn ointment and potentially even a small fire extinguisher. We also understand a lot of sublimation printers will be doing this at home, so we recommend trying to keep your heat press machines out of reach for both children and pets.
Lastly, a bit of a no-brainer but you should always remember to turn off and unplug your heat press machine. Some have built-in safety features that automatically stop them from continuing to produce heat but it is still good practice. It is worth also regularly maintaining your heat press, keeping an eye on the heating elements to ensure they are always in good condition.
FAQs
The ideal temperature range is 350-400°F for 30-45 seconds. Apply medium pressure and place Teflon paper on both sides to avoid ink spillage on the heat press.
The temperature range will vary with different substrates. Refrain from second-guessing temperature and timings and check the packaging of the substrate for heat-pressing sublimation. Always warm up your heat press before printing the design. In addition, remove the moisture and wrinkles from the substrate by pressing it for a few seconds.
Like the temperature settings, the timing must be adequate to allow the ink to evaporate and transfer to the substrate. If you press the design for longer, the result will be dull and faded. Refer to our sublimation heat press settings chart for information on press time for different substrates.
You can sublimate a 100% polyester fabric at 380-400°F for 35-40 seconds. Since polyester binds well with sublimation ink, you don’t need to press it too long. However, ensure that the fabric is completely dry before sublimating the design.
Final word
Optimal sublimation heat press settings are crucial and allow the target substrate (material) will absorb the sublimation ink only if you get everything right. It includes the best print and color accuracy on the sublimation paper and the perfect heat press settings.
Printer manufacturers like Sawgrass always bundle a heat press guide for different materials. In addition, always check the packaging of the substrate and contact the seller to know the correct heat press settings for vivid sublimation results.
