Sublimation is one of the most fun, creative, and versatile ways to personalize just about anything — but let’s be real, every crafter has had a project or two turn out… not so great. (Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.)
The good news? Most sublimation “fails” come down to a few common mistakes — and they’re easy to avoid once you know what to look out for.
Let’s go through the top 10 mistakes beginners make (and how you can steer clear of them).
1. Using the Wrong Blanks
Not every surface can handle sublimation. If your item isn’t polyester-coated (or at least 65% polyester for fabrics), your design won’t transfer properly.
✅ Solution: Always start with true sublimation blanks. We carry a wide variety of ready-to-use items that make your projects shine.
2. Forgetting to Mirror Your Design
We’ve all done it — pressed the design, pulled off the paper, and… the words are backwards. Oops.
✅ Solution: Always double-check that your image is mirrored before hitting print.
3. Not Taping Down the Design
If your design shifts even slightly while pressing, you’ll end up with ghosting (a blurry shadow effect).
✅ Solution: Use heat tape to keep your design in place. It’s cheap, easy, and saves a lot of heartache.
4. Guessing the Heat and Time Settings
Every blank has its sweet spot for time, temperature, and pressure. Too hot and your colors burn out, too cool and they look faded.
✅ Solution: Follow manufacturer guidelines and keep a cheat sheet handy. A reliable heat press helps maintain consistent results.
5. Using the Wrong Paper or Ink
Regular printer paper or non-sublimation inks just won’t work — you’ll get dull, washed-out colors (if it transfers at all).
✅ Solution: Stick with sublimation-specific paper and ink for the best results.
6. Skipping Butcher Paper
Ink has a sneaky way of gassing out and transferring to your press instead of just your blank.
✅ Solution: Use butcher paper or blowout paper to protect your press and keep colors from ghosting onto other projects.
7. Not Pre-Pressing Fabrics
Moisture and wrinkles in fabric can mess up your design big time.
✅ Solution: Give shirts, tote bags, or any fabric blank a quick pre-press for a few seconds before adding your design. This removes moisture and flattens wrinkles.
8. Inconsistent Pressure
Uneven pressure = uneven designs. Parts of your print may look perfect while others come out faded.
✅ Solution: Adjust your press to ensure even pressure across the whole surface. (One more reason a quality heat press is worth it!)
9. Rushing the Peel
We get it — the reveal is the most exciting part. But peeling too quickly can cause smudges or even burns.
✅ Solution: Follow instructions on whether to do a hot, warm, or cold peel, and don’t rush it.
10. Not Practicing First
Your first project doesn’t have to be a $20 tumbler. Test on small, inexpensive blanks first so you can perfect your process before moving to bigger items.
✅ Solution: Stock up on budget-friendly blanks for practice, and remember: every “oops” teaches you something new.
Final Thoughts
Sublimation has a learning curve, but once you know what mistakes to avoid, it’s smooth sailing. With the right tools — like heat tape, a reliable heat press, and quality blanks — you’ll be cranking out professional-looking projects in no time.
And if you ever get stuck on what blanks to try next, let Sublimation Box Club take care of it for you. Every month, we send a surprise box of sublimation blanks to your door so you can experiment, grow your skills, and keep creating without the stress of choosing.
👉 Ready to skip the mistakes and start crafting confidently? Shop Sublimation Tools Here!