Whether you’re brand new to sublimation or you’ve been pressing for a while, one thing’s for sure — the right tools make all the difference.
From crisp designs to smooth transfers, having reliable supplies not only saves time and frustration but also helps you get those consistent, professional results you’re after.
Here’s a breakdown of the must-have tools every sublimation crafter should keep on hand — plus a few extras that make the process way easier (and more fun).
1. A Reliable Heat Press
Your heat press is the heart of sublimation. It’s what turns printed ink into a permanent, professional design. Whether you’re pressing shirts, mugs, or tumblers, consistent heat and pressure are key.
Types of presses you might use:
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Flat heat press: Perfect for shirts, tote bags, and fabric items.
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Tumbler press or mug press: Ideal for drinkware and cylindrical items.
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Mini press: Great for small items or detailed areas that need a touch-up.
2. Sublimation Paper
Not all sublimation paper is created equal! A high-quality sublimation paper will hold ink properly and release it cleanly when heated, giving you bright, sharp colors every time.
Pro tip: Keep your paper stored flat in a dry area to prevent moisture from affecting transfers.
3. Heat Tape
This small but mighty tool saves projects from disaster. Heat tape holds your design in place so it doesn’t shift when you close your press — preventing dreaded ghosting and blurry lines.
Always choose heat-resistant tape that can handle the high temps used in sublimation. You’ll be surprised how often you reach for it!
4. Heat-Resistant Gloves
When you’re handling freshly pressed tumblers, mugs, or metal blanks, things get hot. A pair of good-quality, heat-resistant gloves will save your hands and make it easier to move projects safely right after pressing.
5. Butcher Paper or Blowout Paper
Protect your press (and your projects) by always using butcher paper or blowout paper between your blank and your press plates. It prevents unwanted ink transfer and keeps your surfaces clean.
You can reuse sheets as long as no ink has transferred to them, so stock up — you’ll go through it faster than you think.
6. Lint Roller
If you’ve ever had random blue specks or fuzzy marks appear on your finished shirt, that’s lint causing the ink to transfer unevenly.
Run a lint roller over any fabric blank before pressing to remove fibers and debris — especially on white polyester shirts or pillowcases.
7. Heat-Resistant Mat or Crafting Surface
Protect your workspace with a silicone mat or heat-resistant surface. It helps keep your projects steady and protects your table from excess heat when working with smaller presses or tumblers.
8. Optional but Awesome Extras
Once you’ve got the basics down, there are a few add-ons that make your workflow smoother and your results better:
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Heat gun or blow dryer – Perfect for shrink-wrapping sublimation tumblers.
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Teflon sheets – Great for protecting your designs and helping distribute heat evenly.
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Pressing pillows – Help achieve even pressure on uneven surfaces like zippers or seams.
Wrapping It All Up
With the right tools, sublimation goes from
“this is tricky” to
“I can make anything!”
Investing in quality tools up front — like
heat tape, gloves, and accessories — saves you from wasted blanks and inconsistent results later.
And here’s the best part: once you’ve got your tools in place, you’ll want a steady flow of new blanks to create with. That’s exactly where Sublimation Box Club comes in.
Each month, you’ll get a surprise mix of trending sublimation blanks, along with digital mockups, templates, and tutorials — so you can put those tools to use, try new projects, and stay inspired without wondering what to make next. Plus! We also give you the sublimation paper for each project, so there's one less tool to put on your shopping list!
Ready to press like a pro? Join Sublimation Box Club and keep your creativity flowing — one box at a time.