I still remember the day in 2014 when an idea struck me and my brother; to do screen printing and sell personalized products offline. We always wanted to start a side hustle along with our jobs and test the waters.
The first blank in our arsenal was the one which is everyone’s favorite option – yes you got it right, a t-shirt. We bought many of those in bulk and Andrew made some cool designs and quotes that we wanted to print.
Did our small business fly high? Na, nada. We sold only a few t-shirts because the print quality was so poor that either it was fading after a few washes or getting cracks after wearing them just 4-5 times.
At the same time, one website was gaining popularity month by month – Teespring. Many of you must have heard about this. You can upload your design, and those guys will print it for you. We liked the idea and decided to first order some T-shirts for ourselves.
The package came quickly and we vigorously tried the fabric. It was smooth and the print wasn’t fading away. We then researched the printing technique they used and got to know that it is called Sublimation. We fell in love with this technology instantly and there we had another “ Aha “ moment.
I told my brother to let’s try this out as we still had a lot of t-shirt stock with us. He bought a Sublimation printer and all the other tools required to start printing. We got nearly 100 samples ready and gave away a few free of cost, just to see the response.
Days passed by, and the people who got our t-shirts couldn’t stop praising the premium print quality. We realized, this was it and we had to take the leap of faith for which we waited for a long time. We both left our full-time jobs and gave our 100% in this new business.
Slowly and steadily, things changed for the better. We bought a few more inkjet printers and converted them into sublimation printers to scale up our business because now we weren’t just doing t-shirt printing, but we started mug, tumbler, wood, and acrylic printing as well.
Fast forward to 2024, and we have a total experience of nearly 10 years with many hits and misses and I can surely say that we have squeezed every information we can about Sublimation. Through this website, we aim to spread our knowledge amongst you all, so that you don’t have to deal with those misses, and can straight away start a successful home-based business. But first, let’s know about sublimation printing.
Sublimation for Beginners
It is like a magical process where heat and pressure work together to print your designs on various surfaces. Imagine your ink starting as a solid, then poof! With some heat, it turns into a gas and bonds with your fabric or any material you choose.
What’s cool about sublimation printing is the finish. The ink doesn’t just sit on top; it becomes part of the material, giving it a smooth and vibrant look. And if you’re working with anything made of polyester, this method is your best friend.
Now, to make this magic happen, you need two special ingredients: sublimation ink and sublimation paper. These aren’t your ordinary ink and paper. They’re the secret sauce that makes your prints look sharper and eye-catching.
Tools Required for Sublimation
Starting out in sublimation printing was quite an adventure for me. Figuring out which equipment to get was like trying to solve a puzzle. Launching a printing business that makes good money? That’s not just a walk in the park. You’ve got to pick the right tools that suit what you want to do. But once you know and have the skills, it’s just a piece of cake.
Now, let me tell you about the tools and machines you’ll need to bring your creations to life.
Sublimation Printer
First up, you’ll need a sublimation printer. This isn’t just any printer—it’s a special kind that works with the ink we need for our awesome prints. Sublimation printers can be sourced from any online shopping site or bought from stores. Epson is one of the leading brands that sells sublimation printers at an affordable cost. You can also go ahead with dedicated Sawgrass Sublimation Printers.
However, there are instances where an ordinary printer is used by tweaking the machinery and using the sublimation ink cartridges. And in today’s time, everyone prefers to go ahead with a normal inkjet printer for their needs as its cost-effective for beginners in a small business setup.
Sublimation Ink
Next is your sublimation ink – think of it as the magic potion for your prints! The sublimation process transforms the solid ink into gas. Sublimation ink has the exact properties to sublime into the fabric when heat is applied. This ink embeds into the fabric and gives you a smooth finish and high quality.
Sublimation Paper
To make the magic happen, you’ll also need some special paper. Sublimation paper is designed to transfer your designs to your chosen material without any smudges, keeping the colors vibrant and true.
Heat Press
The heat press is the hero of the sublimation process. It’s a machine that presses your design and material together under heat, turning the ink into gas and transferring it onto your material. It’s like a big, warm hug that seals in your design.
Computer Software
Your ideas need a place to shine, and that’s where computer software comes in. Use it to create your designs, then print them onto sublimation paper. From there, the heat press takes over.
Other Stuff You’ll Need
Besides all that fancy equipment, there are a few more things you’ll want to grab:
- A Cricut Maker – It’s great for cutting out your printed designs or off-sets. However, this one’s optional, especially if you need to print on dark-colored shirts.
- Heat-resistant tape – This little lifesaver keeps your paper from moving around on the blank paper you’re printing.
- Butcher paper – Pop this between your t-shirt and the printed paper to prevent your shirt from scorching by the heat press.
- Heat transfer gloves – Trust me, you’ll want these to keep your hands safe from the heat press and handle hot items when you take them off.
We promised you that you could start this soon-to-be favorite business from home, and we are keeping up with it. All the materials mentioned can easily be sourced and set up at home for starters.
How Does Sublimation Work?
The sublimation printing process is easy to execute and can be done by anyone with basic knowledge. Here are 4 basic easy steps for you to start your printing journey. However, they modify a bit based on the blank you choose for Sublimation.
Step 1: Print the Design
To begin with, you will need to select your design and print the same on the sublimation paper through the sublimation printer. Trim the edges so the paper fits perfectly on the object.
Step 2: Place the Print over the Substrate
Clean the object’s surface with a soft cloth and a lint roller to ensure it is dust-free. Place the printed paper on top of the substrate and secure it with tape so it does not move.
Step 3: Heat Press
Place the object in the heat press machine and press onto it for around 60 seconds or as per the requirements of the material. Bring the heat up to 380 to 400°C as per the requirement. You can read this post where I talk about different Heat Settings for Sublimation
Step 4: Remove the Paper
Gently remove the paper from the object and clean it with a damp cloth to ensure the colors are vibrant and the design is clear.
Start a Sublimation Printing Business from Your Home
Have you got all your tools ready? Great! Now, let’s turn this into a business.
Name your Business
First, give your business a catchy name and a logo that stands out. Use online tools like Canva to design your logo and register your business officially. You have to follow the standard tax rules that apply in your area.
Create a Business Plan
A solid business plan is like a roadmap for success. It’ll help you manage your funds, outline your ideas, and keep your business on track. Start with a single blank like a t-shirt and then slowly & steadily move ahead with other blanks like mugs, tumblers, acrylic etc.
Know Your Audience and Define Your Niche
Who are you designing for? If you’re targeting Gen-Z with your t-shirts, ensure you know what they’re into. This will help you create designs that they’ll love.
When you know your target customer, it is time to define the niche in which you will be working. For example, decide what type of substrates you will be using. Also, create a design style of your own. This will make your designs stand out, and your brand will have a signature style.
Get Your Designs Ready
You need to know atleast one software to create your designs. I would suggest to start with Canva Pro which enables you to use its premium elements to make an awesome design. You need to test various designs before you hit that A-Star. Once you have a winner, you can apply that on different blanks to scale up your business.
Create Online Presence
Social media can now be used as a marketplace, too. Design your social media page in such a way that it attracts customers. Add your products to your profile and enable the shopping feature to let the customers punch the orders from the social site.
Use paid promotions, influencer marketing, facebook marketing, and strategies to reach a larger audience and generate leads. You can do a short course to learn about Facebook Marketing and Google Ads to give your business an initial push.
Start Selling
Your customers will reach out to you and enquire about the products. Sell the products when ordered. Make sure to use all the strategies for a good customer experience. Keep the pricing competitive when starting out to build a solid customer base and to get reviews about your products. You can also collaborate with other brands or companies to design and print their merchandise.
Conclusion
Sublimation printing is more than just a hobby; it’s a business opportunity waiting to be explored. You can turn this into a thriving business from the comfort of your home with the right tools, a dash of creativity, and a good strategy.
So, let your creativity flow and start your journey in the world of sublimation printing!
