T-shirt Printing: Heat Transfer Paper vs Sublimation Printing

Do you have a design that you’d like to get printed onto a t-shirt, but want to get it done at home? If yes, you’ll generally be looking to choose between a heat transfer or sublimation option. This means making the choice of sublimation paper vs transfer paper.

Today, we take a look at some of the differences between sublimation and transfer paper printing for t-shirt prints. Read on to find out more!

 

What are the best inks for t-shirt printing?

While you can always send off your design to a print on-demand location to have it made by the professionals, you may find that it’s faster and cheaper to simply do it yourself. If you’re looking to get a t-shirt design printed out at home, you’ll need to decide between sublimation paper vs transfer paper, but what about the types of ink to use?

Generally speaking, inkjet ink can be used for transfer printing. This means that if you have an inkjet printer, you can simply use the same ink as you would for printing out documents to print your transfer paper designs. However, it’s always a good idea to check with your specific model to confirm this works before placing the transfer paper into your machine and queuing up a print!

For sublimation printing, you’ll need to purchase specific sublimation ink and ensure you have a printer that is compatible with sublimation printing, in order to use it properly.

 

What is sublimation printing?

Sublimation printing involves using ink that turns into a gas when it’s heated up. To create a sublimated print, make your design and place the sublimation ink and sublimation transfer paper into your compatible machine. Always remember to flip your design so that it doesn’t get transferred onto your shirt backwards! Not all inkjet printers will be able to handle sublimation printing, which is why it’s important to check with your model before you begin the process. If you think sublimation printing is something you would like to do more regularly, you may like to purchase an inkjet with sublimation compatibility, or a specific sublimation printer.

Sublimation prints should be transferred onto polyester t-shirts. When transferring your print to your shirt, place it face down on fabric and apply a heat press or other source of heat to the back. This heat helps the ink to bond with the fabric, allowing it to stick to the item of clothing.

 

What is heat transfer paper printing?

As the name suggests, heat transfer printing is printing that involves heat transfer paper. Unlike sublimation printing, heat transfer printing can be done with a regular inkjet or laser printer, using regular inkjet ink or toner. After the printing has been completed, the steps for transferring the print onto a t-shirt are basically the same as for sublimation printing. Print your design in reverse onto the heat transfer paper and place it face down on the shirt.

For heat transfer prints, you can use either a cotton or polyester shirt, however if using an inkjet machine you’ll want to use cotton. Much like with sublimation printing, you’ll want to apply heat to the back of the design. Ideally, this should be done with a heat press, however you may be able to use a standard iron instead.

For more information on how to print your own iron on transfers, read our blog post.

 

Heat transfer paper vs sublimation printing – pros and cons

So, you may be wondering about some of the pros and cons of sublimation paper vs transfer paper. Reading the above descriptions should give you a basic idea of some of the pros and cons of these options, but there are a few other elements that separate these choices.

Heat transfer printing pros

• A more affordable option than sublimation printing
• Can be printed using a standard inkjet or laser printer, with the ink or toner you would normally use for printing
• Simple and straightforward, making it good for beginners

Heat transfer printing cons

• Large designs can crack and split
• When using an inkjet printer, the excess backgrounds/edges will transfer too (no self-weeding)
• You will likely be able to feel the design on the shirt

Sublimation printing pros

• Tends to produce more vibrant colours than heat transfer printing
• Can’t be felt on a shirt
• Is generally more durable than heat transfers, giving the shirt more wears

Sublimation printing cons

• Requires a specialised printer to produce these prints
• Only works with polyesters (no printing on cotton shirts)
• The type of ink needed tends to clog up printers quickly

When it comes to deciding whether you should create your t-shirt print using a heat transfer or a sublimation method, there are a few factors to consider. Heat transfer prints are beginner-friendly, and able to be created using inkjet or laser printers, whereas sublimation designs need to be printed with compatible machines. However, sublimation designs tend to look more vibrant and last longer than heat transfers, while also not having the same obvious feel that heat transfers can have. However, if you don’t want to spend the extra money on a machine that is suited for creating sublimated designs, t-shirt printing at home using the heat transferring method is a great use of your inkjet or laser printer.