800 562-7760 Support
Toggle Nav
My Cart

Equipment
Demonstrations

Finance
Options

Menu
Account

Sublimation Transfers by Size - For Hard Substrates

$0.02
SKU
SUBTRANS-PRINT-HUE

Compatible file extensions to upload: png, pdf, svg, eps, ai

Add to Wish List Add to Compare
General! Please note, sublimation does not print white ink, and the brightness of your design depends on the coating and color of your hard substrate.
Warning! This item is exempt from free shipping and promotional codes.
main product photo

Sublimation Transfers: Vibrant Colors, Most Durable, Consistent High-Quality

Experience the perfect combination of vibrant, eye-catching colors, the highest durability, and consistent high-quality with our sublimation transfers. Designed to fuse seamlessly into the hard substates (Mugs, Photo Panels, Magnets, etc), our transfers ensure that your substrates maintain their natural appearance while delivering stunning, long-lasting color. Whether you’re creating intricate designs or bold graphics, you’ll enjoy exceptional detail and durability with every print. With our sublimation transfers, you get a flawless, professional finish that holds up to repeated wear and tear without fading — guaranteeing that your designs look amazing, time after time.

Benefits of Ordering Sublimation Transfers

Choosing to buy dye sublimation transfers over printing in-house offers a range of benefits that make the process simpler, more cost-effective, and professional.

Ideal for Large Orders

Depending on the output capacity of your sublimation printer, purchasing transfers can be a great alternative for bigger orders or larger runs, reducing your ink and paper cost while saving time, leaving you with more margin. 

Low Cost Start-Up

Get your new business off the ground faster and with less upfront expense. With sublimation transfers, you only pay for the designs you need, reducing waste and saving you money on equipment and maintenance.

Professional Quality

Depending on the output capacity of your sublimation printer, purchasing transfers can be a great alternative for bigger orders or larger runs, reducing your ink and paper cost while saving time, leaving you with more margin. 

Time Efficiency

Depending on the output capacity of your sublimation printer, purchasing transfers can be a great alternative for bigger orders or larger runs, reducing your ink and paper cost while saving time, leaving you with more margin. 

Fast Turnaround

With our quick and efficient production process, most orders ship within 24 hours. Perfect for tight deadlines, last-minute orders, or high-demand projects, get professional-quality transfers delivered to your door, fast!

No Size Limitations

Whether you need small, detailed designs or large-scale prints, we’ve got you covered with options up to 44" and 64" wide, and the length is entirely up to you. Giving you endless creative possibilities with the convenience of custom sizing.

No Minimum

Depending on the output capacity of your sublimation printer, purchasing transfers can be a great alternative for bigger orders or larger runs, reducing your ink and paper cost while saving time, leaving you with more margin. 

Progress Updates

Stay informed every step of the way with our seamless progress updates for your dye sublimation transfer orders. From the moment you submit your artwork, we keep you in the loop with real-time updates throughout the process.

By choosing to purchase dye sublimation transfers, you’ll save time, money, and stress—all while delivering superior results your customers will love.

Art Setup & Guidelines

How to prepare your print ready art file.

Measurements
The best way to get the dimensions of your art is to set the artboard in the design program to the exact size you want for your printed transfer. For example, if you want the design to be 4" x 4", set your artboard to 4" x 4". This would be considered a ratio of 1:1, or as often referred to - set to size. This eliminates any scaling issues and won't impact file resolution, which should be 300dpi. 

Color Profile
While RGB has a large color gamut, which is ideal for televisions and computer monitors, sublimation printers print CMYK. For best results, create your designs in CMYK, or convert your design to CMYK before sending. 

Outline Fonts
Ensure all fonts are converted to outlines. Editable type may not display correctly, depending on the computer’s font library.

  • Adobe Illustrator - Select all text, go to Type Menu > Create Outlines
  • Corel Draw - Select all text, go to Arrange Menu > Convert to Curves
  • Photoshop - Select all text, go to Layers Panel > Right Click, Rasterize Type

Acceptable File Formats
We accept a variety of file formats, including: PDF (Press Ready), SVG, PNG, JPG, EPS. Vector files are best. Rasterized files are acceptable, as long as they are 300dpi.

Press Instructions

Heat Press Temp: 360 - 400° | Pressure: Light - Heavy

Please check individual substrate pressing instructions for time, temperature, and pressure.

Step 1
Pre-Press 20 Seconds

Pre-pressing Hardboard materials, Photo Panels, Garments, etc. helps to remove moisture - ensuring a flawless design. By applying heat to the substrate before transferring the design, you eliminate any excess moisture, which helps prevent potential issues like fading, color bleeding, or uneven transfers.

Step 2
Apply Thermal Tape

To avoid the transfer shifting and creating ghosting, ensure that you secure the transfer to your substrate with heat resistant thermal tape.

It is also best practice to cover the substrate and transfer with silicone sheet, parchment paper, and a teflon sheet to avoid ink transferring to the platens of your heat press.

Step 3
Press

Positioning your transfer on the substrate is a key step in ensuring a perfectly aligned design. Carefully place the transfer in your desired location, taking time to measure and center it for accuracy. Close platen and press for recommended time of substrate (per the vendor you purchased from - for Coastal use product page settings) - time may vary based on your heat press.

Step 4
Peel Immediately

Peeling immediately and evenly after pressing is essential for achieving a flawless transfer. By removing the transfer in a smooth, steady motion, you ensure that the design remains perfectly in place without shifting or smudging (ghosting). This step helps preserve the sharpness and clarity of the print.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some FAQ's regarding sublimation transfer prints. If you have additional questions, or need more information, our Customer Success Team is here to help!

Sublimation heat transfer is a high-performance printing technique that produces vibrant, long-lasting prints on polyester materials. The process begins by printing a design onto special sublimation paper using heat-activated inks. When exposed to high heat, these inks transform into gas, allowing them to bond deeply with the polyester fibers. Unlike surface-level printing, sublimation embeds the design into the fabric, creating a smooth, durable, and fade-resistant finish. This method ensures rich, vivid colors and sharp details that withstand wear, wash, and time, making it ideal for high-quality, customized garments and hard surface goods.

Sublimation printing works best on polyester materials due to the way the inks bond with the fibers during the heat transfer process, resulting in vibrant, long-lasting prints. While sublimation can be used on cotton fabrics, the results are less effective—the colors may appear faded and are prone to washing out quickly. For cotton garments, it’s recommended to explore alternative transfer methods like heat transfer vinyl or screen printing, which provide better durability and color retention on natural fibers like cotton.

Sublimation printing is most effective on polyester or polyester-blend fabrics, as these materials allow the inks to bond deeply, resulting in vibrant and permanent prints. In addition to fabrics, sublimation can be used on hard surfaces, such as mugs, phone cases, and metal sheets, as long as they have a special polymer coating. This versatility makes sublimation an ideal choice for a wide range of personalized products, from apparel to custom drinkware and promotional items, delivering high-quality, durable results on various surfaces.

Faded prints can occur when the correct temperature, pressure, or transfer time isn't used during the sublimation process. To achieve the best results, it's essential to follow the recommended settings tailored to your specific substrate, whether it's fabric or a hard surface. Additionally, ensuring that you are using high-quality sublimation inks and paper is crucial for vibrant, long-lasting prints. By adhering to these best practices, you can avoid common printing issues and produce crisp, professional results every time.

Sublimation transfers are renowned for their exceptional durability. Unlike traditional prints that sit on top of the fabric, sublimation inks are infused directly into the fibers, becoming part of the material itself. This deep bonding process makes the design resistant to fading, peeling, or cracking, even after frequent washing and extended use. With sublimation, your prints maintain their vibrant colors and flawless appearance, ensuring long-lasting, professional-quality results that stand the test of time. Perfect for high-wear items like sports apparel or custom merchandise.

Ghosting can happen when the transfer paper shifts during the pressing process, causing a blurry or double image. To avoid this, make sure the transfer paper is securely taped in place using heat-resistant tape. For added protection, it’s recommended to cover the transfer with a Teflon sheet during the pressing process. This not only holds everything in position but also provides a barrier to ensure even heat distribution, preventing smudging and ensuring crisp, professional-quality prints every time.

While many heat presses are suitable for sublimation, selecting one that delivers consistent heat and pressure is essential for achieving high-quality transfers. Inconsistent heat or uneven pressure can lead to subpar results, such as faded prints or incomplete designs. A reliable heat press ensures that the sublimation inks are evenly activated and infused into the substrate, providing vibrant, long-lasting prints. For the best results, invest in a heat press known for precise temperature control and consistent pressure distribution.

To preserve the vibrancy of your sublimation prints, turn the garment inside out before washing. Use cold water and a mild detergent, avoiding bleach or fabric softeners, as they can damage the design. Tumble dry on a low setting or opt for air drying to further protect the print from fading or cracking. Following these simple care instructions will help keep your prints looking bright, crisp, and long-lasting, even after multiple washes.

Sublimation printing is considered more eco-friendly compared to other printing methods due to its use of water-based inks that don’t require harmful solvents. This reduces the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment. Additionally, the process generates minimal waste since the design is printed directly onto the material, eliminating the need for excess paper, screens, or chemicals used in other methods. Sublimation also minimizes energy consumption, making it a more sustainable option for creating vibrant, high-quality prints.

Sublimation transfers differ from other transfer types by bonding the ink directly into the fibers of polyester materials, resulting in vibrant, permanent prints that won’t peel, crack, or fade. In contrast, other transfer methods, like heat transfer vinyl or screen printing, place the design on the surface of the fabric, which can be prone to wear over time. Sublimation also allows for full-color, detailed prints and works best on light-colored polyester fabrics, while other methods are more versatile across various fabric types but may not offer the same longevity.
More Information
Manufacturer Coastal
Print Applications Dye-Sublimation
©2025 Coastal Business Supplies, Inc. All rights reserved.