Can you sublimate on cotton?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 24, 2026
Now you can sublimate onto cotton using Forever Subli-Light! This breakthrough 1 step product allows you to do the impossible task of permanently sublimating full color images onto light cotton textiles. all while using your ordinary Sawgrass SG500 or SG1000 sublimation printer.
What happens if you sublimate on 100 cotton?
In the case of products that allow cotton sublimation, the resulting image will be on the surface instead of in the surface, and may crack, peel or fade over time.
What is the best way to sublimate on cotton?
Can You Sublimate On Cotton Products?
- Sublimation On Cotton With Glitter HTV. Glitter HTV is my go-to for sublimation. ...
- Cotton Transfer Papers or Printable HTV. This is a special type of paper that you print on with your inkjet printers using regular pigment ink. ...
- Sublimation with Glow In The Dark HTV. ...
- Siser Easysubli.
Can you sublimate on cotton blend?
With blends, it's rare that you would need to use a sheet of foam, so there are less steps for producing the shirt. To be clear, sublimation will not bond to anything but polyesters and polymers. It will not bond to cotton (among other things).
Why can you not sublimate on cotton?
This vibrancy issue is because sublimation ink does not adhere to natural fibers. Upon sublimating blended fabric, it may not look bad initially. It is really when the shirt is washed that the image will lose vibrancy because the ink is washing off the cotton fibers (Figures 1 and 2 below).
26 related questions foundHow do you sublimate 100 cotton shirts?
Pressing Your Design
- Set your heat press to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Set the time for 50 seconds.
- Place your printed design face down onto the fabric side of the sublimation fabric. ...
- You can use heat resistant tape to hold your design in place.
- Place the pieces on your heat press with the sublimated piece on top.
Can you bleach 100% cotton shirts for sublimation?
As mentioned above, using the right poly blend or 100 percent polyester works best when using the sublimation methods. It is because the ink binds with the polyester fabric. You can use 100 percent cotton or a higher cotton/poly blend but the image will not be as clear and it will definitely have a faded look.
Can you sublimate on bleached cotton?
There are transfer papers, but the reaction that sublimation ink needs to work properly can only happen with synthetic fibers, not natural. So cotton is a no go.
Can you sublimate on dark fabric?
If you're wondering how to do sublimation on dark color shirts you've come to the right spot. While it's not possible to sublimate dark colors directly, with a Silhouette CAMEO, Sawgrass Sublimation Printer, and white glitter HTV you can make it work!
What fabrics can you sublimate on?
Out of these, nylon, rayon, spandex and acrylic have become some of the top fabrics for printers using Dye-Sublimation technology because of the strength and durability that these fabrics come with.
Why is my sublimation ink faded after washing?
The sublimation inks you are using are often not made from the highest quality material. This means that after being washed. The print is likely to fade because it is no longer protected by a durable coating.
Can you bleach 100 polyester for sublimation?
Sublimation inks work best on 100% polyester, but polyester doesn't bleach well. In order to bleach shirts for sublimation, you're going to need a shirt that is mixed with cotton and polyester. Additionally, you'll want the polyester to be a higher count than the cotton or it will have a very faded look to it.
What shirt is best for sublimation?
The best shirts to use for sublimation printing are 100% polyester. This type of printing requires the type of chemical bond that it can only make with the polymers inside polyester fibers. There are a lot of advantages to using 100% polyester shirts.
Can you sublimate 65 polyester 35 cotton?
Polyester blend fabrics, such as our 65% Polyester / 35% Cotton Blend; can also be used but will result in a retro/vintage look. Only the percent of polyester used in this synthetic material will capture the image being transferred. Here are a few examples of sublimation printing on white t-shirts.
Do you wash shirts before sublimation?
Sublimation is just a process to transfer images onto specific types of materials. Heat and pressure are used to facilitate the transfer. Because the transfer occurs at the molecular level, it's a permanent transfer. That means that no matter how many times you wash or scrub the transferred image, it won't come off!
Will 60 cotton 40 polyester bleach?
This is because bleach reacts with cotton better than it does with polyester. You will succeed using 60% cotton 40% polyester blends, though, because the fabric is made primarily out of cotton.
Why are my bleached shirts getting holes?
Patt K. If you need to use bleach on your fabric, make certain to rinse with white vinegar in the water. This keeps the bleach from continuing to work after it has been 'rinsed' out with plain water. If you repeatedly use bleach without a vinegar rinse, your fabric will eventually get little pit holes in it.
Can you use sublimation on Bella canvas?
Bella Canvas Slub
Bella canvas slub is a unique fabric made of 50% polyester, 37.5% cotton, and 12.5% rayon. That unique blend gives a tonal texture and is another great choice for sublimation printing. Since the polyester content is only 50%, you get faded and distressed prints.
How long do you leave bleach on a shirt for sublimation?
How long will the bleaching process take? That totally depends on the shirt and the color that you are trying to get it to. I would say anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour on average, however.
How do I make sublimation shirts brighter?
Try using a higher heat setting on your printer. This will cause the dyes to sublimate more completely, resulting in brighter prints. Heat press. Use a heat press with even pressure to ensure good results.
Can you use a Cricut for sublimation?
You'll be able to use your Cricut to cut out all your favorite designs and patterns, prepare them for sublimation printing, and knock out the whole project – from start to finish – faster than you ever thought possible, all from the comfort of your own home.
Does sublimation fade on cotton?
For fabrics, we recommend 100% white polyester for the best transfer. It is not possible to sublimate on 100% cotton - and your transfer will wash away in the first wash cycle. You can sublimate on poly/cotton blends, but the transfer will appear less vibrant and give a vintage look.