How to Save Money When Buying Dye Sublimation Ink
Sublimation Tips to Save Money: Top 15 Budget Friendly Hacks
Learn my top tips for saving money while sublimation crafting!
Whether you’re an experienced sublimation crafter or are still deciding if it’s right for you, the costs can add up, like with many new hobbies or skills. I’ve got good news, though — they don’t have to! Whether you’re on a tight budget or just want to save a little money towards some more craft supplies, I’ve put together my top 15 sublimation tips to save money to help! You can use one tip, or use them all. If one tip helps, my mission is complete! Plus, I’ve bundled some of my favorite sublimation images for you — they’re the ones I use in my own sublimation crafts! So, are you ready to stretch your sublimation dollar? Let’s go!
Want to save this project? Enter your below and we’ll send the project straight to your inbox.Watch the full video featuring my best money-saving tips for sublimation:
Start Simple
One of the first things crafters learn about sublimation is that it can require some serious equipment: sublimation printers, heat presses, convection ovens, maybe a cutting machine, and a whole slew of other supplies. It can be overwhelming!
But what if I told you that you probably don’t need as many things as you think to get started? It’s true!
First off, you don’t have to get a printer right away. Plenty of crafters use infusible ink when they get started to see if sublimation is right for them. Infusible ink is available in a few different formats, the first being patterned transfer sheets. These are fun to work with in a bunch of different ways, and can be cut into customized shapes with a Cricut cutting machine (or with a craft knife or scissors).
If you don’t have a Cricut, you can use infusible ink pens and markers to draw designs onto sublimation transfer paper, then use a heat press to sublimate them onto blanks.
One thing you can’t skip is a powerful heat source — which will vary depending on the items you’ll be sublimating. For larger, three-dimensional items, a craft-purposed convection oven or air fryer may be a good choice. There are other presses for three-dimensional items on the market too, like hat presses, mug presses, and tumbler presses.
For flatter items, a household iron doesn’t reach the high temperatures needed for sublimation, so it’s best to stick to a heat press. The Cricut EasyPress works great, but if you’ll be sublimating a lot of flat items I recommend stepping up to a full size heat press like a Cricut Autopress. And here’s a bonus tip: Even if your main reason for needing a heat press is for sublimation, you can use it for other crafts like heat-transfer vinyl, too!
Don’t Get a Printer Right Away
This is worth repeating! I can’t emphasize enough — there are so many possibilities when it comes to sublimating that don’t require a printer. We’ve already talked about creating infusible ink projects with Cricut Infusible Ink to get the hang of sublimating, but what if you want a specific image on your blank?
If you’d like to sublimate your own photo or design, you can ask a crafty friend to print them for you, or find a seller on Etsy who offers sublimation transfer printing services. I recommend getting a few copies made, just in case you make a mistake. Sublimation prints can sit for a while before you transfer them — just lay them flat, keep them in a dry place, and store them out of sunlight.
Test Your Process
Here’s a secret: The sublimation process is more of a science experiment than a craft. There are so many variables at play, and it can take some practice to get it right. I’m a big fan of doing tests to make sure my technique, temperature, and time are all correct. That way, I don’t run the risk of making a big mistake on an expensive blank.
Got a new sublimation oven? Test it out on a low-stakes project first. Planning to sublimate a design onto a 100% polyester T-shirt? Test your print and pressing settings on a cheap bandana or scrap piece of similar 100% polyester material. Dollar Tree has lots of great, inexpensive items you can practice on, or check out discount stores or resale shops for more. Be sure to watch the video for more sublimation tips to save money!
Get the Right Tools for You
Another way to save money in your sublimation crafting is to make sure you get a printer that suits your needs. Whether it’s a purpose-built sublimation printer or an inkjet printer you converted for sublimation, be sure to consider the ease of use, the cost of the printer over time, and any special features it comes with. Does it come with software? Is it compatible with your computer’s operating system? Does it fit in your craft space? In the video, I tell you which printers I recommend for home sublimation crafting.
Making sure you get the right tools also applies to items other than printers. For example, what kind of heat source do you need for the projects you want to make? If you’re planning to make a lot of mugs, a mug press or sublimation-purposed convection oven would be a good idea. Hats? I recommend picking up a hat press. But if you’re planning on only sublimating colorful T-shirts, you don’t need a mug press, tumbler press, or even an oven — you need a flat heat press. Then you get to decide which size! Hint: Go as big as your budget will reasonably allow, because you never know what you’ll want to create down the road.
Get to Know Your Supplies
Being familiar with your materials means fewer surprises while sublimating. Using the right materials means fewer botched projects, and less material, time, and money wasted. Be sure to watch the video to learn which materials you should use, and which to steer clear from.
No matter which type of blank you’ll be sublimating, there are certain materials you’ll use for any and all sublimation projects. Sublimation transfer paper, white cardstock, white uncoated butcher paper, and heat-resistant tape are essential for virtually all sublimation crafts. Get familiar with them!
One way to save money is to reuse sublimation materials you use often. Not all materials can be reused (if it has ink on it, don’t reuse it) but white cardstock can still be used in paper crafts, butcher paper makes great packing material, and even heat-resistant tape can be reused (again, as long as there’s no ink on it). Find more sublimation tips to save money in the video!
Big Plans? Buy in Bulk!
One of the best ways to save money when making a lot of the same item is to buy in bulk. Whether you’re purchasing bulk blanks, stocking up on sublimation ink, or found a great deal on a bunch of white, uncoated butcher paper, the price per item is usually less when you’re buying several of them.
But what if you don’t need or want extras? Find a friend who sublimates and split the order!
Take Your Time and Prepare for Success
If you’ve sublimated before, or even if you’re brand new and feel comfortable delving into the craft, I’ve got one piece of advice for you: Slow down.
It can be tempting to take shortcuts, but I strongly advise against it as it’s not a good practice. As alluring as it can be to save time or materials, shortcuts often lead to a failed final product.
So, what are some things you should never skip?
- Measuring. Never skip measuring your blank, or the sublimatable area of your blank. Pay close attention, because eyes can deceive us, and even the dimensions on your blank’s packaging can be wrong.
- Spellchecking. Always check your spelling, punctuation, and capitalization before cutting infusible ink or printing sublimation designs.
- Mirroring. This is a big one, because it can be so easy to forget! Be sure to print your image mirrored so it gets applied to your blank the right way during heating.
- Removing protective film. Many hard blanks (like wind spinners, coasters, etc.) can come with a protective film to prevent scratches. Leave it on the blank until you’re ready to sublimate it, then remove it. Sublimating this film will ruin your transfer and possibly your blank, too.
- Checking for scratches. Always be sure to check for scratches or other defects that can affect your transfer, especially if they didn’t come with a protective film.
- Cleaning your blank. Use a lint roller to remove excess lint and dust from most items, or use a soft, lint-free cloth with a little isopropyl alcohol to clean debris from hard surfaces. A little bit of debris may not be super noticeable pre-sublimation, but it will be after as it blocks the ink!
These are just a few of the no-skip tips, so be sure to watch the video to learn them all!
Don’t Give Up if it Doesn’t Work
Everyone makes mistakes when they first start a new crafting technique. Yes, that includes me! Even with perfect prep, sometimes your project won’t turn out the way you expect. The good news? You just gained a valuable learning experience!
So, you’ve got a messed up sublimation project. Maybe the image ghosted, or your time or temperatures were off. Maybe you forgot to mirror, and now you have a backwards design. Whatever your sublimation woe may be, I recommend against throwing it out until you’ve given it some thought.
Some sublimation mistakes can be fixed, and in the case of items like tumblers, resublimation is possible! Or, made a T-shirt that didn’t turn out the way you wanted? Don’t throw it away! Instead, wear it to the beach, while cleaning your house or doing yardwork, or put it on while you’re painting or doing other messy projects. I love sublimation tips to save money AND waste!
Remember, nothing handmade is supposed to be perfect — so give yourself some grace. Odds are, nobody will notice your mistakes the way you do!
Take Care of Your Work
Always check the care instructions to make sure you’re cleaning or caring for the item correctly, because that will lengthen its life and keep it looking great!
For example, washing sublimated items like hoodies or shirts in too hot of water can lighten the ink. Always wait at least 24 hours after sublimating your item to wash it so the ink has settled! For items like coffee mugs and tumblers, hand wash them with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge — no scrubbing with anything abrasive because the ink is part of the scratchable surface! Dishwashers can get SO hot, and fade your designs. For T-shirts and other clothing items, handwashing is best, too — but if you do use a washing machine, only wash with cool water and mild soap — then hang it to dry.
Care instructions can be easily forgotten, so if you’re gifting or selling your sublimation crafts, be sure to include care instructions!
Think Outside the Box
Did you know that other things besides “sublimation blanks” can be sublimated? It’s time to get curious about what else you can make with this technique!
One way to sublimate an item not specifically designed for sublimation is to add a sublimation-friendly coating to it. I did this in my Sublimation Stained Glass tutorial. There are lamination pouches, special sprays, and even iron-on vinyl that can be sublimated. Often times, since these items aren’t made for sublimation, you can save a lot of money using them! Look for ways to buy in bulk, use coupons, or take advantage of sales and clearance. I share a lot of great deals in my social media posts and newsletters, so make sure you’re signed up and following those!
And, as always, use caution when using new materials. It’s best to use tried-and-true methods for safety, and it never hurts to ask fellow crafters for advice and additional sublimation tips to save money.
Treat Your Tools Well
This one is pretty self-explanatory. If you take care of your crafting space, your tools, and materials, you’ll save money. Keeping your supplies organized and accounted for means they will be less likely to be damaged if they’re thoughtfully stored. Plus, you’ll be less likely to lose them, accidentally buy doubles, or stall your crafting projects because you forget you have them on hand!
Taking the time to care for your tools, especially expensive ones like printers, heat presses, and cutting machines, can be invaluable when it comes to saving money. For example, cleaning your print heads often and printing a test page once a week keeps the ink flowing correctly and will save you time, money, frustration, and possibly even save your equipment from damage in the long run. Be sure to watch the video for more tips on proper tool care!
Don’t Spend Money if You Don’t Have To
Another thing to consider when sublimation crafting is software. If you’re sublimating designs and images (beyond infusible ink), you’ll need it to prepare, tweak, and print your sublimation prints. Good news! You don’t need expensive software to do sublimation crafting! Some of my favorite sublimation software tools like Google Docs, Canva, and Adobe’s PDF Reader are free. There are also free editing software options out there. One editor and background remover I like to use is iloveimg.com.
Use the Right Size Paper
One great way to save money on your sublimation prints is to use the right size paper for each design. Sublimation transfer paper can be pricy, so make the most of your materials by sizing accordingly. I make a lot of large designs, so I love big sublimation paper — but if I’m making a smaller design, I’ll use a smaller piece. You can either purchase smaller paper or you can trim it smaller. If I’m sublimating multiple small items, like a set of coasters, I’ll print them all on one big sheet! Printer trays are adjustable to fit many sizes — just make sure to change settings on your computer before printing.
Don’t Waste Blanks
I’ve already covered a lot of these tips, but they are worth repeating! Don’t get all the way through the preparation process only to waste money on a botched blank because of a small mistake.
- Double and triple check that there’s no protective film on your blank!
- Clean and remove dust and debris from your blanks before sublimating. Remember, a quick pass with a lint roller or some alcohol on a lint-free cloth can make break your sublimation transfer.
- If you’re sublimating a new type or size of blank, you can print your design on a less expensive setting to check the sizing first — then print it high quality for the actual transfer.
Be sure to check out the video for even more sublimation tips to save money and materials!
Find Free Designs You Can Use
Until you’re ready to design your own sublimation transfers, you can use designs sold by others on Etsy and Creative Fabrica, or find free full color designs from Canva or my blog! Just be sure to use them ethically and legally, especially if you’re selling the items you sublimate. Always check the license and information file that comes with the design and make sure you’re staying within the terms of use.
Speaking of free files, I’ve got a whole bundle of my favorite sublimation crafting designs available for you below!
I hope you enjoyed this list of sublimation tips to save money! Even if you only end up using a tip or two, consider that a win for your wallet. Check out the video for even more tips (and BONUS tips!) for sublimating on a budget. And remember: Have fun!
Let me show you how to save money sublimating! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more, there is no additional cost)! Read my full disclosure policy.
Sublimation Tips to Save Money Crafting!
15 Money-Saving Sublimation Tips
Yield: 1 Prep Time: 5 minutes Active Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Difficulty: Easy Estimated Cost: $8-$10Learn how to save money while sublimating!
Instructions
To begin, download the designs from this page in your ADVANCE member area.
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP 1: START SIMPLE
You don't need a sublimation printer right away, try out the new technique with Infusible Ink Markers and Pens!
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP 2: EXPAND YOUR OPTIONS
You STILL don't need a printer right away, because you can order custom prints from small business owners!
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #3: TEST YOUR PROCESS ON LESS EXPENSIVE BLANKS
Learn the ropes on old T-shirts and dollar store supplies and save the expensive blanks and gift-making for when you're ready.
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #4: GET THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR YOU
The right printer for someone else isn't necessarily perfct for you. When picking a sublimation printer, the big things I consider are ease of use, price over time, and any special features, but there are other differences like software, computer compatibility, and size.
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #5: GET TO KNOW YOUR SUPPLIES
Practice and learn how you can use these materials correctly for the best results, but also efficiently to keep your crafting costs down.
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #6: BIG PLANS? BUY IN BULK
When you’re shopping for sublimation supplies or blanks, see if you can buy more than one of the item, especially if it’s a project you plan to make again, or as a back up in case of mistakes. But instead of buying, say, four single sublimation mugs, see if a small multipack is available at a lower cost per item.
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #7: TAKE YOUR TIME AND PREPARE FOR SUCCESS
You might want to get right to the pressing, but taking your time with sublimation, especially in the beginning, will save you money in the long run!
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #8: BUT DON’T GIVE UP IF IT DOESN’T WORK
Sublimation doesn't always go perfectly, but don't throw out mistakes. You might be able to fix it!
Goto SAVEN to know more.
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #9: TAKE CARE OF YOUR WORK
Don’t destroy your hard work by not taking care of your items when you’re done. Follow the care instructions!
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #10: THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
I used to think it was just items made for sublimation, but there’s so much more we can decorate! Especially if you learn how to add sublimation-friendly coatings to fun new things.
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #11: TREAT YOUR TOOLS WELL
Taking care of your crafting space and tools will save you lost time and money in the long run. If you don’t put things away, it’s way too easy to lose track of items and waste time searching. And time often equals money.
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #12: DON’T SPEND MONEY IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO
Don’t feel like you need expensive software to print transfers, because there are lots of free tools to help stretch your crafting budget.
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #13: USE THE RIGHT SIZE PAPER
Not every project needs a full sheet of paper!
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #14: DON'T WASTE BLANKS
You can catch so many mistakes by paying attention and printing a test sheet!
SUBLIMATION MONEY-SAVING TIP #15: FIND FREE DESIGNS YOU CAN USE
If you’re not ready to make your own sublimation files, don’t worry! There are many talented artists selling sublimation templates and designs online. And if you search my library for "PNG" you'll find hundreds of files to experiment with!
Answers to Your Questions About Saving Money Sublimating
Q: I saw a project in your video that I want to make! Where can I find the tutorial?
A: I’ve got all of the finish projects featured in my video listed here for your convenience!
- Cute Animal Tumblers
- Mama Bear Hat
- All Over Sublimation Shirt
- Cute Winter Animal Coasters
- Pouches with Infusible Ink Pens
-
Watercolor Ink Mugs
- Infusible Ink Ornaments
- Dollar Tree Garden Pinwheel
- Pet Bandanas
- Dollar Tree Signs
- Seamless Sublimation Tumblers
- Phoenix Re-sublimation Tumblers
- Sublimated Item Care Cards
- Autumn Wind Spinners
- Wooden Gnome Signs
- “Think Happy” T-Shirt
- “Hello Pumpkin” T-Shirt
- Spooky Cat T-Shirt
- Stained Glass Cutting Boards
- Succulent Slate Plaques
The Notebook & Stickers Mug tutorial is available in my Canva Creative Design workshop.
The cat patterned tumbler was available from a designer at DesignBundles.com. The original design is no longer on the website, but here is a similar one.
Q: What is the cheapest way to start sublimation?
A: There are a lot of sublimation tips to save money, but the cheapest way to start sublimating is to get a budget-friendly heat source (which depends on the items you want to sublimate), some basic sublimation supplies, and either some infusible ink pens or markers and sublimation paper, or a pre-printed transfer sheet you purchase on Etsy or from a sublimation crafting friend. You do not have to buy a printer or a Cricut to sublimate, though you may decide you want to invest in those once you get more into the technique.
Q: Is sublimation worth the investment?
A: If you heed the advice in this post and take care of your tools and materials, shop smart, and follow through with your projects, I believe sublimation is absolutely worth the investment! I’ve made so many impressive gifts while sublimation crafting. Not only are they special because they’re unique and often customized to the recipient, but they have the bonus of being made from the heart!
Q: Can I do sublimation without a sublimation printer?
A: You sure can! In this post and in the video, I suggest several ways to do sublimation crafting without a sublimation printer.
Q: How much does it cost for a sublimation print?
A: There are Etsy sellers who provide sublimation transfer printing services for as little as $1 per sheet, and sometimes less! Be sure to check the seller’s reviews, shipping costs, and shipping time to see if they’re the right seller for you before checking out.
Q: Is sublimation cheaper than screen printing?
A: Sublimation is typically less costly than screen printing, but there are many factors. If you’re considering choosing one, be sure to research the costs, possibilities, and limitations of each method before investing in expensive equipment and supplies.
Q: How do you get the best results of sublimation?
A: If I had one piece of advice for achieving the best results in your sublimation crafts, it would be to slow down and not cut corners when it comes to preparation. Review my “Take Your Time and Prepare for Success” section above for more, and be sure to check out the video for extra tips!
Q: What are the downsides of sublimation?
A: The downsides of sublimation can include cost (which we’ve addressed in this post), risk for mistakes, and some limitations (like needing special ink, typically only being able to use white sublimation blanks, etc.). That being said, sublimation may be the perfect craft for you, despite it’s downsides! Every crafting technique has downsides, it’s just a matter of finding what works for you. If it stops being fun, you’re doing it wrong.
Q: What cannot be sublimated?
A: There are a slew of materials that can be sublimated … and a bunch that cannot. Rather than list them all, just remember that cloth sublimation blanks like T-shirts, tote bags, etc. need to be made out of polyester. Hard sublimation blanks like mugs, tumblers, coasters, etc. need to be coated with a polymer in order to accept sublimation ink. When sublimating items with zippers, buttons, plastic lids, rubber feet, and other embellishments and features, be sure to avoid those areas so you don’t damage them or your equipment.
Q: What happens if I sublimate on cotton?
A: If you sublimate on 100% cotton, your image will transfer, but it may be lighter than you expect. However, once you wash the item, the image will wash out — probably completely. That’s because cotton doesn’t contain those important polymers that the sublimation dye needs to infuse into the blank. Your item CAN contain cotton, but it should be at least 60% polyester in order to hold your sublimation transfer. 100% polyester fabric will yield the most vibrant, accurate, and colorfast transfers.
Q: Can you show me how to fix sublimation mistakes?
A: Mistakes happen! I’ve been crafting for years and I still have the occasional mishap. Mistakes mean you’re learning! To help, check out my post Sublimation Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To for my best headache-saving sublimation tips (and pitfalls to avoid).
Q: How do I know if I have my sublimation temperature and time right?
A: To help take the guesswork out of getting pressing times and temperatures right for different materials, I created the Sublimation Cookbook! It’s got step-by-step sublimation project recipes for over 150 different sublimation blanks. Each of these “recipes” show you exactly what to use, how long to press, how hot to press it, and how to take care of your sublimated project for long lasting results.
Q: What Dollar Tree items can I sublimate on?
A: There are new Dollar Tree sublimation options available all the time, and I have some highlighted in this post! Remember, if it’s made of polyester or has a polymer coating, it can likely be sublimated. Check out what your local Dollar Tree has available, and have fun! Remember, even if the blank you purchase doesn’t work out, you’ve learned something — and only lost a buck or two in the process.
Q: Can I turn my printer into a sublimation printer? Can I put sublimation ink in any printer?
A: You cannot put sublimation ink into just any printer. However, there are certain inkjet printers that can be converted for sublimation ONLY if they’ve never been loaded with regular inkjet ink before. The Epson EcoTank printer series are my favorite printers to convert for sublimation. Check out this post to learn how to do it yourself!
Q: Where can you get free sublimation designs?
A: There are tons of free sublimation images available in my free library!
Q: What free program do you use for sublimation? Can you use Canva for sublimation?
A: I use a few free programs for sublimation, Canva being one of them. I also like to use Google Docs for printing my sublimation transfers, and Cricut Design Space for its Print Then Cut feature, which is super helpful in trimming sublimation designs to the exact shape I want them. Check out the post above, as well as my video for more info on free sublimation software you can use for your projects!
Q: Can you make good money doing sublimation?
A: You can! There are many lucrative sublimation businesses out there, run by at-home makers just like you! My Maker Marketplace Handbook is a fantastic resource for any crafter who wants to become a small business owner and start selling their creations. I can help get you started.
Q: Is it cheaper to do vinyl or sublimation?
A: It depends on many factors. What items do you want to decorate? Will you be using heat transfer vinyl or adhesive vinyl? Do you want to use a cutting machine to help cut your sublimation transfers? Will you be purchasing a sublimation printer, and which one? There isn’t a clear answer either way to whether vinyl is cheaper than sublimation, or vice versa. My advice would be to make a list of the vinyl supplies and tools you need, and compare it with a list of sublimation supplies and tools you’ll need. It’s always easier to make a decision when you’re fully informed!
Q: Is infusible ink the same as sublimation?
A: Yes and no. The technique to apply infusible ink (whether it’s pens, markers, or patterned sheets) is pretty much the same as applying a printed sublimation transfer. However, the results and limitations vary depending on the method and supplies you use. If you’re wanting a specific image on an item, dye sublimation is the easiest way to go. If you’re looking to draw your own designs, infusible ink pens and markers are a good choice. If you’re looking to use your Cricut to cut patterned designs, infusible ink sheets may be your best bet.
Q: How many times can you press a sublimation print?
A: After you press a sublimation print into an item, it can still look like there’s ink on the transfer paper. Do not be fooled! While you can still see the image, there’s not actually enough ink leftover on the paper to transfer it again. Your image will turn out way too light, and you’ll probably feel like you wasted a blank.
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I can’t wait to see what you make with my sublimation tips to save money and how you use them in your sublimation crafting! Please share a photo of your sublimation projects in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.
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