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Hot Pressed & Ready: Beginner Sublimation Faves
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items Ready to start your sublimation journey? This list has everything you need to get your projects hot, pressed, and picture-perfect! From beginner-friendly printers and the best sublimation paper to my go-to blanks, heat tape, and must-have tools — the...
Sections
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Starter equipment
Paper, Tape, & Tools
Blanks To Practice On.
Starter equipment
Let’s start with the basics! These are the essential machines and tools every beginner needs. I’ve tested each one to make sure it’s easy to use, reliable, and great for small projects or side hustles
You can convert an ecotank printer to a sublimation printer easily by using sublimation ink instead of the ink it comes with. It's important to note that this will only work on printers that have never had regular ink in them. So brand new.
Epson EcoTank
This is also a great choice for a sublimation printer.
Sawgrass Sublimation Printer
This is the heat press I use. It's super beginner friendly and great for small to medium projects.
HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2-Digit - 15" x 15"
If you are starting with larger projects, then a larger heat press is a must. For larger projects, a 15x15 or larger heat press will be needed depending on the project.
Clamshell Heat Press
This is actually the very 1st heat press I owned. The price is fairly reasonable, making it a perfect starting heat press for beginners.
Cricut Easy Press
When using the hand heat press, you are definitely gonna need a mat to press it on. Most machines come with one, but it never hurts to have a second one.
WORKLION Heat Press Mat 11x13 Double-Sided
This is the brand that I personally use. It does great.
Hiipoo Sublimation Ink Bottles for WF7710 ET2760 ET2720
While I don't personally use this ink, I have heard great things about it.
Sublimation Ink for Epson Printer, EcoTank, and Sawgrass
Paper, Tape, & Tools
Good supplies = great results! These essentials make all the difference for crisp prints and clean transfers. Don’t skip these small tools — they’re truly game changers
To sublimation, you are gonna need special sublimation paper. This is the size i started with.
A-SUB 8.5" x 11" Sublimation Paper 125gsm, 110 Sheets
I now use this size because I do a lot of smaller projects, and I can fit a lot more graphics on this size of paper.
A-SUB Sublimation Paper 8.5x14, 110 Sheets
You are gonna need heat-resistant tape to keep your image from moving while pressing,
Sublimation Tape
A lint roller is needed to make sure there are no loose fibers on your garment before sublimating.
Lint Roller
To heat press, you're going to need butcher paper to keep the ink from going straight through your garment or getting imprinted on your heat press plate. This is the paper I started with.
Bryco White Kraft Butcher Paper Roll 18x1200
This is the current paper I use. Buying in bulk gives me the most bang for my buck and it lasts a long time.
White Kraft Butcher Paper 18 in. x 1000 ft.
Some projects I will use a Teflon sheet.
3 Pack PTFE Teflon Sheet 16x20 Heat Press
Blanks To Practice On.
These are perfect for beginners! Start with smaller, forgiving blanks so you can practice your press time, pressure, and heat settings. Trust me — these help you get comfortable fast
I find smaller shirts a great way to practice. I started out with making shirts for my kids.
Kids Sublimation Shirts
Another small object that is great for beginners.
Sublimation Keychains
Great starter project. I used these to make cute teachers gifts.
80PCS Sublimation 3x3 Square Magnets Bulk
Sublimation towels or tea towels are very beginner friendly. They make great items to practice on.
Sublimation Towels