How to Sublimate on Cotton Shirts and Dark Garments

Using Clear HTV with Sublimation

Do you LOVE dye sublimation? Do you wish you were able to dye sublimate onto dark garments and cotton? Well have we got news for you. We just discovered that it is possible to dye sublimate dark, 100% cotton garments using HTV!! We have tested multiple HTVs and have found that these are the top 3 for use with dye sublimation:  Thermoflex Frosty Clear Matte, Siser Holographic Pearl, Siser Glow-in-the-Dark Easyweed. Let’s find out how to use these great products with dye sublimation!

Cutting your HTV:

• In your design software, add an offest to your design that you are planning on cutting with your HTV to make your heat transfer slightly larger than your dye sub transfer
• Cut your image in reverse

Printing your design:

• Print your dye sub design the exact same size as your HTV (without the added stroke)
• Print it in reverse

Dye sublimation on Thermoflex Frosty Clear:

• Lint roll your garment
• Press the Thermoflex at 330 F for a 5 second tack, then peel cold

• Trim your dye sub transfer to make it easier to line up with the HTV, use thermal tape to keep the transfer in place

• Press the dye sub transfer onto the HTV for 30 seconds at 380 F, then do a warm to cold peel

• This works on light garments, 100% polyester, 100% cotton, and blends

Dye sublimation on Siser Holographic Pearl

• Lint roll your garment
• Press Holographic at 320 F for a 5 second tack, then peel cold

• Trim your dye sub transfer to make it easier to line up with the HTV

• Press the dye sub transfer onto the HTV for 30 seconds at 380 F, then do a warm to cold peel

• This works on light AND dark garments, 100% polyester, 100% cotton, and blends

Dye sublimation on Siser Easyweed Glow in the Dark

• Lint roll your garment
• Press Easyweed at 305 F for 3 seconds, then peel hot

• Trim your dye sub transfer to make it easier to line up with the HTV

• Press the dye sub transfer onto the HTV for 30 seconds at 380 F, then do a warm to cold peel

• This works on light AND dark garments, 100% polyester, 100% cotton, and blends

If you have wanted to try dye sublimation on your dark or cotton garments, try one of these ways and see the amazing results! With each HTV you will achieve a unique look, and you will want to use this method on any and everything!!

For other HTV options that work with dye sublimation like Siser Glitter, Siser EasySubli, or Clear Dye Sub HTV 4034,  visit this page. 

Check out these videos for more instructions: