inside: Learn how to create sublimation on dark fabric. Usually sublimation only works on light color fabric, but with this method you can use sublimation prints on dark fabric as well. Video and photo tutorial.
This is a crafting method that I have been wanting to try for awhile. I love sublimation prints and the fun fabric projects I have been able to with my Brother Sublimation printer. The downside is that you cannot use this method on dark color fabric. It takes a couple more steps, but using sublimation with dark fabric is possible. Check out my video and photo tutorial below.
Sublimation on dark fabric
I’ve loved all the sublimation projects I have created with my sublimation printer, but it has two major limitations. You can’t sublimate on dark fabric or cotton fabric. The method I am going to show you today solves both of those issues.
Now you can create bold, bright prints on any color fabric and any blend of material. This does add one more step, so I wouldn’t use this method it traditional sublimation would work. But if you need an alternate method to get great results, this one is a winner!
Other fun sublimation projects
- Sublimation on glass
- Sublimation tea towels
- Sublimation custom ornaments
- Sublimation on fabric basics
- YouTube tutorial all about the Brother SP-1 sublimation printer
HOW TO: Sublimation on dark fabric video tutorial
Below you will find the full length video tutorial. This will help you to see the process, as well as the photo tutorial below. If you don’t see the video here, you may want to check if you are running an Ad Blocker and/or you ca try a different web browser as well.
Step by step tutorial to sublimation on dark fabric
First up, lets take a look at the supplies:
- Sublimation Printer – I used the Brother SP-1
- Cutting machine – I used the Brother ScanNCut {You can also cut by hand depending on how complicated your design is}
- Sublimation Vinyl – You can buy in WHITE or CLEAR
- Heat Press or hot iron.
I have linking the exact sublimation vinyl that I am using above. The shirt is a tank I sewed from an upcycle of my husbands shirt using the boxy tank free sewing pattern. Perfect for an athletic tank top!
Print your design using your sublimation printer. I used the Artspira App and the Brother SP-1 printer. This design is one I created on my computer and transferred to the app for printing. I’m making a shirt for my sons High School so I can wear to sporting events.
The next step is to cut out the design. You can use scissors for a simple design, and cutting machines for more complicated ones. I used my ScanNCut to scan in the design, then cut out. Make sure to use a paper mat for your machine.
The ScanNCut you can scan what is on the mat, then save it to your machine. I scanned the design, and then saved it. I opened the saved file to cut out the paper around the design.
Remove all the parts of the design from the mat. Now it’s time to cut the sublimation vinyl, this is where you will actually be printing the design. Place the glossy side of the vinyl down on a vinyl mat. Open the design again on your machine and cut the same design from the vinyl. Make sure to use the half-cut, so you only cut through the vinyl and not the clear layer.
Weed out the vinyl design. Now you have the cut paper design {May be in many pieces} and the vinyl, which is still all together on the clear transfer sheet.
Turn the vinyl over so the clear side is up and press to your shirt. Use a heat press or hot iron. Cold peel the covering off the vinyl.
Carefully place each part of the design face down on the vinyl and secure with heat tape.
Try to line up the design on the vinyl perfectly for best printing results.
Place parchment over the design and then press with the heat press again. Use the settings according to your sublimation printer/paper.
Peel back just a small corner to check on the design, before removing all the paper. You can always put the heat press back on if the color has not fully transferred. The colors are so bright and bold since it’s printed on white vinyl and I love the results!!
Strands says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to try this. Any tips on getting the colors extra vibrant?
Sprunki Day says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the video and photo tutorial. I once tried a similar workaround for a different craft and it was a bit of a disaster. How do you think this method will hold up to regular wear and washing? And are there any specific types of dark fabric that work better than others?
Sprunki says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting techniques? I once tried to embroider a super detailed design and it was a wild ride!
Strands says
This is super cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabrics. Can’t wait to check out the video and photo tutorial. I once tried a similar workaround for a different craft and it was a bit of a disaster. How long do you think these extra steps for dark fabric sublimation will add to the overall project time? And are there any specific tools I might need that I don’t already use for regular sublimation?
Octordle says
This is super cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting techniques? I once had a disaster with a DIY tie-dye…
Strands says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting techniques? I once had a disaster with a DIY tie-dye. 😅
Wordle Help says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting techniques? I once had a disaster trying to embroider on leather. How does this dark fabric sublimation compare in difficulty?
Wordle Game says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the video and photo tutorial. I’m imagining all the amazing projects I could do now. Do you think this method will work as well on really thick dark fabrics? And how long do you think the prints will last with this new technique?
Lutu says
This is super cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the video and photo tutorial. I once tried a similar workaround for a different craft and it was a bit of a disaster. How long do you think these extra steps will add to the overall sublimation process? And will it be as vibrant as regular sublimation on light fabric?
Block Blast says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting techniques? I once had a disaster with glitter glue…
Smart AI Find says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting techniques? I once had a disaster trying to embroider on leather. 🤣 How do you think this dark fabric sublimation will hold up over time?
Gomoku Game says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the video and photo tutorial. I once tried a similar workaround for a different craft and it was a disaster. How do you think this method will hold up in terms of color vibrancy? And will it be durable enough for regular wear on a dark shirt? Can’t wait to see the final results!
Block Blast says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the video and photo tutorial. I once tried a similar workaround for a different craft and it was a bit of a disaster. How long do you think these extra steps will add to the overall sublimation process? And will the end result look as vibrant as on light fabric?
Bubble Shooter says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting techniques? I once had a disaster trying to embroider on leather. How does this dark fabric sublimation compare in terms of difficulty?
SpellBee says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting techniques?
Tiles Game says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting techniques? I once had a disaster with glitter glue on a project. 😅 How do you think this dark fabric sublimation will hold up over time?
Wordle Clue says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to try this. Any tips on getting the colors extra vibrant?
Gomoku Game says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting methods?
Sprunki Day says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed that sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting techniques? I once had a disaster trying to embroider on leather. 😅 How does this method hold up in terms of washability?
Sprunki says
This is so cool! I’ve always been bummed sublimation didn’t work on dark fabric. Can’t wait to check out the tutorial. Have you tried any other tricky crafting techniques?