3 Smart Ways to do Sublimation on Canvas Fabric?

people love to do sublimation on canvas fabric but sublimation can be done only polyester, but if you want to do sublimation on cotton material you need special sublimation spray

Imagine! Having your favorite art print, your favorite inspiration message that keeps you going on canvas, or even just a fundamental polyester tote bag with your favorite design makes it exceptional. Yeah! Everything is possible! And using Sublimation on canvas processes, you may produce one for yourself. Canvas is a plain-weave fabric, meaning that the weft threads alternate beneath and over the warp threads.

Sublimation on canvas is achievable on polyester material, just like sublimation mugs, which require the existence of a polyester layer. So, choose polyester canvas for Sublimation. You only have to follow a few simple steps to receive your brand-new sublimating canvas.

So, let’s sublimate a photo on canvas with a laminating sheet method, which is undoubtedly a breeze.

Rules to Sublimate on Canvas:

  1. Choose canvas wisely.
  2. Use sublimation spray.
  3. Heat for 40-45 seconds in the heat press.
  4. Pressure should be medium
  5. Use 400 degrees Fahrenheit temperature

1. Sublimation on Canvas with Laminating Sheets

Supplies Required:

What is needed for sublimation printing to be done on canvas? Sublimating art on canvas is a widespread and current practice. This process will be a snap if you use the supplies listed below.

accesories to do sublimation on canvas

Sublimation Printer, Ink, Sublimation Paper, and Heat press:

Select a printer that will make your Sublimation on canvas activities easier. According to our experts’ research, Epson’s printers are cheap and best for sublimation.

You can also use Sawgrass printers; they are perfect for sublimation.

  1. Sawgrass 500
  2. Sawgrass 1000

Sublimation ink has a longer lifespan and does not smear because sublimation ink is capable of printing at high temperatures without cracking, so get a suitable sublimation ink. You also need to buy a heat press and the best sublimation paper for Sublimation to take place. A sublimation paper is an excellent transporter of sublimation ink; it keeps your ink in place.

Sublimation Canvas Blank:

Get yourself a polyester canvas for sublimation printing. Sublimation works best on polyester, according to research. Professionals advise against using a 100% cotton canvas blank since the pattern will fade over time. If you wish to create a photo canvas, there are three options available to you:

  • Flat Canvas with no frame – Easy and convenient to sublimate.
  • Canvas with a frame inside—best for a gallery canvas look.
  • Reverse Canvas – for an aesthetic and rustic look.

Other Supplies include;

  • Thermal Laminating Pouch
  • Four Butcher Paper Sheets
  • Heat-resistant gloves
  • Thermal tape
  • Exacto Knife (You may use a Blade or knife instead)

Complete Guide to Sublimate on Canvas Fabric

Design your Desire Image:

Get your photograph captured and printed in high resolutions to make a photo canvas. You can also get pre-made designs from

But keep an eye on the dimensions and resolutions of your image. There are also other methods if you are good at designing. There are multiple software in the market to create designs according to your need, such as Adobe, Gimp. Coreldraw and Canva. Canva is one of the easiest methods, according to my Experience. Just login to canva through this Link. Click at creating a custom design button.

you have to login at canva and press create button and select custome size

Click on Create a Design Button to Make Custom Design

set custom dimensions for your desire design
Put Dimensions on empty Field
after creating design press downlaod button to download design

Press Share Button and Download Design

Print your Image with Sub Printers:

Use a sublimation printer to print your design. Use RIP printing software for color compatibility to make your image stand out from the crowd of regular printers. Before printing, remember to flip/mirror your image. After printing, trim the image to fit the resolution of your canvas. Place it in your heat press for a few minutes to allow the heat to set the ink on the paper.

Tack down the laminating sheet to the Canvas:

  • Set the Heat press to 400 degrees.
  • In the meantime, Get a thermal laminating pouch larger than your canvas’s dimensions and cut it from the middle making two separate sheets of equal size. Each sheet has a shiny surface, and the other matte.
  • Grab butcher paper while placing the laminating sheet flat side down.
  • To protect your heat press, place butcher paper on the pad, take the canvas board, and place it on top of the butcher paper.
  • Cover the canvas with your lamination sheet (shiny side up and matte side down).
  • Place another piece of butcher paper on top of the laminating sheet. Don’t skip the butcher paper, and the laminating sheet will stick to the heat press pad and destroy it if you miss it. So, err on the side of caution.
  • Don’t fully push the heat press; just tack it down. Do it for only 10-15 seconds to tack down the laminating sheet to the canvas.
  • Cut the extra around the canvas with an Exacto knife. It’s scorching, so take precautions.

You now have a gleaming laminated surface on your canvas.

Press Your Canvas with Heat Press:

To begin the treatment, Put another piece of butcher paper on top of your pad. Put your laminated canvas and place your picture on the laminated canvas. Use heat tape to adhere the image to the canvas at the edges. Take one more piece of butcher paper, and place it on top.

Press for about 45 seconds, medium pressure, and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Open the heat press carefully for a smoother opening, as the butcher paper can stick to the top pad. Lift it with heatproof gloves, and you’ve got a new colorful canvas right before your eyes. Some scraggly pieces may be on the edges; melt them with a heat gun or trim them off. To fully understand this procedure, watch this video.

Heat-press settings for Sublimation:

  • Pressure: Medium
  • Temperature: 400 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Duration: 45 seconds

2. Sublimation on Canvas Using Spray

Canvas cloth can also be sublimated, but we’ll need a separate sublimation spray. The ink will stay on the canvas after using a sublimation spray to coat the surface. To do Sublimation on canvas material, follow the steps given below.

  • Spray Sublimation coating on the canvas.
  • Spray so that the entire area you want to sublimate is damp.
  • Place the damp canvas in the heat press for 15 seconds to dry it.
  • After heating, the area where you sprayed has stiffened.
  • Apply a second coat of spray and continue the process by pressing it for 15 seconds in the heat press.
  • Place your print on top of the canvas, facing down.
  • To avoid ghosting, use a few pieces of high-temperature tape to hold it in place.
  • In the hot heat press, push for 40 seconds.
  • When the timer runs up, carefully remove the canvas and the sublimation print.
  • By employing sublimation spray, you successfully sublimate canvas material.

To avoid sublimation mistakes, read common sublimation issues and how to avoid them.

 3 Gallery Wrap Canvas:

canvas board

Image from Freepik

Gallery wrap canvas is fully wrapped and stretched around a wooden frame. To perform sublimation you need to remove staples from the edge and prepare the surface for sublimation.

An initial step involves printing the pattern onto sublimation transfer paper with a sublimation printer and ink. Then the canvas was measured and cut to fit the wooden frame.

After the printed transfer paper placement on the canvas, heat is applied using a heat press. Sublimation ink is transferred to the canvas, producing a vivid and long-lasting image.

The printed canvas is then stretched and wrapped around the wooden frame. After that, staples or some other fastener are used to keep the canvas on the frame.

As a result, you’ll get a high-quality, three-dimensional print that may be put on a shelf or hung on the wall. If you’re looking to make custom wall art, home decor, or any other sublimation items, gallery wrap canvas is a great choice.

Pros

  1. Flat canvas is available for sublimation.
  2. When fully stretched canvas over a wooden frame, it gives a 3D astonished look.
  3. Easy To Handle.

Cons

  1. You need to do a lot of work, remove staples, and after sublimation again put staples.
  2. To perform this method also need some additional tools.
  3. Some parts of the design will hide behind edges

    FAQs:

    Final Verdict

    The procedure detailed above can be used to do Sublimation on canvas. These Sublimation printed canvases can be hung on your workplace wall, used to create a photo wall at home, or used as part of your room decor. Images created by sublimation printing are long-lasting and will not smudge the colors. You will not be sorry for acquiring the vibe and having it around you. We now have these unique and individualized product ideas thanks to sublimation technology.

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