Sublimation Heat Press Temperature Chart – A Complete Guide

A sublimation heat press temperature chart is a crucial setting for sublimation printing. Sublimation Printers are different than regular inkjet printers. They can print directly onto a variety of fabrics, including nylon, fleece, polyester, silk, polypropylene, and more.

Sublimation printing is the process of converting a thermochromic ink into a solid state on a substrate.

This solid ink is then transferred to the fabric. The printout is permanent and can be washed in a washing machine. The printout can also be ironed and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Sublimation printing is a great way to create high-quality prints that are long-lasting and durable.

How to Use a Sublimation Printer: The Comprehensive Guide 2023

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Sublimation Printing Setting

Once you’ve selected a suitable printer you’ll want to set your print settings to complete your sublimation item.

For best results, press the recipe as the first step, then follow the baking instructions carefully. You will get the best results when you follow the time-temperature-pressure (TTP) guidelines.

The combination of those three settings is what makes your substrate vibrant. It’s all about your white balance, shutter speed, and image mode.

Items are made of many different materials. This will vary from item to item based on the material, the size of the item, how many items you are pressing, and the coating that was applied to the item.

This Sublimation Heat Press Temperature Chart will give you a general overview of how to set your parameters for each type of product you’re trying to sell.

If you can’t find the settings for a specific type of product, then refer to the chart below. These settings are very important to keep your sublimation printing from fading.

Heat Press Temperature Chart

Non-Drinkware Settings Guide

No	Product type/ substrate	Press Time	Temperature  Range	Pressure	Notes
1	Polyester Fabric/ Apparel	50-60 seconds	380-400	light to medium	When pressing fabric items, we strongly advise using a vapor foam kit.
2	Polyester blend fabrics	55-65 seconds	375-390	light to medium	We highly recommend the use of a vapor foam kit when pressing fabric items
3	Polyester-coated neoprene/ Mousepad type material	45-55 seconds	380-400	light to medium	When you press these things, they usually emit a fragrance, which is natural.
4	Unisub Products	60 seconds	400	medium	This method works for the majority of items. If the product is larger in size, however, the time will need to be extended.
5	Unisub or Chromaluxe Metal	60 seconds	400	medium	For the most part, this works. If the product is larger, however, the time will need to be extended.
6	Harbord	40-80 seconds	360-400	medium	Hardboard is a forgiving material with a larger setting range than most other materials. Larger hardboard items, such as clipboards and dry erase boards, will need to be pounded for longer periods of time.
7	Other metals	50-70 seconds	360-400	light to medium	The parameters for metal are highly dependent on the type of coating utilized. Harder coatings press at greater temperatures and can take more pressure, whereas softer coatings press at lower temperatures and lighter pressure.
8	Fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP)	60-75 seconds	380-400	Medium
	Ceramics & Glass	x	x	x	Product-specific parameters can be found here. Aside from drinkware, there is just too much variance in ceramic and glass goods to provide a generic set of settings.

Drinkware Settings Guide

No	Product/ Substrate Type	Press Time	Temperature Range	Pressure	Notes
1	Ceramic Mugs	Mug Press: 4-5 min Convection Oven: 12-15 min	380-400	light to medium
2	Glass Pint Glasses & Mugs	Mug Press: NA Convection Oven: 8-15 min	360-390	light to medium	Although some glass objects can be made in a mug press, a convection oven is highly recommended. The mug press may overheat the item, causing it to shatter. If you chill the object too soon, the same thing can happen. The thickness of the glass wall will have a significant impact on the amount of time required.
3	Single Wall Metal	Mug Press: 2.5-3.5 min Convection Oven: 5-6 min	375-400	light to medium	In a mug press, use caution when applying pressure to these items. They can deform if there is too much pressure on them.
4	Double-wall (insulated) Metal	Mug Press: 2.5-3.5 min Convection Oven: 6-7 min	375-400	light to medium

1: Product type/ substrate

The substrate is a plastic or paper plate, the liquid permeates and the liquid evaporates at the surface of the substrate.

Do you have any examples of what that would be? That’s a good question. I think I’ll have to give this some thought, but for now, I’ll assume it’s just the substrate you use. If you print on a non-substrate then there is no product.

So, if you print on plain paper, then there is no substrate. If you print on cardboard or plastic, then there is still a substrate (albeit a very cheap one).

If you print on fabric, cotton, wool, tissue paper, or plastic, then there is a substrate.  

2: Press Time

The press time in sublimation printing is a time when the printing on the printed material such as paper, plastic film, and the like can be performed.

However, the press time in sublimation printing is not limited to the above-described case.

The press time in a sublimation printing is also referred to as a sublimation printing time, which is determined by a printing amount, a substrate type, a printing speed, a printing temperature, and the like.

3: Temperature Range

The temperature Range setting in sublimation printing is an estimated range for printing sublimation prints on every type of substrate of every kind of substrate.

This will allow you to get a good idea of how your sublimation print will look on your chosen substrate and what it will cost. 

4: Pressure

The pressure is the force of a gas or liquid against a surface. The force of a gas is called pressure.

The pressure of a gas increases as the temperature rises. When a gas is compressed, its molecules move more rapidly and collide more often.

At a high temperature, the molecules are closer together and they collide with greater frequency.

The pressure of a liquid increase as the temperature rises. As a liquid boils, it expands.

Conclusion

This is the detailed chart of the sublimation printing setting. There are many other factors that are important to determine the value of sublimation printing.

The size and type of substrate are important factors in determining the cost of your sublimation print.

There is also a lot of variation in the size of each print that will be produced. The print size and quality of your print will also determine how many prints you can fit on a single sheet.

The price of the sublimation print is determined by the amount of material used in the production process.

The price varies depending on the type of substrate and how many prints will be produced from the sheet. The cost of a sublimation print depends on the size, quality, and quantity of prints required.