Dye sublimation is a digital printing technology that uses heat and presser transfer to apply an image to the intended sublimation blank surface, typically consisting of a polyester fiber or coating. This process is commonly used for decorating apparel, mugs, koozies and other items with sublimation-friendly surfaces.

We have three different makes/models of dye sublimation printers available:

• Sawgrass SG500 (prints up to ~8.5 x 11 inches)
• Sawgrass SG1000 (prints designs up to ~8.5 x 14 inches)
• Epson SC-F570 (prints designs up to ~24 inches wide)

What You Need To Know:

Supplies on Hand: Maker Commons has a variety of supplies available for you to quickly make your own custom creations, including dye sublimation ink, paper, dye sublimation markers, heat presses, and more. We also have a limited variety of blanks that are available to use with your projects. We also encourage you to bring in your own materials for your projects.

Project Inspiration can be found in Sawgrass’s free design space – CreativeStudio.

What to Bring: Please come in with your graphic designs or photos ready to print!

• • Use this pixel calculator tool to determine the minimum recommended resolution for your design.
    • For example, # inches for your project x 300dpi = recommended pixel size;
    • A 5 in x 5 in design would require 1500 x 1500 pixels
    • If you’d like to request a design consultation, please feel free to request an appointment.
    • Feel free to bring in your own supplies such as polyester blend, t-shirts (white-colored is recommended, results may vary on other light colors) or other blank materials.

Glossary of Terms

• dye sublimation: also known as digital sublimation, is a printing process that uses heat and pressure to transfer an image onto a polyester material
• Infusible Ink: Cricut’s version of dye sublimation with pre-printed dye sub sheets ready to cut and press
• mirroring: Reversing an design horizontally for purposes of printing/cutting it to apply to another material
• dye sublimation blank: materials suitable for dye sublimation, most often made of polyester fabric or have a polyester coating. Examples of these supplies are t-shirts, mugs, mousepads, earrings, etc
• heat press: a device that uses heat and pressure to transfer designs onto materials like fabrics and mugs
• dye sublimation makers: special markers that contain dye sublimation ink; symetrtrical designs can be drawn directly on dye sub paper; asymmetrical designs must first be sketched on plain paper with a sharpie and then the reverse traced on dye sub paper with dye sub markers
• heat transfer tape: a type of adhesive that can withstand high temperature and is used to keep heat transfers in place while applying heat

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