Glass is one of the finest substrates to sublimate on. The extraordinary glass surface doesn’t warp or absorb colors the way other surfaces do. Sublimation on tempered glass is a trending business to print digital designs on a glass blank. The printed glass can be transformed into a mug, glass, cup, etc. You can gift it to anyone. Moreover, you can sell them at a sufficient price with significantly less investment.
Can you sublimate on glass? You can sublimate on glass by using the best sublimation ink and best sublimation paper. In addition, you can use a special heat pen designed for glass sublimation purposes. While sublimating, make sure the glass surface is clean and oil-free. Also, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area, as the fumes from the sublimating material can be harmful.
In this post, we’ll cover the basics of sublimating on glass and give you some tips for getting the best results.
How to sublimate on clear glass?
Sublimation on clear glass needs more attention than any other material. So while working, you must be attentive and careful with every step while printing. Otherwise, you’ll not get the quality of printing on the glass. But before starting, you must have equipped with some essential tools that are crucial for sublimation on a glass.
Items required for sublimation on glass
- Sublimation printer to sublimate on the glass jar
- Sublimation ink
- Transfer paper
- Purchase tempered glass blanks
- Heat tape
- Teflon sheets
- Heat press machine
Sublimation printer
A sublimation printer is required to print on the glass to accept dye-sublimation ink using a sublimation transfer paper specifically designed for tempered glass. A sublimation printer is also used to print transfers applied to glass.
Sublimation ink
Sublimation inks are special inks that are used for sublimation print on glass. These inks are unique from other printing methods because they don’t sit on top of the glass sublimation and become part of the material. Instead, sublimation inks contain a dye that can convert into a gas without passing through the liquid state.
Transfer paper
The transfer paper has a special coating that allows the inks to adhere to the glass when heat is applied. Transfer paper is commonly used for dye sublimation printing to make custom mugs, ornaments, and other gifts.
Glass blanks
A blank and fresh glass is the central part of the sublimation of glass. The benefits of using glass blanks are that they can be placed in the oven without worrying about warping or cracking. Also, when using a glass sublimation blank, the colors will appear more vibrant, and the image will be more transparent.
Heat tape
Heat tape is essential to help your printing process complete safely. For example, the glass could crack if the temperature changes too quickly while printing. In this case, using heat tape helps protect your glass sublimation from thermal shock. So overall, heat tape can help improve the quality of your sublimation printing process and result in a better end product.
Teflon sheet
The sheet is used to sublimate glass with deficient surface energy. This means it takes less heat to get the Teflon to turn from a solid into a gas than any other material to turn from a solid into a gas. Therefore, you can minimize the amount of heat needed to sublimate your sample onto the glass slide by using Teflon sheets.
Heat press machine
The machine is required to provide the heat and pressure needed to print a high-quality sublimated image.
Steps: How to Do Sublimation on Glass?
Safety Precautions: When the sublimation process takes place on a glass, it is essential to take safety precautions to prevent accidents. First, make sure that the glass is placed on a stable surface. Also, avoid using combustible materials near the glass to avoid any fire accidents. Finally, wear protective goggles while performing the process to avoid getting hurt by the chemicals.
Step 1: Create your design
To start sublimation printing, the essential thing is what you want to print on the glass plate. So, you need to design an image or logo to print on the glass sublimation. You can use Photoshop and Canva for image editing and designing. You can also use logo maker tools like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw.
Step 2: Print the design
Once your design is ready, now you can print it on a particular type of sublimation paper. When you print it on paper, make sure you keep the image aligned, and that all the arrangements are perfect. Otherwise, an inaccurate image can ruin your all efforts.
Step 3: Paste your design paper on a glass blank
Now, it’s time to adhere your printed paper to the glass blank using heat-resistant tape to secure the glass.
Step 4: Put the glass blank in the heat press
Place your Teflon sheet in the heat press under and above the blank glass to avoid any damage. Then put your glass blank with the attached sublimation printing paper in the heat press with the proper arrangements.
Step 5: Start the heat press machine.
Place your glass blank covered with the Teflon tape up and down, on the heat press for at least 3-4 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 6: Remove the glass blank
Once the time is up, open the heat press and remove the Teflon sheet from the sublimated glass. Let the glass cool at room temperature, and then you can pick it up.
Step 7: Remove the sublimation paper
After cooling down your glass, remove the paper, and you’ll see an attractive and non-faded sublimation on the glass.
Congratulation! You’ve all done.
So, that was an easy process to sublimate a glass using a sublimation printer and heat press. Make sure you follow safety precautions to avoid any accidental issues.
Safety measures for sublimation on glass
There are a few things to keep in mind when sublimating onto the glass. First, make sure the glass is clean and free of dirt. You can clean the glass with rubbing alcohol or a window cleaner.
Next, you’ll need to use heat-resistant transfer paper. The regular copy paper will not work for this project. Finally, be sure to use a protective mask and gloves when working with the chemicals used in sublimation on glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sublimate on a wine glass?
Yes, you can sublimate on a wine glass. This process is used to create frosted or etched designs on the surface of the glass. First, create a design on paper and place it on the wine glass, and heat it with a heat gun. As the paper heats up, the design will transfer onto the glass. Once the design is transferred, it can be cooled and set with cool water.
Can you sublimate on glass cups?
Yes, you sublimate on glass cups. However, if you choose to sublimate on glass cups, be sure to take precautions and use protective gear. [/su_spoiler]
Can you sublimate on glass mugs?
You can sublimate on glass mugs. Glass is a good material for sublimation because it does not absorb the dye as much as other materials like fabric or paper.
Can you sublimate on glass tiles?
Yes, you can sublimate on glass tiles. To sublimate on glass plates, you will need to use a unique adhesive made for glass, and the process is a bit different from sublimating onto other surfaces. Following the instructions carefully will help in getting a good print.
Can you sublimate on glass ornaments?
Yes, it is possible to sublimate on glass ornaments. You will need heat-resistant transfer paper, a crafting iron, and an ornament made of glass. First, cut out your design from the transfer paper and place it face down on the ornament. Then, use the crafting iron to apply heat for about 15-20 seconds. The ornament should be hot to the touch when you finish the process. After the process, take some time to cool the glass entirely before handling it.
Can you sublimate on glass frames?
You can sublimate on glass frames by using the proper equipment required for sublimation on glass frames. Only care for the glass temperature, which shouldn’t be too high or too low.
Can you sublimate on glass bottles?
Yes, you can sublimate on glass bottles. Before starting, clean and dry the glass bottles to avoid small dirty particles involved in the glass. If there is any moisture or residue on the bottle, it will prevent the sublimation process. Once you’ve prepped the bottle, place your design on it and use a heat press to transfer the image onto the glass.
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