Sublimation ornaments are easy to make if you have a sublimation printer at home. Today, I am making DIY photo ornaments using sublimation in a few different ways. First of all, there are several different varieties of blanks that you can use for sublimation that are ornaments. There is a wide variety of types, shapes, materials, and more. I love personalizing my tree with DIY photo ornaments, and I know you will love this technique as well.
Sublimation Ornaments Video Tutorial
You can actually watch me make three ornament versions with sublimation in the video below. I am tackling metal, porcelain, and glass sublimation blanks. The metal is definitely the easiest and the best place to start. However, if you are ready to branch out, just click play below!
Can't watch the video or miss some of the steps? I have instructions for you below as well!
How To Make Sublimation Ornaments
Make some sublimation ornaments this year with these super simple instructions! It is easy to fill a tree with photo ornaments of different shapes and sizes when you use your sublimation printer. I am showing you how to use metal, porcelain, and even glass sublimation blanks to make some stunning ornaments that will look great on your Christmas tree this year! These also make great gift ideas, so plan on making a bunch of these gorgeous holiday ornaments this year.
Supplies Needed To Make Sublimation Ornaments
- Sublimation printer
- Sublimation ink
- Heat Press
- Sublimation paper
- Heat Resistant Gloves
- Lint Roller
- Heat Resistant Tape
- Artesprix Protective Paper
- Nomex Pad (If you are using glass or porcelain blanks ONLY!) (You can substitute heat resistant foam or a pressing pillow for this.)
- Rubber sheet (If you are using glass or porcelain blanks ONLY!)
- Heat resistant mat
- Blanks for sublimation (see some of my favorite sources below)
Sublimation Ornament Blanks
There are so many blanks on the market for this project. There is no way I could try each and every one. I will say that the easiest ones are the metal sublimation ornaments, and they come in a huge variety of shapes. I'm going to use a couple of those, but you can definitely shop around at some of my favorite sources below. I am also going to do glass as well as porcelain blanks, but you do need a few more supplies for those.
NOTE: In all cases, you have to have ornaments that are coated with a sublimation coating. Look for listings that say sublimation blanks when purchasing.
Metal Ornaments
Some metal blanks are single-sided, while others you can press on both sides. You want to press on the white side for any that are single-sided. On double-sided blanks, you can press on both sides if you wish. I actually usually press both sides at the same time in this case.
Clean the ornament well. I like to use a lint roller to do that.
Decide how you want your print to look on your ornament and locate it on the sheet. Tape the ornament down to the sublimation print.
Trim away excess with scissors if you would like. I trim away the excess so that I need less protective paper.
Add protective paper on both sides.
The ornaments that I used were pressed at 400 degrees for 75 seconds with medium to heavy pressure. Check with where you purchase your blanks for specific instructions. Make sure that your sublimation print side is up if you are only doing one side.
I pressed mine two at a time in my heat press. When they were done, I put them on a heat-resistant mat. I like to remove my prints while the ornaments are still warm.
NOTE: I wear heat-resistant gloves to protect my hands while doing this step.
Once your paper is removed, you have some super cute photo ornaments on metal!
Once they cool, just add some ribbon, and these are ready for the tree!
Porcelain Ornaments
The procedures are almost the same for porcelain as they are for metal, with a few exceptions. Again, you will want to add your ornament over the area you want to be transferred and tape it down. Be sure to clean it well with a lint roller before adding your sublimation print. The instructions do call for you to use adhesive spray on this one, and I don't particularly like to use it. I think this will be fine with just some tape.
The pressing is where the differences come in with these sublimation ornaments. I'm going to put a Nomex pad on the bottom of my heat press. Then add a layer of protective paper. Then add the ornament face down with the sublimation print on top and cover with protective paper.
Finally, I’ll put a rubber pad over the top. Then you want to press with light pressure for 400 degrees for four minutes. Again, that is the instructions for this particular blank. You will want to follow any instructions for the blank you are using.
Here's that porcelain ornament after it's done pressing. Just remove the sublimation print to reveal your photo. Remember, this will be HOT, and you will want to use caution while handling.
The photo ornament looks really good, and I love the look on porcelain! Just add a ribbon to hang this one from your tree.
Glass Ornaments
The glass ornament requires a different procedure. It's clear on one side, frosted on the other. You're going to put your print on the frosted side, and it's going to show through to the clear side, so you don't want to mirror your image. I did not mirror my image in this case.
Clean the frosted side with a lint roller. Also, on this image, I removed the background so I will be able to see the frosted glass once the ornament is complete. That is optional, but a fun effect. Locate your print on the frosted side, looking through the front side as a guide, then tape it into place.
Now let's talk about the pressing procedure. Again, we're going to place the Nomex pad on our heat press with protective paper. This time, we're going to put the ornament down with the image on the bottom and the protective paper over the top. Your sublimation print should be on the BOTTOM!
Add the rubber pad to the top before pressing. We're going to press this at 385 degrees for 480 seconds at medium pressure. Again, you will want to follow all directions from the place you purchase your ornaments.
Here's that glass ornament after pressing. Remember to use caution as these will be hot when you remove them.
Remove your sublimation print from the back and add a ribbon to hang on your tree. I think this may be my favorite with the background being that frosted glass! You could definitely sublimate over the entire ornament here as well.
How To Finish Your Sublimation Ornaments
Once you have pressed your ornaments according to the directions, they are complete! With sublimation, there is no need for any additional sealer to make them permanent. Just add on your ribbon and start hanging. These ornaments will last for many years, and you will have a tree full of great memories.
I would like to know which of these options is your favorite. For me I love sublimation metal ornaments; if I just want to do something quickly, as they are super easy.
I feel like the porcelain version is more elegant. They are more of an heirloom that can be passed down through the generations.
I will say, however, that the glass sublimation ornaments are my absolute favorite! The frosted glass is stunning and an amazing way to make sublimation ornaments that everyone will love.
Whether you use metal, glass, or porcelain, you have options for making photo ornaments for your tree. Or you can make even more and give them as gifts, or even make items to sell.
Make some sublimation ornaments this year. I know you will love how they look on your tree!
FAQs About Sublimation Ornaments
Here are a couple of questions that I see readers ask about making these sublimation ornaments. If you have a question, please check to see if I’ve already answered it below. Don’t see your question? Leave it for me in the comments!
Are Those Blanks Glass Or Plexiglass (Like Acrylic)?
It was definitely real glass. I am working on a video about acrylic!
Is A Certain Metal Required To Sublimate?
It must have a sublimation coating. These are all sublimation blanks.
What About MDF Blanks?
I would sublimate MDF blanks using the method in this video!
Can You Use A Cricut EasyPress Instead Of A Heat Press?
I have done it on the metal ornaments without issues. I am not sure about the glass as I haven't tried it.
My Sublimation Ornaments are Turning Our Yellow. Any Thoughts On How I Can Get The Results To Be Less Yellow?
Does your blank look green? That would indicate that you are underbaking your project. You can also try ICC profiles if you think you need color correction. You can learn how to do that by watching this video!
5 More Christmas Sublimation Crafts
Do you love these sublimation ornaments and are looking for more Christmas sublimation crafts? Then check out the projects below!
- How to Make Sublimation Christmas Stockings
- DIY Christmas Pillow – Dollar Tree Sublimation Craft
- Free Christmas Sublimation Designs and Project Ideas
- How to Sublimate a Mug with a Free Christmas SVG
- Christmas Sublimation Wind Spinner Ornaments
What kind of heat press?
I am using a Siser heat press, the link is in the supplies list of the post 🙂