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Custom Sublimation Aprons

Are you ready to make the perfect holiday hostess gift?
Today I’m going to teach you how to create sublimation aprons. If you have a Christmas cookie-baking tradition or want something fun to wear while prepping Thanksgiving dinner you're going to love creating your own custom aprons.
Course craft
Keyword sublimation
15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Author Angie Holden

Equipment

  • Designs https://sawgrassexchange.sawgrassink.com
  • Sublimation Printer
  • Sublimation Ink
  • Cricut EasyPress
  • Lint Roller
  • Heat Resistant Gloves
  • Tape Dispenser

What You Will Need

  • Protective Paper
  • Sublimation Paper
  • Half Sublimation Apron
  • Full Sublimation Apron
  • Heat Resistant Tape

Instructions

Sawgrass DesignMate Designs

  • I am using my Sawgrass printer and I found both of these designs in DesignMate.
  • For the Thanksgiving design, I found it under Designs and then scrolled to Thanksgiving and chose the design I wanted to use.
  • Click on the design and add it to a custom canvas. DesignMate does have several templates for common blanks but they don't have one for an apron.
  • Create a custom canvas that is close to the size of your blank. I'm resizing the design so it's as large as possible on an 8.5 by 11-inch canvas.
  • Within DesignMate you can customize every design. I was able to remove layers and change the font type, font color, and even the text.
  • Keep making adjustments until you have the design exactly how you want it and then save the canvas.
  • You can name the design whatever you want. Click print and print out the design.
  • Since I'm using a polyester apron I am choosing the polyester t-shirt preset. Make sure it's mirrored, and high quality is clicked on, and then under color management, select vibrant, and print.
  • I followed the same process for the Christmas design so now we can sublimate the aprons.

Add Sublimation Print to Apron

  • First, we need to prepare our sublimation print.
  • A sublimation print is sublimation ink printed onto sublimation paper from a sublimation printer.
  • To reduce press marks from the edge of the paper I like to feather the edges by tearing the paper close to the print.
  • I am using my EasyPress for today's project. You can also use a traditional heat press if that is what you have.
  • You do want to be aware of where the seams are on the apron. The great thing about using the EasyPress is that it fits right between the seams.
  • If you're using a heat press you'll want to add a pad under the design area to lift it above the seams. It's important that the design area comes in flat contact with the heat plate.
  • Regardless of what you're using, you need to preheat the surface to get out any wrinkles and moisture.
  • After the prepress, lint roll the area to remove dust, hair, lint, etc.
  • Add the sublimation print to the apron and secure it with heat-resistant tape.
  • Add protective paper below the apron and on top of the sublimation print and press for the full-time. My setup calls for 400 degrees for 60 seconds and medium pressure.

Remove Press Marks

  • When the time is up lift the EasyPress and remove the protective paper and sublimation print.
  • Polyester fabric can have a memory. If you notice any press marks from the tape or the edge of your paper I like to press them out using my EasyPress Mini.
  • If you don't have an EasyPress Mini you can use a regular iron set on high or even use your EasyPress itself. I've found that going over those press marks with heat removes those marks easily.