Sublimation on Acrylic: What Works and What Doesn't!

If you want to try sublimation on acrylic, there are so many fun options for sublimation blanks! In this video, we're testing four acrylic blanks to see what works!
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Get everything you need to make this project in my Amazon Store (includes affiliate links): amzn.to/3IQmzTL
Blanks used in this video:
Sublimation LED Acrylic Photo Frames Night Lights: amzn.to/3TMBuVm
Crystal Sublimation Photo Blocks: amzn.to/3wYCxbC
40 PCS Sublimation Acrylic Tumbler Toppers: amzn.to/4aH6Zpx
Acrylic Night Light with Base: amzn.to/4cp3wNU or amzn.to/4cp3wNU
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[@LithosAndLasers]

Another great video! For the regular acrylic, you can also spraypaint the back white, or apply white vinyl. I made some small acrylic earrings this way, then spraypainted the same side that I had sublimated. It gave a neat depth to the image. Also, Have you tested subbing the front side of White cast acrylic yet?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Someone else gave that tip as well! Brilliant. I haven't tried subbing the front side of the acrylic mostly because the back was meant for it, ha! But I bet you could do some interesting things with depth!

[@denisewilson1675]

The quality of the blanks absolutely matters. I went through several acrylic keychain blanks wondering what I was doing wrong and found out they were just bad blanks. 😵‍💫.

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

I feel like people often feel like they are "failing" at sublimation but it's often one piece of the puzzle that's failing them!

[@47bettie]

WOW They turn out great and are very pretty! Thank you teaching and the great tips and advice! Hugs Liz x

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

You are so welcome!

[@47bettie]

@@HeyLetsMakeStuff Thank you!💕

[@xepsom1]

You video is so informative. Many many thanks. Will use your knowledge to attempt some suncatchers.

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@shirleyf21916]

woohooo!! i was waiting for a video like this!! such great info thank you for going through the work of trial and error to give us the best time and temps for these!

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

LOTS OF ERROR, ha! I should show you all my tests when I do videos like this!

[@shirleyf21916]

@@HeyLetsMakeStuff haha!!

[@debsdesigns]

You can always put white paint on the back of the last project for it to stand out.

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

That's a good idea! I hadn't thought of it.

[@tinaupnorth]

great video Cori!. For the blank that stuck to the paper: I tape on the edges, rather than using a spray. Then, after pressed, I soak it in water, and then rub it off. The image stays, and the paper is gone. Then, to so the image isn't as transparent, I usually give 2 coats of acrylic paint, and 2 coats of a polyacrylic to stop the paint from scraping off. Same thing with the transparent night light. Give that a try!

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

I really like the acrylic paint idea!!

[@sheilaevans4959]

❤

[@vincebaker3384]

Does your new book on sublimation talk about sublimation without a sublimation printer. I am very interested in this because at this time purchasing a sublimation printer is outside of my reach. And I feel it may be so for other people also. Especially if you're just starting out. I would like to hear about as much as possible third party companies that will print your graphics on sublimation paper and mail them to you so you can use your heat press and your sublimation blank. I also would like to hear as much as possible about the same process as it applies to DTF Because purchasing a DTF printer is also very expensive.

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

It doesn't! This one is all about printing yourself. I do have ordering sublimation prints on my list of videos to make at some point! :)

[@vincebaker3384]

thanks 🙂@@HeyLetsMakeStuff

[@user-on8jw6dp4b]

There are two types of acrylic. GS and XT. GS is a bit more expensive but better suited. This may be because the colors are different. I only use GS so I can't make a comparison.

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

That's good to know! I didn't know there were two different options.

[@sparky30051]

Will the cricut heat press work for this? also will the led lights will fade the sublimations?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Yes! The EasyPress or Autopress should work. And since the LED lights don't get hot, I don't think they'll fade the sublimation.

[@laurondafletcher1222]

Thank you. This video was very informative. Can you share what type of heat press you are using?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

It's a 15x15 Walapress! I love it: www.heattransferwarehouse.com/walapress-heat-presses/?aff=28 (affiliate link) :)

[@laurondafletcher1222]

Thank you

[@michellebeliveau8521]

What weight sublimation paper works best? 125g or 105g. I have been working on sublimating on acrylic and continue to have different results each time.

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

To be honest, I've never paid any attention to weight. I have used so many brands and they all seem to work well for me.

[@tammysaunders6851]

I have a question when print this out on your sublimation printer do you print under acylic or glass. I have a sawgrass printer? Do it really matter

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

I’m not quite sure I understand your question?

[@Goldie1201]

Can I ask about the kind of round blank that is displayed in the video but not really part of the tutorial? What type and brand of blank is it?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

The round blank is another one of those tumbler toppers. They are in the video :)

[@claybrookfamily]

Will the Cricut autocross do a light enough pressure?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Yes, I think it would work!

[@claybrookfamily]

@@HeyLetsMakeStuff obviously I meant auto press. Auto correct is not so great. haha Thank you for answering so swiftly.

[@marypullara4062]

You had 2 different settings for sublimated acrylic. How do I know which one to use?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

It varies with each type of blank! What are you trying to press?

[@ruthmorris1688]

one question can you sublimate on dollar tree acrylic board ?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Honestly, I'm not sure. It's something you'd definitely want to test!

[@Schmeela]

I'm sorry. What is the spray you're using? I don't see it listed in your products list.

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Sorry! The spray I am using is no longer available, but I'm recommending Pixie Spray as an alternative: amzn.to/4cNRlty (affiliate link).

[@samuelsanchez6180]

Which press machine are you using in the video?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

My WalaPress from Heat Transfer Warehouse!

[@pietpompiepompiepiet940]

Hi thanks for video. I found my acrylic surface matt effect after pressing and have to use heatgun to get the shine back. The transfer is perfect but the surface looks like dull from paper

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

@@pietpompiepompiepiet940 a heat gun is a great solution to that!

[@julielyons7172]

Hey, Cori! My birthday is April 28, too!!!

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Yay!! Happy birthday (in April, ha!)!!