How to Sublimate on Canvas Material

Sublimation on canvas is possible even if the canvas material isn't any part polyester- which is needed for sublimating.

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The trick is to use sublimation spray to prep the canvas! Then you can go about doing sublimation on canvas fabric.

Print out your sublimation design on sublimation paper. I am using a Sawgrass SG1000 Sublimation printer.

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This design is from So Fontsy's Fall Farmhouse Bundle which I love..and could easily make a canvas sign out of every one of the designs and fonts!

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Best Heat Press Settings for Sublimation on Canvas: Temperature and Time

Start by warming up your heat press to 365 degrees and set the timer to 40 seconds. In my review of sublimation spray I found this to give the best, most vibrant results.

How to Prepare Canvas for Sublimation

Depending on the size of your canvas and your heat press, you may be able to leave the canvas on the frame.

Tip: If you have a 9x12" heat press, a canvas will fit right on the bottom platan making it really easy to heat press a framed canvas.

Otherwise you'll want to remove the canvas from the frame as explained in this easy five minute reverse canvas tutorial.

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Whether you're working with canvas on or off the frame, the next steps are the same.

Spray the canvas with the sublimation coating spray so that the full area where you want to sublimate on cotton is damp.

Place it in the heat press for about 15 seconds to dry the area you sprayed.

You'll notice the area where the sublimation spray was applied, is a bit stiff.

Spray the same area again with a second coat of sublimation spray. Again place in the heat press for about 15 seconds.

How to Sublimate on Canvas Fabric With Sublimation Spray

Now take your sublimation print and place it face down onto the canvas. Use a few pieces of high temperature tape to hold it in place and avoid ghosting.

Press for 40 seconds in the hot heat press.

When the time is up remove the canvas and carefully remove the sublimation print.

And that's it! You have successfully done sublimation on canvas material by using sublimation spray.

If you removed the canvas from the frame you'll need to re-assemble with double sided tape or hot glue...

and trim off the excess canvas.

Look how awesome sublimation turns out on canvas material!

Now you can make all the fall farmhouse signs you want...so just grab the Fall Farmhouse SVG and Font Bundle while it sticks around.

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2 comments

AnonymousDecember 10, 2022 at 5:29 PM
What about the other side of the canvas?
Willow WebJuly 25, 2023 at 5:59 PM
Should you peel the sublimation paper off hot or cool? Also, what pressure should you use? I was thinking heavy pressure because of the texture. Am I correct?

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