Showing posts with label sublimation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sublimation. Show all posts

Monday, August 9, 2024

Giving Sublimation Another Try

 When I found out that you could convert an Epson ecotank printer into a sublimation printer, I ran out and bought myself a ecotank 2720.  I already own a 2720 and a 4760.  The savings in ink is unbeatable.  But when I started trying to make things, the excitement didn't last.  Even though I had purchased a highly recommended ink, I wasn't getting the results I wanted, or saw others getting.  Before long I was listing that printer for sale on marketplace.  


I had found a new love.  Direct to film.  But, I had already invested money into a mug press and sublimation paper.  And there were still a few projects I really wanted to try.  So, while converting wide format printers over for dtf, I realized I could convert one of these into a sublimation printer.  I already had the refillable cartridges and a printer, so I just needed the 6 color inks.  I decided on Printer Jacks.  The difference in the outcome is amazing!  I'm looking for things to sublimate again!   Peek a boo shirts, mugs, and even some custom fabrics.  The printer I chose to convert is an Epson Stylus Photo 1400.  The colors that it's producing are vibrant and wonderful.

It makes me excited for sublimation again.  Not the all over shirt designs that you can find online, but the projects, that are more my skill level.  The all over shirts take a great deal of skill.  

So, if you tried sublimation with an ecotank, and it fell flat for you too, you might want to consider an Epson Workforce printer or a wide format cartridge based printer.  You need to be sure there are refillable, chipless cartridges available on the market, or it won't work.  

This week on my facebook page, I'll be giving away mugs, sublimated with the winners design.  So if you have ever wanted a personalized mug, be sure to go to the Crafting On A Buget facebook page and enter!

Wednesday, August 4, 2024

Peek A Boo Shirts

 This week on my Facebook live giveaway, I did a tutorial on how to create a Peek A Boo shirt.   The next giveaway will be for a kit to make your own Peek A Boo shirt.  Winners will be able to choose from the sublimation designs you can find here.  Giveaway is open to everyone.

The sublimation kit will include the fabric inset with the design of the winners choice and the Heat Bond tape to secure the inset onto a shirt that you already have.  

This is the perfect way to upcycle something and give it some new life.

So be sure to visit Crafting On A Budget facebook page and comment and share for 2 chances to win.  Then tune in for the live giveaway to be announced.

Wednesday, July 7, 2024

But, What About Sublimation?

Six months ago, sublimation was all the craze.  Once people found out you could convert an Epson ecotank printer into a sublimation printer, you couldn't get your hands on one.  I know, I was part of the craze!  But what about sublimation now?  How do I feel about it?  I'm not going to lie, it isn't one of my favorite things.  Why?  Limitations.  The only sure way to get an excellent result is if you are sublimating on white 100% polyester.  Hey, guess what?  Not everyone is a fan of polyester.  And finding white polyester shirts has become as difficult as finding an Epson printer.  But you can sublimate on other things.  Mugs, tumblers, glitter vinyl and special heat transfer papers made for sublimation.  But buyer beware, there have been many reports of people getting mugs and tumblers on Amazon, that were not for sublimation.  To sublimate on any surface, there needs to be a poly coat applied to it first.  So the mugs you can buy at the hobby stores, next to the mug press by a company in Utah, have been specially treated to accept the sublimation ink, when heated to the correct temperature, under the correct pressure.  


Of course there are many companies that have blank substrates, like keychains, koozies, shot glasses, yard flags and even graduation stoles.  You can also buy phone cases and lighters to sublimate.  But that might not be an affordable option if you're trying to sell.  Shipping or minimum orders might make the price tag too high.  So what else can a person sublimate on?  A YouTube search will pull up quite a variety of things that people have sublimated and places to find cheap blanks.  One of my favorite stores for all things crafty is the Dollar Tree.  And I happen to be lucky enough to have 6 stores within a very close distance.  

One hack, that I have not tried yet, is to adhere a laminate sheet to a painters canvas, then sublimate on that to create a vibrant portrait or wall art.  This is something I plan on doing in the near future, to test.  I'll be sure to share the results here.  

Over the course of the next few weeks, I'll be looking for more ways to utilize my sublimation printer and to find more crafty ways to create.  Be sure to check back for updates!

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