Dye sublimation is a digital printing process where a design is printed onto specialized transfer paper using dye-sublimation ink. The design is then transferred to a substrate, typically polyester fabric or an object with a polyester coating, using a heat press. 

Reservation Information 

Check the schedule when making reservations for a breakdown of frequency and length of reservations available per library card. 

Those intending to heat press what they have printed will need a separate reservation for the appropriate machine. We have a 16x20 flat press, a hat press, and a mug press.

Materials and Printing Requirements 

The Lab prints on 24" wide rolls. 

A limited supply of sublimation items, such as mugs and cutting boards, are available for purchase. See the Lab Price Guide for current prices.  

You may bring your own sublimation blanks, which are items specially coated for the dye process. Follow the manufacturer's heat press instructions for optimal results as each item differs. 

For fabric sublimation, the material must be at least 65% polyester and light-colored. Sublimation dyes do not print white, allowing the fabric color to show through. 

File Requirements 

Supported file formats for printing include PDF, PS, EPS, TIFF, PNG, and JPEG. 

Design Software Availability 

Laptops with Corel Draw, a file creation and editing software, are available for borrowing in The Lab during your visit. Alternatively, you can use browser-based software like Canva from home or other library computers. Inkscape is also recommended for home computer use. 

Design Assistance 

Makerspace staff can help you get started, but the space is primarily a DIY area designed for you to explore and experiment. Staff may be assisting other customers simultaneously and are unable to give long one on one tutorials.