Glass is a pretty intriguing material. It looks mesmerizing when it gets some kind of image or design printed on it. It is a great item to be used as a picture frame. However, it is also a fragile material that can break easily and make it difficult for you to customize it. But sublimation makes all such things easy. With sublimation on glass, you can print your favorite picture on the glass frame. You can print any particular design or graphic on a glass blank from a decorative lamp.
In this article, we will learn this incredibly efficient way of creating glass art. Learn about this fantastic form of sublimation, you’ve been waiting for.
What You Need: For Sublimation On Glass
The equipment you will need for sublimating Glass is not much. Almost all of the equipment is the basic one you require for any sublimation. Only a few specific types of equipment are part of the materials you need.
1) Glass Blank Or Frame:
Our main subject of sublimation is definitely one of the necessary materials you will need. You can use both, a completely transparent glass blank or a more common tempered glass frame with one side opaque. This depends on you.
2) Sublimation Printer:
No sublimation printer, no sublimation. For any sublimation work, you need a special sublimation printer. Epson and Sawgrass are the most famous companies when it comes to sublimation printers. A high-quality printer means high-quality prints.
3) Sublimation Paper & Ink:
When we talk about unique material for sublimation, sublimation paper and ink have to be there. Just like the printer, your regular paper and ink cannot perform sublimation. So get your hands on the best sublimation ink and paper.
4) Heat Press:
The heat press is your go-to equipment for the heat you need for the sublimation to take place. Set the temperature, pressure, and timer to the correct numbers, and you will get the best results.
5) Vinyl:
Vinyl is an item that helps make an excellent surface for sublimation. Htv vinyl is made of polyurethane that is the best surface or coating for sublimation. It is unnecessary for an opaque glass frame or blanks, but you need one when sublimating on a transparent blank.
6) Accessories:
The minor details have a major influence on the end product. Accessories such as heat tape, butcher or parchment paper, Teflon sheets, Nomex pad, etc., are all accessories that help create the best conditions. Heat tape keeps the subject together, and the paper or sheets prevent any heat damage. The Nomex pad is an accessory that is highly recommended when sublimating on glass material.
Best Websites To Buy Material:
You need to have knowledge about the best websites when you are looking for sublimation equipment. Always look for online markets that can provide you with genuine products. Some have been listed below.
Amazon:
Amazon is the online market for everything. The range and variety for a particular item you can get at Amazon are incredible. You can get almost all models and series for a specific item. It is the best place to look for sublimation equipment that you are after, as you will get verified items with a great variety to choose from.
eBay:
An e-commerce website very similar to amazon, at eBay, you will get an excellent range for your sublimation items and reasonable prices and deals. eBay will not disappoint you in your sublimation search.
Etsy:
Etsy is a renowned online market of craft and art material that can be sublimated. Moreover, you can also purchase sublimation accessories and tools.
HeatPressNation:
HeatPressNation is a specialized printing store. Your sublimation needs can easily be fulfilled at HeatPressNation with their great range and collection.
Can you sublimate on Glass?
The Process:
Yes, you can. Moving onto the process, it is pretty easy and familiar with how other such materials are sublimated. You need to be careful with your arrangements and settings, and you will get the best results.
➡ The first thing you need to do is to adjust your image according to your blank. Adjust the size in a way that your main target of the image can be centered when sublimated and does not leave any blank borders.
➡ Now you look at your glass blank. There can be two types. You would be using a completely transparent glass blank or a tampered one with an opaque backside.
For the transparent, you need to use a vinyl that you will stick to one side of the glass blank where the print will be pressed and sublimated. The vinyl gives the Glass the polyester surface it needs for sublimation.
For the opaque blank, you will sublimate on the opaque side. Such blanks with opaque backside are significant in terms of reflection, giving you the best print appearance.
Don’t Forget To:
➡ Attach your print paper to the respective side of the blank. As mentioned before, the image side facing towards the vinyl surface for the transparent blank, and the opaque one, use the opaque side. Use tape to keep the paper and the blank adjusted together.
➡ Now put butcher paper or Teflon sheets on both sides of the blank when placing it in the heat transfer. The Nomex pad is also highly recommended when heat pressing the Glass. Place below the blank when placed in the heat press machine.
➡ When placing the blank in the press, we usually put the paper side of the subject upwards. However, when you are pressing the Glass, you need to keep the glass side facing upwards.
➡ Set the heat press to around 380-400 degrees and keep the pressure light to medium. Set the timer for approximately 2-3 minutes. You can also preheat the press.
➡ Once you are done with the press, you will see the sublimated image from the start. Remove the blank carefully as it will be scalding. Let it cool down properly, and then remove the tape and the paper. After the removal of all the paper, you will have your sublimated glass blank.
Tip & Suggestions while Sublimation On Glass
⭐ As you will be working with glass blanks, you need to be very careful with it as Glass is pretty sensitive and can easily break.
⭐ Use heat gloves when removing the blank after the press. The Glass will be pretty hot after the press.
⭐ To prevent the breaking of the glass blank during the press, use Teflon sheets and a Nomex pad. This also prevents extra heat damage.
⭐ For the best vibrant finish, use an opaque glass blank with a white opaque side.
FAQ:
Final Words:
Any kind of work with glass material can be complicated due to Glass’s sensitive and brittle nature. Still, with sublimation printing and careful working, you can make it easy and straightforward for yourself to customize any glass blank. You can also put this knowledge and science to start a great business with great potential to grow into something big and successful.
We hope that this article was easy to understand and helpful in understanding the concept of sublimation on Glass.
Hi, I am Charles, 25 years of age & an enthusiast blogger, also called the printer guy in my family. I bring you the top & unbiased reviews of sublimation printers.