How to: sublimation embroidery
Did you know that you can now ‘embroider’ the rainbow with only white polyester embroidery thread?
With the help of your Brother Sublimation Printer SP1 and the Artspira app, you can easily create vibrant colours, gradients and even photos onto a white embroidered item.Sublimation embroidery is a great tool when you want to bring in more colour changes and gradients that wouldn’t be possible with embroidery thread alone. It’s also a great way to make sublimation on darker fabrics really pop.
Materials needed
- Sublimation paper (Brother Sublimation Paper)
- Brother SP1 Sublimation Ink
- White polyester embroidery thread
- Fabric for embroidery
- Stabiliser
- Heat-proof tape
- Baking paper or heat proof paper
Equipment needed
- Brother Sublimation Printer SP1
- Brother embroidery machine
- Artspira app on your phone/tablet*
- Heat press or household iron
- Scissors
- Heat-proof mat
How to
Step 1
Open the Artspira app and click New > Sublimation Embroidery.
If you don’t have Artspira yet, you can download it for free using the button above.
Tip: to create this sublimation embroidery project we’re using one of the built-in Artspira library designs but you can let your imagination run wild or simply use a precious photo by selecting ‘create from image’.
Step 2
Once you have chosen your design, it's time to stitch out the embroidery.
Set up your embroidery machine and select Create > Transfer.
With the Brother Artspira app you don’t need to draw your design, understand complex design programmes or get an artist to help. The app automatically works out all the sublimation embroidery steps and guides you through every part of the process.
Note: using white polyester embroidery thread is essential to achieve the sublimation ink transfer result. You cannot use any other colour thread with sublimation embroidery.
Step 3
While your sublimation embroidery base stitches out, you can prepare your printing.Set up your Brother Sublimation Printer SP1 and select 2.Print > Print.
Tip: for the best results, give the sublimation print a few minutes to dry once you have printed it, before sublimating it onto your embroidery base.
Step 4
When your white sublimation embroidery base is ready and the design is printed on to the sublimation paper, cut along the guideline around your printed design.Tip: cut just inside the guidelines, so that the lines do not transfer onto your fabric.
Step 5
Flip the printed sublimation transfer paper over and place it on top of the white thread embroidery, making sure to stay within the embroidered guidelines.Then fix it in place with heat-resistant tape.
Tip: you will notice that when your sublimation embroidery base is embroidered, Artspira will automatically add basting stitch guidelines to the design. This is so you can easily line up your sublimation print for perfect positioning and the best results.
Step 6
Place the baking paper on top of your design and use the heat press to transfer the sublimation design onto the embroidery.
Note: the time and temperature of the heat press is determined by the fabric. Create a test first to ensure you get the best results.
Step 7
Remove the transfer paper from the embroidery and carefully remove the guideline basting stitches.
Sublimation embroidery tips and tricks:
- Which fabric should I use for sublimation embroidery? As you’ll be using a heat press, you need to choose a fabric that can withstand heat. It’s best to use a scrap of the same fabric to test under the heat press before you start your design.
- Do I need to stabilise my fabric before I embroider my sublimation embroidery base? Yes! Prepare your fabric as you would for any embroidery project. If you aren’t sure which embroidery stabiliser to use with which fabric, please check out our handy Know Your Stabilisers blog here.
- Do I need to use a heat proof sheet when sublimating onto embroidery? Yes. Whenever you use a heat press to sublimate onto fabric, always use a sheet of baking paper, a pressing cloth or a pressing sheet. This will protect your fabric and sublimation embroidery.
- Can I use an iron instead of a heat press for sublimation embroidery? A heat press will give the best results, however an iron can be used for sublimation embroidery. Make sure to turn the steam setting off, use a sheet of baking paper and do a practice first. When pressing sublimation embroidery don’t move the heat press/iron around, or your sublimation design will smudge!
