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How To Use Laser Transfer Paper
Laser printers use an electrical charge, attracting toner particles to a transfer roller. These are then pressed onto a piece of paper, while heat and pressure from the fuser unit permanently fix the image onto the page. This method differs slightly for light and dark garments. Take a look at our guide to laser transfer printing on dark garments below. For other use cases, simply contact us on 01332 85 50 85 or email sales@xpres.co.uk for advice.
1. Print the A paper on the frosted side with white ink on, using the recommended print settings.
2. Place the A paper print side up onto the heat press and place the B paper glue side down on top and press with medium pressure for 90-120 seconds at 150-160°C. Always use a silicone sheet on the top and bottom of the heat press to protect the heat plate.
3. Once pressed, leaving the paper on the heat press, carefully peel the papers apart whilst hot in a smooth, steady motion.
4. Place your garment on the heat press. Trim the edges off the paper to remove any excess glue.
5. Position the transfer on the garment and press for 30 seconds on a medium pressure at 150-160°C.
6. Once pressed, take the garment off the heat press to allow for it to cool down. Peel the transfer cold.
7. Return the garment to the heat press, cover with a silicone sheet and re-press for 30 seconds at 150-160°C.
8. Your garment is ready!
Ideal for smaller garment runs featuring the same design
High-quality printing replication
Full-colour designs
Fast process, perfect for same day and next day delivery services
No set up charges
Easy storage when designs are printed on paper
Cost-effective for small quantity orders
Shorter production time than DTG (when orders are up to 250)
No need for high skill and has low reject rates.
Certain effects and textures are only available by transfer
Inexpensive equipment
Low storage costs
1. What equipment is required for sublimation?
For a full sublimation setup, we recommend the following equipment:
- Heat press (for mugs, a specific mug press is required)
- Sublimation printer & ink
- Computer or tablet for designing
- Heat transfer tape
- Protection sheets/pillows
- Sublimation paper
2. What Colour Mugs Can I Sublimate Onto?
Sublimation works best on white or light-coloured mugs because the dye bonds to a special polymer coating and stays slightly transparent, which means the mug colour underneath will always affect the final print.
White gives the most accurate, vibrant results (especially for photos and bright colours), while light shades like cream, pale grey, and soft pastels can work well but will subtly tint your design—for example, a cream mug will warm the colours, and a light blue mug will cool them.
You can sublimate successfully onto stainless steel, but only if the item is specifically made for sublimation (typically stainless steel with a white or light-coloured polymer-coated surface). Bare stainless steel won’t take sublimation ink on its own, and dark finishes (including brushed steel, black, navy, etc.) aren’t suitable for traditional sublimation because the print won’t show up clearly.
3. Why can’t I sublimate on dark garments?
It isn't possible to sublimate on dark coloured garments because there is no white sublimation ink.
We do offer black mugs with white squares for sublimation as a close alternative.
4. Why does the image on my screen differ from the final printed result?
A print from a sublimation printer can look different to the image on your computer screen. This is because sublimation inks often change colour during the heat pressing process. As the ink reacts when it is heated, it sometimes becomes brighter and more vibrant than the image printed on the sublimation paper. We highly recommend that, during your testing stage, you heat press the image onto a product to see the final result before beginning a batch order.
5. Can I use an iron instead of a heat press?
No. You need a continuous, even heat and pressure to be applied simultaneously to the entire surface area. This can only be effectively achieved using a heat press.
6. Enamel Mug Sublimation Settings
For enamel mugs in a standard mug press, the recommended settings are 375-400°F (190-204°C) for 80-270 seconds with medium to moderate pressure. The wide time range depends on your specific press type and mug thickness; thinner enamel mugs typically need around 80-90 seconds, while thicker 12oz camp-style mugs may require up to 240-270 seconds.
Always apply medium to moderate pressure; too much can distort the enamel coating, while too little won't transfer the design properly. After pressing, submerge the hot mug in room-temperature water immediately to cool it down and set the sublimation ink.
