DIY Sublimation Ornament | Step-by-Step Design & Heat Transfer Tutorial

Custom sublimation ornaments are a fun and meaningful way to decorate your home or create unique gifts for friends and family. Whether you're preparing for the holidays or looking to expand your small business offerings, sublimation on ornaments is a simple, rewarding project that results in professional, lasting designs.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to design, print, and heat press sublimation ornaments from start to finish — even if you're a complete beginner.

Materials You'll Need

To get started, you'll need:

  • Blank Sublimation Ornaments (MDF, aluminum, or ceramic – coated for sublimation)

  • Sublimation Printer (e.g., Epson EcoTank converted for sublimation or Sawgrass SG500)

  • Sublimation Ink

  • Sublimation Transfer Paper (A-SUB or similar)

  • Heat Press Machine (flat press works best)

  • Heat-Resistant Tape & Gloves

  • Parchment Paper or Protective Sheets

  • Design Software (Canva, Photoshop, or Photopea)

👉 Pro Tip: You can find high-quality sublimation blanks at SublimationBlanksProduct.com, including various shapes and finishes perfect for ornaments.

Step 1: Design Your Ornament

Start by creating your ornament design digitally:

  • Use your preferred design software.

  • Size your canvas to match the shape and dimensions of the ornament (usually 3" to 4").

  • Set your resolution to 300 DPI.

  • Mirror (flip horizontally) your design before printing.

  • Add names, dates, or festive images like snowflakes, family photos, or holiday quotes.

Step 2: Print Your Design

Make sure you're printing with sublimation ink on the coated side of sublimation paper. Set your printer settings to high quality and ensure your color profiles are correct for sublimation use.

Step 3: Heat Press the Ornament

Set up your heat press with the following settings (depending on the material of your blank):

For MDF or Aluminum Ornaments:

  • Temperature: 385°F (195°C)

  • Time: 60 seconds

  • Pressure: Medium

Steps:

  1. Remove any protective film on the ornament.

  2. Tape the printed design to the coated side using heat-resistant tape.

  3. Place a protective sheet below and above the ornament.

  4. Heat press the ornament, then carefully remove and let cool.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

After cooling, attach the included ribbon or string to hang your ornament. You can also package it in a small box or holiday gift bag if you're selling or gifting it.

Final Result

The result is a high-quality, durable ornament that’s:

  • Scratch-resistant

  • Washable (for aluminum or MDF)

  • Vivid in color

  • Perfect for holiday décor, baby’s first Christmas, pet tags, or custom family keepsakes



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