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Years ago when I first learned about sublimating, I was really excited. Think of all the fun projects and ideas you can do with just pressing a design to polyester fabrics.
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But then I decided it was typically more work than it was worth. Sometimes even a lot more money than you want to pay.
However, I came across this fun idea to sublimate socks and thought "what a perfect and easy project". And it really is. If you aren't a big crafter or you don't own a heat press, you can still successfully sublimate socks. You just need sublimation paper, polyester socks and a nice hot, hot iron.
What is sublimation?
Sublimation is the transfer of a design using heat and pressure to a different material. In this case, we are transferring a design from sublimation paper to socks using heat and pressure.
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What materials do you need to sublimate socks?
For this project, you really need to have a heat press (or iron) that can heat up to 400° F. Not all sublimation paper needs to be this hot. But you'll need something that can go up this high. I used my HTVRont Auto Heat Press but you could use a Cricut EasyPress .
The fun Ugly Sweater Sublimation Paper that I used for these socks only needed to go up to 385°F. Which my heat press did just fine.
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Is sublimation paper different from Infusible Ink paper?
Nope, they are the same. Infusible Ink is just the name that the company Cricut uses to distinguish their product from other products.
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VIDEO: Sublimation Socks
How to Sublimate Socks
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- White Socks with 60%+ Polyester - need to be ankle socks
- Sublimation Paper
- Tintnut Christmas Sublimation Paper - lots of fun holiday and everyday designs
- Ugly Sweater Sublimation Paper - great for Christmas socks
- Long Piece of Cardboard
- HTVRont Auto Heat Press or Cricut EasyPress
- Heat Tape
- Tweezers
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Step 1
Preheat up heat press to 385°F.
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Trace sock bottom onto a piece of cardboard. Cut out cardboard foot template.
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Place sock over the cardboard template. The sock should fit snugly over the template and should be slightly stretched. Any puckers or overlap on the sock will not get the sublimation design over the sock.
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Wrap sock in a piece of sublimation paper. Tape closed with Heat Tape.
Sandwich wrapped socks between two pieces of parchment paper. Place on the Heat Press for 45 seconds at 385°F. Flip socks over and press again for another 45 seconds.
Make sure to read the directions on your specific sublimation paper. It may call for more or less heat and time.
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Remove socks from heat press and open carefully. Make sure design has transferred to the sock. Allow to cool completely.
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Remove sock from cardboard.
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It is that easy to sublimate socks. You don't have to cut any paper out or create an intricate design. You simply add heat and pressure and you've got custom sublimated socks.
Looking for more easy craft projects? Check out our Top Ten Non-Vinyl Cricut Craft Projects.
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