Short answer
Sublimation paper is a specially coated transfer paper that holds sublimation ink and releases it as a gas when heated, so the design can bond with polyester fabric or a polymer-coated item. The main types are standard or general-purpose, fast-dry, tacky, high-release and heavyweight sheets. For most home crafters, a good-quality general-purpose or fast-dry paper in a medium weight is a sensible starting point. Choose based on your printer, your blanks and the size of your designs.
What sublimation paper is, and why it is different
Regular paper absorbs ink. Sublimation paper is designed to hold the ink near the surface until heat and pressure release it. The coating is the key feature. A few things that follow from this:
- It is designed to be used with sublimation ink and a compatible printer. Standard inks do not behave the same way.
- It pairs with polyester fabrics or polymer-coated hard blanks. Cotton and uncoated surfaces do not hold the dye well.
- Light-coloured blanks work best, since sublimation ink is translucent.
- It is generally intended for single use; once the dye has transferred, the sheet is spent.
Sublimation paper is not the same as heat transfer paper for cotton, which usually uses different inks and a different process.
Main types of sublimation paper
- Standard or general-purpose. A balanced option suitable for many fabrics and hard goods. A good starting point.
- Fast-dry. Designed to dry quickly after printing, which suits busy workflows and reduces smudging. Usually a lighter to medium weight.
- Tacky. Has a slightly adhesive feel, which helps keep stretchy fabrics and activewear from shifting during pressing, reducing ghosting and misalignment.
- High-release. Aims to release as much dye as possible, which can help with saturated colours on hard items such as ceramics or metal blanks.
- Heavyweight. Thicker sheets that resist curling and handle heavy ink loads, suited to rigid blanks and large-format prints.
- Economy or bulk. Lower-cost sheets for high volume or practice. They can trade some ink retention for price, so they suit testing more than final pieces.
- Roll or sheet. Sheets suit standard printers, while rolls suit wide-format printers and long designs.
Naming varies between sellers, so read the product description for coating, weight and recommended use.
Weight: 120gsm vs 125gsm and beyond
Sublimation paper weight is commonly given in gsm (grams per square metre). Many products fall in the range of roughly 100 to 130 gsm. A few general points:
- Lighter sheets dry faster and are easy to feed through printers, but may curl or wrinkle more under heavy ink.
- Heavier sheets are usually flatter and handle more ink, though they may take longer to dry.
- The difference between 120 gsm and 125 gsm is small. Coating, formulation and quality matter at least as much as the number, so do not choose by gsm alone.
Check your printer’s manual for supported paper weights.
Matching paper to your project
| Project | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Polyester shirts | Standard or fast-dry paper; tacky for stretch fabrics |
| Mugs and tumblers | Paper sized to the wrap; heavier sheets can resist curling |
| Hard blanks (ceramic, metal) | High-release or heavyweight options |
| Large designs | Larger sheets or rolls |
| Practice and testing | Economy paper |
Match paper size to your design and blank so that you are not wasting sheets.
Can you use regular paper?
You can print on regular copy paper or cardstock with sublimation ink, but results are generally weaker. In one home comparison, dedicated sublimation papers produced noticeably brighter and more even transfers than plain copy paper or smooth cardstock, and thin copy paper let ink bleed onto the protective sheet beneath. Results depend on your printer, design and blank, so test yourself if you want to compare.
Practical note: sublimation is a matter of paper plus blank. The question “what can I sublimate on” is really about the blank (polyester or polymer-coated), not the paper.
Butcher paper vs parchment paper
These are not the same thing, although both show up in sublimation workflows.
- Butcher paper is commonly used as a protective sheet under and over your transfer to catch ink and keep your press clean. Use plain, uncoated paper intended for this.
- Parchment paper is a baking product with a silicone coating. Some crafters use it as a barrier, but it is not interchangeable with butcher paper, and its behaviour under high heat varies. Follow your blank maker’s and press maker’s guidance rather than assuming.
- Teflon sheets are another common protective layer.
Whichever you choose, avoid anything that could transfer residue to your blank or press.
Handling tips
- Print on the correct side. The bright white, coated side is usually the print side; the back is often marked.
- Let ink dry. Give prints time to dry before pressing, since damp ink can smudge or cause sticking.
- Pre-press your blank to remove moisture and wrinkles.
- Secure the paper with heat-resistant tape instead of spray adhesive, which can leave residue and vapours.
- Keep paper flat and dry in the packaging until use, because humidity can affect feeding and transfer.
- Don’t reuse a sheet that has already been pressed.
How to test paper
Print the same test image, ideally with fine text and strong colours, on a few papers. Press them onto the same type of blank using the same settings and compare brightness, detail and evenness. Keep notes about printer, ink and settings. Polyester scrap fabric is a good, inexpensive test surface.
Heat press safety
- Heat presses and transfer papers reach high temperatures. Use heat-resistant gloves or tools, and keep skin away from platens and freshly pressed blanks.
- Follow your blank maker’s guidance for time and temperature instead of relying on generic numbers.
- Work in a ventilated space, since heating coated items and papers can release fumes.
- Do not use craft blanks for food or drink unless the maker states they are food safe.
- Keep scissors and craft knives for trimming paper away from your heat area and cut on a mat.
- Let pressed items cool before handling.
FAQ
What paper can I sublimate on?
Sublimation ink is printed onto sublimation transfer paper, then heat transfers it to polyester or polymer-coated blanks. The paper carries the ink; the blank receives it.
What is the best quality sublimation paper?
It depends on your printer, ink and blank. Many crafters test a few reputable options and pick whichever gives the brightest, most even result with their setup.
What is the difference between 120g and 125g sublimation paper?
The difference in weight is small. Coating and formulation usually matter more than the gsm figure, so test rather than choose by the number.
Is butcher paper the same as parchment paper for sublimation?
No. Butcher paper is typically used as an uncoated protective sheet, while parchment is a coated baking product. Check your press and blank guidance before substituting.