Tutorial: Sublimation Printing – Aluminium Items

(Sheets, Business Cards, Name Badges, Metal Attachments)

What You’ll Learn

Achieve brilliant, durable results on coated aluminum items using sublimation printing and optimized heat press settings.

What You’ll Need

• • Sublimation printer and ink

  
  

  • Sublimation paper (mirrored design)

  
  

  • Coated aluminium item (with protective film removed)

  
  

  • Heat press

  
  

  • Silicon paper or Teflon sheet

  
  

  • Heat-resistant tape

  
  

  • Heat-resistant gloves

Heat Press Settings

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1. Prepare Your Design & Aluminium

      • • Mirror your design before printing

        
        

        • Remove the clear protective film from the coated side of the aluminium

      
      

   
   

   2. Pre-Press the Aluminium (Recommended)

      • • Briefly pre-press the aluminium for a few seconds

        
        

        • Helps remove moisture and flatten the item

      
      

   
   

   3. Protect Your Setup & Position Materials

      • • Place silicon paper on the bottom platen

        
        

        • Lay sublimation print face up on the paper

        
        

        • Position aluminium item face down (coated side touching the print)

        
        

        • Secure with heat-resistant tape

        
        

        • Cover with another sheet of protective paper

      
      

   
   

   4. Press & Monitor

      • • Press using the settings above

        
        

        • Adjust time slightly based on aluminium thickness

      
      

   
   

   5. Post-Press Care

      • • Use heat-resistant gloves — aluminium will be very hot

        
        

        • Peel sublimation paper immediately while item is still hot

      
      

Critical Safety & Success Tips

Use consistent pressure and alignment for best results

Remove the protective film before pressing

Handle aluminium with care — it retains heat

Test different thicknesses on scrap pieces before production