DIY Sublimation Ornament Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial
Looking to add a personalized touch to your holiday decorations or create a unique handmade gift? Sublimation ornaments are an easy, affordable, and professional-looking DIY project — even for beginners. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the full process of making your own custom sublimation ornament, from design to heat transfer.
Why Sublimation Ornaments?
Sublimation printing allows you to transfer vibrant, full-color designs onto specially coated blanks using heat and pressure. The result is a permanent image that won’t peel, crack, or fade — perfect for:
Holiday gifts
Personalized décor
Pet name tags
Wedding or baby keepsakes
Small business product lines
What You’ll Need
Before getting started, gather the following:
Sublimation Printer (e.g. Epson EcoTank or Sawgrass with sublimation ink)
Sublimation Transfer Paper
Heat Press (flat or swing-away style)
Heat Tape & Gloves
Protective Paper or Teflon Sheets
Design Software (Canva, Photoshop, or GIMP)
Blank Sublimation Ornament (MDF, aluminum, or ceramic)
You can find quality sublimation ornament blanks at SublimationBlanksProduct.com — they offer a wide variety of shapes like circles, hearts, snowflakes, and more, with global shipping and no minimum order.
Step 1: Design Your Ornament
Open your design software and create a canvas that matches the size and shape of your blank (usually 3–4 inches wide).
Set resolution to 300 DPI
Use mirror image mode before printing
Add festive elements like family photos, holiday quotes, or clipart
Step 2: Print & Prep
Print your design on sublimation paper using sublimation ink
Let the ink dry for 5–10 minutes
Trim the paper to match your ornament shape
Use heat-resistant tape to align the design (face down) on the ornament
Step 3: Heat Press
Set your heat press according to the blank type:
Temperature: 385°F (195°C)
Time: 60 seconds
Pressure: Medium
💡 Tip: Always place parchment paper above and below your ornament to protect your press.
Step 4: Cool & Finish
After pressing, carefully remove the paper and let your ornament cool on a heat-safe surface. Then attach any included ribbon or cord — and it’s ready to hang or gift!