Step 1: Download Design and prepare to print it
I downloaded my design; you may have to extract your file to be able to open it up.
I opened my design up in Adobe Photoshop, but you could use Inkscape or even Microsoft photo viewer.
Now we want to hit File, then Print
Now select your sublimation printer. I scrolled down to find portion and size. I then scaled it to 80% so my design would fit on my printer paper. Then select print.
I have set my printer dialog box to always pop up before I print. You can do this under your printer settings. Along with setting my dialog box to open, I have also set it to mirror all my designs before printing. As this is a sublimation printer, you do need to mirror your design before printing.
The printer dialog box allows you to check your settings to make sure everything is ok before hitting print. Load your paper in your printer making sure the sublimation side is correct. It varies with each printer. But mine is face up if that helps. Then select print.
Step 2: Print
Wait for your print to finish. Don’t worry if your print looks a bit dull compared to your computer screen. After you press the print, it will be very vibrant.
After your print is finished, carefully rip around the edges of your design. This helps with the crease that is left by your paper on your blank.
Step 3: Press your design on your blank 
Start heating up your heat press. I’m using the LOKLiK Impress Auto 2. You can use any heat press you prefer. I don’t recommend irons for sublimation however some people have had success with it.
My Heat Press settings are:
Temperature: 210 degrees Celsius or 410 degrees Fahrenheit
Time: 40 secs
Pressure: 70 kgs
If I did the project again, I think I would press it for 60 seconds instead of 40 seconds.
By all means use these settings as a guide, but yours may vary as you may not have the same heat press as me, or the same sublimation ink or the same sublimation paper.
While the heat press is heating up, we can get our blank ready. When pressing tote bags, I normally insert a heat mat inside as the canvas tote bags have very thick seams. By putting a heat mat inside it stops the seams from getting in the way and making an uneven press.
I also hang my handles off the front of my heat press, so they don’t get in my way. Now we can prepress our tote bag. When doing sublimation projects it’s so important to prepress your blank if its fabric. As moisture is the number one killer of sublimation projects. Moisture can make your sublimation print go all blurry.
I prepressed for 40 seconds. After prepressing your blank, use a lint roll to make sure nothing is on your blank. If you see specs of blue or yellow on your blank this is probably because there was lint or something on your blank before you pressed your design.
Allow your blank to cool completely. If you place your sublimation print on top of your blank when it is still hot you can end up with ghosting. Ghosting is when your print looks like it pressed in two areas. This can also happen if your print moves during the pressing process.
Now let’s create our sublimation sandwich. Get a couple sheets of butcher’s paper or copy paper. Make sure it is large enough to completely cover your design and a bit extra. Place a couple sheets of the paper inside your tote bag above your heat mat.
Now align your sublimation print on to your blank. If you have your handles hanging out the front as well, make sure you place your design upside down.
Once you have it aligned, use heat resistant tape to stick it in place so the print doesn’t move.
Now to complete our sublimation sandwich place a couple sheets of butcher’s paper on top of the sublimation print. Some people use Teflon sheets, but I have had the sublimation ink stay on the Teflon sheet and the transfer to my future projects. So, I recommend my sublimation paper sandwich.
Now it’s time for the magic to happen. Press your design for the full time and temperature.
Step 4: Project Reveal and Enjoy
Once your press is done, remove the butcher’s paper on top and allow your sublimation print to cool. It will be hot so be careful. Once it’s cooled down you can then reveal your lovely print. I still get chills of excitement every time I finish a sublimation project. It’s so much fun.
but I love it too very clever
