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Most sublimation blanks press at 385–400°F (196–204°C). Polyester fabric takes about 35–60 seconds, thin metal and hardboard about 1 minute, thick MDF closer to 1.5–2 minutes, and ceramic mugs 3–5 minutes in a mug press. The temperature barely changes between blanks; the time does.
The chart below collects starting settings published by press and blank makers: Geo Knight, Unisub, HTVRONT, Cricut and Siser. Each row names its source. Treat every number as a starting point, run one test piece, and follow your own blank or paper supplier first when they publish settings.
Sublimation time & temperature chart
Geo Knight notes that your transfer supplier's instructions are more accurate than generic figures.
Dial it in: run one test piece first. HTVRONT's rule of thumb: if a transfer looks faded, add about 10 seconds; if colors bleed or scorch, lower the temperature by 5–10°F. Change one setting at a time.
Sources: Geo Knight press manuals and DK3 mug press manual; Unisub Times & Temperatures; HTVRONT heat press chart, tumbler guides and blank listings; Siser application instructions; Cricut. Every value is a starting point, not a guarantee: presses, blank coatings and papers vary, and your blank or paper supplier's own settings come first.
Sublimation temperature chart
| Blank | Temperature | Time | Pressure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester shirt | 400°F (204°C) | 35 sec, after 2–4 sec pre-press | Medium | Geo Knight press manuals |
| Polyester fabric (shirts, flags, pillowcases) | 400°F (204°C) | 35–50 sec | Medium | HTVRONT chart |
| Pillow covers | 380–400°F (193–204°C) | 60–70 sec | Light–medium | HTVRONT chart |
| Tote bags | 380–400°F (193–204°C) | 55–70 sec; start at 385°F for 55 sec | Medium | HTVRONT chart |
| Mouse pads | 380–400°F (193–204°C) | 40–60 sec | Medium | HTVRONT chart |
| Sponge trucker hat (HTVRONT blank) | 392°F (200°C) | 40 sec | Per press | HTVRONT listing |
| Plastics | 400°F (204°C) | 1 min 15 sec | Per press | Geo Knight press manuals |
| Metals | 400°F (204°C) | 1 min | Per press | Geo Knight press manuals |
| Woods | 400°F (204°C) | 1 min 15 sec | Per press | Geo Knight press manuals |
| Ceramics (flat, in a flat press) | 400°F (204°C) | 4 min | Per press | Geo Knight press manuals |
| Ceramic mug, mug press | 400°F (204°C) | 5 min to start; try 30 sec less once results are good | Firm clamp | Geo Knight DK3 manual |
| Ceramic mug, mug press (alternative) | 400°F (204°C) | 3–4 min | Wrap tightly with heat tape | HTVRONT chart |
| 16 oz glass can with bamboo lid (HTVRONT blank) | 400°F (204°C) | 90 sec in a press, or 8 min in an oven | Per press | HTVRONT listing |
| Unisub hard blanks (all) | 385°F (195°C) | See table below | 60 PSI in Unisub's tests | Unisub |
Unisub hard-blank times at 385°F
Unisub publishes one temperature for all its hard substrates, 385°F (195°C), and varies time by material and thickness. Its chart was built on a Geo Knight 20 x 24-inch swing-away press at 60 PSI, and Unisub notes that presses vary.
| Unisub blank | Thickness | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Trophy disk inserts, aluminum | 0.03 in | 0:30–0:40 |
| Pet tags, aluminum, 1-sided | 0.045 in | 0:35–0:45 |
| Key chains, aluminum, 1-sided | 0.03 in | 0:40–0:50 |
| Ornaments, aluminum, 1-sided | 0.03 in | 0:40–0:50 |
| Metal panels 4 x 4 to 6 x 6 in, aluminum | 0.045 in | 1:00–1:10 |
| Metal panels 8 x 8 to 11 x 14 in, aluminum | 0.045 in | 1:20–1:35 |
| License plates, aluminum | 0.03 in | 1:15–1:20 |
| Coasters, hardboard (raw or cork back) | 0.125 in | 1:00–1:10 |
| Tiles, hardboard | 0.25 in | 1:05–1:15 |
| Puzzles, hardboard | 0.125 in | 1:30–1:40 |
| ChromaLuxe hardboard panels (up to 11 x 14) | 0.25 in | 1:05–1:25 |
| Plaques, MDF | 0.625 in | 1:25–1:35 |
| ChromaLuxe MDF panels (up to 11 x 14) | 0.625 in | 1:20–1:40 |
| Coat hangers, MDF | 0.625 in | 2:00–2:15 |
The pattern is useful even for other brands: thin aluminum takes well under a minute, hardboard about a minute, and thick MDF up to two minutes, all at the same temperature.
Vinyl and hybrid materials (not standard sublimation)
These sit on top of the fabric, so they press cooler and shorter. Use them when you're combining sublimation with vinyl or decorating cotton.
| Material | Temperature | Time | Pressure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siser EasyWeed HTV | 305°F (150°C) | 10–15 sec, after 2–3 sec pre-press | Medium | Siser (add about 30°F with an EasyPress) |
| Siser EasySubli (printed with sublimation ink) | 311°F (155°C) | 15 sec | Medium | Siser |
| Siser P.S. Subli LT (dye-blocking HTV for sublimated polyester) | 275°F (135°C) | 15 sec | Medium | Siser |
| HTVRONT Clear Sublimation HTV, step 1: apply vinyl | 392–400°F | 8–10 sec | Heavy | HTVRONT listing |
| HTVRONT Clear Sublimation HTV, step 2: sublimate | 374–400°F | 40 sec | Heavy | HTVRONT listing |
| Cricut Sublimation Printable Iron-On, drying | 300°F (150°C) | 1 min, press hovering, not touching | None | Cricut |
| Cricut Sublimation Printable Iron-On on cotton (AutoPress 2) | 315°F (158°C) | Per Cricut Heat Guide | Per Cricut | Cricut |
Our sublimation vs heat transfer vinyl guide explains when each method makes sense.
Why the numbers differ between brands
You'll notice HTVRONT, Geo Knight and Unisub don't agree to the second. That's normal, for three reasons:
- Presses heat differently. A thick cast platen recovers heat faster than a thin plate. Geo Knight's DK3 manual notes that a mug can pull the press down 30°F or more at the start of a cycle, which it calls perfectly normal.
- Pressure changes the time. Unisub's chart assumes 60 PSI on a pro swing-away. A lighter craft press may need a little longer.
- Blank coatings vary. Two "sublimation mugs" from different makers can need different times. That's why Cricut's sublimation paper instructions tell you to use your sublimation ink's settings rather than publishing one number.
Start in the middle of the range, check the result and adjust one variable at a time. HTVRONT's rule of thumb: if a transfer looks faded, add about 10 seconds; if colors bleed or scorch, lower the temperature by 5–10°F.
How to dial in a new blank
- Find the blank maker's settings. If none are published, use the closest row above.
- Pre-press. Geo Knight recommends 2–4 seconds on shirts to remove wrinkles and moisture; HTVRONT suggests 3–5 seconds. Hard goods can be pre-pressed briefly too, with the protective film removed first.
- Tape the transfer at the corners with heat-resistant tape so it can't shift.
- Cover with fresh protective paper (see the parchment section below).
- Press at the starting setting and peel promptly, hot unless the blank maker says otherwise.
- Judge the result in daylight. Faded: add time first. Blurry or doubled: check for movement and pressure, covered in our sublimation ghosting guide. Scorched or yellowed: lower temperature or time.
- Write it down. Note the blank, press, paper, time, temperature and pressure. Most presses can store presets.
Parchment paper on a heat press: is it OK for sublimation?
Parchment paper is a common cover sheet for HTV. For sublimation, the makers we cite steer you elsewhere. Cricut says to use white cardstock or butcher paper as the protective barrier for sublimation and Infusible Ink, and specifically says its own heat-resistant pressing sheets aren't recommended for sublimation because of unwanted transfer and staining. It also says never to reuse butcher paper, because it captures stray dye that could transfer to your next blank or your heat plate.
None of the press or blank makers in this guide recommends parchment for sublimation. Sublimation dye travels as a gas, and you want a cover sheet that absorbs it and gets thrown away. Uncoated butcher paper does that. If you do use parchment for vinyl jobs, keep it separate from your sublimation supplies.
| Cover sheet | Sublimation | HTV | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncoated butcher paper | Yes | Yes | Cricut's recommendation for sublimation; use once |
| White cardstock (inside shirts and totes) | Yes | Yes | Cricut uses 80 lb white cardstock inside blanks |
| Teflon sheet | With care | Yes | Can pick up dye; keep a separate one for sublimation |
| Cricut heat-resistant pressing sheet | No, per Cricut | Yes | Cricut says it can stain or transfer with sublimation |
| Parchment paper | Not recommended by the makers we cite | Common | Can be reused for vinyl if clean |
Common mistakes
- Using a polyester shirt setting on everything. Ceramics and thick MDF need minutes, not seconds.
- Trusting the press display. Check the actual platen with a full-platen test press when the press is new; see our sublimation heat press guide for the method.
- Using the full platen for big blanks. Unisub warns that items using the press's full size get badly sublimated edges. Size the press slightly larger than the blank.
- Overlapping paper on mugs. Geo Knight says to trim the cover sheet to the mug's flat surface; overlap causes wrinkling and white lines.
- Forgetting the protective film on hard blanks. Geo Knight's press manuals and HTVRONT's chart both say to remove it before heating.
FAQ
What is the best temperature for sublimation?
Most blanks sublimate between about 385°F and 400°F (196–204°C). Geo Knight's press manuals use 400°F for polyester, plastics, metals, woods and ceramics, and Unisub presses all its hard blanks at 385°F (195°C). Time is what changes most by blank.
How long do you press sublimation on a shirt?
Geo Knight's press manuals give 400°F for 35 seconds on polyester fabric, after a 2–4 second pre-press. HTVRONT's chart suggests 400°F for 35–50 seconds at medium pressure. Your paper or shirt supplier's settings take priority.
Can you use parchment paper on a heat press for sublimation?
Parchment is common for HTV, but none of the press and blank makers we cite recommends it for sublimation. Cricut tells you to use butcher paper or white cardstock as the protective layer, and not to reuse it, because it catches stray dye. Uncoated butcher paper is the safer choice.
What temperature do you sublimate a mug?
It depends on the press. Geo Knight's DK3 mug press manual starts at 400°F for 5 minutes and suggests trying 30 seconds less once results are good. HTVRONT's chart lists 400°F for 3–4 minutes in a mug press. Cricut's Mug Press sets its own cycle.
Why are my sublimation colors faded?
Usually too little time, temperature or pressure, a blank without a polyester coating, or the wrong printer profile. HTVRONT suggests adding about 10 seconds if a transfer looks faded. Our sublimation troubleshooting guide covers the full checklist.
Keep going
- Doing drinkware? Our how to sublimate a tumbler guide covers wraps, presses and oven settings.
- Choosing blanks? See the best sublimation blanks for mugs, coasters and shirts.
- Pressing shirts every day? Compare heat presses for shirts.