Lamination Film is a Sublimation Game Changer

Sublimation has opened up a new craft medium for me, and I found a game-changer. Lamination film opens up my new world even bigger. One of the downfalls to sublimation is the need to have sublimation blanks on hand. Now, I have found some great supplies, but lamination film allows me to create my own sublimation blanks. I want to share with you how I use lamination film on MDF wood and create beautiful things! 

When I discovered Cricuts Infusible Ink, I said that was a game-changer. Here is a LINK to my first Game Changer. Now Lamination Film is my second game-changer. Lamination Film takes Sublimation to a new level. So I am telling you that it is as easy as buying lamination film, heat-pressing it on wood, and then sublimating. It also works great on a canvas! I have not tried other substrates but, I will be doing some more experimenting. 

Let’s get started, and I will show you how easy it is to use it on a smooth wood piece. I thought it would be fun to sublimate on an “F” and an “S” for Fun Stuff Crafts. 

So let’s get started on learning how to use Lamination Film on Wood and Sublimate. Check out the video tutorial below or follow the step by step instructions below! You choose how you want to learn to use Lamination Film on Wood and Sublimate.

https://youtu.be/Werp3VfKxxc

SUPPLIES

• A-Sub Paper
• Sublimation Ink
• Sublimation Printer
• Parchment Paper
• Lamination Film
• MDF Wood Letters
• White Chalk Paint
• Heat Tape
• Gloves
• Heat Press

Step #1 Decide on a Design

Pick your design and print it slightly larger than what you want to sublimate. Remember to print it out as a mirror image especially if any word or letters are part of your design! I love to use Canva. I picked out each of my pictures from their site!

Step #2 Prep Wood

Now we want to prep the wood for sublimation. I have found that if the piece of wood is white, the finished product’s colors are vibrant. So I gave my letters a coating of white chalk paint. Make sure to let it dry completely.

Step #3 Add Lamination Paper

Cut a piece of lamination paper larger than your piece of wood. There is a glossy side to the lamination film and a matte side. Place a piece of blow out paper on the heat press, then lay your piece of wood white side up. Lay the lamination paper matte side down on the piece of wood and cover with another piece of parchment paper. Press at 400 degrees for 10 seconds. 

Before we go any further, you might wonder what the heck blow out paper is and why you use it? It’s merely a sheet of paper, Teflon sheet, or parchment paper with two purposes in the sublimation process. The first is to protect the sublimation’s surface from any dirt, grease, stray ink, and the second is to protect the heat press for dirt, grease, or stray ink. I like to use parchment sheets for my blow out paper!

Step #4 Sublimation

Now the fun begins. Remove the wood from the heat press and lay it on your workspace. I use my Cricut Knife to trim off any excess lamination paper.

Then take your printout, lay it on my workspace, take the wood letter, and lay it on top of the printout. Secure the printout and wood letter with heat resistant tape.

Lay another piece of blowout paper on the heat press and lay the wood letter facing up with the print out facing down on top of the blowout paper. Then cover with a piece of parchment paper. Press at 400 degrees for 90 seconds.

Wait, Wait, Wait and look at what we have! A beautiful sublimated letter!

If this project inspired you, then check out some of my other projects for more inspiration!

Don’t forget to checkout my Fun Stuff Crafts Amazon Storefront!

*Disclaimer:  Links above are affiliate links. By clicking on these links I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Some products may have been provided to me by vendors, however, all opinions and reviews are strictly my own.

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