How to sublimate on wood with thermal laminate

Let’s talk about sublimation on wood. It is possible to sublimate on wood using a thermal laminate! In this project we are going to sublimate a wood bookmark, but use this technique to sublimate any other piece of wood of your choice. But make sure the wood is completely dry! In addition, you can do this project, using a Cricut easy press, or using a traditional press as well.  

Supplies needed

• Thermal Laminate sheet
• Dry wood blank
• Heat press
• Sublimation printer
• Sublimation paper
• Sand block
• Craft knife

Thermal laminate application

First, print the design you want to sublimate on the blank. Find some amazing designs HERE!. To print the design, measure the blank, to size the design in the software. Don’t forget to mirror it before printing, and set the quality to high. Cut a piece of the thermal laminate and make sure it is large enough to cover the entire blank space. Leave a sizable border, because the thermal laminate will shrink.

Is important to know that the wood has to be dry, otherwise, it will not work.

First of all, it is necessary to adhere the thermal laminate to the wood blank. For that take the mat, and put some butcher paper on it, to protect it. Place the piece of thermal laminate on top of the wood, and place them on the mat. Also do not forget to place some butcher paper on top. Get the  easy press and start pressing for 60 seconds at 385 degrees. You can hold it for about 30 seconds and then check. 

Next, make sure it’s nice and smooth. It will melt a little bit to the butcher paper and that’s ok. Be careful because it will be hot. Get a cutting mat and a craftknife. The Cricut cutting mat will work because we are not going to press hard with the craft knife. Trim around the thermal laminate sheet over the edge of the wood piece.

It is not recommended to pre-cut the thermal laminate, because it will shrink.

Then get a sanding block, and sand the entire edge to make it smooth. If it is a blank with an inside piece that has to be punched out, a diamond tip reamer will work. First, cut around it a little with the craft knife and, finally, sand it with the diamond tip reamer.

Sublimating the wood with thermal laminate

Now it’s time to sublimate the wood with the thermal laminate sheet. Place the blank sheet over the printed design. Be sure to leave a small border on it, don’t make the design the exact size of the blank. Place the side that has the thermal laminate over the design. And secure it with some heat-resistant tape, to avoid any ghosting. 

Place a piece of butcher paper underneath, then place the bookmark, and place another piece of butcher paper on top. Finally, press it for 60 seconds at 385 degrees. Now, remember that the color of the wood would affect the color of the sublimation talking about the contrast.

And that’s it! it gets like a glossy coating and looks so pretty. Let me know your comments below!