In response to popular demand, we’re diving into the world of sublimation and design in this comprehensive video guide. We’ll walk you through the entire process from starting with purchasing a pattern, selecting the right design software, crafting your design, and preparing it for printing and sewing.
Watch the below video to follow along the steps:
Watch video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4bH5NA0vsXA?si=7jcO37i1T6T9PFW8
Step 1: Finding and Purchasing a Pattern
To kick things off, head over to Google and search for “Etsy.” Once on the Etsy website, use the search bar to type in “t-shirt pattern” or “shirt pattern” and hit enter. You’ll be greeted with a variety of options. Take your time to browse through the listings, but for this example, we’ve chosen a straightforward t-shirt pattern that’s user-friendly and ideal for sublimation.
After signing into your Etsy account (or creating one if you’re new), purchase and download the pattern. This will serve as the foundation for your design, so ensure you save it somewhere accessible.
Step 2: Choosing Design Software
Next, you’ll need a program to bring your design to life. While there are many options out there, we recommend Adobe Photoshop for its versatility and ease of use in sublimation projects. Visit Adobe’s website, navigate to “Creativity and Design,” and select an individual license. Opt for Photoshop alone—purchasing the full suite isn’t necessary and can be costlier. Note that it’s a monthly subscription, so review the terms before committing. Alternatives like CorelDRAW exist, but Photoshop is our go-to for this process, especially if you’re not familiar with vector-based design.
Once downloaded, install Photoshop (we’re using the 2025 version here) and open the pattern files you purchased. You may need to open multiple files to identify the correct one—look for the primary pattern page, as others might contain sewing instructions.
Step 3: Setting Up Your Workspace
With your pattern open in Photoshop, ensure it’s set to CMYK or RGB colour mode (not grayscale) for accurate printing results. CMYK is ideal if you’re matching specific customer colours, while RGB offers vibrant, eye-catching hues—choose based on your project needs.
Start by creating a new layer and dragging it beneath the pattern layer. Select white as your background colour using the paint bucket tool (right-click to switch from the gradient tool if needed). Fill the new layer with white to replace the transparent, checkered background, making the pattern’s lines and markings visible.
Step 4: Understanding the Pattern
Examine the pattern’s key—ours indicates that 50 mm equals 5 cm in real size, a 1:1 ratio. This is crucial for scaling your design accurately. For example, an 8 cm-wide logo should measure 80 mm in Photoshop. The pattern also includes various sizes (e.g., XXS as a solid black line, XS as dotted blue lines), which you’ll separate later.
Identify key components like the front and back of the shirt, sleeves, waistband, and hem. Some elements, like the waistband, are optional, but we’ll include them for this design.
Step 5: Preparing a Larger Canvas
To accommodate all pattern pieces, create a new document (File > New). Set the width to 1450 mm (a common material width for shirts) and the height to 2000 mm (adjustable later). Use 300 DPI for print quality, and select CMYK for consistency with industry standards. Leave the background white for visibility.
Drag the pattern layer from the original file into this new canvas, ensuring it remains true to size. Avoid resizing prematurely, as it could distort the pattern and affect sewing accuracy.
Step 6: Separating Sizes and Redrawing
For efficiency, separate each size into its own document. Here, we’ll focus on XXS. Instead of cutting, redraw the pattern lines using the brush tool (set to red for visibility) on a new layer labeled “XXS Front,” “XXS Back,” etc. Zoom in (Alt + scroll) and use Shift + click to draw straight lines or small segments for curves, ensuring precision. This redrawn outline will guide cutting and printing later.
Hide the original pattern layer (don’t delete it) to work solely with your redrawn lines, renaming them clearly (e.g., “Collar,” “Sleeve”).
Step 7: Assembling Full Panels
Since patterns often provide half-pieces (e.g., sleeves or collars), duplicate and mirror them (Ctrl + T, then flip horizontally). Align duplicates with Shift + arrow keys to maintain consistent line thickness, then merge them into a single layer (e.g., “Full Sleeve”). Label each panel with its size (e.g., “Collar – XXS”) using the text tool to avoid confusion during production.
Repeat this for the front, back, and waistband, ensuring the waistband matches the shirt’s full width without unnecessary duplication.
Step 8: Designing the T-Shirt
Now for the fun part—designing! Arrange all panels efficiently on the canvas, considering material stretch (left to right, not top to bottom). Change the red outline to a contrasting colour (e.g., green) if your design is red-heavy.
Start with a background. Create a new layer beneath the “Front” panel, select the interior with the magic wand (untick “Contiguous”), and fill it with dark gray using the paint bucket. Repeat for all panels. For texture, source a free carbon fiber or steel pattern online, paste it into Photoshop, and tile it by duplicating and mirroring layers. Merge these into a group, center it over the gray background, and cut it to the panel shape.
Adjust opacity (e.g., 70%) for a subtle effect, and add a solid gray layer beneath for depth. For accents, apply a black colour overlay to the collar and waistband.
Step 9: Adding Colour and Logos
To inject vibrancy, find a free abstract image online with bold colours. Paste it onto the canvas, positioning it halfway up the front and back panels. Mirror the back version for symmetry, then cut it to the panel shapes. Enhance it with a soft brush tool, blending black at varying opacities (100% to 30%) to integrate it with the steel background.
For the sleeves, apply black brush strokes at 80% and 60% opacity for a dynamic effect. Add a logo (max 80 mm wide) centered on the front, removing its white background with the magic wand for a clean look.
Step 10: Printing and Production
With the design complete, print it using a sublimation printer from AM.CO.ZA with appropriate ink and paper. Press it onto your material using a Heat Press Machine—refer to existing tutorials for settings. Finally, send it to a Cut, Make, Trim (CMT) professional using industrial sewing machines for assembly.
The Finished Product
Our completed t-shirt, modeled by Susan, showcases a striking blend of a steel background, colourful abstract bursts, and black accents. The process, while lengthy, ensures a professional result adaptable to any pattern—pants, jackets, or scarves included.
We hope this guide equips you with the skills to create your own sublimated designs. If you found it valuable, consider subscribing for more insights. Until next time, happy designing!
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