Try This: Sublimate Door Hangers

When you think of dye-sublimation, door hangers might not be the first substrate to come to mind. But rest assured, this product carries a lot of profit potential as they make great gifts for video gamers and sports fans alike.

With football season on its way, now is a great time to stock up on this product line. Here is how you can make your own custom door hangers like these…

All images courtesy Coastal Business Supplies

Materials Needed:

• Sublimatable door hangers (Used here: Unisub Two-Sided Door Hanger #5545)
• Sublimation printer
• Sublimation transfer paper
• Thermal tape
• Heat press
• Silicone-treated cover sheets

Heat Press Settings:

• 400 F
• Press time: 30 seconds
• Pressure: medium

Note: settings may vary depending on your specific heat press. See your manufacturer’s recommendations and adjust as necessary.

Step One: Prepare your designs

Using the design software of your choice, open an image/design. For best results, we recommend that you use a template. Depending on the design route you take and the equipment you are using, your software may come pre-loaded with templates already. You can also find door hanger templates that are free to download on your reseller’s website or on the internet (use discretion and double check your measurements to ensure they fit your product). Note: door hangers are typically two-sided, so you have two designs to create and print. Remember to flip the door hanger template before creating the second design.

Step Two: Customize

Once you have your template loaded, add your background photo or design. Make sure that the image fully covers the door hanger template and the bleed area so that when you press, you don’t end up with white, unprinted areas around the edges of your item.

Feel free to add text on top of the photo like this one below. For clarity and readability, consider adding a black outline around the text.

Also important to note, your color mode should be set to RGB for sublimation unless you are working with RIP software.

Step Three: Print 

After you have finalized your two designs, send them off to the printer. Remember to print your images in reverse (mirrored).

Keep in mind that the colors will appear dull on the transfer paper – this is normal! The bright, vivid colors will show up properly on the final product.

Step Four: Press

Secure the door hanger to one sheet of transfer paper using thermal tape, ensuring that there is plenty of bleed area around the hanger. While it is possible to press both sides of the door hanger at once, it’s a good idea to press one side at a time for the most consistent results.

Lay a silicone-treated cover sheet on the lower platen of your heat press and place the door hanger on top facing up (the transfer paper should be on top).

Press using the settings listed above. Once the time is up, remove the paper immediately and let the door hanger cool.

Repeat these steps for the other side of the door hanger.

-Matthew Maurer, Coastal Business Supplies