Hey crafty friends, are you new to sublimation? Me too, let’s learn together! I recently purchased a sublimation printer and I’m trying all the things. Today, I’m excited to share how to sublimate faux leather. So, let’s get started!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, at no additional cost to you. #sublimation
How to Sublimate Faux Leather
Are you wondering why you’d want to sublimate faux leather? So many reasons! Yes, faux leather is available in all kinds of patterns and designs, but what if you want to make your own? Maybe you have a small business and want to start your own line of jewelry, keychains, or bows with faux leather? Well, now you can make your very own UNIQUE faux leather without the big upfront production costs to kick off that product you have in mind! You don’t need a small business to do this, of course. If you make anything with faux leather, give this technique a try!
What you will need
- Plain White Faux Leather
- Cutting machine, scissors or rotary cutter, and ruler
- HTVRONT Sublimation Vinyl (I used matte)
- AutoPress or Heat Press
- Sublimation Printer (I have an Epson SureColor F170)
- Sublimation Paper
- Butcher Paper
- Heat Resistant Tape
Start by printing your design on sublimation paper with your sublimation printer. Seamless designs work great for this kind of project.
Next, trim the plain white faux leather to 8.5×11 size. You can do this with a Cricut for a precise cut or simply with a ruler and scissors or a rotary cutter. If you use your Cricut Maker or Explore 3, you will need the deep point blade and a strong grip mat with painter’s tape. Be sure to put the smooth side down.
Place a piece of butcher paper on the AutoPress, then the faux leather on top with the smooth side up. Next, trim the sublimation HTV to 8.5×11 size.
Place the vinyl on top with the glossy side up and secure with heat-resistant tape. Add another sheet of butcher paper on top to protect your press.
Follow the pressing instructions on the vinyl and press. Cool peel the carrier sheet.
Next, place the faux leather back on the butcher paper with the vinyl side up and lay the sublimation print on top. Secure with heat-resistant tape.
Press for 50 seconds and warm peal the paper to reveal the design!
Doesn’t it look amazing? The colors are so rich and vibrant. You can still see the leather grain!
Check out the video below to see the full steps in action!
How to Make a Key Chain Wristlet
Now what? Let’s make a quick and easy key chain wristlet!
What you will need:
- Glitter HTV
- Key Fob Hardware and Tool
- Rotary Cutter or Scissors
- Start by cutting the HTV to 8.5 x 11 size.
- Place the faux leather face down on the heat press on top of butcher paper.
- Place the HTV on top with the glossy side up. Cover with butcher paper.
- Press at 340 degrees for 10 seconds.
- Warm peel the carrier sheet.
- Now you have a two sided faux leather sheet. Trim the sheet in 1 x 11 strips.
- Fold in half with the printed side out and add the keychain har
dware with the crimping tool.
You can see an example of this process in the last part of the video below!
@michellespartyplanit Did you know that you can make your own printed faux leather with sublimation? So many possibilities! #crafttok #sublimation #fauxleather #howto #tutorial #cricutmade #autopress ♬ Sweet Dreams – Trinix
So easy! And look how adorable they are. You can do this with any print for any season, holiday, or hobby theme!
I hope you find this tutorial on how to sublimate faux leather helpful. Don’t forget to subscribe to my social media channels, my handle is @michellespartyplanit.
UPDATE: I discovered an even easier way to sublimate faux leather! Check out my How to Apply Sublimation to Faux Leather post, I even include 2 fun project ideas to start with!
Want to learn more about sublimation? Check out my other Sublimation Projects. I have so many fun projects planned to share with you in the near future!
Happy Crafting!
2 comments
What a great idea! There is so much you can do with faux leather. Thank you for your creativity!
Thank you so much! <3