Materials You’ll Need:

• Glitter cardstock (I used Cricut Glitter Cardstock)
• Epson F170 Sublimation Printer(or any sublimation printer)
• Sublimation paper (A-Sub paper recommended)
• Heat tape
• Butcher paper or parchment paper
• Heat press(Cricut Auto Press or any other heat press)
• Paper cutter or scissors
• Tape runner
• 3D foam tape
• Themed scrapbook paper
• Cricut watercolor notecards or any cardstock
• Optional: Stamps,ink, clear stamp block

I created a video to walk you through this process, check it out below:

Step 1: Print Your Halloween Design

The first step in this project is choosing and printing your design. For this tutorial, I used a Halloween-themed graphic from Creative Fabrica. You can select any design you like depending on the theme of your cards. Whether it’s Halloween, birthday, or even holiday cards, the sublimation technique works great for all occasions.

Once you have your design, print it using a sublimation printer. I used my Epson F170 Sublimation Printer withA-Sub sublimation paper. Make sure your design fits the size of your cardstock or the specific area you want to sublimate. It’s always a good idea to print with the highest quality setting to get the most vibrant colors.

Tip: If you don’t have a sublimation printer, you can purchase glitter cardstock made for regular inkjet printers and print on them directly.

Step 2: Prepare the Glitter Cardstock

Now that your design is printed, let’s prepare the glitter cardstock. For this project, I’m using Cricut Glitter Cardstock because it’s thick and has a beautiful shimmer that pairs well with sublimation designs. You can experiment with different brands, but make sure the cardstock is sturdy enough to withstand heat pressing.

If you’re sublimating onto glitter cardstock for the first time, I recommend using light-colored cardstock. Lighter shades help your designs show up more clearly, and the vibrant colors pop against the glittery background. This works especially well with Halloween-themed designs, which often feature bright oranges, purples, and greens.

Step 3: Trim the Cardstock to Size

Before sublimating, you’ll want to trim the cardstock to match the size of your printed design. This minimizes waste and ensures a smooth transfer process. I used a paper cutter to neatly trim the edges of my cardstock, but you can also use scissors if that’s more convenient for you.

Once you have your cardstock trimmed to the correct size, lay it out next to your sublimation print and make sure everything aligns properly. It’s always better to double-check before moving on to the next step!

Step 4: Secure the Design with Heat Tape

Now that your cardstock is trimmed and ready, it’s time to align your sublimation print with the glitter cardstock. Place the sublimation print face-down onto the glitter side of the cardstock. Carefully position it so the design will be centered or aligned as you’d like on your finished card.

Once it’s positioned, use heat-resistant tape to secure the sublimation paper in place. This ensures that your design won’t shift during the pressing process. You don’t need a lot of tape—just enough to hold the paper in place so you can get a clean transfer.

Step 5: Prep the Heat Press

Next, it’s time to get your heat press ready. Whether you’re using a Cricut Auto Press (like I did) or a manual press, it’s important to protect both your design and your heat press from ink transfer. To do this, place a sheet of butcher paper or parchment paper down on your heat press before adding the cardstock.

Once the butcher paper is in place, lay the glitter cardstock face-up on top of it. The sublimation print should still be taped securely to the glitter cardstock. Add another layer of butcher paper or parchment paper on top of your design to protect the heat press plate from ink bleed.

Important: Never skip using butcher paper or parchment paper during sublimation! This extra layer protects your heat press and prevents unwanted ink transfers from previous projects.

Step 6: Set the Heat Press

For this project, I set my Cricut Auto Press to 390°F and pressed for 50 seconds. This temperature and time worked perfectly for the Cricut Glitter Cardstock, but keep in mind that your results may vary slightly depending on the type of cardstock and heat press you’re using.

If you’re using a different heat press or cardstock, you may need to adjust the time and temperature settings. It’s always a good idea to test on a small piece of cardstock before starting your main project.

Tip: If you’re using a manual press or EasyPress, be sure to apply even pressure across the entire surface to get consistent results.

Step 7: Reveal the Design

Once the pressing is done, carefully lift the sublimation paper from the cardstock. Be cautious as it will be hot! Your design should now be transferred onto the glitter cardstock with vibrant colors and shimmering details. This is the most exciting part—revealing your custom Halloween card design!

If there are any areas that didn’t press as evenly as the rest, you can reapply pressure with the heat press. However, it’s best to aim for even pressure the first time to avoid any misalignment issues when re-pressing.

Step 8: Trim and Cut the Sublimated Cardstock

Now that your design is successfully transferred, it’s time to trim any excess edges or borders. I used a paper cutter to neatly trim away the white borders around my design, making it ready to attach to my card.

If you prefer, you can use a Cricut machine to cut out specific shapes or patterns from the sublimated cardstock. For this project, I opted for a simple square shape, but feel free to get creative!

Step 9: Create the Background

To make your card more dimensional, I recommend adding a background layer. For my Halloween cards, I chose some Halloween-themed scrapbook paper that matched the colors in my design. I trimmed the scrapbook paper to fit slightly larger than the sublimated cardstock, giving it a nice layered effect.

Use a tape runner to attach the scrapbook paper to the card. This creates a cohesive and polished look while also adding texture and visual interest to the card.

Step 10: Attach the Sublimated Glitter Cardstock

Now that you’ve created the background, it’s time to attach the sublimated glitter cardstock. To add depth, I used 3D foam tape on the back of the cardstock. This lifts the design slightly off the card and gives it a professional, dimensional look.

Center the sublimated glitter cardstock on the notecard or background layer and press down firmly to secure it in place.

Step 11: Embellish the Card

You can stop here and handwrite your message inside the card, or you can take it a step further by adding embellishments. I looked through my stash of Halloween-themed stamps and found some clear stamps that matched my design.

Using a clear stamp block and black ink, I stamped a spooky Halloween sentiment inside each card. If you prefer, you could use stickers, die-cuts, or other decorative elements to personalize your cards even further.

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Final Thoughts and Tips

And that’s it! Your custom Halloween cards are complete. I love how the glitter cardstock adds a unique shimmer, and the sublimation technique brings out vibrant colors that truly pop against the glittery backdrop. This method is a fun way to make personalized cards for any occasion, and it’s especially perfect for holidays like Halloween.

Here are some final tips:

• Use lighter-colored glitter cardstock for the best results with sublimation. Dark colors may hide the design.
• Always use butcher paper to protect your heat press from ink transfer.
• Experiment with different designs and embellishments to make each card unique.

If you enjoyed this tutorial, be sure to check out my blog for more DIY sublimation and Cricut projects. Have questions? Leave them in the comments below, and don’t forget to like and follow for more craft inspiration.

Happy crafting!