The sublimation process requires multiple steps to create personalized products that will exceed the customer’s expectations. It all starts with a quality product and a dynamite design.

Just in time for fall, Johnson Plastics newly introduced two fun sublimatable products. The new products will make a nice addition to any existing sublimation line and are perfect for students. One is a 3 in 1 Memo Board for a locker and the other is a Lap Desk. This article will go step by step in creating these new sublimatable products to delight your customers.

3 IN 1 MEMO BOARD WITH MAGNET BACK

The 7” x 15” Memo Board will be enjoyed by anyone that has a locker. This could be middle school or high school students or possibly sports club or swimming pool members. The memo board comes with a colorful foam frame and is available in three color combinations: red, purple or blue.

The memo board features a mirror on the top, a middle panel that is sublimated and a cork board on the bottom. Each of these areas provides functionality for the product. Included with the memo board is a decorative tack for the cork board, a decorative magnet and a wipe off pen. The single price of the memo board is $5.90, and it can be found exclusively at Johnson Plastics.

Let’s make this new Memo board! As noted above, the middle part of the board is the sublimatable area. For this particular product, the sublimatable area is 4 7/8” x 4 3/8” metal. This area can function as a wipe-off board in addition to housing personalization or cool graphics, slogans or a favorite photo. Be sure to prepare your artwork for vertical placement.

Like with all jobs, we start by finding out the particular interests of the customer and personalize the product accordingly. In this case, our customer is a middle school student. She wants her name in a fun, colorful font style. Our customer plays soccer, and we will include simple clip art of a soccer ball. Colors chosen will coordinate with the existing frame colors. We also chose a light-colored background, as she wants her memo board to serve as a wipe off.

Step 1: Decide on a font style. A font called “Jokerman” was used to create a fun, pre-teen feel. The special effects of drop shadow, bevel and emboss, and stroke were added to give the text an appearance of distance from the background. An underline was added to the name to separate the name from the wipe-off writing area of the board. Even though we use Photoshop for Millennium Art’s graphics, similar effects such as those listed above are available in other graphic programs such as CorelDraw.

Step 2: A yellow background was created to match the yellow in the frame. A satin effect was added and the edges beveled to give the background some interest. The clip art of a soccer ball in motion was added at the bottom of the sublimatable area. A distant drop shadow was used to give the ball some depth.

Step 3: Prepare the image for printing by sizing the design correctly. Typically, we oversize the image .25” to ensure the entire blank is covered with sublimation ink.

Step 4: Send the design to the printer. Be sure to print the transfer in mirror image, and be sure that the color settings are correct. Once the transfer is printed, let it dry thoroughly before pressing.

Step 5: Remove the plastic protective coating on the sublimatable metal.

Step 6: Secure the metal to the transfer with heat-resistant tape. Be sure to align the transfer image properly to the substrate.

Step 7: Cover the heat platen with protective paper.

Step 8: Press the product, with the coated side of the product up, and the transfer down, with medium to firm pressure for 60 to 75 seconds at 400 degrees.

Step 9: Allow the metal to cool before using.

Step 10: When you’re ready to attach the sublimated plate to the memo board, run the enclosed plastic knife along the seam between the cardboard back and the foam border, prying it gently away from the cardboard. Once this is completed, wedge the metal insert in place and glue it if necessary. Repeat on the other side.

Your product is ready for delivery or pick up! The magnet for hanging the board on the locker door is already attached to the back!

THE LAP DESK

The Lap Desk is 12” x 18” and has a handle hole to make it easy to carry. This clever item will appeal to a variety of customers and circumstances; it’s great for kids and adults. The hard-surface Lap Desk is attached to a pink velour or a blue oxford pillow. This is comfortable fabric and it’s ideal to use in the home, in a car, and at outdoor events, as well as in dorm rooms, hospitals or nursing homes.

The pillow is detachable for cleaning and has a handy zippered side pocket that will house small desk supplies or crayons. It also has a loop to hold a pen or pencil. Each Lap Desk comes in a clear plastic carrying case with handles. The cost of a single Lap Desk is$14.50. Each desk is ready to sublimate with your creative artwork, or JohnsonPlasticsoffersa disc witha template and ready-to-use art made especially for the Lap Desk. The graphic disc sells for the low cost of $2. You musthave Corel 8 or higher to use the disc.

From a production standpoint, these new productspresented different approaches to completion. Themost noticeable difference between the products is the size of the sublimatable area. Consequently, the design has to reflect the available working space.

For the Lap Desk, our customer is a college freshman. She wants to use the Lap desk in her dorm room whileshe sits on her dorm bed to do homework. She intends to use the Lap Desk for her laptop computer while she sits cross-legged on the bed.

Step 1: Creating a remembrance from her summervacation, our customer provided us a striking digitalpicture from high on a hill fromSaint Thomas in the Virgin Islands.

Step 2: We modified the digital image by enhancing the color and increasing the resolution. The image was then cropped and sized for the desktop. Because thephoto was a seascape image with plenty of sky, little concern was given to the carrying hole at the top of the desk. However, care should be taken if there is a direct subject used. For example, don’t let the carrying hole interfere with facial features.

Step 3: As always, be sure to print out the transfer mirrored image andhave the color settings correct. Alwaysoversize the transfer toallowforpositioning and adjustments.The desk top can be printed ona minimum of 13” x 19” papersize.

Step 4: Secure the transfer to the desk top withheat tape. Press thetransfer 400degrees using very heavy pressure for 80 to 90minutes. Press with the coated side of the product face upand the transfer image down.Once completed, allow the product to cool.

Step 5: Apply Velcro Hook Loop strips to the pillow. Pull theprotectionpaper from the self stickingVelcrostrips.

Step 6: Turn the pillow upside down and apply it to the brown side of thehardboard after thesublimation is complete.

Together, we have created two award-winning products with the sublimation process! Your customers will get pleasure from the versatility andcolorful capabilities of sublimation.

The path to creating eye-catching sublimatedproducts has many steps. But like many paths, there are twists and turns that one must negotiate. Even some unforeseen obstacles can come into play. But if the sublimator can master each step in the process, they will be rewarded with consistently higher customer satisfaction and increased sales.