After you have figured out your printer settings the next step is dialing in your press settings to complete your sublimated item. The key settings for pressing or baking an item are time temperature and pressure. The combination of those three settings is what helps you to achieve vibrant images on your substrate. Those settings will vary from item to item based on the substrate type, the size of the item, how many items you are pressing, and the coating that was applied to the item.
We have another article you can refer to if your colors images are not coming out as expected that you can review here.
For this article we are going to focus on providing some generic settings for reference based on substrate type. Before using this guide for your settings we highly recommend checking our website for specific setting on the products you purchase from us. We have instructions on where to find those settings in another article you can review here. If you were unable to find the settings or maybe purchased your products elsewhere you can refer to the chart below for a starting point to dialing in your settings.
Non-Drinkware Settings Guide
| Product type/ substrate | Press Time | Temperature Range | Pressure | Notes |
| Polyester Fabric/ Apparel | 50-60 seconds | 380-400 | light to medium | We highly recommend the use of a vapor foam kit when pressing fabric items |
| Polyester blend fabrics | 55-65 seconds | 375-390 | light to medium | We highly recommend the use of a vapor foam kit when pressing fabric items |
| Polyester coated neoprene/ Mousepad type material | 45-55 seconds | 380-400 | light to medium | These products typically give off a smell when pressing them, that is normal |
| Unisub Products | 60 seconds | 400 | medium | This works for most products. However if the product is larger in size time will need to be increased |
| Unisub or Chromaluxe Metal | 60 seconds | 400 | medium | This works for most products. However if the product is larger in size time will need to be increased |
| Harboard | 40-80 seconds | 360-400 | medium | Hardboard is a fairly forgiving product and has a wider setting range than most products. Larger hardboard products will need to be pressed for longer times such as clip board or dry erase boards |
| Other metals | 50-70 seconds | 360-400 | light to medium | The settings for metal depend greatly on the coating used. Softer coatings press at lower temps and lighter pressure where harder coatings press at higher temps and can handle more pressure |
| Fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP) | 60-75 seconds | 380-400 | Medium | |
| Ceramics & Glass | x | x | x | See Product specific settings. There is too much variation in ceramic and glass items ( besides drinkware) to give a general set of settings. |
Drinkware Settings Guide
| Product/ Substrate Type | Press Time | Temperature Range | Pressure | Notes |
| Ceramic Mugs | Mug Press: 4-5 min Convection Oven: 12-15 min | 380-400 | light to medium | |
| Glass Pint Glasses & Mugs | Mug Press: NA Convection Oven: 8-15 min | 360-390 | light to medium | Although some glass items can be done in a mug press we highly recommend the use of a convection oven. The mug press can heat the item too rapidly and cause it to crack. The same can happen if you cool the item to quickly. The wall thickness of the glass will play a big part on how much time is needed. |
| Single Wall Metal | Mug Press: 2.5-3.5 min Convection Oven: 5-6 min | 375-400 | light to medium | Careful with pressure on these items in a mug press. Too much pressure can cause them to deform. |
| Double wall (insulated) Metal | Mug Press: 2.5-3.5 min Convection Oven: 6-7 min | 375-400 | light to medium |