Adobe Photoshop can be an intimidating program to use, especially for crafters who are new to sublimation. In this post, we’ll talk about how to use basic tools in Photoshop for sublimation projects, including how to get the best color.
Welcome back to my sublimation for crafters series! This is the second post in a series of deep dives into some of the different software programs you can use for your sublimation crafting. Since my blog has so many Cricut users, I started with Cricut Design Space, but today I want to take a look at one of the most robust programs you can use: Adobe Photoshop.
We’ll learn how to upload images and create a custom sublimation design, as well as how to print your designs so that your color is as true as possible.
Creating a Sublimation Design in Photoshop
While you can always use a pre-made design (I do it all the time and we’ll be using a pre-made element in this post), Photoshop is also one of the best places to create designs from scratch. There are tons of tutorials out there for using Photoshop, and I am definitely not an expert (I prefer Adobe Illustrator since my background is designing SVGs for Cricut machines), but Photoshop really is the right program for sublimation designs.
If you really want to learn more, here are a few places you can take classes on using Photoshop:
I know that Photoshop can be a bit intimidating, so we’re going to create a simple (and funny!) keychain using an uploaded watercolor background image and some text. If you want to upload your own design, just skip to the end where I share details on how to print your image using Photoshop!
Creating a Sublimation Image in Photoshop
Start by creating a new Photoshop document. I like making my document slightly larger than my blank—that way, if I don’t press my image perfectly centered, it doesn’t have a white edge around it. Basically I’m creating what is known in the printing world as a “bleed.” You can also add a bleed in the print settings at the end, but I prefer to do it here for most projects.
My keychain is 2.25″ x 2.25″, so I created a Photoshop document that’s 2.35″ x 2.35″. Just a bit bigger than my project.
Your blank document will open in Photoshop. You can zoom in and out in the bottom left corner, or by going to View in the top menu and choosing one of the zoom options there.
To make this keychain image, I’m using a watercolor background that I purchased from DesignBundles.com. You can use the different brushes and tools to make backgrounds yourself, but since that’s not in my wheelhouse, I’m using one someone else designed. Click File > Place Embedded and navigate to the file you downloaded.
When the file is placed, Photoshop will fit it to the canvas.
For my image, I want the watercolor to cover the entire keychain. Use the handles to resize the image. It will be larger than the canvas size. Again, you can zoom out if it helps here.
Once you have your background how you’d like it, you can add text. Create a new layer in the Layers Panel on the right (if you can’t see the Layers Panel, go to Windows > Layers at the top). Click the plus sign at the bottom to create a new layer.
The click the Text Tool in the lefthand tool bar and type your text. Then use the character panel to change the size, font, letter-spacing, and more (if you don’t see this, go to Window > Properties > Character).
If you are struggling to select the text to place it where you want on your project, you may need to click the lock button on the layer in the Layers Panel. Then click on the text layer and use the Move tool (at the top of the toolbar on the left—a four-sided arrow) to move it where you want.
Before we finish making our keychain, we have to talk color!
Photoshop Color Management
Color management is dependent on so many things, including your specific printer, the types of sublimation ink in your printer, the sublimation paper you use, the software you’re using to create the images (in this case Photoshop), and the blank you’re putting the image on, the humidity in your craft space, and whether or not a black cat crossed your path recently (okay, maybe not that last one, but seriously, there are a LOT of variables).
I have found that Photoshop does the best job managing color of all the software I’ve used. I’ve actually had prints with great, true-to-life color without installing an ICC profile. For example, I printed this image both with and without an ICC profile and they were nearly identical.
You may have a totally different experience with your own set of factors. This is where testing comes in handy. I have a huge sheet of polyester fabric for test prints so I don’t waste more expensive blanks. I highly recommend this practice.
Using an ICC Profile in Photoshop
That being said, let’s go into using an ICC profile for even better color management, especially if you’re finding your sublimation prints are not quite what you expected. An ICC profile is basically a small computer file that makes sure your color is as accurate as possible when you print.
Important: I recently did a deep dive into using ICC profiles, which includes how to install ICC profiles on your Mac or PC. Start there—this post picks up after you’ve already installed the ICC profile onto your computer. You have to install your ICC profile first or you will not be able to manage the colors in Photoshop.
Using an ICC profile with Photoshop is easy once it’s installed!
Once your file is ready to go, go to File > Print and the Photoshop will open the Print Settings window. There are a few things you need to change here.
First under Color Management, change the Color Handling to Photoshop Manages Colors.
From there, you can choose the printer profile. This is where you will choose the ICC profile you installed using the tutorial I linked above.
Then, toward the bottom under Functions, you want to select the checkbox for Emulsion Down. This mirrors your image for printing, so it will transfer properly to your blank.
Click Print Settings at the top. This opens the print settings menu so you can also change your print quality and paper type. I like to choose the “Quality” print setting on my Mac. Choose “High” if you are on a PC.
Once your image is printed, you’ll transfer it to your blank using the manufacturer’s time and temperature settings. Again, I suggest doing a test print on a piece of polyester fabric to make sure everything looks good. Then print another to use on your actual blank!
Did you find this tutorial on using Cricut Design Space for sublimation helpful? Check out these other tutorials in my Sublimation for Beginners series!
- The Ultimate Guide to Sublimation Printing & Crafting
- What’s the Difference Between Sublimation, Cricut Infusible Ink, and HTV?
- How to Convert a Printer for Sublimation
- ICC Profiles & Color Management for Beginners
- Sublimation Software: What’s Best for Your Needs?
- The Best Sublimation Blanks and Substrates for Crafters
- Must-Have Sublimation Supplies and Tools
- Sublimation Paper Comparison
- Heat Press Machine Comparison for Sublimation Crafters
- Using Sublimation Prints with the Cricut Mug Press
- The Beginner’s Guide to Sublimation on Ceramic
- Troubleshooting Sublimation Printing
- Sublimation Cheat Sheets for Time, Temperature, Pressure & More!
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