When it comes to sublimation printing, high-quality sublimation blanks are essential.
Sublimation blanks are the material that your design is printed on and can range from soft materials such as T-shirts, oven mitts, and pillow cases to hard items such as mugs, plaques, magnets, pet tags, and more.
Many sublimation inks can only print on materials that contain polyester or have a poly-coating.
During the sublimation process sublimation ink is exposed to heat, which causes the ink to transform (or sublimate) from a solid to a gas state.
The heat also causes the molecules in the sublimation blank (or substrate) to open, so that the ink in its gas form becomes infused in the material.
Once the heat is removed, the molecules close back up and the ink returns to its solid form, creating a long-lasting design.
You will want to read the instructions that come with your sublimation ink to determine what kind of material your sublimation blanks should be made of or contain.
It’s important to get your sublimation blanks from a supplier you trust, which is why we have created this review of 14 trusted online suppliers of sublimation blanks.
1. Heat Press Nation
Heat Press Nation specializes in a huge variety of heat press products, including heat presses, vinyl cutters, heat transfer vinyl, printers, ink, software, sublimation paper, sublimation ovens, and hundreds of different sublimation blanks.
Their top-selling items are mugs, and they have a 30 day return policy.
- Popular products: White ceramic mugs, white porcelain mugs, gloss hardboard coasters
- Unique products: Frosted glass stein, double-sided heart-shaped keychain, mason jar with straw and handle
- Minimum order quantity: No minimum order quantity
- Accepted payment methods: Debit, credit, PayPal, and Affirm financing
- Shipping: Free ground shipping on qualifying orders
2. Pro World
Pro World offers everything you need for heat press crafts, including heat transfers, heat presses, vinyl and vinyl cutters and accessories, sublimation printers, presses, inks, papers, vinyls, and accessories, custom T-shirts and transfers, digital art, and more.
Among their best-selling items are their face mask with filter, 1.5 oz. frosted shot glass, and 6” heart rock slate.
Most items can be returned within 15 days in exchange for a merchandise credit as long as the purchased item is in its original condition and contains a return authorization number (RA) on the return label or box.
- Popular products: Face masks, square coasters with cork, shot glasses
- Unique products: Sandstone car coaster, glitter makeup/pencil case, canvas wine bag
- Minimum order quantity: $15 minimum order
- Accepted payment methods: PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express; international customers can pay via a bank wire payment. Affirm financing is also available.
- Shipping: $99 minimum order to qualify for free standard shipping
3. Colman & Company
Colman and Company sell business kits, embroidery necessities and machines, vinyl, rhinestones, printing accessories and inks, heat transfers, heat presses, and, of course, wholesale sublimation blanks.
Their top-selling items are the stick flag and the car flag.
Products in good condition can be returned in exchange for a different product or will be charged a 20-30% restocking fee.
Returns must be made within 10 days of the purchase date. Software cannot be returned.
- Popular products: Mugs, mouse pads, ornaments
- Unique products: Puzzles, flip flops, flags
- Minimum order quantity: None
- Accepted payment methods: PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express; instant financing for businesses is available.
- Shipping: Free shipping for orders over $200, or $250 for apparel and sublimation blanks
4. RPL Supplies
RPL Supplies has a large selection of sublimation blanks, as well as footwear, shirts, bodysuits, trucker caps, sublimation printers, heat presses, sublimation ink, paper, and accessories, masks, gaiters, and more.
You can return items to RPL as long as they have an RMA number and the items are returned within 30 days of the purchase date. Returns may be charged a 15% restocking fee.
- Popular products: Color changing mugs, glass mugs, sparkle mugs
- Unique products: Curved glass picture frames, car mats, aluminum license plate frames
- Minimum order quantity: None
- Accepted payment methods: Bank checks, certified checks, business checks, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, bank wire
- Shipping: Shipping is calculated at checkout depending on the size of your order and where it is being shipped to
5. Heat Transfer Warehouse
The Heat Transfer Warehouse has everything you need to get started with sublimation printing.
They carry heat transfer vinyl, sublimation, adhesive, heat transfer, and soft blanks, heat presses, vinyl cutters, printers, printables, adhesive vinyl, sublimation printers, papers, and ink, rhinestones, apparels, transfers, and accessories.
Returns need to have an RMA and be received by their warehouse within 15 days of purchase.
- Popular products: Large rectangle patch, stainless steel skinny tumbler with stainless steel straw, small round patch
- Unique products: Stainless steel bottle opener, glow in the dark skinny tumbler with straw and lid, pot holder
- Minimum order quantity: $15
- Accepted payment methods: BOLT, PayPal, Klarna, AfterPay, Affirm, Visa, Mastercard, American Express
- Shipping: Free freight on orders over $175 that include heat transfer items only
6. Amazon
Amazon has tons of sublimation blanks as well as everything you could possibly need for sublimation printing.
Best sellers include skinny tumblers with lids and straws and earring blanks. Eligible items are simple to return on Amazon via their “Your Orders” tab.
- Popular products: Tumblers, keychains
- Unique products: Baby pacifier clips, towels
- Minimum order quantity: No minimum
- Accepted payment methods: Visa, Amazon store or secured card, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Diner’s Club, JCB, NYCE, STAR, China UnionPay credit card, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express gift cards
- Shipping: Free shipping on orders of $25 or more, or as an Amazon Prime member
7. Etsy
Etsy is a digital marketplace for creative goods and crafting needs. They carry many different kinds of sublimation blanks, and their return policies vary by shop.
- Popular products: iPhone cases, men’s briefs
- Unique products: Phone grips, sippy cups
- Minimum order quantity: No minimum
- Accepted payment methods: Credit cards, debit cards, Etsy gift cards and credits, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Klarna iDEAL, Sofort
- Shipping: Varies by shop
8. Seps Graphics
Seps Graphics offers equipment for rhinestone graphics, sublimation printing, garments, signs, 3D printing, screen printing, and more.
Their selection of sublimation blanks includes photo gifts, Christmas stockings, socks, and much more ready for you to personalize.
Only certain items are eligible for returns, which must be made within 30 days of purchase and are subject to a 25% restocking fee.
- Popular products: Slippers, shower curtain
- Unique products: Garden stakes, floor mats
- Minimum order quantity: No dollar minimum, only case quantity minimum
- Accepted payment methods: Wire transfer, credit cards, PayPal
- Shipping: Shipping charges are added to your invoice
9. Johnson Plastics Plus
Johnson Plastics Plus does a little bit of everything, offering customers an impressive selection of items including engraving materials, mounting accessories, sublimation tools, heat transfer supplies, UV LED materials, fabrication services and materials, and more.
If you wish to make a return you will have to call the company and tell them the reason for the return, and there may be a 15% restocking charge.
- Popular products: Rubber backed door mat, white holiday design mug, white heart design mug
- Unique products: Snowflake ornament, aluminum license plate insert strips, leather luggage bag tag
- Minimum order quantity: None
- Accepted payment methods: Amazon, PayPal, or credit or debit cards
- Shipping: Free shipping on online orders of $149 or more. Excludes some items.
10. Sublimation 101
Sublimation 101’s name says it all. They specialize in everything sublimation, from blanks to inks and papers, to presses, printers, vinyls and more.
They do accept returns, but there is a 25% restocking fee for non-defective items and they must be returned within 15 days of purchase.
- Popular products: Glass coasters, rings, heart shaped compact mirrors
- Unique products: Neoprene T-shirt drink koozie, love mug with female sign, love mug with male sign
- Minimum order quantity: None
- Accepted payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit cards
- Shipping: Contact Sublimation 101 via email or phone for information about their shipping policy
11. Coastal Business Supplies
Coastal Business Supplies is a popular supplier of sublimation materials as well as heat transfer supplies, printers, vinyl cutters, and design software.
Their best sellers are white ceramic coffee mugs, white fabric top car coasters, and stainless steel straw top water bottles.
Coastal Business Supplies will accept returns for 90 days and offers a credit minus a 20% restocking fee for most items.
- Popular products: Water bottles, jigsaw puzzles, mugs
- Unique products: Micro mink throw blanket, hand sanitizer holder keychain, round velour beach towel
- Minimum order quantity: None
- Accepted payment methods: Credit cards and PayPal
- Shipping: Free shipping for orders over $149 within the contiguous United States
12. Condé Systems
Another popular choice for purchasing sublimation blanks online is Condé Systems. They carry all of your sublimation printing needs, including printers, presses, paper, inks, and software.
Returns of eligible items must be made within 30 days and may have a restocking charge.
- Popular products: Shirts, hoodies, decorative tiles
- Unique products: Aprons, fleece scarves, arm sleeves
- Minimum order quantity: None, unless using certain coupons or prize credits
- Accepted payment methods: Credit and debit cards, and financing options are available
- Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $200 within the contiguous United States; excludes some items
13. Blanks Galore
Blanks Galore specializes in…blanks galore! They also sell sublimation paper, ink, designs, classes, and machinery.
Their heart caddy, mug box (which can be sublimated!) and sippy cup are best sellers. They do not accept returns of any digital products.
- Popular products: Heart caddy, mug box, sippy cup
- Unique products: Graduation cap, fanny pack, heart sequin pillow case
- Minimum order quantity: None
- Accepted payment methods: Credit cards, PayPal, Sezzle, Zip, Klarna
- Shipping: Added at checkout
14. Alibaba.com
Alibaba is a B2B platform that connects suppliers from around the globe, offering a vast amount of products. Their return policy depends on the seller.
- Popular products: Travel mugs, kids’ cups, door mats
- Unique products: Outdoor advertising flags, glow in the dark tumblers, shorts and T-shirt sets
- Minimum order quantity: Depends on seller
- Accepted payment methods: Credit cards, debit cards, Apple pay, wire transfers
- Shipping: Calculated at checkout, they do ship globally
Conclusion
Sublimation blanks are materials that can be printed on with sublimation ink, creating a vibrant, clear, long-lasting design that looks professional.
Depending on the ink being used, you will need to make sure that your sublimation blanks either contain polyester or have a poly-coating to give the sublimation ink vapor something to adhere to.
The 14 suppliers listed above are excellent online sources for all of your sublimation blank needs, whether you are printing something for personal use or as a gift or you are starting your own sublimation printing business.
