The Ultimate Guide to Sublimation Blanks: 50+ Products to Launch Your Craft Business!

If you own a sublimation printer, you’ve unlocked a superpower: the ability to create vibrant, photo-quality, and permanent custom products. But the secret to turning a hobby into a thriving business lies in the blanks you choose. Sublimation requires specialized materials, and knowing what works (and why!) is key to avoiding waste and maximizing your profits.

I’ve compiled the ultimate, comprehensive catalog of sublimation blanks available right now for home crafters and small businesses, from high-demand apparel to high-margin photo art. Let’s dive into the list and find your next best seller!

The Golden Rule of Sublimation: Know Your Materials

Before you press, you need to know the science. Sublimation dye turns into a gas and bonds permanently at a molecular level.¹ This molecular bonding only happens if the substrate (the blank) meets one critical requirement: it must be polymer-based.

• For Fabrics (Soft Goods): You must use polyester. The absolute industry standard minimum for a print that will last through washing is 65% polyester. A 100% polyester garment gives you the brightest, most vibrant result (up to 98% dye retention). If you use a lower-poly blend (like 40%), you’ll only retain about 50–60% of the dye, resulting in a faded or “vintage” look—so set your customer expectations accordingly!

• For Rigid Items (Hard Goods): The item must have a dedicated, high-quality polymer coating. Look for names like ChromaLuxe (for metal) or ORCA (for mugs) to ensure your print won’t peel, crack, or fade.

• Color Restriction: Sublimation printers cannot print white ink. For your colors to look true, your blank must be white or a very light pastel.

Category Deep Dive: Your Sublimation Product Catalog

Ready to stock your shop? Here is a breakdown of the most popular and profitable sublimation product types you can make today.

Apparel & Soft Goods (The High-Volume Sellers)

This is often the entry point for crafters, driven by the massive demand for personalized clothing and accessories.

Drinkware & Functional Ceramics (The Consistent Money-Makers)

Personalized drinkware is always in demand, but consistency is critical.

Pro Tip on Drinkware: Simple cylindrical mugs can be pressed easily, but complex or uneven shapes (like the specialty glassware or sippy cups) often require specialized heat-activated shrink wrap and a convection oven for a perfect, full-coverage transfer. Investing in this equipment opens up high-margin niche markets!

Home Decor, Wall Art, & Signage (The High-Margin Products)

This category is perfect for selling photo art, memorial pieces, and custom plaques, which typically command higher prices.

• Photo Panels: The gold standard is Aluminum (look for ChromaLuxe or Duraluxe). Available in gloss, matte, semi-gloss, and silver finishes, these offer archival-quality, scratch-resistant photo reproduction.

• Photo Slate: Natural stone with a polymer coating for a rustic, unique display piece.

• Hardboard/MDF: Economical alternative for photo panels, often pre-cut with kickstands for desktop display.

• Dimensional Decor: Acrylic blocks, plaques, and laser-cut shapes. Note: Acrylic must be cooled under heavy pressure to prevent warping!

• Signage: Aluminum sign blanks (e.g., 8″x12″ rectangles or diamond shapes), Hardboard Signage, and Steel Dry Erase Boards.

• Timepieces: Wall clocks (aluminum or ceramic marble finish), and hardboard tile inserts for mantle clocks.

Small Format Gifts & Novelty Items (The Impulse Buys)

This category is fantastic for promotional items, holiday markets, and low-cost, high-volume sales.

• Keychains & Tags: Available in virtually every material: MDF, Plywood, Acrylic, PU Leather, and Aluminum. Look for specialty shapes like flip sequin keychains or golf key rings.

• Jewelry: Earrings (teardrop, circle, available in aluminum or hardboard), and Necklaces (including rotating circle/heart pendants and Angel Wings locket blanks). Remember to factor in assembly time and the cost of findings (chains, clasps)!

• Tech Accessories: PU Leather Watchbands for smartwatches, Badge Holders/Reels, Car Coasters (ceramic or fabric top), and Mousepads.

• Pet Products: A high-emotion market! Look for Polyester Dog Shirts/Sweatshirts, adjustable collars, leashes, Pet Bandanas, and Ceramic Dog Bowls.

• Collectibles: Puzzles (A3, A4, A5 sizes), Fidget Spinners, and Holiday Ornaments (available in acrylic, hardboard, porcelain, and metal).

Stocking Up: The Business of Blanks

Ready to start shopping? Your sourcing strategy is vital for profitability.

1. Prioritize Quality: For anything intended to be washed or used daily, stick to blanks from known, reliable suppliers who use certified coatings (ChromaLuxe, ORCA, Unisub). Quality protects your brand’s reputation and prevents costly material failures.

2. Shop Wholesale: To maximize profit margins, always use wholesale pricing structures and bulk discounts offered by suppliers. Many large distributors offer free shipping above a certain threshold, making volume ordering more economical.

3. Know Your Suppliers: Some vendors specialize! Companies like The Laughing Giraffe specialize in infant and toddler apparel, while others focus on hard goods or equipment (like Heat Press Nation).

The world of sublimation blanks is huge, constantly evolving, and full of profitable possibilities. Start by mastering one category, like mugs or T-shirts, and then use this list to strategically expand your catalog! Happy crafting!