If you’re crafty like me, you’re always looking for tools that make bringing your ideas to life easier. I was so excited to try out the Brother sublimation printer and its AI-powered design tool. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I used their app Artspira, and the SP1 Sublimation Printer to create a fun illustration and transform a plain tote bag into a one-of-a-kind accessory.
What is Sublimation Printing?
Sublimation printing is a method of transferring designs onto materials like fabrics, ceramics, and more using heat. It’s perfect for creating vibrant, durable prints that won’t peel or fade. The Brother sublimation printer is specifically designed for crafters and small business owners who want professional-quality results from the comfort of their homes. I’m an avid fan of Sublimating and have had the pleasure of trying other printers, but the Brother SP1 has been the easiest, and best quality so far.
Getting Started with the Brother Sublimation Printer
Setting up the Brother sublimation printer was surprisingly easy. The printer comes with clear instructions, and within minutes, I had it connected to my computer and ready to go. The sublimation ink is easy to fit cartridges making it so much easier than other branded tank filling designs. Once I set up the printer, added the cartridges, and put in the Brother Sublimation paper I had everything I needed to get started right away. Connect the printer to the Brother Artspira App, and once it is connected you can print fun designs within minutes. You can also use the printer on all your usual devices and printer settings, and print from other programs other than Artspira, but the Artspira app is the best for ease. You can download it here.
Designing with Brother’s AI Tool
One of the standout features of Brother’s Artspira App is its AI-powered design tool. It’s user-friendly and perfect for anyone, whether you’re a seasoned designer or a novice wanting to create something quickly, it’s so much fun to use. Here’s how I used it:
- Choose a Photo: I wanted to add a design to a drawstring bag for Willow’s nursery snack bag, so I chose a cute photo of us from a festival last summer. I had a play around with the AI tool with other photos as well like one from Disney Land.
- Generate Different Art Styles: The AI tool then generates a cute illustration using the photo and you can select from different art styles like simple, watercolour, and more. I chose the Watercolour style as I liked the painterly cute soft colours.
- Resize and Finalise: Once you’re happy with your chosen design, it’s as simple as resizing it, and pressing print. The printer does all the work for you, so no annoying colour matching, downloading drivers and other things I have experienced with other Sublimation Printers.
Printing and Transferring the Design
Once I was happy with the illustration, I printed it onto sublimation paper using the Brother SP1 printer. The colors were crisp and clear, even on the Sublimation paper, which gave me a great preview of the final result. When you print sublimation designs they are always slightly faded or muted to the eye on paper, but transfer more vibrant.
Here’s how I transferred the design onto my drawstring bag:
- Prepare the Bag: I used a polyester sublimation fabric tote bag that I made myself by self drafting a square, and sewing it together, adding ribbing around the closure. Sublimation works best on synthetic materials like Polyester and you can buy ready-made blanks for this.
- Add a protective layer of Heat Paper: When you sublimate onto fabrics like a bag or t-shirt, it is important to put a protective layer of heat-proof paper inside the bag or t-shirt to protect the other side from getting ink running through.
- Position the Design: After cutting out my printed design, I secured it face-down on the bag using heat-resistant tape. You can skip the tape if the design is large or feels secure.
- Apply Heat: Using a heat press, I applied consistent pressure at 190°C for 50 seconds. Timings and heat may vary depending on your heat press and base product. When I removed the paper, the design had transferred beautifully onto the fabric.
The Final Result
The finished drawstring bag turned out even better than I imagined! The colors were bold, and the details of the illustration were perfectly captured. I was so excited by how fast it was to create such a cute and personalised illustration design based on a photo I love, and how easy it was to use the Sublimation Printer to create a cute end product.
Why I Recommend the Brother Sublimation Printer
If you’ve been curious about sublimation printing, the Brother sublimation printer is an excellent choice. It’s straightforward to use, produces professional-quality results, and pairs seamlessly with their Artspira app. The AI design tool built in unlocks endless creative possibilities in seconds. There is no fussy set up, colour matching, or driver issues – It was set up and ready to print in minutes. Whether you’re personalising accessories, crafting gifts, or expanding your small business, this printer can help you do it all. Check out my YouTube video to see it in action:
Check out my other craft content here.
- Shop the printer here
- Shop the Brother Sublimation Paper
- Drawstring Sublimation Blanks
- Download Artspira here