How to Bleach Sublimation Shirts: My Best Techniques & Shirts That Work!

Get my free T-shirt bleaching designs at jennifermaker.... !
Learn all about bleaching shirts for sublimation in this complete tutorial! Have you ever wanted to sublimate onto a shirt that's any color but white? Using bleach to decorate T-shirts isn't just a fun way to add some cool effects -- it's also a way to create a light-colored area to let your sublimation design shine! Don't grab the bleach just yet! Bleaching shirts for sublimation takes some important steps and safety tips, so let's learn the right way to do it!
IMPORTANT: Do not mix hydrogen peroxide directly with bleach, as it can create fumes. You may use a 10:1 solution of water and hydrogen peroxide to safely stop the bleaching process.
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MATERIALS LIST (Contains my affiliate links - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases):
Get my complete shopping list at amzn.to/3VSLImx
For Bleaching:
* Gildan Softstyle T-Shirts in HEATHER colors (only the Heather colors have enough polyester for sublimation) -- I used Galapagos blue - amzn.to/3VWi1Rq ; Heather Red - amzn.to/41slqZu ; Heather Orange - amzn.to/3Mj7gFt ; and Heather Irish Green - amzn.to/3I1KgbH I 've heard that some of the shirts in these listings don't bleach well. Always check that it is at least 65% polyester. The fiber content isn’t always the same depending on color.
* Clorox Splash-Less Beach - amzn.to/3ZddgDt
* Hydrogen Peroxide - amzn.to/3KO7ggA (mixed into a solution with 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 10 parts of water)
* Proper Ventilation -- Bleaching outdoors is best, but if you must be indoors, open your window and use a fan - amzn.to/3EPALL0
* Respirator for fume protection - amzn.to/3LXrAuO
* Goggles for eye protection - amzn.to/3M0nnIq
* Vinyl Apron - amzn.to/43yIrvS
* Nitrile Gloves - amzn.to/3SHoHkK
* Disposable Plastic Cup - amzn.to/3KYZbFE
* Bucket - amzn.to/3ZgextY
* 3/4" Flat Paintbrush - amzn.to/3xKNNFV
* Spray bottle just for bleach - amzn.to/3may4gF
* Foam Board to protect the back of the T-shirt (cardboard works, too!)
* Garbage Bags - amzn.to/3KFSxUC
* Paper towels - amzn.to/3ZPd5ye
* Cornstarch - amzn.to/3zJW9OZ
* Timer - amzn.to/3EMSmmH
* Design # 492 - My free sublimation design files available in my free resource library jennifermaker....
For Sublimation:
* Sublimation Printer - jennifermaker....
* HIIPOO Sublimation ink - amzn.to/3Iqv8UL
* A-Sub Sublimation paper 8.5" x 11" - amzn.to/3Snu3kU
* White Cardstock 12” x 12" - amzn.to/3ENYlrG
* White Uncoated Butcher Paper - amzn.to/3YcLF4o
* Heat Press - I used my Cricut EasyPress amzn.to/41DuLPu
* 12" x 12" pressing mat - amzn.to/44Ps0vT
* Good Ventilation - amzn.to/3EPALL0
* Heat-Resistant Tape - amzn.to/3NXEcEZ
* Scissors - amzn.to/3J6Z75H
* My T-shirt ruler guide, optional but helpful - jennifermaker....
* Design # 492 - My free sublimation design files available in my free resource library jennifermaker....
Topics covered in this video on How to Bleach Shirts for Sublimation:
0:00 - How to Bleach Shirts for Sublimation
0:39 - Supplies & Tools
4:09 - Prep And Bleach Your Shirts Before Sublimating
4:38 - T-shirt Test Swatches
6:06 - Prepare Your Supplies
7:00 - Make a Template From Your Design
7:36 - Use Cornstarch to Define the Design's Edge
7:55 - Apply the Bleach
8:40 - Bleaching Techniques
9:12 - Using a Spray Bottle to Bleach All Over
10:30 - Create a Bleach Tie-dye Effect
10:55 - Bleach a T-shirt With a Stencil
11:15 - How to Stop the Bleaching Process
11:30 - Washing Your Bleached Shirt
11:48 - Step 2: Decorate Your Bleached Shirt
12:00 - How to Apply HTV to a Bleached Shirt
12:10 - How to Sublimate a Design on a Bleached Shirt
12:21 - Sublimate Before Bleaching Your Shirt
12:40 - Free T-Shirt Sublimation Designs
13:35 - Sublimation Cookbook
16:46 - Bleach Your Sublimated Design
#sublimation #bleach #tutorial
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Credits:
Introduction: PixelBytes (my daughter Alexa)
Music: Cute by Bensound (licensed, royalty and copyright free)
Videography: Jennifer and Greg on Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 DSLR 4K cameras
Audio and Video Editing: Team JenniferMaker
Design: A Jennifer Maker original