Today I’m going to teach you how to make your own customized sublimation flip flops! You can make flip flops in any pattern or style you want. I think they would make great party favors or gifts.
I’m going to teach you how to make sublimation flip flops with an all-over print. You can use these same flip-flops to create custom sandals with a single decal or monogram design.
If you’re new to sublimation, my Sublimation for Beginner’s post can help you get started today.
Sublimation Flip Flops
You can watch me make a pair of sublimation flip flops from start to finish by pressing play on the video below. These flip flops come white and after you sublimate them you add the straps. The whole process is fairly easy.
Assembling the straps is the most difficult part of the process. It takes a little getting used to but once you figure it out you can make these flip-flops in minutes.
Supplies Needed
- Sublimation Flip Flops
- Free Floral Patterns
- Sublimation Printer
- Sublimation Ink
- Sublimation Paper
- Heat Press
- Lint Roller
- Heat Resistant Tape
- Protective Paper
- Heat Resistant Gloves
- Tape Dispenser
- Needle Nose Pliers
How to Make Sublimation Flip Flops
To make sublimation flip flops, start with a flip flop blank. I am using a set from Heat Transfer Warehouse and I really like them.
When doing an all-over sublimation print, I like to keep the flip flop in the form. If you were doing something like a monogram on the heel you may find it easier to take the flip flop out. I do think if you decide to press a small design you might want to try using an adhesive spray.
These flip flops call for a temperature of 400 degrees for 60 seconds. Preheat the blank for 10 seconds at 400 degrees and then allow to cool completely.
When the flip flops are cool, lint roll the entire surface to remove any lint, dust, or debris.
Apply the Sublimation Print
Now that we have the flip flops clean we’re ready to apply the sublimation print. A sublimation print is sublimation ink printed onto sublimation paper from a sublimation printer.
NOTE: I am using a sublimation print for my flip flops but you can also use Infusible Ink for these projects.
For these flip flops, I am using two different sublimation prints. Depending on the size of your flip flops, you will need at least an 8.5″ x 14″ sublimation print for each flip flop. As you can see, I trimmed my sublimation print so it fits over one entire flip flop. I trimmed off the excess using scissors so I can use those pieces for smaller projects later.
Using heat-resistant tape, I secured the sublimation print over one entire flip flop. This is why I like to keep the flip flop in the form. The tape secures easily to the form, this is easier than trying to tape the print to the individual flip flops.
You can see that the heat-resistant tape and print aren’t on the other flip flop anywhere. If the tape or the print cross over onto the other flip flop, it will mess up the finished product.
How to Prevent Sublimation Ink Overlap
We want to make sure that we sublimate both flip flops entirely. The toe area of both flip flops are close to each other.
To keep the sublimation print from overlapping and creating a dark line I am adding heat-resistant tape over the edge of the sublimation print where the other print will overlap.
Since sublimation ink won’t go through heat-resistant tape, the print overlapping won’t impact the end result. Tape the second sublimation sheet into place. You don’t need to worry about the tape overlapping onto the first sublimation sheet, you can tape the sheet right to it.
Now we’re ready to press the sublimation print.
How to Press Sublimation Flip Flops
Add a piece of protective paper to both the top and bottom of the flip flops. I like the 12 x 12 sheets of butcher paper but you can use any protective paper you have. Just make sure the entire blank is covered.
I am using my AutoPress for today’s project. You can use any heat press or even an EasyPress for this project.
Transfer the whole project to the press making sure everything is in place. If one of your flip flops falls out of the form, you can add it back to the form and then press it.
The pressing settings are 400 degrees for 60 seconds. Press for the full-time and then remove the entire thing from the press. Remove the protective paper and sublimation print to reveal your beautiful finished print.
How to Assemble Sublimation Flip Flops
To assemble sublimation flip flops, you’ll need to gather the sublimated flip flops, straps, and needle-nose pliers. If you are going to make a lot of these, they do sell a special tool you can use but I was able to use my pliers and after just a few flip flops I was able to do it in no time at all.
To begin, you need to make sure you match the correct strap with each flip flop. On the bottom of each strap, you’ll see an R or L, R for right and L for left. Match the flip flop with the correct strap and move on to the next step.
Insert the needle nose pliers as far into the toe hole as possible.
Open the pliers as wide as you can and then grab the toe strap and pull it through the hole.
If you can’t pull it all the way through, once it’s at least halfway through you can release it and then use the handle of the pliers to push it through the rest of the way from the top of the sandal.
Once it’s pushed through, use the pliers to make sure it’s pulled all the way through, and then flatten it out.
How to Add the Back of the Straps
Once the toe strap is in place, make sure you have everything laid out correctly. You don’t want the straps to be twisted once you get everything in place.
To finish the straps you’ll pull the ends through the holes just like we did the toe hole.
After finishing 2 flip flops, the process was really easy. I can finish a flip flop in minutes now.
I do want to note that I had the best luck with needle nose pliers. My jewlery pliers didn’t work at all. You need pliers that are strong and can grip the strap while you pull it through the hole.
Final Thoughts on Making Sublimation Flip Flops
Here are all my finished sublimation flip flops, didn’t they turn out perfectly? I love how all of these floral patterns turned out. The flip flops I used have a black strap and black edge. I think all of these prints pair really well with the black.
When making flip flops, take your time. The sublimation process is similar to other sublimation projects but adding the straps has a slight learning curve. Give yourself time to learn how to assemble the flip flops and you’ll be making them fast in no time. It’s definitely not hard once you’ve done it a couple times.
I ordered the six-pack of flip flops in case I had any issues and after these 3, I still have 3 pairs left to use!
You can get all three of these floral sublimation patterns for free here. While I chose to do an all over pattern for my flip flops, you can do a smaller design if you want. If you’re using a smaller design, I recommend trying a spray adhesive. I had a harder time getting the heat-resistant tape to stick to the flip flop itself.
I hope I’ve answered any questions you have about making sublimation flip flops. These are perfect for so many different occasions, bachelorette parties, party favors, birthdays, and gifts. The great thing is, even if you don’t have a sublimation printer you can create your own sublimation flip flops using Infusible Ink.
If you have any questions about creating sublimation flip flops leave them in the comments section and I’ll be happy to answer them for you!
Need to print the instructions? Use the card below!
Equipment
- Free Floral Patterns
- Sublimation Printer
- Sublimation Ink
- Heat Press
- Tape Dispenser
- Needle Nose Pliers
Supplies
- Sublimation Flip Flops
- Sublimation Paper
- Lint Roller
- Heat Resistant Tape
- Protective Paper
Instructions
How to Make Sublimation Flip Flops
- To make sublimation flip flops we need to begin with a flip flop blank. I am using this set from Heat Transfer Warehouse and I really like them.
- When doing an all-over sublimation print I like to keep the flip flop in the form. If you were doing something like a monogram on the heel you may find it easier to take the flip flop out. I do think if you decide to press a small design you might want to try using an adhesive spray.
- Preheat for 10 seconds at 400 degrees and then allow to cool completely.
- When the flip flops are cool lint roll the entire surface to remove any lint, dust, or debris.
Apply the Sublimation Print
- For these flip flops, I am using two different sublimation prints. Depending on the size of your flip flops you will need at least an 8.5″ x 14″ sublimation print for each flip flop.
- I trimmed my sublimation print so it fits over one entire flip flop. I trimmed off the excess using scissors so I can use those pieces for smaller projects later.
- Using heat-resistant tape I secured the sublimation print over one entire flip flop. This is why I like to keep the flip flop in the form. The tape secures easily to the form, this is easier than trying to tape the print to the individual flip flops.
How to Prevent Sublimation Ink Overlap
- To keep the sublimation print from overlapping and creating a dark line I am adding heat-resistant tape over the edge of the sublimation print where the other print will overlap.
- Since sublimation ink won’t go through heat-resistant tape the print overlapping won’t impact the end result. Tape the second sublimation sheet into place. You don’t need to worry about the tape overlapping onto the first sublimation sheet, you can tape the sheet right to it.
How to Press Sublimation Flip Flops
- Add a piece of protective paper to both the top and bottom of the flip flops. I like the 12 x 12 sheets of butcher paper but you can use any protective paper you have. Just make sure the entire blank is covered.
- Transfer the whole project to the press making sure everything is in place. If one of your flip flops falls out of the form you can add it back to the form and then press it.
- The pressing settings are 400 degrees for 60 seconds. Press for the full-time and then remove the entire thing from the press.
- Remove the protective paper and sublimation print to reveal your beautiful finished print.
How to Assemble Sublimation Flip Flops
- To begin you need to make sure you match the correct strap with each flip flop. On the bottom of each strap, you’ll see an R or L, R for right and L for left.
- Insert the needle nose pliers as far into the toe hole as possible.
- Open the pliers as wide as you can and then grab the toe strap and pull it through the hole.
- If you can’t pull it all the way through once it’s at least half way through you can release it and then use the handle of the pliers to push it through the rest of the way from the top of the sandal.
- Once it’s pushed through, use the pliers to make sure it’s pulled all the way through and then flatten it out.
How to Add the Back of the Straps
- Once the toe strap is in place make sure you have everything laid out correctly. You don’t want the straps to be twisted once you get everything in place.
- To finish the straps you’ll pull the ends through the holes just like we did the toe hole.
