What Sublimation Pads and Pillows Do You Need?

Today I’m going to teach you all about sublimation pads and pillows. If you’re into sublimation or considering getting started, you’ll find there are a wide variety of pads and pillows people use when making sublimation projects.

I’ll break down the different types of sublimation pads, their purposes, and whether you actually need them. If you’re just getting started with sublimation, check out my Beginner’s Guide for my best tips and tricks.

What sublimation pads do you need - header image.

Table of Contents

What are Sublimation Pads?

You can watch me go through each of these different sublimation pads and pillows by pressing play on the video below.

Sublimation pads are sublimation tools that can help with a variety of different things. They can lift the fabric so seams don’t impact the final sublimation print. They can help distribute heat more evenly and some even help your blank fit in the heat press you have.

You will need different pads and pillows depending on the type of sublimation projects you want to make. Some of them are necessary and some are necessary for only very specific projects.

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Supplies Used

Let’s look at the different sublimation pads and pillows we’re going to test today.

Different Sublimation Pressing Pad and Pillow Options

Let’s look at all of the different sublimation pressing pads and pillow options I recommend using.

Heat Resistant Mat

I’m starting with the heat-resistant mat because everyone should have a heat-resistant mat if they’re working with sublimation.

When you take freshly pressed items out of a heat press or oven, they will be very hot. You need a safe surface to allow them to cool on. A heat-resistant mat will protect the surface you’re working on from extreme heat.

EasyPress Mat

If you’re looking for a heat-resistant mat that can also be used as a pressing mat with the EasyPress, the EasyPress mat is a great option. An EasyPress mat can also be used as a pressing pillow. You can place the EasyPress mat inside a shirt to lift the pressing area above the seams to ensure a flat surface for sublimation.

You do need to be careful when placing items like mugs and tumblers on the EasyPress mat to cool. Because it is a cushion those can fall over easily which could disrupt the print causing ghosting.

The EasyPress Mat comes in three different sizes to match the different EasyPress sizes. You can choose the size(s) that are best for you.

Artesprix Heat-resistant Mat

If the sublimation projects you plan to make mostly include tumblers, mugs, tiles, coasters, and firm items, I would recommend the Artesprix Heat-resistant mat.

This mat is thin and firm. It will protect your surface and items like mugs and tumblers can easily stand on this surface to cool. This mat comes in both small and large sizes so you can pick the size that is best for your craftroom. You can also use it for pressing small objects.

Artesprix Heat Resistant Mat for sublimation.

Pressing Pillows

Pressing pillows come in a variety of sizes and are used to help prevent press marks and ensure even heat distribution. Polyester fabric has a memory, this can result in press lines from your heat press. Pressing pillows can help prevent those from happening or at least reduce them.

While you can purchase pressing pillows like the ones above, there are other options. Some pressing pillows come cut to size but you can also purchase a roll of heat-resistant foam and cut it to the size you need for your projects.

Both of these options can be used inside items with seams or zippers to raise the middle away from the heat source.

I really like having a roll of heat-resistant foam. As long as you protect it with a protective paper, it can be reused over and over again. I find the roll of foam to be cost-effective. Instead of having pre-set sizes, you can cut it to any size you want.

I will say, if you’re using the same piece repeatedly with projects that require heavy pressure, it can flatten and not bounce back. If this happens, it’s time to throw that piece away.

Specialty Pads

Sometimes sublimation projects call for special pressing pads. These are pads that are required for certain sublimation blanks. Let’s look at the ones I use and recommend.

Nomex Pad

A Nomex pad is a heat conductive pad that is perfect for sublimating on uneven surfaces like slate or natural stone.

Nomex is what is used in firefighter suits. It is heat-resistant and has a little more give than some of the other pressing pads we’ve looked at. Along with slate and stone, Nomex pads work well with metal sublimation blanks too.

Often, products that recommend the Nomex pad also recommend that you preheat the pad before adding the sublimation blank. This way the pad is hot below the sublimation blank.

Just like the other sublimation pressing pads you need to protect the Nomex pad from any ink transfer. If you get sublimation ink on the Nomex pad, it will likely transfer to future projects.

You can purchase Nomex pads in various thicknesses. I really like the thicker version with my Autopress. It is a little less cushy than the mat that comes with the Autopress.

I also use a thinner version in my convection oven. This is the oven that I only use for sublimation projects. Because these ovens come with just a wire rack you can get hot and cold spots. The Nomex pad helps regulate the temperature across the wire rack.

As long as you take care of these pads, you can use them for a long time. The thin version I purchased in a size that would fit in my sublimation oven. For the thicker version, I would purchase a pad that is the size of your largest heat press and you shouldn’t need to purchase another one.

Rubber Pad

The rubber pad is another specialty pad with metal fibers embedded in it. This is probably the sublimation pad I get asked about the most because it is expensive. It is ideal for sublimating on surfaces with uneven textures, conforming to imperfections, and ensuring a smooth sublimation process.

While this sublimation pad is expensive, it does help with expensive blanks like slate or other textured materials. You’ll want to make sure you have all the supplies they recommend so you don’t waste those blanks.

I have never been able to press a sublimation slate blank successfully without the rubber pad. I have heard some people say they have had success but that hasn’t been my experience.

The rubber pad is actually placed on top of the sublimation blank and print. You then close the heat press and the rubber actually conducts the heat and conforms to the blank and all its imperfections.

This rubber pad comes in a variety of sizes so I purchased a large one, probably larger than I’ll ever need, and now I don’t have to worry about getting another one. These rubber pads can be used thousands of times as long as you take care of them.

What Can I Use in Place of a Rubber Pad?

I have not found an alternative for the rubber pad. I only know of one company that makes them. If a rubber pad isn’t in your budget right now you can do one of two things.

Wait to do projects like slate and tiles until you have the budget to purchase a rubber pad.
You could try searching for other tutorials that don’t use the rubber pad and see what they’re using instead.

I would recommend using caution if you’re trying another process. Start with a small inexpensive blank to test the process so you’re not wasting an expensive blank if it doesn’t turn out.

PYD Life Mug Press Inserts

These sublimation pad inserts are made specifically to be used with the Cricut Mug Press for people who want to sublimate smaller diameter blanks with the Mug Press.

This is not a Cricut product so do be aware of that. I have used them successfully without any problems and my Mug Press is still working perfectly.

These inserts come in a set of 3 different thicknesses. You would use different inserts for different-sized blanks.

I have a whole tutorial where I teach you how to use these inserts with the Cricut Mug Press to sublimate 20oz skinny tumblers. If that is something you’re interested in doing, I would recommend checking out that tutorial.

Now, these wraps don’t allow you to make larger projects but they do provide flexibility in mug sizes for the Cricut Mug Press and are quite handy if you own one.

Final Thoughts on Sublimation Pads and Pillows

Sublimation pads and pillows play a vital role in achieving high-quality and consistent sublimation results. These are all sublimation pads I use in my sublimation crafting.

I do not recommend rushing out and purchasing them all at once. You don’t need all of these to start sublimating. Look through the projects you want to create and see what they require. Start there.

As you gain more experience and the projects you’re working on grow you can gradually add the sublimation pads you need to your collection.

Variety of sublimation pads and pillows.

I hope I’ve answered all the questions you have about sublimation pads and pillows. If you have any additional questions, leave them in the comments below and I’ll be happy to answer them for you.

5 More Sublimation Resources

If you loved learning about sublimation pads, and are looking for more sublimation resources? Then check out the blog post below!