Key Questions to Ask When Ordering 100gsm Sublimation paper sheets

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Learn which sublimation works best for which projects ' and how it compares to copy paper!

Sublimation paper is a coated specialty paper designed to hold and release dye sublimation ink onto surfaces. There's an extra layer on the paper designed just for holding, rather than absorbing, sublimation ink. This special coating paper is formulated to hold up in the sublimation printer, withstand the high heat of a heat press, and create beautiful, vibrant sublimation transfers to your surfaces.

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Learn all about sublimation paper in this helpful video:

You should know that sublimation transfer paper is NOT the same as that plain copy paper you might already have in your copier or regular inkjet printer, even though it might look the same at first. A good sublimation paper has three things:

1. It holds the sublimation ink well without allowing the micro ink dots from your printer to blur together.
2. It withstands the high heat of your heat press machine.
3. It efficiently releases the dyes into your surface when heated.

Each of these is important for the sublimation process and getting the best results!

There are a lot of different sublimation papers out there, and you may be wondering what's best to use and what's better off avoided in your heat transfer printing projects.

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I have a variety of sublimation papers here in my studio ' I have A-SUB 125G, A-SUB 120G, A-SUB 105G, A-SUB ECO, TruePix paper, DyeMaster-R, and Printers Jack. And there are a LOT more papers out there, too. So what's the difference between them all? Most all of these are general sublimation papers that will work for a variety of surfaces. There are OTHERS that get more specialized, but these SHOULD all work for most sublimation jobs.

Let's take a look at a piece of A-SUB paper. This is the BACK side of A-SUB paper, which as the word 'A-SUB' print on it ' be sure to print on the other side of it. The 'right side' of sublimation paper is the one that is pure white, without any printing on it.

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So then how do you decide which is the best sublimation paper to use? One important thing I want you to pay attention to is the paper weight, like how A-SUB comes in a wide range of weights, including 125g, 120g, 105g, and ECO. These numbers refer to the WEIGHT of the paper.

A-SUB 125 g stands for 125 grams per square meter and it's the heaviest sublimation paper. The heavier the paper and the thicker the coating, the better it will hold the ink and saturate your surface ' if you want full color, vibrant designs, go for the heavier weight. This paper is my favorite and the go-to for nearly every project. It works great in my Epson printer, the printed image looks great, and has a true color. It also has a very high transfer rate, meaning that most of the sublimation ink will transfer from the paper to the surface. 125g sublimation paper also has a greater durability than the thinner paper, and it holds up under all the heat presses I've tried.

Tip: I've found the 120 g sublimation paper is just as good as the 125 g paper, and often less expensive!

If you use the 125 or 120 gram paper and get wheel marks, however, you may want a lighter paper, like 105 gsm. This heavier paper can also cause issues with rigid and hard surfaces (hard substrate), as the ink has no where to go and can blur or ghost ' if this happens, again, go with a thinner paper.

A-SUB 105g is the one hundred and five gram paper, and it's the lightest sublimation paper. So now you may be wondering why we'd want lighter paper if heavier gives the best and most saturated color. Well, it turns out that light sublimation paper like holds a little less ink and this is better when you're making seamless designs, like our full-color sublimation doormat or even a sublimation tumbler. The lighter paper is ALSO better for some printers that can get wheel lines or pick up extra ink when going through the printer. For example, when I switched to 105 gram paper on my Epson Workforce, it worked much better. The catch with 105 gram paper is that it is more likely to curl with high temperatures, and it doesn't do as well with heavy ink saturation ' the low weight of the paper is more likely to cause moving, bleeding, and ghosting, And if your surface just looks dull and faded, like a T-shirt, it could also be related to the low weight of the paper ' use the heavier paper to get more ink on it and more ink on your surface.

But what about the ECO paper by A-SUB? It's basically less expensive sublimation paper. So if you're doing a LOT of sublimation printing, you could use this, but it's really only a little less money ' I'm not sure it's worth it, personally, unless you're working in volume. I test out whether this paper is the same as the other papers in my video.

So WEIGHT of sublimation paper is a big factor. Another factor can be the compatibility of the paper with your printer. For example, TruePix paper is optimized to work with Sawgrass sublimation printers. It's 120 grams and works on a variety of surfaces.

DyeMaster-R sublimation paper is optimized to work for Epson and it's 105 grams. I am not sure why it's so thin, but it could be because the Epson Workforce, which is one of the first printers people began converting to sublimation years ago, really needs a thinner paper.

Now, you may have heard of people using regular paper for sublimation, for example laser copy paper. It's possible to use laser copy paper because it's formulated to withstand the high heat of your heat press. The question is if inkjet heat transfer paper can hold and release the ink well enough, however.

So I thought we should do a TEST of six different papers ' three A-SUB papers, TruePix paper, Laser Paper, and a regular Copy Paper, just so you can see what it looks like for each one. Here's what each one looks like pressed onto polyester fabric (I used garden flag sublimation blanks):

The top results are what I think are the best sublimation paper ' A-SUB 125G and A-SUB 105G. It's always a good idea to do a test like this when you're first learning to use your dye sublimation printer or are trying out a new sublimation project or special paper.

More Questions About Sublimation Paper

Q: What is the best paper for sublimation?
A: While some people will use just regular laser paper, I really recommend you use special sublimation paper for the best and most vibrant results and ink transfer. I used A-SUB paper during my tests.

Q: Can I just use photo paper for sublimation?
No, it typically cannot withstand the high temperature of your heat press.

Q: How do I test my sublimation prints for vibrancy and color?
A: Use my free subliflower design to see how your colors look! It's Design #385 in my resource library!

Q: What is the best sublimation printer?
This depends a lot of your needs, but check out my article on the best sublimation printers!

Q: How do I learn sublimation for beginners?
A: Join Sublimation Startup for a logical, step-by-step guide to getting setup for success with sublimation! You can ask questions and feel confident that you'll get help! The Sublimation Startup mini-course is also great for those who enjoy learning from Jennifer Maker's easy-to-understand, calm, and clear method of teaching. This is a no-fluff, no-mess, no-distraction workshop ' it's like sitting down with Jennifer in her craft room to learn directly from her! We work in logical steps to build your understanding and confidence with sublimation, and then provide support to keep helping you as you continue on your journey! Register now!

Get my Subliflower Design for free!

I also have a group just for sublimation crafting where you can get help and tips from other crafters who love to sublimate, too! Come join us at jennifermaker.com/sublimationgroup to ask questions, share ideas, and get inspired!!

I hope this helps you find the right sublimation paper for your next project. Watch for more sublimation tutorials and please ask any questions you have in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.

Love,

Wondering which brand of sublimation paper is best for sublimation?

We've got you! In this article, we review the 6 best sublimation paper brands available right now so you can find the right choice for you.

You'll find pros and cons, pricing, and all the details you need to make a confident choice as you start your sublimation printing journey.

You want full ink transfer, buttery smooth paper that goes through your printer like a dream, and absolutely no wheel marks. So which paper will deliver this, and for the best price? Read on to find out!

What's Inside:

• What is the Best Sublimation Paper? 6 Brands Compared
• How Much Does Sublimation Paper Cost? (Per-Page Breakdown)
• What is Sublimation Paper?
• What Do The Different Sublimation Paper Weights Mean?
• What Brand of Sublimation Ink Should I Use?
• Get Started With Sublimation Printing
• Frequently Asked Questions

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means that we may receive a commission if you make a purchase using third-party links.

What is the Best Sublimation Paper?

Best Sublimation Paper Brands

• MakerFlo Sublimation Paper
• Printers Jack Sublimation Paper
• A-Sub Sublimation Paper
• Koala Sublimation Paper
• HTVRONT Sublimation Paper
• Hiipoo Sublimation Paper

MakerFlo Sublimation Paper

MakerFlo Sublimation Paper is a high-quality sublimation paper that lies flat and dries super fast. You can buy it from MakerFlo Crafts (that's us!), based out of sunny Chandler, Arizona. ''

MakerFlo paper comes in 120GSM and all the sizes that fit standard sublimation printers. It was specifically designed to work well with the Epson F170 and Epson F570 models.

The paper is thick enough to stand up straight in your printer but thin enough to still show your design through the back, making it easy to place your transfers. Plus, the light gray watermark on the back clearly shows which side to print on.

We've gotten great reviews from our users about how easy this paper is to use and how bright and crisp their prints are after transferring.

Specs

• Weight: 120GSM
• Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14", 11" x 17", 13" x 19"
• Watermark?: Yes, the MakerFlo logo in gray

Pricing

[product=makerflo-sublimation-paper]Our best-selling sublimation paper.[/product]

Here are some reviews of MakerFlo Sublimation Paper from our customers:

Printers Jack Sublimation Paper

Printers Jack is a paper and ink manufacturer based in New York City. Their sublimation paper is not only affordable but also has excellent performance and great ink release, making it a favorite of many crafters.

Some downsides: The thinness of this paper can cause it to fold over in the printer, and the blue backside (colored to show you which side to print on) makes it hard to see designs through the paper.

Some reviewers also say that the blue package of Printers Jack paper caused printing issues, but the pink package performed just fine.

Specs

• Weight: 105GSM, 120GSM
• Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14", 11" x 17", 13" x 19"
• Watermark?: Yes, the back side is blue

Pricing

$15.99 for a 100-sheet pack of 8.5" x 11" paper at 120GSM on Amazon.

Buy Printer's Jack Sublimation Paper

Contact us to discuss your requirements of 100gsm Sublimation paper sheets. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

A-Sub Sublimation Paper

A-Sub is popular printing supply brand based out of Singapore. They sell multiple types of printing paper, ink, and even sublimation blanks.

The great thing about A-Sub paper is its variety of sizes: 105GSM, 120GSM, and 125GSM. (And if you're wondering why sublimation paper comes in so many sizes, we cover that later in this article!)

One downside? Some reviewers showed a lot of ink left on the paper after transferring, so the ink release might not be as good as other brands. However, this could have resulted from the reviewers' heat press settings.

Specs

• Weight: 105GSM, 120GSM, 125GSM
• Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14", 11" x 17", 13" x 19"
• Watermark?: Yes, a light A-Sub logo

Pricing

$18.99 for 110 sheets, 120GSM and 8.5" x 11" size on Amazon.

Buy A-Sub Sublimation Paper

Koala Sublimation Paper

Koala is a low-cost brand based in China that sells sublimation paper, DTF film, and other printing supplies.

Like A-Sub, Koala paper comes in multiple weights. However, these are unique weights you don't get with other brands, like an ultra-light 95GSM and heavier 123GSM.

We're not sure why Koala avoided the more standard weights of 105GSM and 125GSM, but if you want to try other weights, Koala provides more options.

One downside: The ultra-thin 95GSM paper is so thin it could get stuck in some printers.

Specs

• Weight: 95GSM ultra-thin, 100GSM, 120GSM, 123GSM
• Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14", 11" x 17", 13" x 19" (for the 120GSM paper, check other weights for sizes)
• Watermark?: Yes, light green logo on back

Pricing

$14.99 for 120 sheets in 120GSM, 8.5" x 11" size on Amazon

Buy Koala Sublimation Paper

HTVRONT Sublimation Paper

HTVRONT is another Chinese brand that produces good, low-cost paper. In fact, HTVRONT's paper is the cheapest per sheet out of all the brands on this list. The question is, does the extremely low price also mean a dip in quality?

Looking through reviewers' prints made with HTVRONT paper, the colors seemed slightly duller than those of other brands. It might be that the low cost of this paper means that colors don't come out as brightly or as saturated as other brands. But this could be remedied by adjusting your print settings.

Specs

• Weight: 105GSM, 120GSM, 125GSM
• Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14", 11" x 17", 13" x 19"
• Watermark?: Yes, light gray HTVRONT logo on the back

Pricing

$6.49 for a 30-sheet pack of 8.5" x 11" at 120GSM on Amazon.

Buy HTVRont Sublimation Paper

Hiipoo Sublimation Paper

Hiipoo is another favorite paper and ink brand among sublimation crafters, and we couldn't write a sublimation paper article without including them.

This paper is very affordable and comes in two weights, 105GSM and 120GSM. (It seems like Hiipoo previously sold 125GSM but has discontinued that line.)

If you use a DIY sublimation printer with Hiipoo ink and Hiipoo paper, Hiipoo offers a helpful set of ICC profiles on their website to help you calibrate colors and get the best printing output. (However, if you're using a true sublimation printer from Epson or Sawgrass, it's best to use the ink brand that comes with your printer.)

Specs

• Weight: 105GSM, 120GSM
• Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14"
• Watermark?: Yes, the back side is light gray

Pricing

$17.99 for 110 sheets in 120GSM, 8.5" x 11" on Amazon.

Buy Hiipoo Sublimation Paper

How Much Does Sublimation Paper Cost? (Per Page Breakdown)

Wondering how much sublimation paper costs per page? We took all the brands reviewed above and broke down their prices into the per-page cost to see how they stack up.

(These prices are based on the 8.5" x 11" size and 120GSM paper weight.)

Check out the results '

Brand Price* Sheet Count Price Per Sheet MakerFlo $9.95 100 $0.10 ' Printers Jack $15.99 100 $0.16 A-Sub $18.99 120 $0.15 Koala $14.99 120 $0.12 HTVRONT $6.49 30 $0.22 Hiipoo $17.99 110 $0.16

*Prices are accurate as of November , but are subject to change.

MakerFlo is the most affordable sublimation paper on the list. We're pretty proud of that! We strive to make crafting accessible for all people. But we also want to make sure our products work really well, too.

That's why we have so many good reviews!

Try it out for yourself and see the MakerFlo difference '

[product=makerflo-sublimation-paper]Our best-selling sublimation paper.[/product]

What is Sublimation Paper?

Sublimation paper is a special type of paper designed for sublimation printing.

On the inside, it's the same as regular inkjet paper, but on the outside, a special coating gives it the ability to hold sublimation ink and release it at high temperatures.

Other paper types don't work as sublimation transfers, so they won't work for sublimation printing. Make sure to choose a high-quality sublimation paper for sublimation printing.

What Do The Different Sublimation Paper Weights Mean?

You've probably noticed that sublimation paper comes in many different weights, from a super-light 95GSM to the heavier 125GSM. Standard sublimation paper is 120GSM, and most brands will carry this weight.

So, how do these weights differ?

The quick answer: The weight determines how much ink the paper can carry. The less ink, the lighter the print will be. The more ink, the darker and more saturated the print will be.

What to choose? It's best to start with 120GSM first, as that's the standard weight that works for most people. Then, if you experience issues with 120GSM, you can branch out to other sizes.

Some people using DIY printers switch to lighter paper because heavier paper tends to get wheel marks in printers that weren't built for sublimation. You'll always get better results from a specialized sublimation printer like the Epson F170, which was designed specifically for that use.

[product=epson-r-f170-sublimation-printer]Our favorite sublimation printer for beginners[/product]

Learn more about sublimation printers here.

What Brand of Sublimation Ink Should I Use?

The best brand of sublimation ink is the one that comes with your sublimation printer. If you've converted a printer for sublimation, you can shop around, look at reviews, and experiment with inks to decide what's best for you.

Read our round-up of the best sublimation ink for your printer here.

Get Started with Sublimation Printing

Now you've learned everything there is to know about the best sublimation paper you can buy! We hope this helped you find the right sublimation paper for your hobby or business.

If you're looking to start sublimation printing this year, we have a special treat for you! Check out our Epson F170 Ultimate Starter Kit, which is jam-packed with everything you need to get started, including:

• The Epson F170, aka the very best sublimation printer for beginners and small businesses (in our humble opinion)
• A full package of Epson sublimation ink
• 100 sheets of MakerFlo Sublimation Paper
• A sublimation oven to make sublimation tumblers and cups
• 10 tumbler sublimation blanks to practice on, and more

[product=sublimation-ultimate-starter-bundle]Everything you need to start sublimation printing in one bundle.[/product]

Have more questions that weren't answered here? Want to ask real crafters who've been there, done that? Hop on over to our Official MakerFlo Facebook Community , where 40,000 crafters and members of the MakerFlo team are ready to help you get started with sublimation crafting.

Want to learn more? Check out our sublimation for beginners guide next!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What's the difference between sublimation paper and heat transfer paper?

Sublimation transfer paper is designed to hold sublimation ink and release it at high temperatures for sublimation printing. On the other hand, heat transfer paper adheres directly to your material.

Does sublimation paper quality matter?

Yes, it does! Make sure to choose a high-quality paper designed for crafting if you want to have the brightest and most saturated colors, true to the design you've created.

Which side of sublimation papers do you print on?

The dull side is the back. The brighter side is the front. You can roll the paper to compare both sides, then choose the brighter side for printing.

Are you interested in learning more about 120 GSM High Speed Dye Sublimation Paper? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!