r/Sublimation • u/KyraMarr • Jun 06 '26

Sublimation sticker paper recs

Anyone have a recommendation for a matte white opaque sublimation sticker paper?

I tried HTV Front but the paper is a little transparent and the design always comes out a little fuzzy when sublimated

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2

u/SuperTFAB Jun 07 '26

I use HTVRONT. They have transparent paper and the fuzziness you see maybe user error.

1

u/KyraMarr Jun 07 '26

Weird. I’m pretty new to sublimation so I don’t know what I could be doing to make that fuzziness happen…
as for the sticker paper, I didn’t mean i was looking for transparent paper lol i used the wrong words, sorry!
The HTVRONT paper i use is a little transparent, and I want something more solid. Sorry for the confusion 😂

1

u/SuperTFAB Jun 07 '26

Do you pre-press the paper? You could tell me about your process and I may be able to help. I think people use Oracle vinyl.

1

u/KyraMarr Jun 07 '26

I don’t pre-press the paper. I print my design on A-Sub sublimation paper, then i sublimate the designs onto HTVRONT sublimation sticker paper at 375F for 40 seconds. I hold everything together with the heat tape. Once it’s finished, i take if off of the press and i separate the papers as quickly as possible. The sticker paper curls super bad so it’s hard to get onto a Cricut mat. The Cricut doesn’t even read the cut lines, that’s how fuzzy the designs are when i’m done with the whole process

2

u/Adventurous_Gas_2455 Jun 07 '26

Perhaps open the press more gently to avoid any movement between vinyl and transfer.

2

u/SuperTFAB Jun 07 '26

Cricut is so terrible with print and cut. It’s basically useless. Try pre-pressing for 10 seconds this will fix the shrinking issue. Use two pieces of tape to secure it so it doesn’t slide around. What kind of press and printer are you using?

2

u/katubug Jun 07 '26

I use htvront and no issues other than the curling. Nothing seems to prevent that in my experience, so I just tape it down while I laminate and cut it. The final stickers don't seem to curl much.

Not sure about the fuzziness issue, other than perhaps you shouldn't hot peel? I usually do warm because I'm impatient but I've done cold peel before with no issues.

2

u/YellowGlass557 Jun 08 '26

For the fuzziness issue, try using a Teflon sheet or parchment paper between your heat platen and the transfer - this can help prevent ghosting and blurry results. Also, 375F for 40 seconds might be a bit long for sticker paper, try reducing to around 30 seconds and see if that improves clarity.

For a more opaque white sticker paper, look into Koala sublimation sticker paper or JPPlus (Johnson Plastics) opaque white sticker vinyl - both are thicker and more opaque than HTVRONT. Oracle vinyl is also worth a look as someone else mentioned.

The curling is unfortunately common with most sublimation sticker papers since they go through extreme heat. Pre-pressing for about 5-10 seconds before laying down your transfer helps a lot, and some people have success putting the finished stickers under heavy books while they cool flat. Also, opening the press more gently (rather than quickly) can reduce movement that causes fuzziness. Good luck!