How to Sublimate Metal Bookmarks

Welcome back to the craft room and today’s How to Sublimate Metal Bookmarks post. I have been a voracious reader my entire life. However, even in this digital age, I still prefer to hold a book in my hands and turn the pages. The only problem—and it’s been the same my whole reading life—is: where the heck did I put my bookmark?

Instead of turning down the corner of a page, I’ll grab anything within reach. A napkin, a receipt, or even a torn piece of an envelope has done the job in a pinch. But on a recent trip to Hobby Lobby, I spotted a package of sublimation blank metal bookmarks, and I knew I had to give them a try. Let’s find out together how they turned out!

The Sublimation Blanks Bookmarks

I’ve always had great luck with Hobby Lobby’s sublimation blanks. So, when I found these bookmarks, I couldn’t resist. When working with sublimation blanks, especially for projects like how to sublimate metal bookmarks, it’s important to prep your blanks properly by removing any protective film and cleaning the surface.

After peeling off the film, I cleaned each blank with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. This step removes fingerprints and any residue that might interfere with the transfer.

For time and temperature, it’s always best to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. For these bookmarks, the instructions on the packaging recommended 356°F for 50 seconds. Did those settings work for me? Let’s take a look!

The Sublimation Image

To create the images, I headed to my favorite site—Creative Fabrica—where I found some fun elements to use. I also asked ChatGPT for a few sayings to pair with them, then started designing.

The bookmarks measure 6″ tall by 2″ wide, so I created my images slightly larger—6 1/8″ tall by 2 1/8″ wide—to ensure full coverage. After putting together a couple of designs in Canva, it was time to print them on my Epson SureColor F170 sublimation printer.

Bookmark Test #1 – First Try at Recommended Settings

If you’re new to how to sublimate metal bookmarks, don’t worry—finding the right time, temperature, and pressure is part of the process, and I’m sharing all my test results here to help you get it right.For the first test, I set my HTVRont Auto Heat Press as close to the recommended heat setting as possible. My press doesn’t adjust in single degrees, so I settled on 355°F for 50 seconds.

While the press was heating, I prepared the blank for sublimation by securing the printed image with heat-resistant tape. On the lower platen, I built my pressing “sandwich” starting with a 12×12 sheet of Recollections white cardstock. On top of that, I placed a piece of white uncoated butcher paper, then the blank with the A-Sub sublimation paper facing down, and finally another sheet of butcher paper.

To say I was unprepared for the less-than-stellar results would be an understatement. As you can see in the photo below, the amount of ink that transferred was minimal at best.

Bookmark Test #2 – A Little More Heat and Time

For the second test, I decided to increase both the time and temperature. I went with 360°F for 55 seconds. The results were better, but still far from perfect. There was still a lot of ink left on the sublimation paper, as you can see in the photo.

So, what’s next—more time, higher temperature, or both?

Bookmark Test #3 – Pushing the Settings Further

For the third round, I increased both again—370°F for 60 seconds—and sublimated the backs of two bookmarks. The results continued to improve, but they still weren’t perfect.

Bookmark Test #4 – Adding More Pressure

For the next test, I wanted to see if extra pressure would make a difference. To do this, I added back the original pressing mat that came with my heat press. I kept the heat and time settings the same, as I felt they were working well.

This time, even more ink transferred to the bookmark, as shown in the photo below.

Two More Tests – Closing In on Perfect Settings

Before I settled on the final time, temperature, and pressure for these bookmarks, I wanted to try two more. After printing the images and letting them dry for a bit, I increased the temperature one last time to 375°F, leaving the time and pressure the same.

This bookmark turned out beautifully! As you can see in the photo below, the colors are bright, and far more ink transferred from the paper.

Classic Craft Fail of the Day

At this point, I was convinced I had found the perfect combination. To double-check, I pressed one more bookmark. That’s when things went a little sideways.

While prepping the bookmark to press the back side, I was also texting my husband. Once the press finished, I looked at the bookmark and noticed the image was a bit blurry toward the bottom. After it cooled enough to handle, I flipped it over to check the first side—only to find a blank bookmark staring back at me! I had taped the image to the front of the bookmark… again!

At that point, I called it a day. Later, I did notice I had lined up the second print surprisingly well—it was only double-printed at the bottom—so maybe that’s a half-win?

Final Thoughts – Lessons Learned

While this project took more trial and error than I expected, it was worth figuring out what worked best. Looking back, I wondered if my heat press was actually reaching the correct temperature. Using my husband’s thermal thermometer, I tested it. I set the press to 375°F, and while it heated, the thermometer matched the readings exactly. But once the press reached 375°F, the thermometer only read 369°F.

While the press was still on, I added a design to the back of my “failed” bookmark. The colors looked a little light—almost like I was back to square one. It was still a beautiful image, just not as vibrant as I wanted.

In frustration, I cranked the temperature up to 400°F and pressed the original image onto another bookmark. The difference was dramatic—deeper colors and much more ink transferred from the sublimation paper, as you can see in the image below.

Wrapping Up the Bookmark Adventure

Thank you for joining me for today’s How to Sublimate Metal Bookmarks post. If you’ve worked with metal bookmarks before, I’d love to hear your go-to time and temperature settings—especially if you’ve found a sweet spot that delivers consistent, vibrant results.

This project reminded me that crafting is often about experimenting, adjusting, and learning along the way. Even though it took a few extra tests (and one memorable “craft fail”), I’m so happy with how these bookmarks turned out. They’re practical, pretty, and a great way to use sublimation in a smaller project.

I hope this inspires you to try making your own metal bookmarks. If you do, I’d love to hear how they turned out and what designs you chose. If you enjoyed this tutorial on how to sublimate metal bookmarks, be sure to check out my other sublimation projects for more creative ideas and tips. Whether you’re new to sublimation or looking to try something different, I’ve got plenty of step-by-step guides waiting for you! Until next time, happy crafting!

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