How to Make a Sublimation Slate Photo Plaque DIY

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How to Make a Sublimation Slate Photo Plaque DIY

Learn how easy it is to make a sublimation slate photo plaque with A-SUB sublimation paper and sublimating blanks.

I love the look of full color photographs sublimation slate, they are unique and are great for mother's day gifts, father's gifts, valentine's day gifts, Christmas gifts, birthday gifts or even a corporate gift.

Preserve your favorite full color photos on slate with this simple DIY step-by-step guide.

I received supplies from A-SUB in exchange for this post.

Supplies Needed for Sublimation Slate Photo DIY:

affiliate links

Sublimation Slate Plaque
Sublimation Paper
Sublimation Printer
Sublimation Ink
Heat Press
Rubber Mat
Heat Resistant Tape
Heat Resistant Tape Dispenser (optional but awesome)
Heat Resistant Gloves
Heat Resistant Mat
Parchment, Teflon or Butcher Paper
Photo to Preserve

The slate rock has a sublimation-coated surface for a natural presentation, it includes 2 black plastic stands as the display holder.

Supplies Needed for Sublimation Slate Photo DIY: affiliate links Sublimation Slate Plaque Sublimation Paper Sublimation Printer Sublimation Ink Heat Press Rubber Mat Heat Resistant Tape Heat Resistant Tape Dispenser (optional but awesome) Heat Resistant Gloves Heat Resistant Mat Parchment, Teflon or Butcher Paper Photo to Preserve The slate rock has a sublimation-coated surface for a natural presentation, it includes 2 black plastic stands as the display holder.

Step 1: Sublimation Print

Begin by reversing the image you want to press onto the slate tile.

You can use images of every kind and print them as full-color photographs or make them black and white or sepia if you want that earthly elegance paired with the natural sedimentary stone.

Print the image in reverse on a sublimation printer, I am using a Sawgrass.

Make sure the printing parameter is set to print the full size, not scale to fit media to get the perfect size for your valuable keepsakes.

NOTE: Sublimation print color will look dull after printing.

Step 1: Sublimation Print Begin by reversing the image you want to press onto the slate tile. You can use images of every kind and print them as full-color photographs or make them black and white or sepia if you want that earthly elegance paired with the natural sedimentary stone. Print the image in reverse on a sublimation printer, I am using a Sawgrass. Make sure the printing parameter is set to print the full size, not scale to fit media to get the perfect size for your valuable keepsakes. NOTE: Sublimation print color will look dull after printing.

Step 2: Heat Press

Get the heat press machine warming up.

I set mine to 400* and 360 seconds, or 6 minutes for these 5x7 sublimation rock photo slates.

Step 2: Prep the Natural Slate

Prep the sublimation photo slate blanks by cleaning them off with rubbing alcohol.

Make sure it's completely dry and place the sublimation photo face down on the natural stone premium sublimation coating surface.

Tape every edge of the photo to the rock slate using heat resistant tape.

Common issues arise when the image isn't firmly taped around the entire dye-sublimation substrate, and it can cause fuzziness or cloudiness.

So tape all the edges down firmly.

Step 3: Layer Heat Press

Place a piece of teflon, parchment paper or butcher paper on the heat press mat.

Then place the slate piece with the black bottom on the parchment.

Set the Heat Press to medium pressure.

Step 3: Layer Heat Press Place a piece of teflon, parchment paper or butcher paper on the heat press mat. Then place the slate piece with the black bottom on the parchment. Set the Heat Press to medium pressure.

Next step is to place parchment, teflon or butcher paper over the top of the slate.

Then place the rubber mat over the top of the slate.

Ideally it should measure larger than the slate you are printing on.

The rubber mat helps the heat distribute over the flat imprint surface for a clean transfer.

Possible issues arise when sublimating slate without the rubber...like the paper melting to the slate and fuzziness around the edges.

Then place the rubber mat over the top of the slate. Ideally it should measure larger than the slate you are printing on. The rubber mat helps the heat distribute over the flat imprint surface for a clean transfer. Possible issues arise when sublimating slate without the rubber...like the paper melting to the slate and fuzziness around the edges.

Step 4: Heat Press

As long as your heat press is up to the proper heat, it's time to press the top down on the slate and let it cook.

Slate takes a long time.

Read the instructions for your individual piece of slate, depending on their size the time under the heat plate can vary from 4-9 minutes.

This 5x7 was heated for six minutes.

Step 4: Heat Press As long as your heat press is up to the proper heat, it's time to press the top down on the slate and let it cook. Slate takes a long time. Read the instructions for your individual piece of slate, depending on their size the time under the heat plate can vary from 4-9 minutes. This 5x7 was heated for six minutes.

Step 5: Sublimation Reveal

After the lengthy heat time is finished, remove the heat press wearing heat resistant gloves and move the slate to a heat resistant mat to cool down completely.

Already I can tell the sublimation print looks pretty good...only time will tell if it did a clean print on the edges.

After cooling down completely, remove the heat resistant tape from the slate.

I love peeling back all the heat resistant tape before lifting the sublimation paper from the blank...it makes a fun surprise for me!

This is always the most exciting part of the sublimation project!

The reveal is always the most exciting part of the sublimation project!

Ta da!

The sublimation photo on the slate turned out beautifully!

The edges are crisp and the photo is bright and vibrant.

Now place the slate in the 2 plastic stands for the perfect display!

These slate plaques are a nice choice for a custom gift, I love the durable material and the natural look.

The perfect photo display for the office, a wedding display or a high quality gift.

I just love this picture of my oldest son and our little kitty Linda, who passed away much too young.

That's it!

Get creative with sublimation and make slate photograph plaques.

If you have sublimation supplies, it's less than $20 for sublimation slates and makes a fast and super cost effective gift!

Making sublimation photo projects is an awesome DIY for handmade gifts and home decor.

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Get creative with sublimation and make slate photograph plaques. If you have sublimation supplies, it's less than $20 for sublimation slates and makes a fast and super cost effective gift! Making sublimation photo projects is an awesome DIY for handmade gifts and home decor.

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If you're looking to add a touch of post-apocalyptic flair to your accessories--this is it!

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Get ready to turn your humble crafting space into a mini Nuka World paradise!