If you love personalized kitchen items and bamboo cutting boards are on top of that list, you’ll be happy to know that you can sublimate bamboo cutting boards.
Sublimated bamboo cutting boards bring a unique flair to kitchens. You can find sublimatable bamboo cutting boards. They’re usually made of sturdy bamboo and a sublimation coating.
If you have a bamboo cutting board that you want to sublimate, you have to coat it first.
This coating allows you to print full-color designs and photos onto the board. Sublimated bamboo cutting boards make ideal charcuterie and cheese boards. They’re also amazing personalized gifts for family and friends.
Their uniqueness paired with yummy food will bring a lovely atmosphere to your dinner get-together with friends and family.
Keep reading to learn more about sublimating bamboo cutting boards!
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What Does Sublimation of Bamboo Cutting Boards Mean?
Today, there are various ways you can decorate clothes, mugs, bags, T-shirts, aprons, and even cutting boards. The two most common ways are sublimation and heat transfer paper.
Each of these two methods has its pros and cons. The choice depends on what you want to decorate.
Sublimation is the printing of a design or an image on a special type of paper and then applying it to a substrate (the mug, board, or apron) with the help of heat.
But, there’s a big difference in the science of how these two methods work. With sublimation, the ink used is dye-based. So, when it heats up, it transforms from a solid into a gas. This gas dyes the fabric or board.
Sublimation, because it dyes the fibers, it’s great for white and light colors. Before you decide to sublimate a bamboo cutting board, take into account that the board needs to have the right polymer coating that enables the sublimation.
Also, sublimation doesn’t work with fabrics like cotton.
On the other hand, heat transfer paper is more versatile in terms of substrates; you can use it for polyester, cotton, nylon, etc. It also makes a great choice for hard items without the need for polymer coating.
How to Sublimate Bamboo Cutting Boards?
Sublimating bamboo cutting boards requires several elements to work. Investing in the equipment may be a pricier investment if it’s intended for personal use only.
This is why it’s rarely used at home. It’s more common in commercial settings. For example, it’s commonly practiced in the apparel or decorative industry. Here are the items needed for sublimation:
- A printer
Sublimation isn’t possible without a printer, an inkjet one. The most common choices are Sawgrass SG400 and Epson 1430.
- Dye/ink
Specialized dyes for a printer are essential for the sublimation process.
Once you begin using these dyes, don’t go back to regular ink cartridges. They’re available in various methods, each of which has its pros and cons.
- Transfer paper
Choose the best type of paper for your printer.
Avoid the cheaper options because this may influence the print quality negatively.
- Heat tape
A heat-resistant tape keeps the item in place without melting or leaving any residue on the substrate.
- A substrate
A substrate is the item you’re sublimating on-this can be a bamboo cutting board, but it has to be coated with a polymer.
Other options are ceramic coasters, mugs, tiles, aluminum and glass sheets, polyester aprons, bags, cushions, etc.
- Heat press
Pressing the image to the substrate requires a heat press. It provides the needed pressure and consistent temperature, as well as a timer for press times.
The manufacturer of the substrate usually lists the sublimation settings, including the time, temperature, and pressure.
You can find this info on the internet if it’s not provided by the manufacturer. There are flatbed presses, but also special ones for bottles, mugs, and glasses.
- Polyester/polymer coating
Since the substrates on which you can sublimate are limited, you can’t sublimate a bamboo cutting board that isn’t coated with a polyester coating.
The good news is that this coating can easily be purchased online. Or, sellers often sell already coated bamboo cutting boards for sublimation.
Print the desired image in reverse. Set the heat press according to the manufacturer’s temperature, time, and pressure. Place the transfer on top of the board (substrate) and secure it with tape.
Place a Teflon sheet or scratch paper over the transfer. Press the board and then remove the items from the press. Clean the board and it’s ready for use!
How to Care for a Sublimated Bamboo Cutting Board?
To prevent damaging your personalized bamboo cutting board side, use the other side to prep food if you must.
Otherwise, this board makes a much better food serving board or a decorative element. Avoid using it with sharp blades and it will last for a long period of time.
Clean the board as you would clean all bamboo cutting boards. Wash them in the sink using dish soap and warm water. Leave it to air dry and never wash it in the dishwasher.
Oil the board periodically to keep it in top shape.
Final Thoughts
If you love DIY kitchen items, you’ll love to hear that you can sublimate on a bamboo cutting board.
However, you need a polyester-coated board if you want to sublimate it. You can create lovely and unique cutting board designs with this method.
Sublimated bamboo cutting boards make awesome decorative gifts or cheese and charcuterie boards.
Avoid using the illustrated side with sharp knives because it may eventually damage the design. Wash and maintain the board as other bamboo cutting boards.
