Teflon, Parchment, or Butcher Paper? The Heat-Press Guide I Wish I Had

I learned the difference between Teflon, parchment paper, and butcher paper the expensive way.

Because apparently ruining one graduation stole wasn’t enough. I had to ruin three before I finally stopped and figured out what I was doing wrong.

I had spent hours designing a graduation stole for my daughter and was using sublimation to transfer everything onto the fabric. The first side came out perfect. Crisp, bright, beautiful little 2026 exactly where it was supposed to be.

I was so excited.

Then I pressed the second side.

And there it was.

A faint little ghost of 2026 where absolutely no 2026 belonged.

At the time, I was in a hurry and convinced I must have positioned something wrong. So naturally, instead of investigating, I kept going.

Excellent choice.

Three ruined stoles and another order later, I finally sat down and figured out what had happened.

The problem was the Teflon sheet I had reused from the first press.

And that sent me down a rabbit hole of figuring out which heat-press barrier I should actually be using for sublimation, HTV, DTF, and Infusible Ink.

So, if you have a drawer full of Teflon sheets, parchment paper, butcher paper, and absolutely no idea which one you're supposed to grab…

This is for you...

The Very Short Version

If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this:

Butcher paper = sublimation & Infusible Ink

Parchment paper = general heat-press protection

Teflon = most useful for HTV and certain heat-transfer applications

And most importantly:

Do not reuse paper that has sublimation ink on it.

Ask me how I know.

Why Did My Sublimation Ghost Onto the Stole?

Sublimation ink behaves differently from vinyl.

When you heat sublimation ink, it turns into a gas and bonds with the polyester fibers or sublimation coating in your blank.

That also means any stray sublimation ink that reaches your protective sheet can potentially show up somewhere you absolutely did not invite it.

This is why butcher paper is so useful during sublimation. It acts as a disposable barrier that catches excess ink.

Once there is ink on it?

Throw it away.

Do not look at that perfectly good-looking piece of paper and think, I can probably get one more press out of this.

That is exactly the type of confidence that cost me three stoles.

Butcher Paper

Butcher paper is my go-to for sublimation and Infusible Ink.

It protects your heat press and project while also absorbing moisture and excess ink.

For sublimation, I usually want clean butcher paper both underneath and on top of the project so any stray ink has somewhere to go besides my heat press.

The important part is using fresh paper whenever ink has transferred onto it.

Best for:

• Sublimation
• Infusible Ink
• Protecting your press from stray sublimation ink

Keep in mind:

Once sublimation ink gets on the paper, don't reuse it on another project.

Parchment Paper

Parchment paper is one of those supplies I reach for when I need a simple protective barrier.

It can help protect your heat press platen and your project from residue, adhesive, or direct contact with the heating element.

I especially like having it around when working with HTV and DTF.

Just make sure you're using actual parchment paper, not wax paper.

Wax + heat press = a craft experiment I have no desire to conduct.

Teflon Sheets

Teflon sheets are reusable, nonstick, and really convenient, especially when working with HTV.

They can protect your design and heat press from adhesive while still allowing you to press the garment.

The problem comes when we treat Teflon like the universal answer for every heat-transfer project.

It isn't.

For sublimation, I prefer disposable butcher paper because if sublimation ink transfers onto the barrier, I want to be able to throw that barrier away instead of accidentally carrying that ink onto my next project.

One tiny reused sheet can become a surprisingly effective way to decorate something you never intended to decorate.

Again: the stoles.

So What Should I Use?

Here’s the version I wish someone had handed me when I first bought a heat press:

One important thing I’ve learned since starting all of this:

The instructions that come with your transfer always win.

DTF transfers especially can vary depending on the film, adhesive, temperature, pressure, and whether they're hot peel, warm peel, or cold peel.

So if your transfer supplier says parchment, use parchment.

If they say press directly first and cover for the second press, do that.

There is no crafting medal for improvising and hoping for the best.

Unfortunately.

Why the Barrier Actually Matters

Before this happened, I thought the sheet I put between my project and heat press was basically just there so I didn’t ruin anything.

Which…yes.

But there’s more happening than that.

Every material we use reacts differently to heat.

Sublimation involves ink turning into gas.

HTV uses heat-activated adhesive.

DTF relies on adhesive powder that needs the right combination of heat, pressure, and time.

Infusible Ink behaves very similarly to sublimation.

So, the barrier you put on top or underneath can affect the final result.

Too much protection, the wrong material, contaminated paper, incorrect pressure…all of those tiny things can turn into peeling, ghosting, fading, or another late-night session of staring at your heat press wondering what you did wrong.

The Part I Actually Remember Now

After enough projects, I don't really think about this anymore.

Sublimation?

Fresh butcher paper.

HTV?

Teflon or parchment depending on what I'm pressing.

DTF?

Whatever the transfer instructions tell me to use.

Infusible Ink?

Fresh butcher paper.

And if I see even the tiniest hint of sublimation ink on a piece of butcher paper?

Trash.

We are not trying to save three cents in paper and sacrifice another project.

I have learned my lesson.

Mostly.

One More Thing

Crafting is this weird combination of creativity, science, trial and error, and occasionally ruining something you spent three hours making.

And I think that’s part of why I love it.

Every disaster teaches me one more tiny thing I probably should have known before I started.

So hopefully my three ruined graduation stoles can save somebody else's project.

That feels like a fair trade.

Always a little crooked,

Angie 🧵