Print Forge Designs — Product Line
SubX Sublimation Coating —
coat anything, sublimate everything.
SubX is our own professional-grade sublimation coating — the exact same formula we use on every product that comes out of our shop. Now available for purchase in small quantities all the way up to multi-gallon bulk orders, so you can coat your own substrates and expand what you're able to sublimate.
SubX
Professional sublimation coating — industrial formula, DIY friendly. Available in multiple finishes and quantities.
SubX is not a consumer aerosol spray. It's the same industrial-grade liquid sublimation coating that runs through our professional spray booths and curing ovens every single day at Print Forge Designs. The coating that we've built our entire product line on — from TJ Exclusives gaming peripherals to custom ceramic tiles to sublimated wood pieces — is now available for you to purchase and apply yourself.
We formulated SubX to perform at a professional level while still being straightforward enough for small shop owners, custom product makers, and serious crafters to apply with basic equipment. If you can spray and you have access to a convection oven, you can produce results with SubX that pre-coated blanks simply can't match — because you're not limited to what shapes and sizes come pre-coated from a supplier.
💧 Water-based formula — cleaner, safer, easier
SubX is a water-based sublimation coating — which makes a real difference in everyday use. No acetone, no mineral spirits, no harsh solvents needed for cleanup. When you're done spraying, your gun, your cups, and your booth surfaces all clean up with warm water. That's it. The process is significantly cleaner and safer compared to solvent-based coatings, and the environmental footprint is much lower as well.
We still recommend wearing a respirator mask and safety glasses while spraying — any atomized liquid coating should be treated with respect — but you won't be dealing with the fumes or harsh cleanup chemicals that come with most industrial coatings. Warm water handles everything.
Why SubX is different.
There are consumer sublimation coatings on the market. Most of them come in aerosol cans and are designed for crafters doing occasional small projects. SubX is a professional liquid coating formulated for production use — the kind of coating that runs industrial spray lines, not the kind that comes out of a rattle can.
Industrial formula
The same coating we run through our professional spray booths daily — not a diluted consumer version.
Multiple finishes
Gloss, satin, semi-gloss, metallic, solid colors, special effects, and fully custom finishes on request.
Any quantity
Small sample quantities for testing all the way up to multi-gallon bulk orders for production shops.
No shape limits
Coat any substrate you want — not just what comes pre-coated from a supplier. Custom shapes, sizes, and materials.
Full support included
We walk you through application, spraying technique, curing parameters, and troubleshooting. Every purchase.
Proven in production
This isn't a new product we're testing on you. It's been running our shop for years. We know it works.
Available finishes.
SubX is available in a range of finishes to match your product requirements. Each finish is a distinct formula — not just a topcoat variation. If you need something that isn't listed here, contact us. Custom finish development is available for volume orders.
Gloss
High-shine, vivid color reproduction. Most popular finish for tiles, glass, and hard goods.
Satin
Soft sheen with reduced glare. Elegant finish for gifts, signs, and portrait pieces.
Semi-Gloss
The middle ground — more sheen than satin, less mirror-like than full gloss.
Solid Colors
Tinted coating options for colored substrates or decorative background effects.
Metallic
Metallic sheen finishes for premium product lines, awards, and high-end custom pieces.
Special Finishes
Sparkle, texture effects, and other specialty options. Ask us what we have available.
Custom on Request
Have something specific in mind? We develop custom finishes for volume orders.
How to apply SubX.
Applying SubX is a straightforward process — but like anything in production, doing it right consistently takes a little practice and the right equipment. Here's exactly how we do it and how we recommend you do it too.
Step 01
Prep the surface
Surface must be clean, dry, and completely free from dust, oil, or grease. Wipe down with a clean dry cloth and allow to fully dry before coating. SubX is water-based, so warm water works fine for surface cleaning as well.
Step 02
Load your HVLP gun
Pour SubX into your HVLP spray gun. We recommend a gravity-feed HVLP gun with a 1.4mm–1.8mm nozzle at 30–40 PSI for an even, controlled fan pattern.
Step 03
Apply the coating
Spray SubX in smooth, even passes at approximately 8–12 inches from the surface. Apply to a wet film thickness of roughly 4 mil. Avoid pooling — thin, even coats are better than one heavy coat.
Step 04
Let it flash off
Allow the coated substrate to air dry for 10–15 minutes in a clean, dust-free environment before moving to the oven. This allows surface tension to even out.
Step 05
Cure in oven
Place coated parts in a convection oven at 375°F for 20–30 minutes. A convection oven (with a fan) is strongly preferred — it distributes heat evenly and produces a more consistent cure across the whole part.
Step 06
Cool & sublimate
Allow parts to cool completely before sublimating. The cured surface is now fully ready to accept sublimation ink transfer with vivid, permanent results.
What equipment you'll need.
You don't need an industrial spray booth to get great results with SubX — but you do need the right tools. Here's what we recommend:
Recommended equipment
What you can coat with SubX.
SubX is formulated for hard surface sublimation coating across a wide range of substrates. If the surface can handle the cure temperature and accept the coating, SubX can make it sublimation-ready.
"Stop being limited by what shapes come pre-coated. If you can cut it, rout it, or machine it — SubX can coat it."
Bulk & wholesale pricing
The more you order,
the better your price.
SubX is available from small test quantities all the way up to multi-gallon production orders. Bulk pricing is available and scaled to your order size — the larger the order, the better the rate. If you're running SubX through a production line or reselling coated blanks, give us a call and we'll put together pricing that works for your volume. We want SubX on as many spray lines as possible — and we price it accordingly.
Sample quantities
Small runs for testing & proofing
Small shop orders
1–4 gallons, standard pricing
Production orders
5+ gallons, bulk pricing
Wholesale accounts
Call us — custom rates available
What you get when you order SubX
We don't just ship and disappear
Buy SubX and get our team in your corner — every step of the way.
When you purchase SubX, you're not just buying a bottle of coating — you're getting access to the team that developed it and has been running it through an industrial production line for years. We will personally walk you through the application process: how to set up your HVLP gun, spray technique, proper film thickness, cure times and temperatures for your specific substrate, and how to troubleshoot any issues that come up.
We've coated ceramic tiles, wood in every shape imaginable, glass panels, aluminum, slate, and custom-fabricated shapes that had never been coated before. We've solved the problems that come up in real production — not just on a test bench. That knowledge comes with every order. If you're getting started with sublimation coating for the first time or scaling up an existing operation, our support team is available to make sure you get it right.
This product line is important to us — and we stand behind it completely. Reach out before you order, while you're applying, or after you've run your first batch. We're here.
