How to Make It:
Bunny Tote

Skill Level: Basic

Tools & Supplies to Make It:

• DesignMate+ Membership
• Sawgrass SG500 or SG1000 Printer
• 15”x15” or larger Flat Press
• 11”x17” or larger sublimation paper
• Blue Linen Bunny Bag
• Lint Roller
• Heat Tape 
• Blowout Paper

How to Create It:

• Log into the Sawgrass Exchange and start a new creation in DesignMate.
• For your product, select the Blue Linen Bunny Bag.  It can be found under Bags & Totes.  
• This project does not start with a Design, but will be built from elements and text.
• On the Create Your Design Panel, click on Elements and then Shapes.  
• We’re going to spell out the child’s name using the Bubble Letters. 
• Choose the first letter you need and hit apply.  You may need to hit more to find the letter you need. 
• You will need to resize and arrange the letters by using the move and resize icons on each letter.  
• Use this method to add all of the letters you will need.  Lines will appear to help you align the letters.
• You can use the vertical align tool form the right panel to center the letters on the bag.  This is an easy way to make sure the letters are aligned with each other.
• Another thing you should verify is if the letters are the same height.  You can do this by typing the same dimension in the height field of the size on the left panel.  
• Once you have all the letters sized and aligned,  we’ll fill them with a pattern.  
• At this time, they must be filled with patterns that you upload, and not ones in DesignMate.  Because of this, we are proving your artwork for this project!
• Click on the files below and download them to your computer.  
• Once the is done, click on the first letter.  An option menu will pull up on the left.  Click on the button labeled Use this as mask.  
• A new box will appear that allows you to  upload your pattern.  
• Click on the icon and then search for the downloaded designs on your computer.  Select the one you want to use first and click Open. 
• The pattern will fill the letter.   
• If you click the letter, you will get options on the left panel to move your pattern around in the letter and to make the pattern larger or smaller.
• Complete this process for each letter.
• To add the bunny ears to a letter, go to Elements on the  Create Your Design panel. 
• Click on the Graphics Library button.
• In the search bar, look for Easter_Doodle_Bunny_Ears.
• You will need to resize and arrange the graphic by using the move and resize icons on the ears.  Position them on the middle letter.
• Once your design is finished, you can use the print button in the design tool to send the file to PrintMate.
• Once you hit Print, you’ll click Print File. 

How to Print It:

• Make sure that you are seeing the popup to Open PrintMate and are hitting Open PrintMate.  If you are not seeing this, you’ll need to disable your popup blocker.
• In PrintMate, start by scrolling down and making sure  your print orientation is set to portrait.
• For this project, you can use the preset Polyester T-Shirts.
• Make sure that the media size and type match what you have in the printer. T-shirts are set up for tabloid, but if you want a smaller design, set your paper size and then go to design files and click Fit to Paper Size.
• On the Color Management Tab, we suggest having the Color Mode set to Vibrant.
• When you’ve confirmed all of your settings, Hit Print.

How to Press It:

• Turn your press on and set the temperature to 356 degrees and the time to 120 seconds.  Pressure should be medium.
• Prepare your tote by using a lint roller to remove any fibers or dust.  
• Place your design face down on the tote and tape it down.  
• Place the tote on the lower platen of the press with the printed page on top. 
• Place a piece of blowout paper on top.
• Close the press and wait 120 seconds before opening the press and removed the bag.

Tips & Tricks:

• Getting lines on your fabric items?  Ripping the edges of paper helps prevent those hard lines.
• Place blowout paper in the tote to prevent any ink from accidentally getting on the back of the shirt.
• If you are having trouble clicking on letters after you have started to add the patterns, use the send to back option on the right panel to send finished letters behind ones that remain.