How to Make It: Easter Floor Mat

Skill Level: Intermediate

Tools & Supplies to Make It:

• DesignMate+ Membership
• Sawgrass SG500 or SG1000 Printer
• 15”x15” or larger Flat Press
• 11”x17” or larger sublimation paper
• Floor Mat
• 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, we’ll be using a  Custom Canvas.  From the product menu, choose  Open Custom Canvas.  
• Neither our SG500 or SG1000 would fit paper large enough to cover the entire mat.  You can flex this design to fit your print size capabilities. 
• Set your dimensions to your paper size.  If you’d like to add a bleed, that can serve as a margin.  Just make sure to make your canvas slightly smaller than your paper so the bleed does not make it bigger than your paper.
• Once your canvas size is set, click Design Your Canvas.
• On the Create Your Design Panel, click on Elements and then  Backgrounds.  
• Make sure to go to the Patterns tab and search for the background Easter_Floral_Simple_Pink. Click to select it and then click done to use it. 
• With the sliders, you can adjust the size and style of the pattern.  When you are finished editing, hit done again to apply it.  
• Since the background will not fill the entire mat, you can choose to skip adding it.  
• To add the letters for Hop, choose Fonts from the Create Your Design panel.  
• In the text box on the left, type the letter H.
• From the pull down menu, choose the font Sunny Spells, click on the Fill Color and use Hex Code #8DC5BA.  When you are finished, make sure to click done.
• Repeat the same process for the letter P.
• To add the phrase on in, choose Fonts from the Create Your Design panel.  
• From the pull down menu, choose the font Mama, click on the Fill Color and use Hex Code #F0A48A.  When you are finished, make sure to click done.
• Next, on the  Create Your Design panel, go to Elements and then Graphic Elements.
• Use the filter and click the plus next to Holiday and then choose Easter.
• Scroll down to the yellow bunny and choose it.
• To reduce or enlarge the image size use the resize icon on the group to adjust the size and the move icon to locate it between the two letters.
• Use the filter and click the plus next to Holiday and then choose Easter.
• Choose the floral stem from the top row.  
• To reduce or enlarge the image size use the resize icon on the group to adjust the size and the move icon to locate it on the bunny.
• You will also use the rotate icon to slightly angle it.  
• When your design is finished, hit the Print button to send the file to PrintMate.

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 Landscape.
• For this project, since it is fabric, you can use the preset Polyester T-Shirts.
• Make sure that the media size and type match what you have in the printer. 
• 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 365 degrees and the time to 60 seconds.  Pressure should be medium to heavy.
• Prepare your mat by using a lint roller to remove any fibers or dust.  
• Place your design face down on the door mat and tape it down.  
• Place the mat 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 60 seconds before opening the press and removed the door mat.

Tips & Tricks:

• Getting lines on your fabric items?  Ripping the edges of paper helps prevent those hard lines.
• If you have a smaller press and a larger item, custom canvas is a great way to make a print area that works for you.  
• Removing the background is one way to adjust a design for a smaller area.  If you like the idea of the background pattern, you can always frame it by putting a rectangle behind it and making it a complimentary solid color.