Artist turned sublimator

[cudale]

Hi - my name is Carol Udale trading as Cudale Art. I started sublimating mugs 3 months ago, using the designs and drawings I do and have done over the years. I have 2 degrees in art and design, but it's only when you put your "commercial" hat on, does anything happen. All those secret doodles I did, now everybody wants to see more! Particularly the cat and dog ideas. Is there any body else out there doing their own art work in this way? Would love to hear from you

[Justin]

Hi Carol and welcome to the forum

Justin
DSF Admin

[pisquee]

We're set up primarily printing my wife's art work and designs, although produce for other artist/designers too, sublimation being one of the production techniques we use.
If you want to learn more on the business side of things in terms of art/design (rather than sublimation) then I would highly recommend an e-course called "The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design" which can be found here. This is not our course, just one we have participated in.

[bms]

Welcome along. There are lots of dyesubbers who are artists. We have several around our area and their designs, like water colour paintings feature well on a good number of products. It's always good to see really good artwork/ paintings etc on sublimated products.

[ssp]

I do my own art work and designs for my apparel range that i have started. I also trained as a designer years ago and i am loving getting back into it, with so many ideas all the time.

[cudale]

thanks for the responses and suggestions of courses. For the first time - in over 30 years - I feel I can make a proper business with my art. Teaching fine and I love it, but only part time and definitely not a lot to live on!

[pisquee]

If you go to the big trade shows, like Top Drawer, Pulse and Home and Gift, you will see plenty of artists/designers with sublimated products on their stands - it's always great to see nice designs and artwork on the blanks, and good research to see what's available and what works, along with where art/design/product/colour trends are currently at. Even when not exhibiting at shows, we make a point of going to them to stay in the loop.

[cudale]

A good idea to go to the trade shows as an observer - I'm sure so much is picked up from there. I shall look them up and see where they are in relation to North Wales

[pisquee]

The big/main ones are in London - usually at Earls Court or Olympia