The industry of sublimation printing is much larger than we think. Tumblers sublimation printing is one of the parts of that industry. Beginners might think that sublimating the tumblers is difficult. But it is not.
The process of sublimation printing is the same for almost all of the apparel and accessories, such as cup coasters, tiles, t-shirts, or pillowcases. The difference comes in with heat transferring the print on each of them.Today’s article will cover everything that any beginner needs to know about sublimation printing on tumblers.
Sublimation Printing On Skinny 20oz Tumblers – Everything You Need To Know
Sublimation on any size tumblers needs to be done attentively and carefully. Because single negligence can result in faded sublimated corners on the tumblers.There are two ways to sublimate a tumbler, both are explained underneath. Whichever fits you the best, you can try that one.
Go to top
List Of The Materials You Need For Sublimation On Tumblers
Sublimation Printer:
A sublimation printer is the first need for any project of sublimation printing. It is used to print the design that you wanna sublimate on a substrate such as a tumbler here.
You can use any sublimation printer for sublimation purposes. For more info about sublimation printers, you can check out this sublimation printers.
Heat Press Machine OR Convection Oven:
There are two ways to heat transfer a tumbler. Heat press machine and Convection oven. You can use any one of them. Both give the same results. But the process of each is different from each others.
Tumbler Blanks:
The most important thing for sublimation on tumblers. There are a variety of tumblers in the market, the most common and used is stainless steel white tumbler. White is kinda necessary because sublimation printing can not print that’s why if you have any white design in the print it will not appear on the darker substrate.
Click here to check some of the best tumblers for sublimation on amazon (tumbler for sublimation).
Sublimation Paper and Ink:
Both accessories are needed just like others and without this sublimation on tumblers is not possible as well. Sublimation ink is probably with the sublimation printer. But make sure you are using the best quality sublimation paper for sublimating on tumblers. Standard paper can not be used for this purpose.
Heat Gloves and Heat-Resisting Tape:
The heat-resisting tape will be used to keep the tumbler and printed sublimation paper aligned together while transferring the print from paper to the tumbler using heat transfer.
Heat Gun and Shrink Wrap:
Heat gun and shrink wrap are only required if you are using a convection oven for sublimation on the tumbler. If you are doing it via a tumbler heat press machine then you don’t need these two accessories.
Go to top
How To Sublimate A Tumbler In Over and Tumbler Heat Press Machine – Complete Process
Sublimation on tumblers has a few simple steps that should be done to achieve the best vibrant result. Follow these steps to achieve great vibrant colors sublimation on your tumblers.
Step 1:
Step one is to prepare your design and other needed accessories. Once you prepared your design on your computer and accessories on the table, preheat the convection oven or a heat press. The one you are using.
Step 2:
Then print your design on sublimation paper using a sublimation printer. Adjust the height and width of the design so it can match the perfect length and width of the tumbler.
Step 3:
Once printing is done, place the paper on a desk and place the white blank tumbler on it. Adjust the tumbler in the middle and wrap the paper around it. Make sure it wraps it tightly and once you wrap, tape the edge of the paper with heat-resisting tape so it can not get loose while heat transferring.
Step 4:
Once the wrapping is done, you can heat press it using a heat press machine for 60-90 seconds. Depending on a heat press for the tumbler, you are using. So adjust accordingly.
If you are using a convection oven then after wrapping the tumbler, put it in the shrink wrap, and using a heat gun shrink the wrap. Start giving heat to the tumbler from one end to another and make sure that the shrink wrap is wrapped tightly with ends after heating.
Step 5:
Once you wrapped the shrink wrap to the tumbler and printed sublimation paper. Place it to the pre-heated convection over for 3-5 minutes. The hint about print being transferred to the tumbler is you will be able to see the print on the tumbler and print on the paper getting lighter within the oven.
Step 6:
Once it is transferred completely, using heat gloves hold it and place it a room temperature and let it cool down for 6-8 minutes. Once it’s cooled down, remove the shrink wrap, heat-resisting tape, and printed sublimation paper from it.
You will see a beautiful sublimated tumbler, and your sublimation on the tumbler is completed.
Go to top
Important Points To Keep In Mind While Sublimating A Tumbler
IMPORTANT POINTS
- You should print the design on sublimation paper according to the height and width of the tumbler.
- While wrapping the tumbler with printed sublimation paper, cut one side of the paper until actual print arrives. Use that side underneath while wrapping.
- Make sure to cover the top and button of the tumbler with sublimation paper and shrink wrap paper.
- If your design contains a part of white color, Make sure to use white sublimation blank tumbler. Because sublimation does not print white and if you use a darker color of the tumbler, it will not show the white on it clearly.
- After printing the design on your sublimation paper, let it dry for 2-3 minutes. If you wrap it as soon as you print it, come colors might get transferred because the ink is still wet on the paper. This can result in a waste of that tumbler.
Go to top
Where can I buy sublimation tumblers?
There are many places you can buy sublimation tumblers from. Some of them provide the best quality when it comes to tumblers and some might send you low-quality tumblers.
To make sure that you get the best quality tumbler at affordable prices, here are the top two websites you can buy tumblers from.
- Amazon
- Etsy
Each of them provides a great service and products. The best is to buy from amazon. They have a wide variety of products when it comes to sublimation and specifically tumblers blanks. If you are still confused about which tumbler blank should I buy then click here to check our recommended tumbler for sublimation(Tumbler For Sublimation).
How long does sublimation on tumblers last?
Any print that is being sublimated on any substrate usually lasts as long as the original substrate does. When it comes to tumblers, it is seen that sublimation print lasts around 10 years on a tumbler if it is sublimated correctly.
It also depends on the quality of a tumbler and the process you followed for sublimating the tumbler.
You can also remove the print from any tumbler by heating it in the oven. When a tumbler is a heat the sublimated ink fades away from it. This practice can never make a tumbler like new but may work if your next sublimation design consists of dark colors.
Can you sublimate a tumbler twice?
Yes, you can sublimate a tumbler twice. But it’s not recommended. Because the print of the first print might appear on the new sublimation print and that will not look good.
Instead, you can go for a new tumbler for sublimation purposes. Furthermore sublimating the same tumbler twice has a process of removing the first print which will indirectly cost you your time for removing it. So instead of all these hurdles, you should sublimate on a new tumbler.
Go to top
Conclusion
Sublimation on tumblers is a fun process if you have all the equipment and knowledge available in one place. You can do sublimation on tumblers and can use them as a gift or sell them. Sublimation on tumblers has a huge demand in the market as well.
Lastly, this sublimation is possible with a tumbler heat press as well as a convection oven. You can choose the one that fits the best for you. We hope that this article was helpful for you and you learned new ways and processes of sublimation on tumblers.
FAQs – About Sublimation Tumblers
How to remove sublimation ink from a tumbler?
To remove sublimation print and ink from a tumbler, put your tumbler in an oven for 1 hour, 15 minutes for each quarter facing the backside. Place a simple paper lid on top of your tumbler so any ink will fade away get absorbed in it and do not make your oven messy.
How to remove the strip from a sublimation tumbler?
There is no way to remove it after the sublimation, you should make sure that it is perfectly aligned and taped before sublimation and heat transferring it.
Can you sublimate over sublimation tumbler?
Yes, you can do sublimation on an already sublimated tumbler but before that, you have to remove the whole print and design from it.
The best sublimation printer for tumblers
There are many printers for sublimation and specifically for tumblers. Here is the detailed guide about the best sublimation printers in 2022. In general Epson sublimation printers work great for sublimation printing for tumblers.
Can you remove sublimation ink from the tumbler?
Yes, you can. By heating them in a convection oven for around an hour.
How to print sublimation images for tumblers?
For that, you need to have graphics skills. If you do not have those designing skills then you have to buy some designs from sites like Etsy. Or you can use free images from google as well.
How to prep a tumbler for sublimation?
Preparing a tumbler for sublimation is simple. Tape your printed sublimation paper with a tumbler and make sure to use heat resisting tape.
Can you sublimate on spray-painted tumblers?
Yes, but only if you successfully remove that spray paint from it OR if the spray paint is light-colored and your sublimation print has a dark color in it. Then you can sublimate on spray-painted tumblers.
What is a sublimation tumbler?
The sublimation tumbler is the tumbler intentionally made for sublimation purposes. Commonly these tumblers come in white color because you can’t print white with sublimation and sublimation gives thee great results on while substrates.
Why are my sublimation tumblers dull?
The possible answer is your convection oven OR tumbler heat press settings. If those are correct then you are heat transferring your tumblers for more than needed.
FAQs
How does sublimation printing work for tumblers? ›
A sublimation tumbler is a stainless steel or tumbler made from another material that has been “printed” with a type of ink transfer called sublimation. Sublimation is a chemical process that takes a solid to a gaseous state, skipping the liquid phase.
Do I wipe tumbler with alcohol before sublimation? ›STEP 3: PREPARE YOUR PRINT AND TUMBLER FOR SUBLIMATION. Use a lint free cloth with some rubbing alcohol to clean the tumbler for a better transfer.
Do sublimation tumblers scratch easily? ›Glass sublimation tumblers are the most fragile and can break easily. Plastic sublimation tumblers are more durable but can scratch easily.
Why did my sublimation tumbler burn? ›The temperature is too high on the heat press.
Verify the correct temperature is being used for the application. Also verify that the heat press temperature indicator is showing the true temperature of the heat press. Purchase a digital pyrometer from a sublimation dealer to take readings.
Second, the tumblers are very similar to any other sublimation product where the transfer needs to be placed directly onto the tumbler and needs a constant temperature of 380 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to work properly.
What are the basics of sublimation? ›Just remember these three things: first, use a sublimation printer with sublimation ink, second use a high-heat source, and three, transfer to a sublimation-ready surface. These are the basics. You can deep dive into all of these and expand them more, but there are just three basics — ink, heat, and surface.
What is the best format for sublimation printing? ›For dye-sublimation printing, always provide your artwork in CMYK. This way, even if further adjustments are necessary to get the right results, they will be minimal when compared to submitting it in RGB. If there isn't any color in the images, a grayscale file is the better option.
What is the basic principle of sublimation? ›The change of a solid state directly into its vapour state without passing through the liquid state is called sublimation. This method is used to separate a solid-solid mixture. For example, naphthalene, ammonium chloride, iodine, etc.
What are the do's and don'ts of sublimation? ›- Do – Choose the sublimation for your printed promotional merchandise. ...
- Don't – Order any old design. ...
- Do – Pick the right garments for sublimation T-Shirt printing. ...
- Do – Explore our range of printed T Shirts first! ...
- Don't – Buy before you try! ...
- Do – Wash with care.
Cooling after completion of sublimation
Once you have completed sublimating the image on to the mug, you will have to remove the transfer swiftly so that you can start the cooling process. The reason why you need to cool the mug is to bring the sublimation process to a complete halt.
How do you not get ghosting on sublimation tumblers? ›
The easiest way to prevent ghosting is to ensure the transfer paper remains stationary when taping your panel to it. Ghosting can happen anytime air or air pressure gets underneath the transfer paper — even when the paper is still taped to the panel.
How do you avoid lines in sublimation? ›The simplest way to overcome this is to make the paper larger than the heat press platen the garment is resting on. Most of the time the lines are caused by the thickness of the transfer paper getting implanted into the melted polyester. This only works if the lines are due to the paper, not the press itself.
What is the coating on sublimation tumblers? ›With sublimation, the substrate is really a micro-thin coating of polyester that is applied to a non-sublimatable surface. In other words, sublimation centers more around products which are coated rather than sheet stock (although there are various sublimatable sheet materials available).
Can you sublimate a tumbler twice? ›Tumblers can be sublimated to any number of times as they don't get damaged, however, you must know that the previous print image will appear as a ghost image in the background when it is reheated.
How do you make sublimation colors more vibrant on tumblers? ›- Use high-quality Sublimation ink. ...
- Buy High-Quality Sublimation Paper, ex. ...
- Buy a Sublimation Printer that is designed for sublimation printing. ...
- Open your design in the software of your choice and then the design file.
Heat up the mug press to 350 degrees and set the timer to 50 seconds.
What is the best sublimation paper for tumblers? ›What is the best sublimation paper for tumblers? TexPrint DT Heavy Sublimation Paper is perfect for mugs, tumblers, and other projects. It is available in 5 different sizes but the 4″ x 9.5″ is known as a Mug Sheet.
What are the disadvantages of sublimation printing? ›Sublimation items must have a white or light-coloured print area. Black or dark-coloured surfaces can't be sublimated. The item may lose colour over the months due to the effect of UV rays if it's permanently exposed to direct sunlight. Like all inkjet printers, the printheads may clog if they are not used frequently.
What are the cons of sublimation printing? ›Cons of Sublimation Technology
Because sublimation printing uses special printers and inks, it costs more than other techniques. Another downside is that the printers function at a slow pace. Materials other than polyester can be used but only if they can be coated with the core material.
You do not need to epoxy sublimation tumblers. Sealing tumblers that have been printed using a sublimation transfer is unnecessary. The sublimation ink becomes permanently embedded in the tumbler's material during heating.
How do I stop my sublimation from fading? ›
Fade Stopper color protectant will help retain colors after sublimation printing. Just spray before washing. Colors will remain vibrant and vivid.
What happens if you overheat sublimation? ›Do not overheat the substrate! Applying a sublimated transfer to a hot surface will start the gassing process prematurely, which may lead to ghosting.
Can you put hot drinks in sublimation tumblers? ›Vacuumed sealed to keep drink hot or cold for hours.
What are the sublimation times and temperatures for stainless steel tumblers? ›These can vary somewhat, but we recommend starting at 2200 Idle temperature, 3600 maximum temperature and approximately 50 seconds print time.
What is the easiest printer to convert to sublimation? ›The EcoTank printers have tanks that make it really easy to put in sublimation ink, rather than inkjet ink. It's perfect for home use and, in the end, it is the cheapest sublimation printer. It is an excellent choice when you just want to try out sublimation, and aren't ready for the high cost of the Sawgrass SG500.
What software do I need for sublimation? ›For decades now, CorelDRAW has been one of the leading design software in the market and among the best for sublimation printing. It comes with all the support and features you need for sublimation printing out of the box. CorelDRAW is also affordable and works great with sublimation ICC color profiles.
How do I prepare files for sublimation printing? ›How To Prepare a correct File For Direct To Sublimation Printing Stampa. We recommend saving your print files as PNG. PNG allows you to preserve transparency, maintains resolution, and is a modern, universal format. To save your print ready images in Photoshop or Paint, go to File > Save As > PNG.
What is better than sublimation printing? ›To print on black or dark colors, DTG is a better printing method. Range of colors in the image. Sublimation has some color limitations, especially white. If there is white in your image you may want to go with DTG or DTF printing.
Which is the correct setup for sublimation and why? ›So in order to separate a mixture from non-volatile compound to volatile one, sublimation process is used. The mixture is first heated with the help of a burner. The solid compound sublimes after heating and turns into a gaseous state. Then the gas passes out from the cotton plug.
Is sublimation easy? ›Sublimation is an easy and cost effective way to add product personalization as part of your business. If you've never heard of sublimation, let's define the sublimation process. The technical definition of sublimation is the change of a solid particle directly into a gaseous state.
What is sublimation critical point? ›
The maximum or minimum temperature and pressure beyond which the condition of the substance cannot be altered is referred to as the sublimation critical point.
Do you flip for sublimation? ›Mirroring your image is a very important step when sublimating or using transfer papers. On most substrates if you fail to mirror your image your final product will be printed backwards. Some printers have the capability of mirroring where others do not.
What materials can you not sublimate on? ›What materials are not compatible with sublimation? Cotton – cotton is a natural fibre. It contains no polyester and so has nothing for the sublimation ink to bond to.
How long should you press a tumbler? ›Press at 350 degrees F for 80-100 seconds with medium pressure. If printing a design that wraps around the tumbler, rotate the tumbler and press for another 80-100 seconds. Remove immediately from press once finished and peel hot. Use caution as the item will be very hot.
How long should sublimation ink dry before pressing? ›Yes, wait at least 2 hours before using the printed EasySubli vinyl within your cutter. You could also place the printed EasySubli vinyl, print face up under your heat press for 1-2 minutes before using. The ink could smear if not dry.
How long can you wait to sublimate after printing? ›Surprisingly, once a sublimation transfer is printed, it will last indefinitely until it is pressed.
Do you peel sublimation tumblers hot or cold? ›For textured, cool for 10 minutes before peeling. transfer paper on top. 60 seconds 400°F Medium Remove plastic coating.
Do you mirror image for sublimation tumbler? ›Yes, you should always mirror sublimation transfers. If your design does not contain words, it is not necessary to mirror your design, but it is a good habit to form. Then attach tightly to the tumbler with heat resistant tape to prep for heating. Make sure you take the design right to the edge of the tumbler.
What items do I need to start sublimation? ›In order to get started you'll need the following items: a designated sublimation printer, Sawgrass sublimation ink, sublimation paper, sublimation blanks and a heat press appropriate for the sublimation blank you are working with.
What do you need to start making custom tumblers? ›- Stainless Steel Tumbler.
- Mod Podge.
- Glitter.
- Spray Paint.
- Epoxy Resin.
- Electrical or Painter's Tape.
- Rubber gloves, stir sticks, plastic cups.
- Vinyl for Decals.
What printer do you need for sublimation? ›
Can I sublimate with any printer? No, you will need a special sublimation printer or converted inkjet printer along with special ink and sublimation transfer paper. You cannot sublimate with regular inkjet printing ink or regular paper.
What is the cheapest way to start sublimation? ›One the least expensive ways to try out sublimation printing is by converting an inkjet printer into a sublimation printer. And the cheapest way to do that is with Epson printers — either Epson EcoTank or Epson Workforce.
What is the best heat source for sublimation? ›Heat Source
Generally, sublimation requires heat at about 400 degrees fahrenheit for a successful transfer. Because of this, it's safe to say that a heat press is your best bet.
For a 20 oz skinny tumbler you basically need to print the entire 8.5" x 11" sublimation paper.
What machine do you use to make tumblers? ›Consider picking up a tumbler turner—a relatively small and convenient machine that enables you to decorate cups by pouring, drizzling, or painting tinted resin on them. These machines suspend a cup horizontally while spinning it slowly so you can apply coats with ease.
How much do professional tumblers make? ›| Annual Salary | Weekly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $98,000 | $1,884 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,000 | $1,192 |
| Average | $51,562 | $991 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $576 |
Important features to consider. Size: The most popular tumblers hold around 30 ounces, and among the friends and coworkers who use them daily, that was unanimously the preferred size for sipping cold beverages or ice water.
What kind of Mod Podge for tumblers? ›There isn't one. Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge is the decoupage formula that you can apply to glass, ceramic, and metal – and then you'll be able to wash the item. And when I say “put in the dishwasher,” I mean on the top rack after it cures.
Can a Cricut do sublimation? ›Cricut Infusible Ink sheets are ready to press sublimation transfers and if you convert a printer into a sublimation printer, and print a fun design out onto sublimation paper, that end-product that you just printed out is a ready to press sublimation transfer.
Is it worth getting a sublimation printer? ›Sublimation printing is outstanding for fine lines and details, and arguably one of the best methods for all-over printing. With low set up costs, it is great for small runs, and the printing is so close to permanent it's pretty much unbeatable.
Can I use my regular printer for sublimation? ›
Inkjet printers that use a thermal printing head cannot be used for sublimation printing. As a result inkjet printers manufactured by Canon, Hewlett Packard (HP), Lexmark or Dell are not suitable. Printers that use a Micro Piezo printing head can be used for sublimation printing.