Do you want to create a pro-looking tumbler in the comfort of your home? But don’t know how to sublimate a tumbler? Then you are at the right place.
Whether you want to customize a tumbler for yourself or want to create an unforgettable gift for your loved ones, this article will cover the step-by-step process of sublimating a tumbler for beginners.
There I will be using a Cricut mug press, as the heat presses that come up with the mug press are bulky and take up a chunk of space but I’m limited on space. Plus the Cricut mug press automatically sets the temperature and pressure. So, you don’t have to worry about doing it manually. Isn’t that amazing!
Choosing A Right Tumbler For Easy Sublimation
There are different types of tumblers out there in the market, made up of different kinds of materials, sizes, and shapes, but you cannot sublimate any tumbler. For high-quality and long-lasting results, you need to have a tumbler with a specialized poly coating so it may resist heat while heating with a circuit mug press. For a beginner, you should stick to tapered tumblers instead of tumblers with straight walls since tapered tumblers can be tricky. Tumblers with straight walls are easier to handle and allow for a more consistent press.
Things You Need To Sublimate A Tumbler
- Tumbler Blank
- Sublimation Printer
- Sublimation paper
- Cricut Mug Press
- Heat resistant tape
- Heat Resistant Gloves
Firstly, you need to select a design or template you want to have on your tumbler. You can find a variety of designs and templates on Circut Space. Or you can use any of your favorite software Like Canva, Adobe Photoshop/illustrator to design an image. Alternately, Etsy Store also offers many good and reasonably priced templates that you can purchase in just a few dollars. For this tutorial, I have used Canva as a design tool.
In order to print my design on sublimation paper, I use my Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 sublimation printer. It is one of my favorite printers because it produces a great printout and is also extremely easy to operate. I suggest staying away from using regular printers, paper, or ink if you want your results to be high-quality. It dramatically affects the quality of print. If you use any standard printer paper or ink, the result may be devastating.
Also See:
What Is The Best Sublimation Ink For Dye Sublimation?
How to Sublimate Tote Bags
Kodak Dock PD450W Photo Printer Review, Specs, Pros and Cons
Canon PIXMA G5020 MegaTank Review, Specs, Pros, and Cons:
After then, we have done with the printing process, It is time to sublimate 🙂
Before adding sublimation to tumblers and mugs, I always lint roll them. A piece of hair or any dust particles may prevent the ink from sublimating at the spot! It’s wise to get rid of them!
Wrap the paper tightly around the tumbler blank and seal it with heat-resistant tape. You can buy tumbler blanks online at any e-commerce store. I have bought mine from Amazon.
Now get ready to Press. As I am using the Cricut Mug Press, I simply placed my tumbler in the machine, press the lever, and set the timer for three minutes. 3 minutes later, I rotate the tumbler about 3 inches while wearing gloves and press back it again. And then wait for another three minutes!
Rotate once more with the bottom facing down, then press for three more minutes. By doing this tumbler gets pressed from top to bottom.
Then I removed the tumbler from the Cricut press and let it cool. And now comes my favorite part: removing the tape and paper. I am so thrilled with the results!
Wrap Up!
I hope you have now gained some insight into how to sublimate your tumbler at home after reading this guide. Please feel free to ask me any further questions you might have, I’ll be happy to assist. Thanks for stopping by. Good luck with your sublimation!