Sublimation printing transfers vibrant, full-color designs onto a specially coated tumbler using heat and pressure, resulting in durable, high-quality images that won’t fade.
- Create Your Design
Sublimation works best with high-resolution, digital images, so ensure that your artwork is at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) for crisp and vibrant results. You can design your image using software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or CorelDRAW. Pay close attention to the dimensions of your tumbler, as you’ll need to adjust your design to wrap around it perfectly without distortions.
- Printing the Design with Sublimation Ink
Sublimation printers, such as those from Sawgrass or Epson, are specifically designed to handle sublimation ink. Standard inkjet or laser printers won’t work for sublimation because the ink must be specially formulated to transfer under heat. Make sure to use sublimation paper for printing, which is designed to hold and release the ink onto the tumbler during the transfer process.
- Cut and Prepare the Transfer
After printing your design, trim the excess sublimation paper to ensure it fits the tumbler perfectly. Wrap the printed sublimation paper tightly around the tumbler, with the design facing inward. To keep the paper securely in place, use heat-resistant tape to prevent movement during pressing. Ensure the tape doesn’t cover any important parts of the design. Additionally, to protect your tumbler from unwanted ink residue or damage, wrap the entire tumbler in protective shrink wrap or a silicone sleeve. This will hold the transfer paper snugly against the tumbler and help create even pressure during the heating process.
- Use a Heat Press or Oven
There are two primary methods for sublimating tumblers.
- Tumbler Heat Press: This machine is specifically designed for cylindrical items like tumblers. Set the press to the recommended temperature (typically 350°F to 400°F or 175°C to 205°C) and apply pressure for around 60 to 90 seconds.
- Convection Oven: If using an oven, preheat it to around 375°F (190°C). Place the wrapped tumbler inside the oven for 6 to 8 minutes, rotating it halfway through to ensure even heating. For this method, you’ll need sublimation shrink wraps or silicone wraps to maintain pressure during the process.
- Cooling and Unwrapping
Once the heating process is complete, carefully remove the tumbler using heat-resistant gloves. The tumbler will be extremely hot, so handle it with care. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before peeling off the shrink wrap or silicone sleeve, along with the sublimation paper.