How to Sublimate a Tumbler

Have you seen other crafters turn out seamless sublimation tumblers but you can't seem to get a hang of it? Don’t sweat it. Personalizing drinkware is an easy and fun way to make unique gifts or build a customizing business. This article provides step-by-step guidelines on sublimating a tumbler, the different methods, and the supplies you need for this project. Ready to get started? Let's get right into it.

Here is a full list of the requirements for an absolute sublimation beginner.

The tumbler should be sublimation-ready, meaning it should have a polymer coating that bonds with the sublimation ink, without which the process won’t be effective. Many crafters prefer using stainless steel and aluminum tumblers because of their durability. 

Smaller tumblers, 12 and 20 oz, might limit the design area but have a great visual impact. Larger tumblers 30 or 40 oz, have more space for detailed designs. If you are designing tumblers for sale, go for the 20 oz tumblers because they are the most popular and fit most cup holders.

First, let us look at how to make and print the design.

You can use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva to create or edit a design. I like Canva because of its simple interface, has many beautiful templates, and vast tools. To use Canva, start by logging in to the platform. If you don’t have an account, create one by filling in the simple sign-in form on the website.

Then using a blank canvas set the dimensions of the design to customize the size and start designing. You can also edit the templates available by playing around with different colors, texts, and graphics. For more personalization, you can upload images from your desktop or your downloads. Remember that larger fonts work better for sublimation as they are easier to read. Use Canva’s alignment tools for centering, layering, and resizing the design’s elements.

All sublimation designs have to be mirrored. Unfortunately, Canva does not have a built-in flip function for the design before downloading. You can either transfer the design to an external editor with the flip function or download the design and upload it as an image, then manually flip it using the rotate function.

For the best quality, download the design in PNG format, and set the resolution to 300 DPI.

Set up your printer, ensuring it has enough and compatible sublimation ink, and that sublimation paper is loaded in the paper tray. Open and mirror the design (if it's not yet mirrored) in the printing software.

Why mirroring is important: when the image is printed in reverse, it is transferred in the correct orientation on the tumbler. If not, it will appear mirrored in the final result.

Adjust the print settings including the sublimation paper type and the printing mode. Trim away the white edges after printing.

The tumbler has to be in good condition for a flawless transfer without any inconsistencies. Wash it with warm water to remove oils, dirt and other contaminants then completely dry it using a lint-free cloth.

Wrap the design on the tumbler in an upright position then secure it in place using heat-resistant tape. 

If there are any air bubbles trapped under the sublimation paper, push them out using a squeegee.

There are two common sublimation methods for tumblers.

This alternative method is ideal for transferring sublimation designs on cylindrical objects. A conventional oven produces the heat needed to sublimate the ink and transfer it to the tumbler.

Start by preheating the oven to 375F. Refer to the manufacturer's specifications for accurate heat and time settings. Getting the heat setting right is critical as overheating the tumbler could distort the design or burn the polymer coating.

Conventional ovens have slight temperature variations. I recommend using an oven thermometer to ensure the temperatures remain consistent. Placing silicon bands around the tumbler or wrapping it with heat-resistant tape evenly and consistently distributes the heat, and secures the sublimation paper in place throughout the transfer.

Line the tumbler with aluminum foil for extra protection and place it on an oven rack. Depending on the size of the tumbler, the time should be set between 6 and 10 minutes. Tumblers with thicker materials or relatively larger dimensions require more time than smaller ones. About halfway through the set time, rotate the tumbler 180 degrees for an even transfer on all sides.

If the design has not fully transferred after the timer goes out, leave the tumbler in the oven for an additional 2 minutes. With your heat-resistant gloves on, remove the tumbler from the oven and leave it to cool for a few minutes before peeling the heat-resistant tape and sublimation sheet.

This method uses a heat press machine or a tumbler heat press to transfer the sublimation design using heat and pressure. A dedicated tumbler press is easier to use than a general heat press.

Set up the heat press by adjusting the heat, pressure, and time settings. The recommended sublimation temperature is between 375F to 400F depending on the tumbler’s thickness. The pressing time is between 50 to 60 seconds, with medium or high pressure. Remember to check for the manufacturer’s specified guidelines for more accuracy.

Set the pressure to medium for handled tumblers as high temperatures might damage the handle.

Place a Teflon sheet around the sublimation paper to protect the heat press from any ink residue from the design, then place the tumbler in the heat press. 

If your tumbler has handles, place it with the handle facing away from the heated area. This is to prevent it from getting too hot which might weaken the handle or discolor it.

After the timer goes off, remove the hot tumbler use heat-resistant gloves, and leave it to cool for a few minutes. Then carefully remove the heat-resistant tape and peel off the sublimation paper revealing the transferred design on the tumbler.

For enhanced design quality and durability, you can add a layer of protective clothing after the tumbler has fully cooled.

First, check for any residue from the heat-resistant tape. If any, wipe it away using rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth. Then, apply a thin film of food-safe and heat-resistant sealant (optional) all around the tumbler. Finish up with a final clean using a microfiber cloth to remove any fingerprints.

Seamless sublimation designs mean that the design completely wraps around the tumbler with no visible start or end point. Although the smooth continuous appearance is aesthetically appealing, achieving it might seem a challenge especially if the sublimation paper’s edges are not perfectly aligned, or the design does not perfectly cover the entire circumference.

If your seamless design has faint lines, gaps, or mismatches where the edges meet, you should follow these steps.

Measure the tumbler’s height and width and add an extra 2mm to both measurements to slightly overlap. These measurements should be an exact match of the design’s dimensions. Then follow the above procedure for designing and printing.

Use scissors to trim out white edges and excess paper for a tight fit around the tumbler.

Wrap the sublimation sheet around the tumbler. The edges should meet precisely. Then, use heat-resistant tape to seal the line along which they meet.

Use a flat-edged scraper or squeegee and press along the seal to get rid of any trapped air. Then smooth the sublimation paper evenly to remove wrinkles and gaps.

Cover the tumbler using a shrink wrap sleeve (optional) for even pressure application, and shrink it using a heat gun until it’s a tight fit.

Enjoy and show off the sublimated tumble!