Make a Glow in the Dark Tumbler With Reverse Sublimation

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE GLOW IN THE DARK TUMBLER DESIGNS

First, download my Glow in the Dark Tumbler files from my free library – look for Design #767. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the PNG folder, you’ll find my “path,” “spark,” and “stream” tumbler designs, which have been specially created to look amazing in both daylight and in the dark. I made these designs with the help of AI art generation and adjusted them with image editing software.

I’ll show you how to use these files to print a sublimation wrap and apply it to a 20 oz. straight-sided, glow-in-the-dark tumbler like the one in my supplies list.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload PNG files.

STEP 2: MEASURE YOUR TUMBLER’S DESIGN AREA

1. Use the looped measuring tape to find the tumbler’s circumference to get the wrap’s width. Record your measurement on a piece of scrap paper.
   NOTE: The tumbler in my list is 9.19” around.
   
   
2. Then measure the tumbler’s height to see how tall the wrap should be and record the measurement.
   TIP: If your tumbler is indented at the top and bottom, only measure the straight edge.
   NOTE: The sublimation area for my tumbler is 8.1” high.
   
   

STEP 3: PRINT YOUR TUMBLER’S REVERSE SUBLIMATION DESIGN

1. Open Google Docs in the Google Chrome web browser on your computer.
   NOTE: You will need a free Google account to use the free Google Docs software.
   TIP: You can also download and open the Google Docs app, but you’ll have limited access to features, so I do not recommend it on a mobile device.
2. Click “Blank document” at the top left to open a new document.
   
3. Go to the File menu and select “Page setup.”
4. Select the bubble next to “Landscape” to better fit the wrap’s orientation.
5. Change your Paper Size to match your sublimation paper size.
   NOTE: I’m using 8.5” x 11” or letter-size paper.
6. Change your margins to “0” to use more of the page.
   
   
7. Click “OK” to apply the settings.
8. Click the area that says “Untitled document” at the top and type a name for the file.
9. Go to the “Insert” menu, select “Image,” and select “Upload from Computer.”
   
   
10. Select the PNG file with your sublimation design.
    TIP: You’ll most likely find it in your Downloads folder.
    NOTE: I’ll demonstrate with the “path” design.
11. Click “Open” to add the image to your document.
    NOTE: My glow-in-the-dark tumbler designs are high-contrast images with dark areas in the foreground and lighter areas in the background. The light areas of the design are where the glow from the tumbler will shine through. We call this “reverse sublimation” since we put less ink on the areas we want to be bright and vibrant.
12. Select the image and click “Image Options” at the top of the canvas.
    NOTE: You can also open the menu by going to “Format,” “Image,” and “Image Options.”
    
    
13. Select “Size & Rotation.”
14. Keep the “Lock aspect ratio” box checked to maintain the design’s proportions.
15. Change the “Width” field to 9.37” to account for a slight overlap at the seam.
    NOTE: These designs were made to fit the tumbler in my supplies list, with the overlap built into the design. When the width is set to 9.37”, the seam line falls at 9.19”, which matches the tumbler’s width. If you use a different tumbler, add about 3/16”, or 0.188”, to the width of your design to make sure your print overlaps at the seam.
    
    
16. Make sure the “Height” field automatically adjusts proportionately.
    NOTE: If you use a different tumbler than the one in my list, the adjusted height might not match your tumbler’s size. I recommend using these designs with the tumblers in my list.
17. Click the image and select the “Wrap text” icon from the menu that appears below it.
    
    NOTE: This setting lets you move the design anywhere on the page.
18. Click and drag the image to the center of your page to ensure nothing will get cut off at the edges.
    
    
19. Go to the “File” menu and choose “Print.”
20. Select your sublimation printer under “Destination.”
21. Click the arrow beside “More Settings,” and then click “Print Using System Dialog.”
    
    
22. Your print menu may look different. Just make sure that you “Mirror” the image and select the highest quality matte paper setting. Double-check the sublimation printer and paper size settings to make sure they are correct.
    NOTE: The “Mirror” option is sometimes labeled as “Flip Horizontally.” If you’re having trouble finding these options, they are sometimes found under a “Layout” section or tab.
    
    
23. Load a sheet of sublimation paper correctly into your sublimation printer.
    NOTE: Check the packaging for information on how to load the paper.
24. Click “Print.”
25. Allow the print to dry before handling it, as the ink can smear.
    
    NOTE: The printed design will appear less vibrant before pressing.
26. Your print is ready to apply to your tumbler!

STEP 4: SECURE THE PRINT TO YOUR TUMBLER

1. Lay the printed design face down on your work surface.
2. Place a long strip of heat-resistant tape along a vertical seam edge so it covers about 1/4” of the print’s edge to prevent dark edges on your tumbler where the seam overlaps.
   NOTE: I recommend using the yellow heat-resistant tape in my supplies because it’s thinner and narrower than blue tape, leading to fewer issues at the seam. It’s also stretchier and easier to apply to the top and bottom of the tumbler.
   
   TIP: Use a Cricut BrightPad or lightbox to make the edge of the print easier to see.
3. Use scissors to trim away excess tape on the top and bottom sides.
   
   
4. Use a paper trimmer to cut the taped seam edge right along the print so no white is remaining at the edge.
   TIP: Don’t trim away more than ⅛” of the print’s edge or you won’t be able to overlap the seam, resulting in a white line on your tumbler.
   NOTE: Don’t get your fingers near the blade!
   
   
5. Use the paper trimmer to cut away excess white paper along the other seam edge.
6. Then use the paper trimmer to cut away excess white paper along the top edge of the print.
   TIP: Leaving extra paper at the bottom of the print makes it easier to tape later.
   
   
7. Clean your tumbler with a lint-free cloth and rubbing alcohol to remove debris or skin oils and let it dry.
   
   
8. Wrap the design around the tumbler with the ink facing in and with the elements oriented correctly.
   TIP: Try not to touch your clean tumbler or the print to avoid smudging or damaging the ink.
   
   
9. Flip the tumbler and wrap upside down, then tap the edges on the work surface. Use the wrap’s visible print edge at the tumbler’s bottom to line up the seam.
   
   
10. Once the edges are aligned, wrap the print tightly against the tumbler.
11. Use tumbler clamps to hold the print in place.
    
    
12. Lay the tumbler on its side horizontally and place a vertical piece of heat-resistant tape securely on the untaped seam edge near the middle. Don't let the tape touch the other edge of the print or the tumbler yet.
    
    
13. Pull the loose section of the tape to wrap the print as tight as possible, with the untaped edge overlapping the taped edge.
    NOTE: Taping the wrap down tightly and avoiding wrinkles or air pockets will help prevent inconsistencies during sublimation.
14. Then press the tape across the seam, onto the back of the taped edge.
    
    
15. Use short strips of heat-resistant tape across the seam on the top and bottom edges of the print to pull the paper tightly around the tumbler and secure it.
    
    
16. Secure the wrap with short pieces of tape across the seam between the middle and the top edge, and the middle and the bottom edge.
    
    
17. Remove the tumbler clamp.
18. Apply a long piece of heat-resistant tape along the seam from top to bottom, allowing excess tape on both ends.
    
    
19. Pressing outward from the center, use your scraper to press the tape down tightly along the seam to seal it, and along the edge of the overlap to press the top layer fully against the tumbler.
20. Thinking of it like a compass, hold the tumbler so the bottom is facing you and the excess tape is in the North position at the top.
    NOTE: Avoid setting the opposite end on your work surface so you don’t bunch up the loose tape!
21. Use scissors to snip the print along the excess tape’s sides, just to the rim of the tumbler.
    
    
22. Pull the excess tape and attached paper tab tightly toward the tumbler’s bottom center.
23. Press the tape firmly onto the tumbler, making sure there are no air bubbles between the tape and the tumbler.
    TIP: Use a scraper tool to press out bubbles if needed.
    
    
24. Add a strip of tape in the bottom’s south position, allowing excess tape on the free end.
    TIP: Rotating the tumbler can make it easier to add the tape.
    NOTE: This extra taping helps ensure even coverage at the ends.
    
    
25. Repeat Steps 21-23 to secure the South piece of tape to the tumbler.
    
    
26. Then secure the East and West sides of the tumbler’s bottom the same way, as well as all of the intermediate positions between the taped sides, for a total of eight pieces of tape.
    
    
27. Now there are eight tabs remaining between the pieces of tape. Use scissors to cut each of these tabs down the middle, making a total of 16 tabs.
28. Using the same method as above, secure each of these sixteen tabs to the tumbler’s bottom with heat-resistant tape.
    
    
29. To secure the top of your tumbler, pull the excess tape from the seam over the edge and press it to the inside of the tumbler.
    TIP: The tape is a little stretchy, but that’s okay! Stretching helps secure the tape tightly around the tumbler’s top edge.
    
    
30. Then add and secure heat-resistant tape in the cardinal directions, intermediate directions, and all around the tumbler’s top edge, similar to the way you taped the bottom.
31. Use your scraper tool to go over all areas of tape to make sure there are no air bubbles.
32. Your tumbler is ready to shrink wrap and sublimate!
    
    

STEP 5: SHRINK WRAP AND SUBLIMATE YOUR TUMBLER

IMPORTANT: Before sublimating, open a window and turn on your fan to improve your ventilation.

1. Place a silicone baking mat onto the sublimation convection oven’s wire tray.
   TIP: This will keep the tumbler from rolling later.
2. Place an oven thermometer in the center to make sure the temperature is correct.
   
   
3. Preheat your convection oven to 375°F (191°C).
   TIP: I’ll use the settings that I’ve found work the best for this type of project, but if you’re not sure where to start, check out my Sublimation Cookbook to get time and temperature settings for tons of sublimation projects!
   NOTE: If your tumbler is a different brand from the one in my list, check the manufacturer’s heating instructions to find the best temperature setting for your tumbler.
4. Put on your heat-resistant gloves.
5. Grab a shrink-wrap sleeve that is the right size for your tumbler.
   NOTE: During testing, I found that the shrink-wrap sleeves that come with the glow-in-the-dark tumblers in my list were prone to melting and came apart in a sticky mess in my oven. I recommend purchasing and using the shrink-wrap sleeves in my supplies list instead.
6. Open the shrink-wrap sleeve and pull it over your tumbler.
7. Turn your heat gun to a low setting and slowly heat the wrap until it conforms to the tumbler.
   NOTE: Try not to focus your heat on one area for a long period of time to avoid starting the sublimation process prematurely.
   
   
8. Use the heat gun to smooth out loose areas of the wrap, but don’t make the wrap too tight or it will pull apart in the oven.
9. Allow the tumbler to cool.
10. Once the tumbler is cool and the oven is at the correct temperature, lay the prepared tumbler horizontally on the silicone baking mat.
    TIP: Keep your gloves on, the oven is hot!
    NOTE: I recommend baking only one tumbler at a time to avoid issues like uneven heating or shrink-wrap sticking together.
    
    
11. Heat the tumbler for six minutes, rotating once halfway through with your gloves on.
    NOTE: This helps even out the heat on the tumbler.
12. After six minutes, the tumbler will be VERY hot. With your gloves on, carefully take it out of the oven and let it rest on a cooling rack for one to two minutes until it’s safer to handle.
    
    
13. While the tumbler is still warm, carefully peel away the shrink-wrap, tape, and sublimation paper to reveal your design!

STEP 6: SHOW IT OFF

Now you know how to sublimate a glow in the dark tumbler that looks beautiful day or night! You can use any light in the house to charge your tumbler, but letting it sit in direct sunlight for a few hours gave me the brightest glow!