How to Sublimate Tapered Tumblers & Make a Wrap Template

Instructions

STEP 1: DOWNLOAD MY FREE DESIGN FILES

First, download the PNG files from my free resource library. It's Design #501.

I have included three adorable Kawaii-themed backgrounds for tumblers.

A beach theme

A tropical fruits theme

And a flowers and bees theme

I've also included accent bands for where the edges meet. They say "Sweet," "Bloom," and "Sunshine."

We'll also be using a free Canva account, a free template maker website (email required), a free file conversion website, and Google Docs to print.

STEP 2: MEASURE YOUR TUMBLER AND CREATE A TEMPLATE

Begin by opening the free template maker website.

Using a flexible measuring tape, measure the top and bottom circumference of the tumbler and its height.

Fill in the Top Circumference, Bottom Circumference, and Height fields with those measurements. My tapered tumbler measures 11.5" at the top, 8.75" at the bottom, and 7" tall.

The next selection is Wrap Coverage. I want the wrap to cover my tumbler 100%, so I'll enter "100" in that field. I want the corners to be squared, so I will enter "0" in the Corner Radius field, and I'll leave the Container Outline box checked.

I'll press "Generate Template" to preview my wrap. If everything looks good, click the orange "Download This Label" button. The website will ask for your email address. Enter your address and click the "Sign Up" button in order to begin the free download.

In order to upload this into Canva, we need to convert the template into a PNG file. I will use this conversion website to convert the PDF to a PNG and remove the background.

On the conversion website, click on the "Choose File" button in the large green upload rectangle on the screen and select "From Device." I'll select the template PDF I saved and click "Open."

Just below that, in the Optional Settings, click to make a checkmark next to "Remove Background."

Scroll past the rest of the options, leaving them on their default settings, and click the green "Start" button at the very bottom. After a few moments, the webpage will refresh. The file will download automatically. If it doesn't, just click the green "Download" button.

Now that my template has been downloaded, I'm ready to open my file in Canva!

STEP 3: UPLOAD YOUR TEMPLATE AND DESIGN FILES TO CANVA

I am using the free version of Canva for this project.

First I'll sign into my account. If you don't have an account, don't worry. It's free to sign up.

On the Home screen, choose "Custom Size" in the upper right corner of the screen. Use the small drop-down to change your units from "px" to "in." Then enter "14" for the width and "8.5" for the height and click "Create new design."

Choose a background image or color you want to use for your design. You can use an image from Canva's library or upload your own. I will be using my adorable Kawaii designs for my tapered tumblers.

To upload your own image, click "Uploads" on the left side of the canvas and the purple "Upload Files" button to select the image file from your computer.

I will use the beach theme image on my tapered tumbler, so I will select that PNG from my downloaded files and upload it to Canva. Clicking on the file from the Uploads menu on the left adds it to my canvas.

Next, I will upload the template PNG to Canva and crop it slightly. After uploading, the template PNG will appear black in the Canva Uploads menu but don't worry, it's there. Click on the black box to add the template to your canvas.

You'll notice some rectangles on the sides of the bounding box. I will move those handles on the sides of the bounding box inward until the upper edges of the template and the bounding box are almost touching. Repeat this for both the top and bottom of the template as well. This will make it easier to measure the template and ensure it's the correct size.

Next, I'll use the rulers on the screen to adjust the template size. If you don't see rulers on your canvas, click "File" (next to "Home" at the top) and then "View Settings." Select "Show rulers and guides." 

Using the ruler on top of the canvas, line up the top left corner of the template to the "0" mark in the upper left-hand corner. Use the circle handle in the bottom right-hand corner to resize the width of the template to the 11.5" mark.

Since I have the template set, I can use the resize circles on the corners of the bounding box and adjust the size of the background image. I will resize it to 12" wide x 8.5" tall.

Now that I have the background and template uploaded and resized, it's time for the accent band that will help create a seamless tumbler wrap. I'll click on "Upload files" again in the Uploads tab, locate the "Sunshine" accent band PNG, and add it to my canvas.

Now, I will drag it to the right-hand side of my tumbler template, and use the rotate handle on the bottom of the bounding box to angle it 11° until it lines up with the edge of the template.

Use the rectangles on the top and bottom of the bounding box to resize the accent band to 8.7" so that the edges are pushed just off the canvas.

I will mask off the sides of the design using squares from the Elements menu on the left side of the screen. Since I don't need to fill the entire page with ink, I will create rectangles to cover the parts of the design I'm not going to use. And since my tumbler is tapered, the edges will need to be at an angle.

To add a square shape, click on the "Elements" tab on the left-hand side of the canvas and then select the square from the "Lines & Shapes" category. After adding the square to my canvas, I will change the color to white by clicking on the color box at the top of my canvas.

Using the circle on the bottom corner of the bounding box, drag the edge of the square until it's 8.7" tall. Line it up with the left side of the template and use the rotate icon below it to angle the rectangle -11° until it lines up with the edge of the template.

Repeat with the right side, aligning another white rectangle to the edge of the template and rotating it 11°.

Resize the rectangles off the edge of the canvas until the background image is no longer visible except for the area inside the template.

Click on the "Position" button at the top of the canvas. Select the "Layers" tab and "All" in the menu that appears on the left. Find the template layer and hover your cursor over it. Click the three dots that appear in the top right corner and click "Delete" to delete the layer.

Now I will select everything on the canvas by clicking and dragging a box over all the objects on my canvas. With everything selected, click "Group."

My tumbler wrap file is almost finished! All that is left to do is click the "Share" button at the upper right-hand corner of the canvas. When a new menu opens, click "Download." I will leave the file type as "PNG" and click the purple "Download" button.

NOTE: If you have a free account, you cannot adjust the file size, but that's OK! The default size works perfectly.

TIP: If you want to learn more about designing your own files, check out my Canva workshop! I’ll teach you how to make several kinds of designs with their free, fun, and powerful tools! You can find more information at jennifermaker.com/canva-workshop.

STEP 4: USE GOOGLE DOCS TO PRINT YOUR TUMBLER WRAP

Next, I'll be printing my tapered tumbler wrap using Google Docs.

NOTE: If you're not logged into your Google account, you will be prompted to do so.

Create a new document by clicking on the multicolored plus sign. Next, readjust the size and settings for your page using the File menu at the top of the screen. From "File," select "Page Setup." Adjust the settings to match mine:

• Apply to: Whole document
• Orientation: Landscape
• Margins all set to 0
• Paper size: Legal (8.5" x 14")

Click "OK" to save the settings.

Next, click on "Insert" at the top, select "Image," and click "Upload from computer". Navigate to the file you saved earlier. It may be in your recent files or the Downloads folder.

The design will be added to the page at the correct size. Now we're ready to print!

Click on the Printer icon at the top and proceed through the print settings. Be sure to change the paper size to Legal (8.5" x 14") and the scale to 100. Under Layout, make sure "Flip horizontally" is checked. For Print Settings, select "Premium Presentation Paper Matte" and "High Quality."

NOTE: Due to variances between printers, computers, and operating systems, your settings might not look exactly like mine. The most important things to keep in mind are mirroring your design and selecting the highest print quality.

Make sure you have sublimation paper loaded correctly into your printer and click "Print."

I will use my converted Epson Ecotank with Hiipoo ink, but feel free to use any sublimation printer and sublimation ink you'd like.

After printing your page, allow it to dry for a few minutes.

STEP 5: SUBLIMATE YOUR TAPERED TUMBLER

I'll double-check the time and temperature for sublimating tapered tumblers by consulting my Sublimation Cookbook, page 36.

Preheat the convection oven to 375°F (190°C). I like to use an oven thermometer placed right in the center to ensure the temperature is correct before I place my tumblers inside.

While waiting for the convection oven, I will prep my tapered tumbler. Use a small amount of alcohol and a lint-free cloth to wipe down the outside of the tumbler to remove any oils or lint from the surface.

With the printed side facing the tumbler, begin with the accent band side of the wrap and roll the paper around the tumbler, leaving the accent band ends visible at both the top and bottom of the tumbler. Ensure the accent band is positioned vertically.

Once you've wrapped the sublimation print around the tumbler, slip the left-hand edge of the paper under the accent band, and use a pencil to make a line along the edge. Use a paper trimmer or scissors to trim the excess and wrap the tumbler again. The trimmed edge will overlap the accent band just slightly.

Use 3 pieces of heat-resistant tape -- at the top, middle, and bottom -- to hold the wrap in place tightly around the tumbler. Continue taping over the seam, keeping the wrap tight.

Use a pair of scissors to trim away the excess paper just above the rim of the tumbler.

Use several short lengths of heat-resistant tape along the top edge of the tumbler, starting with the North, South, East, and West points, then filling in the space between.

Next, trim the excess wrap away from the bottom of the tumbler. Use several short lengths of heat-resistant tape along the bottom edge of the tumbler, starting with the North, South, East, and West points, then filling in the space between.

Cover the tumbler in a layer of butcher paper and tape it in place.

There are a few different ways to wrap a tapered tumbler for sublimation. The first option is to use shrink-wrap tubes as I did in my previous Sublimation Tumblers tutorial.

Another option is to use thick silicone bands to hold the wrap in place. These work very well spaced out evenly over the tumbler.

The third option is to use a silicone sleeve. It's easy to use and locks with a click. You can also make it tighter by pulling the edge pieces.

When the convection oven is preheated, carefully place the prepared tumbler in the oven and set a timer for 6 minutes, rotating it 180° halfway through. Be sure to wear your heat-proof gloves!

After the time is up, remove the tumbler from the oven with a heat-proof glove and allow it to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Remove the shrink-wrap or silicone sleeve, tape, and paper, and enjoy!

STEP 6: SHOW IT OFF!

Here is my adorable Kawaii-themed tapered tumbler all finished.

These adorable, cheerful designs are perfect for taking a drink to the pool, or the park, and also make a fabulous gift!

To make your sublimation print last, only handwash the tumblers with warm soapy water. Remember to check your tumbler's instructions in case they're different!