Sublimation Tumblers: 3 Methods + Seamless Designs!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET OR PREPARE A SUBLIMATION DESIGN

You can use any of my Sublimation Tumbler design files from my resource library, Design #404. You can also make your own design.

Download the files and pick your design.

Today, I’m going to make the rainbow design, but you can use these steps for any of the options in the collection.

Sublimation, especially on objects like tumblers, is more of an art than a guaranteed scientific success. There are many variables at work - ink, print quality, pressure, getting a flat design to fit a round surface, overlapping areas, time, heat variability and more! So please don't expect a perfect, gift-quality result on your first try. Learning any new skill involves experimenting and making a few mistakes. You may also use up materials faster while you learn, so start with extra paper, prints, tumblers, and shrink wrap tubes if possible. Remember, an "imperfect" decorated tumbler will still hold your coffee perfectly while you craft!

STEP 2: PRINT YOUR SUBLIMATION DESIGN

We'll print the design on a good-quality sublimation paper for the best results. I’m using 8.5" x 11" A-SUB paper in my Epson EcoTank with Hiipoo ink. You can use another combination, of course.

For the full steps, view my earlier tutorial. If you're using the same design and tumbler as me, size the designs to 9.5" x 8.1". If you're using a different tumbler, measure the height from top to bottom and then around the item for the width.

If you use use a different design, you'll need to size it to match your tumbler's height and width (circumference). Be sure to make your design 1/8" wider than your tumbler's width for the seamless technique I teach you in this tutorial. Note that 1/8" extra is appropriate for the skinny tumblers I used in this tutorial — if you're using a narrower or wider sublimation surface, you may need to reduce or increase this extra width.

STEP 3: PREPARE YOUR PRINT AND TUMBLER FOR SUBLIMATION

Use a lint free cloth with some rubbing alcohol to clean the tumbler for a better transfer.

Since we want to avoid a gap or distracting seam when we wrap the design around the tumbler, there's a special way to trim the design.

Place the print face up on your surface so the correct edge is at the top. Grab your Cricut paper trimmer, the best way to get perfectly straight cuts!

Trim the top and bottom edges (9.5" long for my tumblers) of the design right on the edge of the ink. Try not to leave any white showing.

Trim the right edge in the same way, making sure there's no white at all.

The left edge is where we'll create the overlap to blend the seam as much as possible. Trim that edge so there is about a 1/4" strip of white left next to the design.

Grab your heat resistant tape and cut a few pieces that you can easily pick up. You'll need them soon and it's better to have them ready!

Place the tumbler on your work surface with the open edge at the top. Make sure the print is correctly oriented (especially since it has writing!) and wrap it around the mug so the ink touches the surface.

Where the edges overlap, put the side with the white showing on the outside of the layers.

Hold the wrapped print in place and gently tap the tumbler on the table from the bottom and top. That will help it straighten out.

Don't let the print shift and gently lay the tumbler on its side.

Our next goal is to secure the print to the tumbler as tightly as possible. If there are gaps between the surface and design, you might get white spots or other defects in the final result.

Lay the tumbler on its side and place a piece of tape securely on the white edge, but don't let it
touch the paper on the other side of the seam yet.

Use one hand to hold the lower layer of the design tight against the tumbler. Pull the loose section of tape tight as possible, then press it in place on the lower layer.

Add two more pieces of tape using the same method in between the first piece and the top and bottom edge of the design

Add more tape perpendicularly to bridge the three pieces and completely cover the seam in between them.

To check if the paper is tight enough, try to press hard and smooth the paper from both sides toward the taped seam. If anything ripples or comes away from the tumbler, remove your tape and try again. This takes practice!

Once the paper is secure, add tape to cover the top remainder of the seam, allowing some to extend past the edge. With your thumb on the tape, pull the extra tape as hard as you can over the edge and secure it inside the tumbler. Repeat for the bottom portion, securing the paper to the bottom as well.

Now we want to work all the air pockets out of the seam. Use a scraper or your fingernail and be really thorough.

Taping the print around the top edge helps create a smoother transfer. Look down at the tumbler from the top and think of it like a compass. Place the original seam in the North direction.

Just like we did for the top of the seam, place tape at the south location, letting it extend past the edge. Keep your thumb on the taped paper and pull the extra tape tightly, securing it to the tumbler's inner surface. Smooth the tape with the scraper to remove any air pockets. Repeat for the East and West points.

Then, fill in the intermediary directions like North East until the entire top rim is secured.

Again, repeat for the bottom edge.

TIP: On the bottom, use an extra long piece of tape to mark with the seam is, which you can reference when you need to turn the tumbler in the heat press.

Wrap the tumbler with a piece of white butcher paper to protect it.

STEP 4: PRESS YOUR SUBLIMATION PRINT

Tumbler Press Method

Before you turn on the press, adjust the tension so your tumbler fits snuggly. Try to make the pressure as even as possible all around the tumbler.

Check the manufacturer's directions for the correct temperature and time for your machine and project. I set the PYD Life 110 V's temperature to 350 Fahrenheit and the time to 50 seconds.

Place the tumbler in the heat press, making sure the seam is to the side. Pull the press's handle to close it.

Put on heat resistant gloves now that the items will be hot.

When the 50 seconds are up, open the press and rotate the tumbler 180°. Close and press the tumbler for another 50 seconds.

When it is done, remove the tumbler and place it on a heat pad to cool.

Convection Oven Methods

Before you begin, pull out any wire racks and place a heat resistant felt pad on the bottom of the convection oven to protect the surface. You might need to cut it to size.

Method 1: Shrink Wrap

Tape the print to the tumbler using the method above.

Preheat the oven to 375°

Some sublimation tumblers come with shrink wrap tubes but not all do.

Pull a shrink wrap tube over the tumbler. You might need to trim it if it's much taller than your tumbler.

Put on your heat resistant gloves. Use the heat gun to slowly heat the shrink wrap as it conforms to the tumbler. Make sure most wrinkles are clear, but don't make it too tight or it will pull apart in the oven.

Place the tumbler in the center of the oven and heat for six minutes.

NOTE: Some ovens create a better result if you rotate the tumbler (with your heat resistant gloves!) 180° halfway through the heating process.

Remove the tumbler from the oven after the time is up and let it cool.

Remove the shrink wrap.

Method 2: Silicone Bands

Tape the print to the tumbler using the method above.

Preheat the oven to 375°.

Then, tape a piece of butcher paper around the tumbler to prevent ink from getting on the bands.

Place the silicone bands onto the tumbler, spacing them out evenly. Try to put the bands on the end as close to the tumbler edges as possible - it's ok if they cover the edge.

Place the tumbler in center of the oven and heat for six minutes.

Safely remove the tumbler from oven after the time is up and let it cool.

Remove the bands and paper.

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF!

When your tumbler is cooled, peel away the tape and paper. Some of the paper may stick to the tumbler, just rinse it off with water.

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