How to Make Sublimation Tumblers? – Are you ready to embark on a delightful journey of creating your own personalized sublimation tumblers? Look no further! In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process with joy and ease. So grab your favorite Tumbler and let’s get started!

Gather Your Materials

Sublimation tumblers without any design
Tumbler press for sublimation
Gloves that can withstand heat
Mat that can tolerate high temperatures
Printer specialized in sublimation printing
Special paper for sublimation printing
Ink specifically designed for sublimation
Tape that can handle high temperatures
Butcher paper for protection
Lint roller to remove any debris or lint

If you’re using an oven, you’ll also need sublimation shrink wraps that are suitable for the size of the tumbler you’re working on.

What kind of tumblers can you use?

You can use various types of tumblers, including:

Plain white tumblers: These provide a clean and versatile canvas for sublimation designs.
Glitter tumblers: Add some sparkle and glam to your designs with glitter tumblers that have a layer of glitter on the outer surface.
Color changing with heat tumblers: These tumblers feature a special coating that changes color when heat is applied, revealing a hidden design or pattern.
UV light color changing tumblers: These tumblers have a coating that changes color when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, creating a dynamic and eye-catching effect.
Hogg sublimation tumblers: Hogg tumblers are popular among sublimation enthusiasts due to their high-quality stainless steel construction and compatibility with sublimation printing.

These different types of tumblers offer a range of options to suit your preferences and creativity.

Setting Up the Tumbler Sublimation Design File

You can use a wide range of graphic design software, such as Canva.com, BeFunky.com, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop. Alternatively, you can explore the free design and tumbler designs available on our website.

If needed, resize your image before printing it using your sublimation printer.

Please note that the transferred image may appear slightly blurred, and the colors may not exactly match your expectations. To ensure accuracy, consider test printing on a piece of polyester fabric before using it on your more expensive white pattern.

Setting Up the Tumbler Sublimation Design File

Wrap the sublimation paper around the tumbler

Clean your tumbler thoroughly using a lint roller to remove any lint or dust particles that could potentially sublimate onto the surface and create spots.Trim your design to fit the dimensions of your tumbler. Leave a small margin of overhang at the top and bottom to avoid having a blank white area around the rim of the tumbler.
Ensure that the seams of your design align closely without overlapping. Overlapping seams may result in a darker appearance compared to the rest of the tumbler. Aim for a seamless and uniform design application.
To be on the safe side to protect the tumbler and press, cut two pieces of butcher paper and wrap it around the entire tumbler. Make the butcher paper overlapped and the tape over the sublimation paper seams. That will let you know the front and back of the tumbler.