0007541_how-to-sublimate-mugs
 

How To Sublimate Mugs

With customers set to spend £1 billion on personalised gifts over the next 12 months, is now the time to take advantage? What better way than by offering the simple yet effective printed mug? Take a look at our guide to sublimating mugs below...

 

 

MUG 1

1. Using our recommended template, print your design in mirror.

MUG 2

2. Once printed cut around your design. When printing a block design leave a few millimetres around the edge of the print when cutting out.

MUG 3

3. Position your design face down onto the mug and tape the long edges.

MUG 4

4. Using a standard mug element, place the mug in a heat press. We would recommend that you press for 200 seconds with medium pressure at 180°C. If your design features a lot of black, the pressing time can be reduced to 180 seconds.

MUG 5

5. Once your mug has been pressed, remove it from the heat press and peel hot.

MUG 6

6. Admire your finished sublimated mug!

Speedy and efficient

Ideal for smaller batch orders

Excellent results with more complicated designs, giving you more freedom

Allows you to choose a design that can cover the vast majority of your product

Designs don’t crack, peel or fade

 

View Sublimation Blanks

View Sublimation Printers

1. What can I sublimate onto?

Garments with a polyester or a polyester mix fabric or various blanks with a special polymer coating (such as our mugs and coasters).

2. What equipment is required for sublimation?

Heat press (for mugs, a specific mug press is required)

Sublimation printer & ink

- Computer or tablet for designing 

Heat transfer tape

Protection sheets/pillows

Sublimation paper

3. Why can’t I sublimate on dark garments?

It isn't possible to sublimate on dark coloured garments because there is no white sublimation ink.

4. Why does the image on my screen differ to the final printed result?

It is entirely possible for a print from a sublimation printer to look different to the image on your computer screen. This is because sublimation inks often change colour during the heat pressing process. As the ink reacts when it is heated, it sometimes becomes brighter and more vibrant than the image printed on the sublimation paper. We would highly recommend that, during your testing stage, you heat press the image on to a product to see the final result before beginning a batch order.

5. Can I use an iron instead of a heat press?

No. You need a continuous, even heat and pressure to be applied simultaneously to the entire surface area. This can only be effectively achieved using a heat press.