How to Sublimate a Mug?

Printing through sublimation is getting famous around the globe. It is being used by everyone from businesses to household decors. It is a very simple and astonishing process of printing different graphics on T-shirts, hoodies, bags or mugs, etc. It uses heat to transfer the graphics printed on paper to the desired object. If you are a creative person and wondering about an easy guide about “How to sublimate a mug?” then you are on the right path. This article is all about sublimating a mug and pro tips that will ultimately make you an artist.

The heat transfer method may scare you at first but this is a very sweat-free process. You don’t need to be a professional. Just a little focus will bring you an amazing product. Your white and boring coffee mugs are waiting for colors. This straightforward process will result in vibrant colors.

Sublimation

Learning this once can help you numerous times in life. You can create unique birthday presents by printing memorable pictures and birthday wishes on them and various objects. You can create aesthetic pieces for yourself by printing amazing quotes on your coffee cups as well as your room decor piece. Your mother loves morning tea so here is the right thing to gift her. Once you learn the basics you can create your masterpieces.

Procedure:

Here is a guide as easy as ABC. Just get into your art laboratory and then come out with your great pieces. Following are the steps which will clear all ambiguities related to the sublimation process.

Step #1: Gathering all the required equipment:

Every piece of equipment used in this procedure is easily accessible. You can visit your nearest market or order online (Link is been attached). Make a list of the following materials and grab them before you start working.

👉 Laptop/desktop

👉 Printer

👉 Saw grass Sublimation dye ink

👉 Sublimation paper

👉 Parchment paper

👉 Heat press machine

👉 Ceramic mug

👉 Heat-resistant tape

👉 Scissors

👉 Heat-resistant oven mitt

Last but not the least ingredient is the passion to create something beautiful. Having all the material lined up on your table will make it easier, to begin with, the procedure. If you have a printer, laptop and heat press machine then all the other things are not the big problem. Sublimation paper, heat-resistant tape, and parchment paper are easily available in-stores as well as you can order online. Grab the oven mitt from your kitchen.

The selection of the cup is also very important. That should be a white ceramic mug with a glossy surface. The surface is already coated which is required in the sublimation process.

Step #2: Choosing the Graphics:

This is the easiest yet most important part of this process. Select the print wisely. There are numerous sites from where you can download your desired print. If you want to create your design or your picture then there are multiple software you can use for creating and editing. Some of them are Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or Creative Studio which comes with a sawgrass printer. Check out your mug size and then edit the size of your graphic accordingly before printing.

Step #3: Printing Process:

There are few precautions you have to take before printing. Your printer should be loaded with sublimation dye inks and sublimation paper. Apart from this check the settings of your graphics from your laptop. 300 DPI is enough for this purpose. Select the “mirror image” before proceeding. Double-check your graphic’s size according to the mug or use the related template which is usually available in most applications. Adjusting the size is very necessary so it would not go out of the mug boundaries.

Step #4: Wrapping the print-out around the mug:

First of all, cut the print-out according to your requirement. Check if the colors satisfy you. Wrap the paper around the mug, the printed side inside, towards the mug. Put on the heat-resistant tape on both ends of the paper. The paper should be wrapped tightly. Place it correctly because it will get printed according to your placement. You cannot change it after the heat press procedure. Now your mug is all ready to go into the heat transfer machine.

Step #5: Placing the mug in heat press:

Your ceramic mug will be placed at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 4 minutes in the heat press. Preheat the press machine at 400 degrees for few seconds. Before putting it into the machine, wrap it with parchment paper. Take into consideration that the sublimation paper, as well as the parchment paper, would not wrinkle. Be careful about your hands as the machine is already heated. Close the machine tenderly.

Now have a short break and wait for your triumph. Do not place the mug for more than 4 minutes in a heat press.

Step #6: Remove the mug out from the heat press:

The mug will be really hot so taking all the precautions to take it out by using a heat-resistant oven mitt. Tape out the sublimation paper by using tweezers or anything like that. Do not touch the mug already, let it cool down a bit. Now you can see the vibrant colors of your print. The outcome is surely worth the effort and wait.

Precautions – How To Sublimate A Mug?

Now heading towards the most common question about sublimated mugs and cups. This is a kind of object which needs to be washed after every use. So, here is your answer that these are dishwasher friendly. Daily wash can fade the natural colors. But if you handle it with care you can secure it for a longer period as well. Now the next worrisome question is if we can microwave it or not? Yes, it can be microwaved and it would not affect it.

We hoped that you get the whole method clearly. The same can be done on various other objects like accessories, bags, different apparel, bottles, and many other things. Having all the material and learning this skill can make you an artist and even you can start your own business. Many online stores are offering printed and customized stuff. You can start one too.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, the sublimation method is so simple that it can inspire many of us. This article explains the whole knowledge about it. It is just like a teacher telling the pupils about any art project. Above mentioned 6 easy steps can be learned on fingertips. Once you go through the whole experience you can be a professional too.

In case you skipped something, first of all, we have discussed the method itself.  After that a stepwise guide for creating an amazing art piece. As you have already go through all of this, the first step of this journey was to gather all the required material. The printing process was a bit technical. From editing on the software, the graphic came out on a sublimation paper. After that, you wrap your graphics on the cup surface. Then the environment got heat up a bit when you put your masterpiece-to-be into the heat press machine. After all the patience it came out to be a very different and lively mug.

Go ahead and best of luck for sublimating a mug!

Frequently Asked Question

How to sublimate a mug without a mug press?

You can sublimate a mug without a mug press. It’s super easy. First, perform the initial steps of printing an image and tape it on a mug. Now wrap it with a mug wrap and place it in the kitchen oven. Set the oven temperature to 425 Fahrenheit and leave it for 15 minutes. Once it’s done, remove its peel while hot to get the crisp print.
Caution: Don’t use that oven for food afterward, because during the process ink infused toxic substances that are harmful.

How to sublimate a mug in an oven?

You can sublimate the mug in a conventional oven that is available in your kitchen. Once you are done with printing the design, adjusted the mug. Wrap it with mug wrap and place it in the oven. Set the required temperature and time to get it done. Remove the peel while it’s hot.

What are mug sublimation temperature and time?

To sublimate a mug in the oven. Set the temperature to 425 Fahrenheit and leave it for 15 minutes.
For heat press machine: Preheat it for few seconds at 400 Fahrenheit. Place the mug in a heat press machine for 3-4 minutes at 400 Fahrenheit.

Can you sublimate on a regular mug?

You can sublimate on regular ceramic mugs because they are poly-coated. Polycoated materials give optimal results. Make sure your mug is poly coated and blank.

What is the best sublimation paper for mugs?

Use a sublimation paper of 3.5 * 9.125 for 11 oz mug and 4 * 9.5 for 15 oz mug. Sublimation paper is offered by many brands with various specifications. You can learn more about it here. Or save your time and buy the most recommended Siser mug sublimation paper.