Sublimation for Beginners: Putting a Free PNG Design on a Mug or Tumbler
By Makerloom Studio ·
Sublimation turns special ink into a gas under heat, and that gas bonds with a polyester coating on the blank. The design becomes part of the surface, so it won't peel or crack like vinyl. Here's how to get started.
What you need
- A sublimation printer with sublimation ink (a regular inkjet with regular ink won't work)
- Sublimation paper
- Sublimation blanks: mugs and tumblers with a polyester coating, in white or light colors
- A mug press, tumbler press or convection oven made for sublimation
- Heat-resistant tape and heat-resistant gloves
1. Choose and size the design
Download a PNG from our mug and drinkware designs or sublimation designs. Transparent PNGs work best: only the design transfers, never a white box. For an 11 oz mug, a design around 3.5 to 4 in (9 to 10 cm) tall fits the printable area. For a full tumbler wrap, size the design to your tumbler's template.
2. Print it
Print on the bright white side of the sublimation paper at your printer's highest quality, with color management as your ink supplier recommends. Mirror the image if your printer workflow doesn't do it automatically, so text reads correctly on the mug.
Printed sublimation colors look dull on paper. They brighten dramatically when pressed, so don't worry.
3. Attach it to the blank
Trim the paper, wrap it printed side against the mug, and tape it snugly with heat-resistant tape. Gaps cause blurry spots, a problem called ghosting.
4. Press
Follow the instructions for your press and your blank: time and temperature vary by machine, and many 11 oz mugs are pressed at around 400°F (204°C). Wear heat-resistant gloves, remove the paper while the mug is hot, and let it cool.
5. Care
Most sublimated mugs from quality blanks are dishwasher safe, but check your blank's label. Avoid the microwave if the mug has any metallic finish.
Common problems
- Faded colors: too little time or heat, or the blank isn't sublimation-coated.
- Blurry edges: the paper moved; tape it tighter.
- Brown tint on whites: too much heat or time.
Browse free designs in mugs and drinkware and sublimation designs.
Free designs for this project
Drink Coffee Stay Happy SVG, Retro Rainbow Coffee Mug PNG, 70s Coffee Sublimation, Happy Mug Design, Coffee Gift Cricut
FreeDigital download
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