HOW TO MAKE A TUMBLER IN A TUMBLER PRESS
Making tumblers and mugs is super easy using a tumbler heat press! Here are some detailed instructions on using a tumbler press for sublimation on tumblers and mugs!
Servings: 0
Equipment
- Sublimation printer with sublimation ink
Instructions
- Start by setting the time and temperature for your tumblers. Most blanks will come with suggested time and temperature settings, but sublimation is all about testing. You may go through some blanks before you get the image you want. Then record your best time and temperature on these Sublimation Cheat Sheets so you have them for next time.For this tumbler, time and temperature were set at 360° for 60 seconds, based on the recommendation of PYD Life.(NOTE: I always do a test press of my image on a piece of cheap polyester before trying it on my blank. That way I can see if I am going to have any color issues. I'd rather spend the extra few cents for a print than ruin a whole blank because my colors were totally off. Check out my post Sublimation ICC Profiles & Color Management for more information.)Remove the cap and straw from the tumbler.Clean the tumbler using a lint roller. Any pieces of lint or dust can sublimate onto the tumbler and leave spots.
- Trim your design to fit on your skinny tumbler and try to get it as perfectly close to the edges touching as possible. Rather there be a tiny overlap vs. a a gap which will leave a white stripe down the tumbler.For a more in-depth look at how I tape my projects, check out my post How to Tape a Tumbler to Minimize Seams and Uneven Edges!Center the design on your tumbler, pull it tightly and tape down the entire seam using piece of heat resistant tape.
- Add a few pieces of tape down the side.
- Tape around the bottom of the tumble. Be sure everything is taped as tightly as possible. This will help prevent “gassing out” and uneven edges. Roll the edge of the tumbler on the table a bit to press those edges (see an example of this in the video above). This helps about 90% of the uneven edge issues.
- Then wrap the tumbler in a layer of butcher paper. You don't need to tape it to the tumbler.
- PS: love my auto-cut tape dispenser? Learn more in my post Must-Have Sublimation Supplies and Tools!Once your heat press is to temperature, put on your heat resistant gloves and slide your tumbler into the press.
- Use the handle to clamp the press closed. The press will automatically start to count down.
- When the alarm sounds, open the press and turn the tumbler once so that the part that was at the seam of the press is now fully covered by the heating element. Close and press again.
- Once the alarm sounds the second time, remove your tumbler and set it aside to cool.
- Then remove the butcher paper and transfer to reveal your tumbler!
