How To Sublimate On Mugs

Sublimation on mugs has been gaining immense popularity in recent times. It is the process of pasting a design, image, or text onto a mug using ink and heat. It is ideal for all coffee and tea lovers who would like to be reminded of a particular image every time they take a sip of their favorite drinks. In this article, we will discuss all things you need to know when it comes to sublimating mugs. 

Why should I sublimate my mugs?

Sublimation on mugs has been all the rage around the world. Users of all kinds look for ideas and ways to get prints on their daily-use mugs. On the other hand, there are some who are skeptical about the same or look for other ways to get prints. Here are some reasons why you should sublimate your mugs:

1. Customization

Goes without saying that sublimation provides extreme customization for your mugs. As long as you apply the right ink and heat, you can print any design onto your mug without any worries. 

2. Durability 

The inks used in sublimation are quite sturdy compared to other ways of printing. As a result, your designs are less likely to fade away or get peeled over time. It is also more resistant to liquids which makes it ideal for avoiding stains and dishwashing. 

3. Cost effective

Despite being sturdy and customizable, sublimation is one of the cheapest ways of getting designs printed onto your mugs. You can also produce large quantities of prints quickly using it which is ideal if you are a business owner. 

4. Material friendly

Unlike traditional printing methods, sublimation can be performed on a number of materials of mugs. Some of these materials include ceramic, stainless steel, aluminum, and polymer-coated mugs. Therefore, it is safe to say it is the one-stop solution for all the mugs in your house. 

5. Efficiency

The output provided by sublimation is like no other. It is much faster than traditional printing methods without compromising the quality of the output. Overall, users get the best of both worlds with it. 

What do you need to sublimate mugs?

Sublimation requires very few apparatus. To put it into perspective, here is a list of what you will need to sublimate your mugs: 

1. Sublimation printer

The most obvious apparatus you require to perform sublimation is a sublimation printer. While sublimating mugs, you must ensure that you get an inkjet printer that is specifically designed for dye sublimation printing. You mustn’t use normal ink with your sublimation printer and if you plan to only do small-form objects such as mugs, an A4 printer will suffice. 

2. Sublimation ink

Now that you have your printer, we’ll need some ink to incorporate into the printer. Sublimation inks are designed in a way that when heated, they turn into gas allowing it to be absorbed by the surface of the mug. 

3. Sublimation paper 

Sublimation paper is used to transfer ink from the printer onto your object. These are easily available and are provided by various brands online. 

4. Heat press

A heat press generates heat during sublimation allowing ink to be transferred to your object. 

5. Thermal tape

Thermal tape is used to keep the sublimation paper in place during sublimation. 

How to sublimate my mugs?

Here is a step-by-step guide for sublimating mugs: 

1. Choose a graphic

Design options are endless with sublimation. Unfortunately, your mug isn’t. Choose a design that goes well with your mug. Color matching is key. 

2. Print the graphic

Once you’ve made up your mind, print the graphic out and see how it looks. 

3. Cut it out

Now that you have the print, you will need to cut it according to your mug size. 

4. Apply the print and set the temperature

After you have got your cut, apply it with the thermal tape and set the temperature of your sublimation press. For mugs, it is ideal to go for about 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). 

5. Remove the arrangement and let the mug cool down

After the specified time has elapsed, remove the heat press and the adhesive strip from your mug. Make sure you use an oven mitt while doing this. Once done, let the mug cool down. Voila! You have a sublimated mug. 

Conclusion

As long as mugs are used, getting prints performed on them will never go out of style. Sublimation is one of the best ways of doing so. It is easy, cost-effective, fast, and provides high-quality results. We discussed all things you need to know while sublimating your mugs in the article above.