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Tutorial: Sublimation on Mugs – 2 Ways

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We started with an introduction to sublimation, then a tutorial for sublimation on apparel, and today I’m showing you how to do sublimation on mugs.

Supplies Needed:

Method 1: Sublimation with a Mug Press

Step 1) Create a design and print it on your sublimation printer (don’t forget to mirror!).

Step 2) Line up your design and tape into place with heat resistant tape.

Tutorial: How to Sublimate Mugs - Two ways - A great intro for Silhouette Cameo and Cricut crafters - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Step 3) Set up your mug press machine and load mug into your mug press. The actual operation of mug presses vary – follow the instructions that came with yours. (I bought this one. A quick note about buying a mug press: read, read, read. Some mug presses only work with certain sized mugs.)

Step 4) Press mug with firm pressure according to transfer paper and mug recommendations. I used 380/385 degrees for 185 seconds. When pressing, you’ll want to make sure that the handle of the mug isn’t touching the metal edges – that’s too much pressure.

Tutorial: How to Sublimate Mugs - Two ways - A great intro for Silhouette Cameo and Cricut crafters - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Step 5) Using pot holders or gloves, remove the mug and transfer paper immediately. (These gloves worked much better than a pot holder – get 2.)

Step 6) Place the mug in warm water or place it in front of a fan to cool it off and prevent bleeding. Final product:

Tutorial: How to Sublimate Mugs - Two ways - A great intro for Silhouette Cameo and Cricut crafters - by cuttingforbusiness.com

That’s it! It’s pretty simple to use the mug press, but time consuming because each mug has to press for so long.

Method 2: Sublimation with Mug Wraps

Step 1) Create a design and print it on your sublimation printer.

Step 2) Line up your design and tape into place with heat resistant tape.

Step 3) Slightly dampen the transfer paper. I used a towel and it worked well.

Tutorial: How to Sublimate Mugs - Two ways - A great intro for Silhouette Cameo and Cricut crafters - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Step 4) Carefully place the mug wrap around the mug. Be careful not to wrinkle the transfer paper, and clamp it closed. You can find the mug wraps at this link.

Tutorial: How to Sublimate Mugs - Two ways - A great intro for Silhouette Cameo and Cricut crafters - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Step 5) Bake in oven (not a toaster oven or microwave!) according to the settings that came with your transfer paper. I baked for 14 minutes at 425 degrees. Final product:

Tutorial: How to Sublimate Mugs - Two ways - A great intro for Silhouette Cameo and Cricut crafters - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Both mugs are washable, can withstand scrubbing, and are dishwasher and microwave safe. If you plan to sell mugs, I’d highly recommend you choose sublimation over vinyl.

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Tutorial: How to Sublimate Mugs - Two ways - A great intro for Silhouette Cameo and Cricut crafters - by cuttingforbusiness.com

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Jim

Thursday 2nd of July 2020

Hello, I am wondering if the inside of sublimated mugs are sprayed with a coating and able to be printed on. and would it be safe to drink from? Basically I want to buy blank, sublimated mugs and design the insides. Some people have said that I have to make sure the inside is sprayed/coated and I'm just wondering if I can assume sublimated mugs are coated all over, or just the outside. Thank you!

Christine, Cutting for Business

Monday 31st of August 2020

Depends on the manufacturer.

Ayinde kolawole

Thursday 6th of February 2020

How this can work with iron

Christine, Cutting for Business

Thursday 13th of February 2020

Sublimation cannot be done with an iron.

SHARON ZAMBITO

Saturday 12th of October 2019

is it safe to do this in my kitchen convection oven?

Christine, Cutting for Business

Tuesday 15th of October 2019

Yes! I used my kitchen convection oven.

Alyssa

Friday 19th of July 2019

I am interested in the mug press that you provided the link for as it says it accommodates larger mugs, unlike other presses I’ve looked at. Just wanting to make sure this is accurate and have you pressed using the larger 15oz mugs?

Thank you for the detailed easy directions!

Christine, Cutting for Business

Sunday 25th of August 2019

It will fit a 15 ounce mug, but not a tapered mug. I think there is an attachment for tapered mugs you can buy, but I don't have experience with them.

David M Terry

Friday 14th of September 2018

Hi Christine, When you say oven, do you mean my kitchen oven? Will my kitchen oven work? Cheers, David

Christine

Monday 24th of September 2018

Correct.