There are hundreds of products being sublimated daily in our factory and we love to try out new blanks available in the market. A person from our community asked if we can sublimate on glass? We tried doing it and we liked the outcome. It was a cutting board and we printed it on its backside so that it wouldn’t get affected by any food stains.
Then last year, we delivered many orders for frosted and clear glass cans. People are dropping some rave reviews about these blanks and we too couldn’t resist but admire the quality of prints on those products.
After receiving many comments asking about how it’s done, we decided to write a detailed post for the same. Frankly, it’s very much similar to how we do on mugs or tumblers.
This process allows makers to create vibrant, customized, full-color artwork on everyday items with heat and pressure. Unlike other decoration techniques that overlay colors and textures, it transfers inks directly into the material by applying heat and pressure. The result is vibrant, permanent prints that make an item pop!
So, let’s deep dive into the process and decorate some glass mugs
Understanding How To Sublimate on Glass
It is an innovative way to customize glassware with your designs permanently. It’s not just decoration; it relies on science! Sublimation on Glass process uses heat to infuse dye into the glass on a molecular level. Rather than just sticking it on top like stickers, it tattoos the object itself with your colorful graphics.
I was skeptical at first, but when the customized pieces came out vibrant, I knew this would become my favorite.
The decorated glasses are good for regular use without the image scratching or washing off over time. Besides looking great, isn’t it cool that properly sublimated glassware can resist moisture and dishwashers? This durability makes it a versatile way to make everything, from customized gifts for the family to launching your merch line!
Materials and Tools Needed
Before beginning the step-by-step guide, I believe you must have all the materials in one place. Why? Gathering the right art supplies is key to unleashing your creativity.
First up is a sublimation printer and its colorful inks that work magic by turning to gas when heated. This lets the prints fuse with the glass. This can’t be done with a regular printer or normal ink.
You’ll also want to stock up on:
- Sublimation paper to print your designs on.
- Heat-resistant tape to keep the paper fixed nice and tight.
- Blank glassware like mugs made to handle high heat.
- A heat press or oven specially for the desired temperatures.
- Gloves and goggles for safety.
Quality printer inks, transfer paper, preparation accessories, and protective wear allow you to make gallery-worthy glassware. Don’t forget to give the glass pieces a good wash first – oils and dust are not good for art that lasts!
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Preparing and Printing Your Design
Even with the neatest technique, your art can be dull without the coolest design. This makes design preparation a critical step in the process.
Using graphic design software like Silhouette Studio or Canva, you can create or edit your designs to fit the glass items you’re working with. From a fellow creative mind to another, keep the following tips in mind for the coolest design preparation:
- Ensure your designs are mirrored before printing, as they will be transferred in reverse onto the glass.
- You can align your design horizontally to accomodate another design and utilize the paper completely.
- Test and print your design on regular paper before using the sublimation paper to ensure the size and colors are correct.
- Choose the correct paper size – we used 8.5×11 inch A-Sub Paper and the type is Presentation Paper Matte
- Cut the extra white area around your design.
Once satisfied, print your design on sublimation paper using your printer. Your printer and ink quality will greatly affect the outcome, so ensure they’re specifically designed for this.
Step 2: Prepare Your Glass
Use a lint-free cloth and alcohol to remove fingerprints or dust from the glass surface. Any residue can interfere with the design transfer.
You can choose a frosted glass mug or a clear glass, but we personally feel that frosted glass gives a nice vibrant touch and the colors pops out beautifully. It looks premium and is an awesome gift idea.
Step 3: Secure the Design
Cut your design out, leaving a small border around the edges. Use heat-resistant tape to fix the paper, design side down, onto the glass. Ensure it is smooth and wrinkle-free. You need to also make sure that your design is taped tightly otherwise, you may experience shallow printing and color bleeding.
Step 4: Heat Press
Add a layer of butcher paper on top of your paper, to prevent color bleeding and to avoid direct contact between the heat plate and the paper. You need to use excessing heat resistant tape, but just secure it tightly.
Set your heat press to the recommended temperature and time for the process (usually around 390°F for about 120 seconds, but this can vary). Place the glass in the press with the paper. You can do this in parts like, heat press for 60 seconds and then rotate the glass to do it for another 60 seconds
Step 5: Cool Down
After pressing, carefully remove the glass and allow it to cool completely before removing the paper. This reveal is the most exciting part: you’ll finally see your design transferred onto the glass.
Addressing Common Problems
If you encounter issues like faded colors or blurry designs, consider these adjustments:
- Check your heat press’s temperature and time settings. Slight variations can significantly impact the outcome.
- Ensure your paper is aligned correctly and secured. Misalignment can cause blurry or distorted images.
- Experiment with your printer’s color settings. What looks good on paper may not translate directly to glass.
Care and Maintenance of Sublimated Glass Items
Sublimated glass items are durable but require proper care to maintain their beauty. Wash them with mild detergent and avoid abrasive materials. Though most sublimated items are dishwasher safe, hand washing is recommended to extend the life of the design.
Also, make sure that you do not remove the paper immediately after printing as it may cause distortion in the image. Let it cool down, and then politely unwrap your glass can.
Infographic showing How to Sublimate on Glass
Conclusion
The process merges creativity with personalization, offering a medium to produce vibrant, durable designs. The success of the process hinges on selecting quality tools and materials.
With this craft, you can let your creative mind play to create unique, personalized items. It opens doors to new opportunities, particularly for those like me looking to explore a hobby or expand a business with custom products.
This is a rewarding process that allows for endless creativity. You can create beautiful, personalized glass items with the right tools, practice, and patience. Dive in, experiment, and let your creativity shine through this unique medium.
