“ I have enough Mugs “ – This statement can never exist in our vocabulary. Isn’t it, folks? And that, too, our favorite customized mugs? Nada, Never
I am writing this after sublimating a One Piece Anime Coffee Mug. Well, you aren’t an anime fan if you don’t have at least a hundred customized products; mugs are one of my favorites. I have a huge collection of coffee mugs, which I printed for myself and my brother.
Earlier, we used to print them for ourselves, but later on, we decided to sell customized mugs on Etsy, and our designs skyrocketed. In fact, it’s a great small business idea, as all it takes is a unique design, a mug press, and 6 minutes per mug to create something classy and trendy.
We like sublimating a mug because the ink infuses inside its surface, and the print remains intact as long as the mug is alive. It never fades away, even if you wash it a thousand times.
Do you want to learn how to print customized mugs and start your home-based business? Then you are at the right place because my article will cover all the details (even the tiniest ones) about How to do Sublimation for Mugs.
Before you start cooking, it is always advisable to keep your ingredients ready, and here they are:
- Sublimation Paper (A-Sub or Craft Express)
- Mug Press (preferably Cricut’s)
- Butcher Paper
- Heat Resistant Tape
- Blank Mug for Sublimation
- Sublimation Printer (I use Epson Ecotank 2760)
- Heat Resistant Gloves
Let’s get down to business now.
Step 1: Create Your Design
You can use software like Cricut Design Space/Silhouette Studio or Canva Pro to make a unique design. My personal favorite is Silhouette Studio because it’s very easy to use, and it doesn’t create any black border like we get in Cricut Design Space.
If you do not wish to create a design yourself, you can ask any freelancer to do the same for you or purchase designs from Etsy. In today’s example, I will use a design that’s available for purchase on Etsy.
It’s a fancy-looking 3D design for coffee lovers. You need to upload a PNG or SVG file in your software after choosing the correct paper size. I am going ahead with an 8.5” x 11” Sublimation Paper.
Your design will not auto-fit on your canvas; therefore, you should arrange it appropriately based on your mug size. In Cricut Press, we can use 12oz or 15oz mugs. The dimensions for my 15oz mug are 9.5” x 4.2”, and the same will be set for the uploaded design.
Remember to arrange your design vertically so that it’s printed perfectly for your mug.
Step 2: Print Your Design
Once your file is ready, just hit the “ Print “ option and set your properties to print a high-quality output. You need to make sure the correct paper type is selected and the image is “ Mirrored “ and the color mode is set to Adobe RGB.
Now you need to select the Sublimation Printer and hit “ OK “
Load up your Printer with a Sublimation Paper (we use A-Sub or Craft Express) and a beautiful print will be ready.
Step 3: Get Your Mug Press Ready
Switch On your Mug Press by Cricut so that it starts heating up. Other brands also make mug presses, but we prefer Cricut’s because it’s very easy to use and has no hassle setting up the desired temperature or time. It automatically sets the time and temperature by sensing the mug material and print paper.
Step 4: Get your Mug Ready
Take out your Sublimation Mug Blank and use a lint roller to remove any dust from the surface of your mug. A Tip: Always hold your mug by the handle and avoid touching it on the surface to safeguard it from any dust or oil.
Step 5: Attach the Printed Paper to Mug
Place the design around your mug so that it just aligns along the handle and leaves an equal gap on top and bottom.
Use a Heat-Resistant Tape to hold the paper around the mug properly. Do not hesitate to use enough tape on all the edges of your paper.
Now, use Butcher Paper and wrap it around the mug on top of your sublimation paper to protect your mug press from ink bleed.
Step 6: Start Sublimating
Place your mug inside the mug and press properly. Close the lid to lock your mug inside, and press the “ Start “ button placed on top of your machine. The lights will start blinking as the process starts, and it will take 5 to 6 minutes to complete.
You will then hear a beep sound, which indicates the completion of sublimation printing. Hold your mug from its handle and remove it from the press. For safety, you can also use heat-resistant gloves, as some mugs can get really hot from the handle.
Step 7: Remove the Papers
Leave your mug idle for 30 seconds before you start to remove the butcher paper. Slowly and carefully peel off both papers pasted on the surface of your mug. If you see any paper residue stuck on your mug, wash it, and it will go away like it was never even there. Once you are done, keep your mug on top of a clean surface, click some amazing shots of your newly printed sublimation mug, and show it off on Social Media.
Image Credits: LilyRoseCraftroom
You can start selling these customized mugs on Etsy or your social media handles and set up a quick turnaround home business.
Quick Tips to Remember for Sublimation on Mugs
- Make sure that you buy a blank mug that’s made for sublimation printing. Otherwise, your print won’t last even for a day
- Remember to mirror your image before printing
- Always use a Butcher Paper on top of your Sublimation Paper
- Use Heat Resistant Gloves to uncover your piping-hot mug
Please try our method out and post your work on our social media handles so that we can appreciate or give suggestions and this community as a whole can benefit from each other. Peace
