How To Sublimate Inside A Mug (With Pictures)
Whether it’s printing your favorite photo inside a mug or printing the inner lip of a mug it always seems a hectic task. But don’t worry today you’ll get 3 different ways to know how to sublimate inside a mug.
You can even sublimate the handle of a mug with your own name or a special text using the below-mentioned methods. But, before getting started, make sure to check the mug whether its inner is poly-coated or not. If not, then stay away from sublimation. You should contact your supplier to confirm this.
How To Sublimate Inside A Mug
We’ve discussed 3 different methods.
- The first one is using a mug heat wrap and vacuum press.
- The second one is by filling sand into the mug to sublimate the inner bottom.
- The third and last one is using subli shrink method in a convection oven.
Supplies You’ll Need
- A mug sublimation Printer
- Sublimation inks
- Bundle of mug sublimation papers
- Heat-resistant tape and gloves
- Scissor
- 3D vacuum heat press for mug wrap/convection oven for subli shrink wrap
Method 1: Using Mug Heat Wrap To Print On The Inner Lip
Step 1: Print the mirror-inverted image according to the diameter size of the mug. You can print a special one word too. Trim the edges with a scissor.
Step 2: Tape down the printed piece of paper on the inner lip using heat-resistant tape.
Step 3: Open up the mug wrap and insert the inner piece of mug wrap into the mug and make sure the handle of the mug is properly wrapped into place. As shown in the image below:
Step 4: Put the mug wrap correctly and connect the vacuum pipe to the cap of the mug wrap. Place the mug into the vacuum heat press and put the cap on the wrap. It will start taking the air out of the mug wrap. Set the vacuum heat press at the temperature of 175C and time for 9 minutes.
Step 5: After 9 minutes, take the mug out of the vacuum heat press using heat-resistant gloves. Remove the wrap and your stunning mug is ready!
You can use an all-in-one heat press too for versatile purposes including apparel and other substrates although a vacuum heat press helps you to sublimate ceramics including tiles, mugs, tumblers, and other drinkware items.
Method 2: Using Sand To Sublimate Inner Bottom
Step 1: Prepare the design according to the diameter of the bottom and cut the image into a round shape. Place the rounded image into the inner bottom and tape it down firmly with heat-resistant tape. Additionally, if you want to print the outside of the mug, tape down the image too.
Step 2: Wrap the heat pad firmly and start filling it with sand. Once the mug is full then press the sand with your fingers in order to get the sand particles to sit in place.
Step 3: Set the vacuum heat press at 170 to 200C temperature and heat the mug for 15 minutes.
Step 4: Remove the mug and sand out of the mug also heat wrap and sublimation papers too. And here you go!
Method 3: Using Subli Shrink
This method is exceptional to use if you want to sublimate the whole mug including the inner bottom, inner sides, and even the mug handle too. You can also check how to sublimate the outer bottom of a mug.
Step 1: Prepare the mug by wrapping all the images in the places you want to print.
Step 2: Wrap the subli shrink sheet over the prepared mug also insert the sides of the sheet into the mug to get the sides and bottom printed. Check thoroughly that the sheet is wrapped properly. Use a heat gun in order to get the air out of the sheet.
Step 3: Before placing the mug into the convection oven, preheat it and set the temperature at 400F for 12 to 15 minutes.
Step 4: You’re good to go! Remove the mug and subli wrap.
To Conclude
So I’ve discussed all the possible methods to sublimate inside a mug. You can use it according to your convenience. In my opinion, the effortless method is to utilize the subli shrink method. A vacuum heat press would be expensive for you if you’re a beginner. If you are still confused you can contact us too. So, Grab the supplies and start right away to have a sip of coffee with your name on the inner lip of the mug.
