Learn about customizing sublimation tumblers

Customizing Sublimation Tumblers

Creating custom tumblers is one of the hottest crafts right now within the crafting community. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that customizing tumblers is so popular. People use their tumbler every day, which makes them both functional and fun. Customizing tumblers is great for crafters of all ages and there’s always an upcoming event that deserves its own unique tumbler — from bachelorette parties and graduations to sporting events and weddings, there are a million reasons to pull out your sublimation tools and get your creative juices flowing. You can create tumblers for every holiday and momentous occasions, making them great gifts. 


Crafters love to find different ways to customize their favorite items. That’s why sublimation tumblers are taking the crafting community by storm. Here’s what you should know about creating sublimation tumblers to craft and a few St. Patrick’s Day crafts that will make you leap like a leprechaun. 


Tumblers For Custom Sublimation

sublimation print tumbler

 

There are so many styles of tumblers you can choose from for your sublimation craft. When you’re picking which tumbler is best for you, start by thinking about how much liquid you’d like your tumbler to hold. You have a variety of options from 30 ounce tumblers for coffee or tea to 12 ounce tumblers to hold your wine, with a variety of sizes in between. There are even stainless steel sippy cups that can be sublimated with your kid’s favorite movie character! After you’ve determined your preferred size, you can start to think creatively about your tumbler’s design. Our team recommends a 20 ounce straight skinny tumbler for custom sublimation. These sublimation tumblers also come in Glow-In-The-Dark and Holographic versions! No matter what size and design is striking your fancy, make sure it will fit in whatever drink holder you’re planning on using in your car before purchasing.  


Here at Griffin Blanks, we carry a versatile array of sublimation options:


Custom Methods For Sublimation Projects

 

There are a few different ways you can go about customizing your tumbler with sublimation. You can either create your image using software, and then print it with a sublimation printer, or you can purchase a premade design that you can trim to your specifications and then adhere to your tumbler. The advantages of a pre-made sublimation print is that you won’t need to convert your printer into a sublimation printer, buy sublimation paper or replace your printer’s ink with sublimation ink. It’s a cost effective and time saving option if you’re just getting into sublimation crafting. 


Once you have your image printed, you’re set to put it on your sublimation tumbler. To transfer the sublimation image to your blank you have a few options. You can use a tumbler press, a household convection oven or a kitchen counter convection oven. It’s important to note that if you opt to go the route of a countertop convection oven that you don’t also use it for food due to the chemicals released during the heating process. Use whatever method works best for you and your crafting space. 


What Equipment Will You Need For Sublimation? 

In order to get the results you want while crafting your sublimation tumblers, there are a few tools you’ll need. Before you get started, make sure you have these items in your crafting space. 

  • Sublimation printer (you can convert some regular printers to sublimation printers)
  • Sublimation ink 
  • Sublimation paper 
  • Alternatively, you can use a pre-printed sublimation design or print
  • A blank sublimation tumbler
  • Practice material (to practice your print before you put it on a real blank)
  • Tumbler press or convection oven 
  • Heat-resistant gloves 
  • Lint roller 
  • Microfiber cloth 
  • Heat resistant tape 
  • Protective paper
  • Pressing mats/pads 
  • Thermometer with a probe for checking temperature during your press
  • Software to design and print your own image

St. Patrick’s Day Sublimation Inspiration

If you’re feeling like getting into the Irish spirit this St. Patrick’s Day, a great way to prepare is by crafting a festive tumbler that you can use on the holiday. You can design a tumbler that says, “Kiss me, I’m Irish.” Add shamrocks to your design and a pot of gold for a full St. Patrick’s Day effect. If you’re planning on going out for the evening, Griffin Blanks has a glow-in-the-dark green tumbler that you can charge up all day, so it glows while you party all night. 


Having a St. Patrick’s Day gathering, but want to keep the furniture looking nice after your guests leave? Print leprechauns on sublimation coasters to keep your table free from green beer glass rings. Once you get the hang of sublimation, the only limit is your imagination!
Back to blog