Sublimation on Stainless Steel Tumblers or Mugs in 2 Ways
Sublimation on Stainless Steel: With the correct tools, you can sublimate your morning stainless steel cup to create a one-of-a-kind piece of colorful, multipurpose art. However, you should be aware of the kind of steel substrates needed to hold the sublimation ink before beginning to sublimate on stainless steel, as you cannot sublimate any regular stainless steel. So let’s start the guide on sublimating stainless steel in two different ways.
Can I Sublimation on Stainless Steel
Yes, you can easily sublimate on stainless steel substrate but the prerequisite for sublimation on stainless steel is it must have the polyester coating to retain the sublimation ink. because the sublimation ink often absorbs into the coat on the rigid surfaces.
Additionally, you can use two different ways of sublimating on steel that we’ve described in our post thoroughly. If you want to sublimate a mug, tumbler, or water bottle, you use a mug or tumbler press. For flat surfaces like stainless steel sheets and frames, you can use a t-shirt heat press.
Supplies You’ll Need
- A Mug Sublimation Printer – to print mug-sized or tumbler-sized images. My fav ET-3760
- Sublimation paper I’m using A-sub
- Sublimation inks Hiipoo sublimation inks.
- A mug or tumbler press – Convection oven for the second method (I’m using Cricut Mug Press because my tumbler is small-sized.). However, if you have a larger tumbler, it is highly advised that you use a tumbler press.
- Scissor
- Poly-coated stainless steel substrate according to your choice (I’m using a tumbler)
- Heat-resistant tape and gloves
- Butcher paper
- Subli Shrink and a heat gun for the convection oven method
Detailed Instructions for Sublimating Stainless Steel
Step 1: Prepare the design using online software
Before getting started with printing, measure the circumference and height of your substrate using inch tape. Create the design at that size using an internet program like as Photoshop or another program of your choosing. I’m using Circuit Design Space and now uploading the images on the software.
After uploading, prepare the image according to the substrate size. I am sublimating on both sides of the tumbler, so I’ve designed two images on the same canvas in the design space.
Step 2: Mirror the image
If your design includes any letters or a personalized image, you must make the image mirror-inverted before instructing the printer to print it. The Cricut design space or the program you’re using can be used to enable the option. In addition, you can set the printing setting from the printer setting too. It’s time to print the design.
Step 3: Secure the printed sublimation paper with tape.
After printing, use scissors to cut off any excess edges, leaving a half-inch border around each side so that heat-resistant tape may be applied. You can also utilize print-then-cut.
The tumbler surface should have the printed sublimation paper adhered to it, printing side down. Securely wrap the tumbler or cup with butcher paper and seal it in place by taping down both sides with heat-resistant tape.
Step 4: Heat press the substrate
After wrapping, we’re ready for the heat pressing. Let’s go ahead and put the prepared substrate into the mug press. (I’m using a Cricut Mug press). The reason is that it makes it possible for me to easily and independently set the time and temperature.
If you’re using a mug heat press then set the temperature at 400F for 60 seconds on each side of the substrate.
I’ll turn the tumbler to bring the second side of the Cricut mug to a temperature press after letting the first side heat press for 30 seconds.
Step 5: Remove from the heat press
Using heat-resistant gloves, take the tumbler or mug out of the heat press when it has finished heating and allow it to cool. Now remove the heat-resistant tape. butcher paper, and sublimation paper from the tumbler, and the result will be super clear.
Method 2: Using Convection Oven
This easy-to-use technique doesn’t require sublimation paper, ink, heat presses, or printers. But you need to use a Cricut to print the cut feature. We’ll be using pre-printed sublimation Cricut sheets accessible out there. But you’ll be able to make a limited number of patterns with the Cricut infusible ink sheets.
1- Prepare a design using the Cricut design space, and set the size of the image on the Cricut design space according to your substrate.
2- make sure to mirror the design if you’re designing the letters and proceed with making it. Also, search the material in the Cricut design space: Cricut infusible ink and you’ll get the printing material. As shown in the image below:
3- Place the desired Cricut sheet on the vinyl grip mat, and cut the design using the Cricut maker utilizing the cut feature.
4- Weed the design and tape it down with heat-resistant tape.
5- Using a heat gun, isolate the substrate after wrapping the prepared mug inside the Sublishrink sheet.
6- Let the convection oven preheat for 5 minutes at 400 degrees.
7- After five minutes, take the wrapped substrates out and discard the paper and Publishing.
8- Your stainless steel sublimation printing in the oven is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
can you sublimate on any stainless steel?
Stainless steel needs to be coated with polyester before it can be sublimated. To keep the sublimation ink on stainless steel, you must apply a sublimation coat before printing on it. If not, once you wash the substrate, the sublimation ink will be wiped out. Therefore, covering the stainless steel with a polyester layer is imperative.
Can I sublimate on a stainless steel flask?
The newest items to sublimate are flasks. However, the requirement resurfaces: the stainless steel flask must be coated with polyester. One of the best options for giving lovely quote prints to your loved ones is a flask.
Conclusion
The stainless steel tumbler can now be sublimated in two distinct ways. Give the mugs or tumblers as gifts to your loved ones or sublimate your own vibrant graphics onto them. Simply sublimate the tumbler or cooler can made of stainless steel, then give it as a Christmas or birthday present. While the convection oven method is less expensive to begin with, both approaches are quite good.
Read More: Do You Mirror Sublimation Images? Learn How To Set In Epson
