Sublimation tumblers are drinkware products that are designed to accept dye-sublimation ink transfers, allowing for detailed, full-color designs to be applied seamlessly to the surface. These tumblers often look like regular drinking cups, but they are coated with a special polymer layer that reacts with sublimation ink under high heat and pressure. This results in a permanent print that is embedded into the surface of the tumbler, as opposed to sitting atop it like traditional printed designs.
Here’s a brief rundown of the sublimation process for tumblers:
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Design Creation: A design is first created using graphic design software. This can be a photograph, artwork, patterns, text, or a combination of these.
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Printing: The design is printed onto sublimation paper using special sublimation inks. The inks turn into gas when heated, allowing them to penetrate the surface they're being transferred to.
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Transfer: The printed sublimation paper is wrapped around the tumbler.
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Heat & Pressure: The wrapped tumbler is placed into a specially designed heat press or oven. When heated to the right temperature (typically around 400°F or 204°C), the sublimation ink turns into a gas, which then permeates the polymer coating of the tumbler.
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Cooling: After the designated time, the tumbler is removed and allowed to cool. The result is a vibrant, permanent design that won't peel, crack, or fade with normal use.
What Can Be Sublimated on Tumblers?
Almost any design or image can be sublimated onto tumblers, including:
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Photographs: Many people choose to sublimate personal photographs onto tumblers, making them great gifts for friends and family.
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Logos & Branding: Businesses can create branded tumblers for promotional purposes or as merchandise.
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Art & Illustrations: Artists can transfer their digital or hand-drawn art onto tumblers for unique pieces or merchandise.
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Patterns & Backgrounds: You can create or use existing patterns, whether geometric, floral, or abstract.
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Text & Quotes: Whether it’s a favorite quote, a personal message, or a name, text can be easily incorporated into the design.
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Combinations: You can also combine multiple elements, like mixing photographs with text or artwork with branding, to create custom designs tailored to specific needs or audiences.
The beauty of sublimation tumblers is the vast range of possibilities they offer for customization. Whether it's for personal use, gifting, or business branding, they provide a high-quality and long-lasting option for showcasing designs.
Lisa's Cups and Creations can make a custom tumbler for you.