What is the process of sublimation of an image on a mug? What are the features of the technology of applying sublimation to a chameleon mug? What is needed for sublimation printing? Instructions. Beautiful examples of sublimation mugs.

Photos of mugs with sublimation
Sublimation mugs are glass or ceramic products with a design applied to the outside using a special coating.

What is sublimation on a mug

At all times, creative people have strived to make all the surrounding things brighter and more cheerful. Modern artists and designers decorate almost everything: clothes, bags, dishes. Even the most simple drawings give ordinary things an unusual color. Such items, in particular cups and mugs, become original options for gifts and souvenirs.

Mug with sublimation
The coating technology allows you to apply any drawing, inscription, or even photograph to the surface of the dishes.

One of the most common methods of applying a design to porcelain, ceramics or plastic is sublimation. It is used to apply logos, special markings or regular pictures.

Mug with image
Sublimation requires a special press and ink.

Sublimation on mugs, what is it? In essence, this technology is an image printing, only not direct (that is, without using traditional technology). You can apply a picture to almost any dishware: glasses, plates, vases, etc.

White mug with sublimation
A white or plain mug is best suited for applying a specific design.

What is the essence of sublimation technology?

To apply an image to the required surface, special paper is used, on which the desired picture or pattern is already located. To make the transfer possible, a special polymer must be applied to the product. After preparing the surface, the image is placed on it and pressed as hard as possible, then exposed to high temperature. The paint on the prepared paper penetrates the top layer of the cup, without losing its brightness and shades. This process is called thermal transfer and is impossible without the use of special equipment.

Photo of a chameleon mug Photo of a chameleon mug
Each person can make an original gift or a unique thing for themselves by applying images to different objects.

Advantages of sublimation printing

Sublimation printing is one of the most common ways to apply a design to dishes. It has a number of characteristics that make it convenient and practical.

Mugs with heart shaped handles
People regularly take tea and coffee breaks while working, which is why sublimation printing is so widespread.

Advantages of sublimation printing:

  • The design can be applied to different surfaces (metal, glass, ceramics, textiles).
  • After applying the image remains full-color. The shades completely match the original version on paper. The drawing remains of photographic quality, and its resolution is at least 300 dpi.
Standard mugs
Sublimation on mugs is the process of applying a print to dishes, which is almost similar to printing text or a picture on a sheet of paper.

Please note! It is best to use light-colored blanks to make a mug with sublimation. After all, there is no white color in its palette. If the background is too dark, the transferred image may change its shade.

  • The image obtained as a result of sublimation is distinguished by its durability. It is well fixed in the upper layer of the mug. The picture is also not afraid of the effects of chemicals used in the process of washing dishes and minor mechanical impacts.

Important! To keep the design bright, do not leave the items exposed to direct sunlight for a long time (about 2 months).

  • The heat press allows sublimation on a small number of cups. It does not require the use of all its capabilities at once. This makes it possible to produce products in small batches.
Glass mugs with a picture
Sublimation is a long-discovered process that has gradually begun to be used to create original items.

Types of sublimation

Straight

This printing technology is distinguished by the absence of an intermediate carrier with a pattern. The image is applied directly to the surface by mixing paints inside the press. This sublimation requires special printing equipment and is only suitable for flat surfaces. It is used when applying a roll on clothing.

Mug with a funny picture
In fact, the image becomes part of the dish: it cannot be washed off, erased, or anything else can be done to it.

Types of direct sublimation

Wet

Used to apply a long-lasting design.

Dry

Suitable for disposable products.

Indirect (intermediate)

This type of sublimation is suitable for items whose shape does not allow them to be placed in a flat-format printer: cups, vases, etc. It requires the presence of an intermediate carrier, from which the reprinting process will be carried out.

Photo of a mug with a logo
There are also several printing methods: inkjet, laser, offset and stencils.

What you need for DIY sublimation on mugs

Cups are the kind of tableware that you can never have enough of. They can break or simply lose their original appearance. In addition, few people have only a couple of these utensils at home. In addition, a cup is very convenient to give as a souvenir: it is a beautiful, original and useful thing. Therefore, the "cup" business continues to flourish. But why not try your hand at this field? Let's consider what materials and equipment are needed for sublimation on mugs?

Personalized mugs
Any mugs can be used for sublimation.

Printer and heat press

A sublimation inkjet printer is necessary for applying a drawing to photo paper. In order to be able to correct the image at the stage of its selection, it is necessary to install a graphic editor on the computer. Photoshop or CorellDraw are most often used. The printer itself must be equipped with a continuous ink supply system.

Photos of mugs with sublimation
The drawing can be applied to any surface, and its quality depends to a large extent not only on the ink, but also on the dish itself.

The heat press is one of the main sublimation tools. It is the one that transfers images from the blank to the cup using high temperature. The heat press is ready for work after a short warm-up. A certain temperature is set on it (it depends on the characteristics of the coating - 180-200 degrees Celsius) and time (3-4 minutes for the entire process). After the sublimation is complete, the smart device itself will notify you with a sound signal.

mug with print
The production process for sublimation mugs is different from other tableware, which is why the printed image lasts longer.

There are different types of heat presses, depending on the number of cups it can sublimate at one time.

Ink

Sublimation printing inks are very similar in their characteristics to pigment inks, in which the paint elements do not dissolve. This allows them to firmly settle on the surface without losing color or smearing. These inks are distinguished by their ability to dry quickly. This is simply necessary for this type of printing.

Paper and tape

Sublimation paper must be heat resistant and have low ink absorption capacity. After the design is transferred to the cup, only a barely visible outline will remain on the used base.

printing on mugs
The technology used is safe for people, since the ink does not penetrate into the mug, only the top surface is colored.

To prevent the design from flying off the cup during reprinting, special heat-resistant tape is used. It is not afraid of high temperatures and does not stick to the surface. After sublimation, such tape is easily removed without leaving any marks.

Instructions for applying sublimation to mugs

  1. The selected image or logo is printed on photo paper (matte). Special inks for sublimation are used for this. The image itself should be in a mirror rotation so that after applying it to the mug it has the correct appearance.
  2. Using heat-resistant tape, very tightly attach the workpiece to the surface on which the image will be applied (it must be covered with a special polymer coating).
  3. Warm up the heat press, set the sublimation time (90 seconds). When it is well heated, put the workpiece in it.
  4. After the sound signal, remove the finished product. Carefully remove the picture.
printing on mugs photo
The ideal background for applying a mug is white or another light shade.

Please note! The color of the image on the blank will not be as bright as on the monitor. This is normal. After transferring to the cup, it will become saturated and full-color.

Types of mugs for sublimation printing

A mug for sublimation printing differs from a regular one in that it has a special coating that ensures maximum penetration of paint into the surface.

By color scheme

White

This base is the most universal and convenient. All colors are clearly visible on it, because white contrasts well with all shades, and the pattern itself is very clear.

Black

For such a mug, it is best to choose a design made in bright or light colors.

Golden

A win-win option for a gold base would be to use black or white. They will give it a touch of luxury. All other colors should be selected taking into account shades of gold.

gold sublimation
The color can be any, depending on the design being applied.

Pink

Depending on the characteristics of the pink color, the design for the cup can be bright and flashy or calm and gentle.

Blue

For a blue base, images that contain this color are best suited. This will create the effect of the integrity of the picture.

Transparent

A glass mug with a transparent surface will be an excellent basis for creating three-dimensional pictures.

glass mug with sublimation
Ceramic or glass items are best suited for sublimation.

An original gift option would be a sublimated chameleon cup. It changes its opaque color layer to a certain image when heated. Such a cup can also be used for sublimation, but you should pay attention to the following fact: during this process, the image will be applied over the chameleon coating. And this will affect its opacity. The sublimated image will still show through the color layer. Therefore, it will not be a complete surprise.

Children's mugs are often subject to sublimation, as children are the main connoisseurs of beautiful bright pictures. Cartoon characters, photographs and cute inscriptions can be used as decoration.

sublimation on mugs
Mugs are popular souvenirs for both home and office.

Car cups are very popular and practical. Their special feature is the ability to conveniently place them inside the car and a special lid that prevents liquid from spilling. They are most often made of metal and plastic. This allows you to apply any drawings to them.

By shape and volume

As a rule, the shape of cup holders in a heat press is cylindrical. Therefore, the blanks must match it. To somehow diversify the standard, cups with figured handles are used.

Cone-shaped coffee mugs look more elegant. To sublimate them, you need a special attachment for the heat press.

As for the volume, it can be 200 ml, 330 ml, or 420 ml. This does not affect the print quality.

paired mugs
Such a small household item can easily lift your mood if the dishes have a name written on them or a funny picture printed on them.

Depending on the material

Metallic

Metal does not sublimate as well as glass or ceramics. Over time, it scratches, which leads to damage to the design.

Glass

These cups can be matte or transparent. They can be decorated with drawings of any colors.

Ceramics

Ceramic tableware is distinguished by its sophistication and refinement. Sets made in the same style look especially impressive.

cup with print
The wide choice of products is due to the fact that the design will be original in any case.

Enameled

Sublimation can transform a familiar and unremarkable enamel mug into an original and practical item.

Interesting examples of sublimation mugs

The most common types of designs on cups are emblems, logos, advertising slogans and thematic designs. In offices, you can often find dishes decorated with the company logo. Such products are often presented to honorable clients as an incentive and advertising campaign.

Souvenir mugs are an indispensable attribute of resort trips. Street vendors' stalls are full of them. Such a product will become a reminder of your vacation and a great gift for friends.

sublimation printing on mugs
The souvenir will attract attention and create a good image.

We present to your attention several interesting options for sublimation on mugs.

  • Volumetric design on glass products.

Thanks to the transparent surface, the image has a foreground and background. This makes it more three-dimensional. Pictures of the underwater world look very beautiful.

  • Drawings broken down into pixels.

Such images are especially original because they can only be seen from a distance. Only in this way can a set of squares and dots turn into a picture.

printing on mugs
Even an ordinary mug can be made interesting by adding gold lettering.
  • Mugs with a photo.

This option is suitable for capturing memorable events and creating gifts for anniversaries and jubilees.

  • Cups with comics.

Children will especially like such products. They will make tea drinking interesting and extraordinary.

comic book mug
The technology allows you to make an original, memorable gift for a lifetime.
  • Picture inside the mug.

Such images are applied to the bottom. The liquid in the cup makes it voluminous and multi-layered.

Today, the market offers a wide range of all kinds of sublimation mugs of different themes and purposes. It is more difficult to find a store that specializes in selling high-quality equipment for their production. After all, the final result largely depends on this. For a master engaged in sublimation, the online store of the Forofis company will be a real find. It offers various options for equipment from famous brands.

chameleon mugs
The mug often ends up in the hands of people working in offices, not to mention tea parties at home.

Sublimation printing is an original and beautiful way to decorate an ordinary mug. With its help, you can create a great gift for friends and family. You just need to use your imagination. And in order for the product to turn out as planned, do not neglect the sublimation instructions.

paired cups with print
Applying the design will not take much time, so you can get an original souvenir in a matter of minutes.

VIDEO: Sublimation printing on mugs.

50 options of original mugs with sublimation: