Hey there! Are you tired of getting ghosting on your tumblers? Or maybe you don’t want to have any white spaces on the top or bottom of your Tumblers? Let me show you how to wrap a sublimation tumbler for a tumbler press, let’s get started!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, at no additional cost to you.
How to Wrap a Sublimation Tumbler
So there you are, investing time and money in your sublimation journey, just to get ghosting on your tumblers time and time again! Believe me, I understand your frustration. With lots, and I mean LOTS of trial and error I have finally perfected my tumbler wrapping and I’m happy to share with you all that I’ve learned along the way.
I’m using my HTVRONT Auto Tumbler press for this tutorial because I have seen a lot of people having trouble with the edges of their tumblers. But you can also use this same wrapping technique with a traditional tumbler press.
So let’s go over what I will be using to show you how to wrap a sublimation tumbler…
Supply List (affiliate links)
Get the tumbler design at https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/gamer-tumbler-wrap-png-2/ref/1880722/
I created a step-by-step tutorial to show you the process, so check it out below:
Now let’s go over the steps:
Step 1:
First, I printed my design on my Epson f170 and I use 125 or 120 sublimation paper. My paper is 8.5×11 and my design dimensions are 9.3×8.1 inches
Step 2:
I only trim the two sides of the paper, leaving the top and bottom uncut. Trim one side as close to the design as possible and leave a small bit of white on the other side.
Step 3:
Lay the print down and place the tumbler in the center of the paper. Wrap the paper around the tumbler and pull as tight as you can. Secure the middle with some heat-resistant tape. You will notice the design is larger than the tumbler, I do this on purpose so I can check the alignment on the edges to make sure my design lines up.
Step 4:
Starting from the top, add heat-resistant tape along the seam. Make sure you are pulling as tight as you can. I like to overlap the tape and you’ll see why later. Some people can do this with just 3 pieces of tape, but I get the best results when I tape all down the seam. Make sure you tape the edges as well.
Step 5:
Using a scraper or credit card, apply pressure along the seams. There are two seams, because of the overlap so be sure to apply pressure to both, this gets out any air. You want the paper to be as close to the tumbler as possible.
Step 6:
I then wrap the tumbler with butcher paper to protect my press from any ink bleed.
Step 7:
I’m using the htvront auto tumbler press for this one so my temp is 380 for 70 seconds. when I use my regular tumbler press, the temp is 356 for 60 seconds. Press the tumbler then rotate 180 degrees and press again. Don’t’ forget your gloves.
Step 8:
Now reduce the timer to 20 seconds and press the ends only.
Step 9:
I remove the paper right away, and it’s easy to do with the overlapped tape.
And that’s it. No ghosting at all, the edges are crisp, no white space on the top or bottom and the design is perfect.
As a reminder, your results may vary depending on your printer settings, ink, paper and even the tumblers. But that’s just how it is with sublimation.
I hope you found this tutorial helpful and be sure to follow me on social @michellespartyplanit for the latest sublimation and Cricut crafts!
Need more sublimation info? Check these out…
HOW TO MAKE GLASS CAN WRAPS WITH SUBLIMATION STICKERS
IS THE HTVRONT AUTO TUMBLER PRESS RIGHT FOR YOU?
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SUBLIMATION: WHERE TO START
Happy Crafting!
PIN FOR LATER!
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- How to Sublimate Frosted Glass Can Tumblers with the Cricut Mug Press
- How to Sublimate Tumblers with the Cricut Mug Press
- How to Sublimate on Wood With or Without a Sublimation Printer
2 comments
I WATCHED YOUR TUTORIAL FOR TUMBLER SUBLIMATION. THANK YOU FOR POSTING MEASUREMENTS YOU YOU AS WELL YOUR TIME AND TEMPERATURE SETTINGS. I NOTICED YOU DID NOT TAPE TOP OR BOTTOM OF YOUR TUMBLER. THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING ME .
That’s correct, I do not tape the top or bottom. 🙂