Sublimation is a popular method for creating high-quality, durable designs on various products, including skinny tumblers. A skinny tumbler is a long, cylindrical cup with a narrow base that is commonly used for keeping drinks hot or cold. Sublimating a skinny tumbler involves transferring an image or design onto the tumbler using a specialized printer and heat press. Here are the steps to sublimate a skinny tumbler:
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Choose the right tumbler: Not all tumblers are suitable for sublimation. Make sure you choose a tumbler that has a white or light-colored coating specifically designed for sublimation. This coating allows the ink to transfer onto the tumbler, creating a vibrant, long-lasting design.
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Create your design: Use a graphic design software to create your design. Make sure the design is sized correctly to fit the tumbler's dimensions. When creating your design, keep in mind that the areas where the tumbler curves will not have a perfect, straight image transfer.
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Print your design: Once you have your design ready, print it on sublimation paper using a specialized sublimation printer. Make sure to mirror the design before printing, as the image will be flipped during the transfer process. When cutting excess paper, leave some extra white space on one side of the design to allow for an overlap. This overlap helps create a seamless transfer.
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Preheat the tumbler: Before transferring the design, preheat the tumbler using a heat press or an oven. This helps to remove any moisture from the tumbler and ensure that the design adheres properly.
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Secure the design: Place the sublimation paper with the design onto the tumbler and secure it with heat-resistant tape. Make sure the design is centered and aligned properly on the tumbler. Heat shrink sleeves are encouraged, but not needed.
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Transfer the design: Use a heat press to transfer the design onto the tumbler. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the heat press, including the time and temperature settings. Generally, the heat press should be set to around 400°F for 60-90 seconds. If using a convection oven, set the temperature to 450°F for 6 minutes, turning sides every 2 minutes.
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Remove the paper: Once the transfer is complete, carefully remove the sublimation paper from the tumbler with heat resistant gloves. The design should now be transferred onto the tumbler, creating a vibrant and long-lasting design.
In conclusion, sublimating a skinny tumbler involves transferring a design onto a specialized, light-colored tumbler using a sublimation printer and heat press. By following these steps, you can create high-quality, long-lasting designs on your skinny tumblers.