Whether it’s for a personalized gift or part of your artistic business, using a sublimation-based transfer method is increasingly popular. Sublimation uses heat and pressure, heating an image and transferring the vaporized sublimation ink particles onto the desired item. Some objects are straightforward to decorate with this method, while others (like mugs) can be tricky.
Sublimation may not be transferring to your mug because you did not pre-coat it with a sublimation-ink-friendly glaze. You may also be using the wrong type of ink
or need to reassess your overall process.
Keep reading for more on why your images aren’t transferring via sublimation on a mug and how to get back to creating your designs without worrying about whether sublimation will work. Why Is Sublimation Not Transferring To Your Mug?
Table of Contents
One – The Mug Wasn’t Prepared Correctly
Sublimation ink, by itself, can only be transferred onto fabric like polyester. This works great for T-shirts and tote bags, but this means you need to take an extra step when you want to design objects that aren’t as porous and absorbent — like mugs, for example. Bear in mind how important the base material is when sublimating, as not any surface may actually work.
How To Fix
There are two ways to ensure your mug is ready for sublimation ink. The first is to cover the item in a special glaze. This glaze gives the ink something to bind to on the mug, letting the image transfer over.
One option to consider is this SLANZVAL Sublimation Coating glaze kit, available on Amazon. After mixing the glaze, you can spray or paint it onto multiple types of surfaces, from phone cases to — you guessed it — mugs.
- Universal Sublimation Spray-Works on all hard substrates, such as phone case, Mugs, Ceramics Tile ,...
- High Performance- Sublimation coating Spray offers a beautiful glossy sheen, the coating also smooth...
- Protection- The Sublimation coating liquid helps resist abrasions, scratches, rubbing and ink...
Last update on 2024-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The second way to get around this extra step for sublimation transfers on mugs is to buy pre-prepared objects. This way, you don’t have to worry that you missed a spot when glazing or if you prepared the mixture correctly.
For mugs specifically, items like this pack of six Gonioa Blank Ceramic Sublimation Blanks Mugs on Amazon are a great option. The mugs are 11 ounces (325.3 mL), are non-toxic and free from lead, and are safe to put in the dishwasher, microwave, and oven.
Last update on 2024-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Two – The Ink Is the Wrong Type
If you’re sure the mug itself is not the problem, you may want to look at the sublimation ink. Yellow shading around the design, or the design not transferring at all, are common signs that you’re using something like inkjet ink instead of sublimation ink.
How To Fix
The best way to prevent this mix-up is by double-checking what type of ink you’re buying. Make sure to thoroughly clean your sublimation printer to remove every last bit of the incorrect ink before refilling it.
You may also want to check that the type of paper you’re using is the correct one. Ideally, you should use sublimation paper. Otherwise, the design won’t transfer.
Three – Something in the Transfer Process Needs Adjusting
Sublimation may seem relatively straightforward, but each step is critical. If the mug is suitably prepared and the ink and paper are both correct, but the image is still not transferring, you may need to adjust something in the transfer process.
How To Fix
The best fix for this issue depends on whether there’s a problem with the temperature, pressure, time, or the image itself.
Temperature
For sublimation to work, the ink must be heated fast enough to quickly turn into a gas state. As you might expect, this requires relatively high temperatures, usually ranging between 300-400 degrees.
The sweet spot for a perfect sublimation transfer can vary depending on the item you’re working with, so it may take some trial and error before you narrow down the specific temperature.
Remember that while you can use a regular oven, it’s not recommended. The fumes released during the process aren’t toxic but not something you want in an area you cook.
If you don’t want to look into getting a second oven for your projects, there are types of heat press machines specifically for mugs. One example (from Amazon.com) is this BetterSub Mug Heat Press, designed for 11 fluid-ounce (325.3 mL) mugs. Not only will this work for the heating part of the process, but it will also help with the pressure aspect.
- ✔CE certificate ✔Updated Thumb Screw Type; Easy and fast to change attachment ✔Cylindrical...
- ✔LCD control board:Automatic baking time control; Automatic temperature constant.
- ✔Made of high-quality aluminum and silica gel,the mug attachment is durable and has good heat...
Last update on 2024-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Amount of Pressure
After temperature, pressure is the second part of the sublimation design process. Once the ink is vaporized, the pressure pushes the ink particles between the paper and the object. Then, it finishes up the transfer by chemically binding the particles to the mug.
Make sure whatever you’re using to press the paper to the mug, whether it’s a heat press or tape, is secure.
Time
Similar to anything else that gets baked in the oven, how long you leave your mug ‘cooking’ will vary depending on the object and temperature. Charts like this one from US Cutter recommend 150-210 seconds, but don’t be surprised if you need to play around to figure out the exact amount of time that works best for your mug.
The Image Itself
Is the mug, ink, paper, and setup all perfect, but you still have problems with the sublimation not transferring correctly? The issue could be the image, so make sure the picture’s quality is good to begin with. Also, double-check that you’re printing the image on the right side of the sublimation paper.
Is Sublimation the Best Process To Transfer an Image to a Mug?
Sublimation takes practice, especially when working with objects like mugs, but the result is worth the effort. Because the process chemically binds the ink to the mug, the design is permanent. This means the mugs can be washed without worrying about the picture fading. When done correctly, the finished product can only be described as ‘professional-looking.’
If you want to know more about what sets the sublimation process apart and how it rates in terms of eco-friendliness, check out this article on lean sublimation.
Final Words
As sublimation ink can only bind to fabric, you must ensure your mugs are either covered with a glaze for the particles to attach to or come pre-prepared. Using the wrong ink, or needing to adjust an aspect of the overall process, are other reasons why sublimation isn’t transferring to your mug. However, with practice, you can design your custom mugs with any photo or image you can think of.
