Try This: Sublimate a Full-Bleed Mug

Shrink wrap film sleeves give custom decorators the ability to transfer top-to-bottom, all-around images onto sublimatable ceramic mugs – including a portion of the handle. 

Although mug presses are a convenient and portable way of producing 11- and 15-ounce mugs, they can only transfer images up to approximately 5″ high and as close as 1/2″ from the handle, depending on the mug size. Using a convection oven, shrink wrap film sleeves provide a new way of imaging drinkware that produces full, all-around images that will impress you and your customers as well as increase the value of your mug. 

Equipment and supplies needed:

• Sublimation printer
• Printed transfer
• Ceramic mug
• Convection oven
• SubliShrink
• Heat tape
• Heat gun
• Heat gloves
• Scissors

All images courtesy Condé

Step 1: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Step 2: 

Cut out template and tape it tightly to your mug.

Optional: If adding a handle design, make sure it is taped down securely. 

Step 3: 

Cut a slit about 2″ from the bottom of the shrink wrap and slip the wrap over the mug with the handle out.

Step 4:

Tape shrink wrap under handle to ensure that it will not separate when tightened with heat. 

Step 5:

Tuck excess SubliShink into the mug and evenly tighten the wrap by using the heat gun to apply hot air.

Step 6: 

Place in preheated oven for 13 minutes.

Step 7:

Use caution to remove SubliShrink and paper from hot mug immediately. Now, the mug is complete.