How to Sublimate Enamel Camping Mugs!
Make a custom pair of enamel camping mugs with a sublimation printer, sublimation paper and a sublimation oven.
These enamel mugs are super chic, showcasing a classic black and white tropical print!
Enamel camping mugs are my favorite kind of nostalgia.
We had the blue speckled ones growing up, you know the ones.
I remember camping our way to middle America when I was about 14. We went to see Mount Rushmore, Badlands, and Crazy Horse. We drove from Utah and camped the whole 2 week trip. Because we were camping, these enamel mugs were the only cups we had for those two weeks.
These sublimation blank enamel mugs are a super reasonable price and would make an awesome handmade gift!
Supplies Needed to Sublimate Enamel Camping Mugs:
- Enamel Mugs
- WalaPress Sublimation Oven
- Epson Ecotank Printer Converted to Sublimation
- Sublimation Paper
- Heat Gun
- Shrink Plastic
- Heat Resistant Tape
- Heat Resistant Tape Dispenser (optional but super nice)
- Design for printing (I designed this one from this FREE tropical flowers bundle)
- scissors or paper cutter
Step 1: Print Design
Begin by measuring the enamel mug and design or find a design the size you need.
These measure 2.5 by 9.5 inches.
In hindsight I should have done a half inch less on the length...and I'll show you why at the end.
Reverse the image and print it on sublimation paper using sublimation ink.
It will look dull in coloring.
Step 2: Trimming
Now trim up the sublimation paper and cut the paper close to the print.
Step 3: Tape to Enamel Mug
Clean mug of any debris using a lint roller.
Use the heat resistant tape to tape the image down on the mug lining it up with the mug as carefully as possible.
I love my tape dispenser, it cuts off evenly measured pieces of tape easily.
Tape down every little edge and corner--pay attention to detail, the tighter it's taped down the better the print works.
The sublimation paper is hard to tape down firmly right by the mug handles, it's better if you cut the design a little bit shorter of the handles and tape it down securely.
Step 4: Shrink Plastic
Now cover the fully taped down mug with shrink plastic, shrinking it with a heat gun.
This holds the image tightly around the mug during the heating process, much like a tumbler heat press would cradle the cylinder.
Step 5: Sublimation Oven
Then plug in the sublimation oven.
Read the guide book that came with the oven, and you'll find the exact temperature and time for the enamel mugs.
Set oven to 383-387* F and set the timer for 6 minutes.
Place the enamel camping mugs inside the oven and push the "time" button once to start the oven.
It will heat up to temperature and then begin the countdown.
When the timer beeps done, turn off the oven and let the mugs cool down before handling them.
It's hard to be this patient, but totally worth the wait.
Then unwrap the sublimation mugs!
Getting through all the layers of plastic and tape--all the while hoping and praying that the sublimation worked out perfectly!
Ah, alas, right where the mug handles met the sublimation paper, it didn't quite get a perfect sublimation, but they are still cute!
Overall I am super pleased with these cute enamel camping mugs!
I love the 12 ounce size, they are perfect for a birthday, wedding gift for a new couple to enjoy or a fun custom gift for the holidays.
They are a really good price for the blanks, so they'd make a great boutique seller too!
Get yourself some of these awesome Enamel Sublimation Mugs today!
Imagine customizing these enamel mugs with photographs, kids artwork, nostalgia or a secret family recipe!
These are the perfect canvas for creating something totally unique and one-of-a-kind.
I love sublimation for this exact reason.
I like being able to get affordable sublimation blanks and make them unique and personal for the recipient.
That's it!
It's easy to sublimate enamel camping mugs!
Sublimation takes a few supplies to get started, but once you are set up there are so many possibilities!
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