Sublimation is a great way to decorate your tumbler, but it can be tricky. When sublimating, you’re actually painting onto your cup with a special ink that turns into vapor and then solidifies on the surface.
If you want to add more than just a bit of decoration to your drinkware, consider using epoxy instead. Epoxy can be used over and over again (although it may lose some effectiveness after multiple uses) while still providing an attractive and durable finish that will last for years.
How do you apply epoxy to sublimated tumblers?
You can apply the epoxy with a heat gun to remove the sublimation. A heat gun is an electric tool that blows out hot air, which you’ll use to get rid of your sublimation.
To use a heat gun, go outside or into a well-ventilated room (the fumes from epoxy are toxic). Put on gloves and safety glasses before you begin.
Then turn on the heat gun and hold it about 6 inches away from your tumbler for about 15 seconds, moving it around so that you won’t burn any particular area for too long.
Don’t go any faster than this; if you move too fast or don’t hold it far enough from your tumbler then the epoxy will dry unevenly and look mottled when it’s done curing.
Table of Contents
- How do you apply epoxy to sublimated tumblers?
- What is the difference between epoxy and sublimation tumblers?
- Can I spray paint a sublimation tumbler?
- Can I sublimate on resin?
- Do you seal sublimation tumblers?
- Can sublimation tumblers go in the dishwasher?
- Why does my sublimation look faded on tumbler?
- Can you put vinyl on a sublimation tumbler?
What is the difference between epoxy and sublimation tumblers?
Epoxy and sublimation tumblers are two different types of resin, which is a substance that binds other substances together.
The epoxy resin is what you use as your base coat when you’re painting with it, while the hardener allows it to cure or become solid in about 10 minutes once mixed together at room temperature (or about 30 seconds if you mix them in hot water).
Sublimation tumblers don’t require any mixing because they are one-part resins. You simply pour them into your machine and they’ll cure overnight on their own—you won’t need any hardeners because they already come pre-mixed in liquids with other ingredients like dyes or metallic flake powders.
Can I spray paint a sublimation tumbler?
You can spray paint a sublimation tumbler with any kind of paint. Spray paints, acrylics, and enamel are all acceptable for use on a sublimation tumbler. You can even use metallic paints if you want!
When you’re painting your sublimation tumbler, it’s important that you let the paint dry completely before using it again (or at least wait until the next day).
This will ensure that the marker doesn’t smear or smudge when you’re using it to write messages or draw pictures. If this happens then just wipe off any excess ink with paper towels so your message is clear and easy to read!
Can I sublimate on resin?
You can sublimate on resin, but it’s going to take some extra equipment. If you’re not using a special printer, then the ink may not print correctly and your finished product will have smudges or gaps in the design.
The other problem is that you can’t just buy any paper that says “suitable for sublimation printing.” Some papers will work; others won’t (this is why we only carry sublimation-ready paper).
You’ll need a special kind of paper if you want your designs to look good when they’re finished.
Do you seal sublimation tumblers?
You can seal a sublimation tumbler with epoxy. Epoxy is a good sealant for sublimation tumblers because it is durable, versatile, and easy to apply.
It can be applied to the inside and outside of the tumbler and will not cause discoloration or damage if left in contact with the metal finish of your sublimation tumbler.
Epoxy is also resistant to water, making it an ideal substance when sealing something like a sublimation tumbler that will be immersed in water often.
Can sublimation tumblers go in the dishwasher?
You can put your tumbler in the dishwasher, but you should be careful about how long you run it. If your unit has a timer knob that allows for different wash cycles and temperatures, try using the longest cycle with a higher temperature setting.
This will ensure that all of the sublimation ink is removed from your tumbler’s surface without damaging its finish or leaving any marks behind.
If you don’t have access to a dishwasher or if you’d simply prefer not to use one, there are other methods for cleaning out your tumbler’s interior:
- Use hot water and soap (make sure it doesn’t contain bleach)
- Using a toothbrush or sponge
Why does my sublimation look faded on tumbler?
Sublimation tumblers are not designed to be used for long-term storage. If you want your sublimation tumbler to last a long time, make sure that you do not use it as a permanent solution.
Make sure that if you want to store something in the sublimation tumbler, it is only temporary and will be removed after the item has been used.
Sublimation tumblers are also not dishwasher safe or microwave safe. They can crack when washed in either option, so take care during cleaning by hand or using other methods that may damage the material of your sublimation tumbler.
Also, avoid putting an empty sublimation tumbler in a microwave oven as this could cause damage similar to washing it with hot water from a sink faucet (which could also ruin your product).
If possible try not using any heat source including an electric stovetop because all these things will eventually wear out even if they look like new still!
Can you put vinyl on a sublimation tumbler?
Yes, but it’s not recommended. Vinyl is a very different material than the other materials that can be sublimated onto say, glass or aluminum.
Vinyl is much thinner and more delicate than those two materials, so putting vinyl on your tumbler will cause it to warp when heated in the oven.
As well as warping, you’ll also notice that the ink doesn’t want to stick very well to your tumbler after trying this method.
The only way around these problems would be if you used very high-quality vinyl (which is expensive), but even then there is no guarantee that everything will go smoothly with your project!
Conclusion
Well, that depends. Epoxy is a two-part system, which means you would need to mix two separate parts together before applying them to the tumbler.
It’s not recommended to use epoxy on the inside of your tumbler because it can be difficult for the epoxy to dry properly in this environment with all of those moving parts.
If you want something that will stick well and last forever then I recommend using super glue instead!
