Sublimating on glass cans has become very popular - but it's created a lot of questions about how to get the best possible colors and results.
Before you begin sublimating on glass you'll need to go in knowing that sublimating on glass takes a long time and it also will never produce the same bold vibrant results you get on other surfaces...or that you often see in glass can mockups. The reality is you're sublimating on a clear, transparent surface.
With that in mind it's best to pick sublimation designs that have bold, dark, and vibrant colors. Pastels, watercolors, and light colors are going to be difficult, if not impossible to see on glass - especially an empty glass. Designs with black, red, blue, purple, and greens show up the best.
I'm using this set of Ugly Christmas Sweater designs which are meant to be for shirts, but I figured they'd look adorable on a set of glass cans (and OMG was I right!!). They're all included in So Fontsy's Christmas in July Bundle.
Get all of your supplies ready before you begin. You'll need the following to sublimate glass cans:
- Thick 11 oz Mug Press Attachment - Part of the 8 in 1 Swing Away Heat Press or Tumbler Press
- Epson F570 Sublimation Printer with Epson Sublimation Transfer Paper or Sawgrass SG500 or SG100 Sublimation Printer
- Silhouette Studio software
- Glass Can Sublimation Design and Templates
- Ugly Sweater Designs
- High Temperature Tape
- Sublimation gloves
- Sublimation Glass Cans with Bamboo Lid (Pack of 6)
How to Set Up Silhouette Studio for Sublimation
Start by opening the design in Silhouette Studio. The glass cans are 9.5" x 5" so you'll want to size your template or design accordingly. The full wrap sublimation transfers for glass cans can't fit on a single 8.5" x 11" sublimation sheet, but you can use an 8.5 x 14" sublimation paper with the extended tray in a smaller sublimation printer like a Sawgrass SG500.
If you have a wide format sublimation printer - such as an Epson Surcolor F570 sublimation printer - you can print multiple glass can sublimation transfers at once which is nice when making a set like I am.
Make sure the image is set up to print in reverse. The Epson F570 will automatically reverse the image for you. For Sawgrass you'll have to do it manually either in Silhouette Studio or Sawgrass Print Manager - but not both.
Send the design from Silhouette Studio to print on the sublimation printer.
I printed four sublimation glass can transfers at once and then just cut them apart. Use a paper trimmer to remove any white edges from around the transfer.
How to Wrap and Tape Glass Cans for Sublimation
Place the glass can on a flat surface and wrap the sublimation transfer around the glass. Secure it at the seam tightly with a piece of high temperature tape.
Tape the entire seam but try not to fold the top or bottom of the paper at all as that can cause ghosting.
What's the Best Pressure for Glass Cans in a Mug Press?
Before you warm up the mug press, attach the straight mug attachment. Place the glass in the attachment and adjust the pressure until it's light to medium. The glass should not be able to move but you don't want it too tight or you risk breaking the glass.
Once you have found the right pressure turn on the mug press so it heats up to 400 degrees. Set the time for 120 seconds.
Best Time and Temperature for Sublimating Glass Cans
When it comes to temperature, place the glass in the mug press and press for 120 seconds. As the time ticks down don't be alarmed if the temperature drops - that is normal and it will rise back up.
Rotate the glass 180 degrees and press again for a total of 240 seconds.
If the entire glass could not fit into the mug press, flip the mug so the other side can be pressed and repeat: 120 seconds, rotate 180 degrees, 120 seconds.
Use sublimation gloves to handle the glass as it will be VERY hot. Do not put under cold water or you could shatter the glass.
You want to try to remove the sublimation paper as soon as you can to avoid it sticking to the glass too much.
Just be careful when you remove the tape that you don't scratch the glass.
If small pieces of sublimation paper are left behind...
...just wait until the glass cools then run it under water and you can gently rub off any pieces that were left behind.
These sublimated glass cans turned out soooo cute and they look even better when filled!
Grab all of the supplies to make your own sublimated glass cans here:
- Thick 11 oz Mug Press Attachment - Part of the 8 in 1 Swing Away Heat Press or Tumbler Press
- Epson F570 Sublimation Printer with Epson Sublimation Transfer Paper
- Silhouette Studio software
- Glass Can Sublimation Design and Templates
- Ugly Sweater Designs
- High Temperature Tape
- Sublimation gloves
- Sublimation Glass Cans with Bamboo Lid (Pack of 6)
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Some of my black turns pink on sublimation mugs? Sawgrass printer an ink are brand new. I press at 400 for 140 secs.
ReplyDeleteI bought image from a known sublimation seller.
The design will print on 8.5 × 11 paper. All u have to do is rotate your design 90°
ReplyDelete