How to Sublimate on Shot Glasses Using a Shot Glass Attachment

A shot glass attachment makes it easy and fast to sublimate on shot glasses. 

Sublimating means you can quickly make custom shot glasses with whatever design you want. Read on for the perfect time and temperature to sublimate on shot glasses. 

Supplies List for Sublimation Shot Glasses

In order to sublimate shot glasses you'll need a sublimation printer, a shot glass attachment, sublimation-ready shot glasses and high temperature tape. I used these ceramic shot glasses which sublimated really easily.  I would also highly recommend a pair of heat safe sublimation gloves.

The shot glass attachment that I am using is from Swing Design. It was included with my 7-in-1 tumbler press, but it's also sold separately. 

When purchased separately, the shot glass attachment can also be used with the 4-in-1 mug press, stand alone mug press, tumbler press and 8 in 1 heat press. 

If you are using glass shot glasses just know that because it's transparent it can be really hard to see sublimation on clear glass and you will likely need to adjust the time and temperature. 

How to Sublimate with a Shot Glass Attachment

Start by printing out your sublimation design on your sublimation printer. I printed this one on my Sawgrass SG1000 sublimation printer. 

You can create a full shot glass wrap by using a wrap template or just print out a single design to place on one or both sides of the shot glass. 

What I actually did was print out a floral digital pattern...

Then cut it apart and position the flowers individually around the shot glass using high temperature tape to hold them in place. 

Whatever type of design you use, you want to use a good amount of tape to keep the sublimation print in place so you don't get any ghosting. 

I would also suggest trimming the top and bottom of the sublimation paper so they're even with the top and bottom of the shot glass.  This helps avoid wrinkles which create air pockets and can cause ghosting.

Attach the shot glass attachment to your mug or tumbler press.  

Since I'm using the shot glass attachment with the Swing Design 7 in 1 tumbler press, it attaches using the 4 middle screws. 

Here's what it looks like when used with the mug press that's part of the 8 in 1 heat press. You want to make sure the metal brackets are fully square when tightening the screws.

You will want to put the shot glass into the attachment and adjust the pressure before you start heating the heat press. 

Sublimation Time and Temperature Settings for Shot Glasses 

Adjust the pressure knob on the heat press so there's medium to firm pressure around the shot glass. Don't worry if the attachment isn't full closed around your glass, you will rotate it half way through heating. 

TIP: If the shot glass wants to slide out of the tumbler press, it's easier to keep it in place before you fully close the handle when it has sublimation transfer paper wrapped around it. 

Heat up the press to 390 for 190 seconds. It will not take long at all for the heat press to come up to temperature since the attachment is so small. 

Once it's ready place the shot glass into the attachment and close. Set the timer. 

Around the 100 second mark, open the press and, while wearing high temperature gloves, rotate the shot glass 180 degrees. Close the press and continue applying heat and pressure for the remaining 100 seconds or so.

When the time is up remove the shot glass while wearing high temperature gloves, peel off the tape, and you've made yourself a custom shot glass! 

If you don't take THAT many shots, these also make perfect little mini pots or accessory holders for a desk or vanity. 

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