3 Mistakes that Ruin Sublimation Tumblers Every Time

If your sublimation tumblers keep coming out faded, dull, or just not right - it's typically due to one of three main reasons or a combination of them all. 

Most of the time, the problem isn't your printer or your ink. It's one of three mistakes happening at the press. It's an issue with heat, pressure, or press time that causes dull prints, partial transfers, ghosting or some other issue. 

Read on for how to avoid common mistakes when sublimation tumblers.

How to Design for Tapered Tumblers in Silhouette Studio (Conical Warp Guide)

Did you ever design a tumbler wrap in Silhouette Studio where the text looks great - perfectly straight, nicely spaced, centered on your design - then you sublimation print and the text is slightly curved? Or if you printed some type of circle it's now somewhat oblong?

You didn't do anything wrong.  A tapered tumbler isn't a cylinder - it's a cone. And when a flat design is wrapped around a cone it gets slightly warped so you need to compensate for that in the design program. That's what Silhouette Studio's conical warp tool fixes.

Epson F570 Won't Print: Fixing a Clogged Nozzle

Are you having trouble with your Epson F570 not printing correctly? This is usually caused by clogged nozzles, and it's a very common issue with sublimation printers. 

The good news is that it's an easy fix - especially on an Epson F570 sublimation printer In this tutorial, I'll walk you through the exact steps to get your printer back up and running.

How to Add Glitter to Sublimation Tumblers (No Epoxy Needed!)

A few weeks ago I shared a few skinny tumblers I had been working on...and immediately the questions on how to add glitter to sublimation tumblers started pouring in. 

I'm sure there's some way to add actual glitter to skinny tumblers, but you guys...the illusion of glitter is even better and FAR faster and easier! That's the beauty of sublimation - the results are high resolution, bright, and vibrant. 

Brother SP1 Sublimation Printer Setup: Video Tutorial

Setting up your new Brother SP1 sublimation printer is actually much easier than you might think.

In this video, I am walking you through the entire process step-by-step so you can go from "in the box" to "first print" in under 30 minutes. 

The Trick to Sublimating "On" Dark Shirts and Cotton

Sublimation has a rule that trips up a lot of crafters: it only works on light-colored, high-polyester fabrics. 

With that said - if you have a one-off cotton or dark shirt, you don't have to take sublimation completely off the table. There's a workaround, and it produces results that look really good.

But first, it helps to understand why the limitation with sublimation exists in the first place.

Beginners Guide to Sublimating on Acrylic

Sublimating on acrylic will create custom acrylic sheets, but if you're not careful you can ruin your acrylic. 

In this beginners guide I'll take you step by step on exactly how to sublimate on acrylic without warping AND while getting bold, beautiful colors at the same time. 

SVG or PNG - Which One Is Best for Silhouette - Video Tutorial

SVG vs PNG wondering which one you should use for your project?

The answer depends on what exactly you are making!

Sublimation Stickers - Step By Step Video Tutorial

I’ve been hearing so much about sublimation stickers lately, so I decided it was finally time to see what all the fuss is about.

Today I’m testing out this HTVRont Sublimation Sticker Paper to see if it actually lives up to those waterproof and vivid color claims! 

How to Print to Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer from Silhouette Studio

Wondering how to print to your Brother SP-1 sublimation printer from Silhouette Studio?  

It's SO easy, fast and direct. Read on for the steps to print your sublimation templates and designs directly to the Brother sublimation printer (and all you need is FREE Silhouette Studio.

Using Silhouette Studio for Sublimation? Turn Off the Cut Lines ASAP!

If you are using Silhouette Studio for sublimation printing (great idea by the way) there's one crucial step you should take with every single design you work on. 

This ONE simple step can save you SO much frustration and time and make the software perform so much better!

How to Perfectly Sublimate a Stainless Steel Tumbler with a Tumbler Press

Knowing how to sublimate a stainless steel tumbler can require a lot of trial and error which can get expensive and time consuming. 

But today I'm sharing a few tricks so you can perfectly sublimate tumblers with a tumbler press meaning no ghosting and colors that pop - including deep black!

Brother Sublimation Printer Ink vs Sawgrass Printer Ink Cost Comparison

If you're in the market for a sublimation printer—whether for crafting or your small business—one of the most important factors to consider isn't just the initial price of the printer. It's the ongoing cost of sublimation ink. 

It's a hidden cost that usually doesn't get noticed..until it's too late when you've already invested money into the printer and time learning it. 

But I'm getting real - breaking down the real numbers behind sublimation ink costs, comparing the new Brother SP1 sublimation printer with the Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000.

Sublimate on Cotton Using White Glitter HTV

Sublimation is great for colorful designs that would otherwise require a lot of cutting and layering - but it's not great on cotton or darks.  

There are a few work-arounds to sublimate on cotton - my favorite being using white glitter heat transfer vinyl!  This Silhouette tutorial will take you from start to finish so you can get a vibrant and sparkly sublimation  design on any fabric in just a few steps. 

Brother Sublimation Printer Setup to First Print in 30 Minutes!

If you're looking for an entry-level sublimation printer that costs under $400 and has affordable ink- you're going to love this.  Meet the Brother SP-1 sublimation printer. 

The best part? You can go from box to first print in under 30 minutes! Read on for the step by step set up guide. 

How to Sublimate a Doormat Like a Pro (When You're a Newbie)

If you've been wanting to make custom doormats but thought sublimating something that THICK was too complicated...it's not! 

Sublimating a doormat is actually so much easier than you think. The key is using a little cardboard trick and pressing in sections. Let me show you exactly how to do it!

5 Ways to Use Distressed Designs with Silhouette to Avoid Weeding

You don't need to shy away from distressed designs just because you don't want to weed them.

I have few tricks my sleeve for avoiding weeding distressed and grunge designs and today I'm going to share them with you!

Sublimation vs White Toner Transfers for T Shirts: Pros and Cons of Each

When it comes to making full color t shirt transfers there are a few different ways you can do it - it all depends on the equipment you have and the t shirt itself. 

Let's take a look at the differences between sublimation vs white toner transfers and the pros and cons of each when it comes to making t-shirts specifically. 

How to Use Sublimation Sticker Paper with Silhouette CAMEO or Portrait

Have you heard of sublimation stickers? You're basically sublimating onto sticker paper then printing and cutting.  

The process seems  is long and involved...and I'm not a patient person, but I picked up a pack of HTVRont Sublimation Sticker sheets from Amazon to give it a try. Read on to learn how to make sublimation stickers which are bright, vibrant, and waterproof. 

Silhouette Studio for Sublimation: Free Software for Epson and Sawgrass

Silhouette Studio can be used for Sublimation printing for not only designing, but also print layout. 

You don't even need a Silhouette cutting machine to use Silhouette Studio for Sublimation! Just download Silhouette Studio free. 

This tutorial will explain how to use Silhouette Studio for sublimation.