If you’re looking for a unique and fun party favor, look no further than sublimated shot glasses! Whether you’re celebrating a bachelorette party, a bachelor party, or just a night out with friends, these personalized shot glasses are sure to be a hit. Plus, they make great gifts for the bride- or groom-to-be. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about sublimating your shot glasses.
*Disclaimer: Links below are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no cost to you by clicking on these links. Some products may have been provided to me by vendors. However, all opinions and reviews are strictly my own.
What is Sublimation?
Sublimation is a printing technique that uses heat-activated dye to transfer an image onto a substrate. In other words, it’s a way to print images onto objects. Unlike traditional printing methods, sublimation doesn’t rely on ink. It uses special dyes that are activated by heat. This makes it possible to print images onto a variety of materials, including glass, metal, and even ceramic.
How Does It Work?
The first step in sublimation is to create or purchase a design. This can be anything from a simple logo to a complex graphic. Once you have your design, you’ll need to print it onto transfer paper using a sublimation printer. Once the design has been printed, it’s time to heat your substrate. This can be done with a heat press or an oven; however, we recommend using an oven for best results for Shot Glasses. Let’s get started!
Are you excited to get started on this project? Check out the video tutorial below or follow the step-by-step instructions! You choose how you want to learn to do this project! The video tutorial is excellent for those who want to see the project come together, and the step-by-step instructions are perfect for those who want a more detailed look at each component. Either way, you’ll be able to create this project with ease! So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
Finding the Right Substrate
Make sure to purchase a shot glass that is specifically made for sublimation. There are numerous places that you can purchase them. Here are a few options to choose from:
I purchased mine from Coastal Business Supplies.
I like to order from them because they also provide a template to use when you are creating a design.
Choose Your Design
Next, choose your design. You can either create your design or use a pre-made design template. Make sure to save the image as a PNG file with a transparent background. Once you have your design ready, it’s time to move on to the next step.
Design Space is a great way to create sublimation designs. You can use Design Space to add text, images, and even colors to your design. Design Space is easy to use and allows you to create designs that are unique and personal to you. Plus, Design Space is a great way to save money on your sublimation projects. With Design Space, you can create designs that are both professional and affordable. So why not give it a try? You may be surprised at what you can create.
Canva.com is another great option for those who want to create their own designs for sublimation. Canva is a free online design platform that is user-friendly and offers a wide variety of design templates and tools. To get started, visit Canva.com and create a free account. You can then browse the available design templates or create your own from scratch. Canva also offers a wide range of stock photos, illustrations, and icons that you can use in your designs. If you need help getting started, I have a blog post, “Try Canva to Create Sublimation Designs“, that you can refer to. With Canva, you can easily create professional-looking designs for sublimation without any prior design experience.
Print Your Design
Next, you’ll need to print your design onto sublimation paper using a sublimation printer.
Sublimation Paper
I use A-Sub for printing all my sublimation designs.
A-Sub is a high-quality sublimation paper that is specifically designed for use with sublimation printers. It’s thick and durable, so it won’t tear or bleed when you’re printing your design.
Sublimation Printer
There are a few different types of sublimation printers on the market, but I converted my Epson WorkForce 7120 printer to a Sublimation Printer.
Epson printers are some of the most popular sublimation printers because they’re relatively affordable and easy to convert. To convert your Epson printer for sublimation, you’ll need to purchase a conversion kit and sublimation ink.
Sublimation Ink
A conversion kit is a set of cartridges that you install into your Epson printer to make it compatible with sublimation ink. The kit comes with four cartridges – black, cyan, magenta, and yellow – as well as instructions on how to install them. I use Cosmo Ink. Cosmo Ink is a leading provider of sublimation supplies and offers a variety of different conversion kits to fit your needs.
Once you have your printer set up for sublimation, you’re ready to print your design. If your design contains any words make sure to print the image as a reverse or mirror image.
Heat Press Your Design
After your design is printed, the next step is to transfer it onto the shot glass.
Transferring your design onto the shot glass can be done with a heat press or an oven; however, I recommend using an oven for the best results. When you use an oven, you can bake multiply items at the same time. In fact, I can do 6 shot glasses at once! When using an oven for sublimation, it’s important to use a convection oven for more evenly distributed heat. I also recommend that you purchase a convection oven that will be used exclusively for sublimation.
Oven Settings
Temperature: 400°F
Time: 10 – 13 Minutes
(Test in your oven for accurate time)
Attach reversed/mirror printed image to shot glass with heat-resistant tape
Place shot glass in a shrink wrap tube and shrink it around the shot glass with a heat gun
Place in oven preheated to 400°F for approximately 10 – 13 minutes (test to determine the best timing!)
Afterward, remove the shrink wrap and paper immediately
Allow the shot glass to cool completely before use
Sublimating custom shot glasses is a great way to add a personal touch to your next party! Follow the steps above to learn how easy it is to sublimate your custom shot glasses. And don’t forget, sublimated shot glasses make great party favors or bachelorette or bachelor party gifts!
If this project inspired you, then check out some of my other projects for more inspiration!
Don’t forget to check out my Fun Stuff Crafts Amazon Storefront!
Social Media Links
CLICK HERE If you want to join the Facebook Group, Crafts, and Inspiration, hosted by Fun Stuff Crafts! I share and encourage members to share tips and projects in the group. Please answer the questions to be added to the group!
