Sublimating a mug takes six steps: size the artwork to the mug's exact print area, print it mirrored on sublimation paper, wrap and tape it tight, press it, peel it hot, and let the mug cool. Most guides stop at "size your design to the mug." This one gives the exact template size in pixels and inches for 13 Photo USA mug blanks, recommended press settings for each mug type, and a fix for every common problem, from ghosting to faded color.
Short answer: A sublimation printer with sublimation ink, sublimation paper, a mug press (or a sublimation oven with silicone wraps), heat resistant tape, heat resistant gloves, and a sublimation coated mug blank. An uncoated mug will not take a sublimation print at any temperature.
Short answer: A standard 11 oz white ceramic mug takes a template of 2539 x 1088 pixels at 300 DPI, which is 8.46 x 3.63 inches. A 15 oz mug takes 2513 x 1200 pixels, or 8.38 x 4 inches. Every size below comes from the production template for that blank, so artwork made at these sizes wraps the mug without a gap at the handle.
| Mug blank | Template at 300 DPI (pixels) | Template (inches, W x H) | Case price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 oz white ceramic mug, Black ORCA | 2539 x 1088 | 8.46 x 3.63 | $67.48 / 36 |
| 15 oz white ceramic mug | 2513 x 1200 | 8.38 x 4 | $99.96 / 36 |
| 20 oz jumbo white mug | 2700 x 1200 | 9 x 4 | $126.24 / 24 |
| 6 oz espresso mug | 2250 x 713 | 7.5 x 2.38 | $87.16 / 48 |
| 3 oz mini mug | 1650 x 666 | 5.5 x 2.22 | $111.12 / 72 |
| 11 oz two tone colored mug | 2539 x 1088 | 8.46 x 3.63 | $70.80 to $73.24 / 36 |
| 11 oz color changing mug | 2539 x 1088 | 8.46 x 3.63 | $110.48 to $129.92 / 36 |
| 15 oz color changing mug | 2513 x 1200 | 8.38 x 4 | $162.24 / 36 |
| 11 oz metallic gold mug | 2539 x 1088 | 8.46 x 3.63 | $95.76 / 36 |
| 12 oz ceramic latte mug | 2100 x 1200 | 7 x 4 (includes bleed) | $74.40 / 36 |
| 17 oz ceramic latte mug | 1800 x 1500 | 6 x 5 | $90.48 / 24 |
| 10 oz frosted glass mug | 2417 x 936 | 8.06 x 3.12 | $88.80 / 36 |
| 18 oz camper enamel mug | 2610 x 720 | 8.7 x 2.4 | $236.64 to $276.48 / 48 |
Two things to keep in mind when you build the file. First, keep faces, names and small text about a quarter inch away from every edge, because the area right next to the handle and the rims is where a slight misalignment shows. Second, a latte mug is wider at the top than the bottom, so a flat rectangle will look slightly crooked once it is wrapped. For a clean result on tapered mugs, use a curved, fan shaped template or keep the design centered and away from the top and bottom edges. For help choosing between the two most common sizes, see our 11 oz vs 15 oz mug guide.
Short answer: Print the design mirrored, trim it to the template size, wrap it tight around the mug with the ink side against the surface, tape it, press at a recommended 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C) for 120 to 180 seconds with medium pressure, peel the paper while the mug is hot, and let it cool on a heat safe surface.
Short answer: White ceramic, bone china, two tone, color changing and glass mugs take a recommended 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C) for 120 to 180 seconds with medium pressure. Metallic and plated mugs take a lower recommended 350°F (180°C) for 120 to 150 seconds, because the plated finish can discolor at higher heat.
| Mug type | Recommended temperature | Recommended time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| White ceramic and bone china | 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C) | 120 to 180 sec | Mug press, medium pressure, mirrored |
| Two tone and color handle | 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C) | 120 to 180 sec | The colored inside and handle are not printable; print the white outside only |
| Color changing | 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C) | 120 to 180 sec | The design shows after cooling, when the mug turns back to black and reveals the print as a hot drink is poured in |
| Frosted glass | 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C) | 120 to 180 sec | Glass cools slowly; handle with gloves for longer than ceramic |
| Metallic and plated | 350°F (180°C) | 120 to 150 sec | Lower heat protects the plated finish |
| Latte (tapered) | 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C) | 120 to 180 sec | Use a conical or latte element so the pad touches the full surface |
These are recommended settings only. Temperature and time work against each other, so a higher temperature needs less time and a lower one needs more, and every press reads a little differently from its display. Press one test mug from each new case, and adjust in small steps: about 10 seconds or 10°F at a time. Our sublimation time and temperature chart covers settings for tumblers, tiles, ornaments, puzzles and other blanks.
Short answer: Faded color usually means too little heat or time; a brown or yellow cast means too much; ghosting means the paper moved; and a pale band on one side means uneven pressure. If the same file and settings look right on one blank and wrong on another, the problem is the coating, not your equipment.
| Problem | Most likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Faded or washed out color | Not enough heat or time, or the wrong paper setting | Add 10 to 20 seconds, check the printer setting, and make sure you printed on the bright side of the paper |
| Brown, yellow or scorched look | Too much heat or time | Reduce time first, then temperature |
| Ghosting or a doubled image | Paper shifted during or after pressing | Tape the seam and both edges, and peel in one smooth motion straight after pressing |
| A pale band or blurry patch on one side | Uneven pressure, often near the handle | Tighten the press, or wrap a piece of foam or silicone behind the print on that side |
| A white gap at the seam | Template too narrow for the mug | Use the exact template width from the size table |
| Blue or purple speckles | Moisture or dust on the paper or mug | Store paper dry, wipe the mug, and press a sheet of butcher paper first to drive off moisture |
| Dull reds and a yellow tint in white areas on every setting | A thin or uneven coating | Test the same file on a mug you trust; if it comes out right, switch blanks |
Want to test your press on a mug you can trust? Photo USA sells by the case with a one case minimum and no minimum number of cases, and most orders ship within 24 hours from Fremont, CA and Shepherdsville, KY. We also offer a wholesale imprint service if you would rather receive finished pieces. Email hello@photomugs.com or contact us with the items and quantities you need.
Short answer: A properly pressed ORCA coated mug is built for everyday use. According to an SGS test report, ORCA coated photo mugs withstand 3,500 cycles in a normal domestic dishwasher. Hand washing with a soft sponge still keeps the print looking new the longest, so it is a good care note to put on your packaging.
Tell your customers to avoid scouring pads and harsh abrasive cleaners on the printed side, and to let a hot mug cool before putting cold liquid in it. If you are pricing your first case, our guide to how many mugs pay off a case works through the numbers.
For a standard 11 oz white ceramic mug, set up your artwork at 2539 x 1088 pixels at 300 DPI, which is 8.46 x 3.63 inches (width x height). This is the production template for the Photo USA 11 oz ORCA mug, sold at $67.48 for a case of 36.
For a 15 oz white ceramic mug, set up your artwork at 2513 x 1200 pixels at 300 DPI, which is 8.38 x 4 inches (width x height). The Photo USA 15 oz white ceramic mug is $99.96 for a case of 36.
For white ceramic mugs, we recommend 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C) for 120 to 180 seconds in a mug press with medium pressure. For metallic and plated mugs, we recommend about 350°F (180°C) for 120 to 150 seconds. These are recommended settings only, since temperature and time trade off and every press runs a little differently.
Yes. Print the design mirrored, or flipped horizontally, so it reads correctly once the ink side is wrapped against the mug and transferred.
Faded color usually means not enough heat or time, the wrong paper setting, or printing on the wrong side of the paper. Add 10 to 20 seconds and check the printer settings first. If the same file and settings look right on one mug and faded on another, the mug's coating is the cause.
Ghosting, a faint doubled image, happens when the paper shifts during or right after pressing. Tape the seam and both edges tightly, keep the mug snug in the press, and peel the paper in one smooth motion as soon as it comes out.
A tapered latte mug needs a conical or latte element so the heat pad touches the whole surface. In a straight element, the top or bottom edge will press lighter than the rest. Photo USA's 12 oz latte mug takes a 2100 x 1200 pixel template (7 x 4 inches including bleed) and is $74.40 for a case of 36.
Press a color changing mug the same way as a white ceramic mug, at a recommended 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C) for 120 to 180 seconds. The design will look hidden under the black coating once the mug cools, then appear when a hot drink is poured in. Photo USA's 11 oz color changing mug takes a 2539 x 1088 pixel template and is $110.48 to $129.92 for a case of 36.
No. Let it cool on a heat safe surface on its own. Dropping a hot mug in cold water can crack the ceramic, and a slower cool is gentler on the print.
Photo USA Corp sells sublimation mug blanks by the case with a one case minimum, shipped from Fremont, CA and Shepherdsville, KY, with most orders out within one business day. Every mug in this guide is ORCA coated.
One last note: the press settings in this guide are recommended starting points only. Temperature and time work against each other, so a higher temperature needs less time and a lower one needs more, and every heat press and oven runs a little differently. Press one test piece and adjust for your own machine.
