A photo plate is one of the few personalized gifts that is made to be displayed. It sits on a shelf or a stand for years, which is why plates sell so well for weddings, anniversaries, memorials, new babies and Christmas. For a print shop, they are also simple to make to order and easy to sell online. This guide covers Photo USA's four sublimation plate blanks, template sizes, recommended press settings and the occasions that sell best.
Short answer: Sublimation plates are ceramic or porcelain plates with a polymer sublimation coating on the face, so a photo or design can be pressed into the surface with a heat press. They are sold as decorative keepsakes, usually displayed on a stand.
Because the dye bonds into the coating rather than sitting on top, the image does not peel or scratch off like a sticker or vinyl. Photo USA plates use ORCA Coatings®, our own sublimation coating, with UV resistance so photos hold their color on display.
Short answer: Photo USA sells four sublimation plates: an 8 in. round plate with a double gold rim, an 8 in. porcelain coupe plate, a 10 in. plate without a gold rim, and a 10 in. decorative plate with gold trim and a stand. Case prices start at $130.04 for 24.
| Plate | Print area | Stand included | Case price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 in. round plate, double gold rim | 4.36 x 4.36 in. (1308 x 1308 px at 300 DPI) | No | $138.84 / 36 |
| 8 in. porcelain coupe plate | See product page | No | $164.48 / 36 |
| 10 in. plate, no gold rim | Full plate face | No | $130.04 / 24 |
| 10 in. decorative plate, gold trim, with stand | 5.96 x 5.96 in. (1788 x 1788 px at 300 DPI) | Yes | $148.52 / 24 |
Gold rimmed plates look more formal and suit weddings and anniversaries; keep the artwork inside the rim, since heat and pressure on the metallic banding will damage it. The 10 in. plate without a rim gives you the full face for a photo, and the coupe plate has a softer, modern curved edge.
Short answer: Settings depend on the plate and the press. For the 8 in. gold rim plate, we recommend 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C) for 40 to 120 seconds in a plate press, or about 360 seconds in a 3D vacuum press. The 10 in. plates and the coupe plate are listed at 400°F for 5 to 8 minutes, face down, with medium pressure.
| Plate | Recommended settings |
|---|---|
| 8 in. round plate, double gold rim | 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C), 40 to 120 sec in a plate press, or about 360 sec in a 3D vacuum press |
| 8 in. porcelain coupe plate | 400°F, 5 to 8 min, face down, medium pressure |
| 10 in. plate, no gold rim | 400°F, 5 to 8 min, face down, medium pressure, cool flat |
| 10 in. decorative plate, gold trim, with stand | 400°F, 5 to 8 min, face down, keep artwork inside the trim |
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 runs a little differently. Curved rims need even pressure, so check your first plate for fading at the edge, and let plates cool flat on a heat safe surface. Our sublimation time and temperature chart lists settings for other blanks.
Short answer: Weddings, anniversaries, memorials, new babies, pets and Christmas. Anything a customer wants to keep on display rather than use every day is a good fit for a plate.
Adding plates to your keepsake line? 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: List plates made to order on your Shopify or Etsy store, show a mockup with a real photo on the stand, offer two or three layout templates, and press each order after the customer uploads their photo.
Made to order plates need no finished stock, only a case of blanks. Keep the customer's choices simple: a photo, a name and a date are enough for most orders. Show the plate on its stand in your listing photos, since buyers want to see how it will look on a shelf. Ceramic plates are fragile, so double box every shipment; our guide to double boxing fragile orders shows how.
Plates pair well with other keepsakes in the same order. A family photo plate, a matching ornament and a photo mug make a simple gift set for grandparents, and every piece uses the same photo file.
Photo USA sells an 8 in. round plate with a double gold rim, an 8 in. porcelain coupe plate, a 10 in. plate without a gold rim, and a 10 in. decorative plate with gold trim and a stand.
Photo USA sells the 8 in. gold rim plate at $138.84 for a case of 36, the 8 in. porcelain coupe plate at $164.48 for a case of 36, the 10 in. plate without a gold rim at $130.04 for a case of 24, and the 10 in. decorative plate with stand at $148.52 for a case of 24.
For the 8 in. gold rim plate, set up your artwork at 1308 x 1308 pixels at 300 DPI, which is 4.36 x 4.36 inches. For the 10 in. decorative plate with gold trim, use 1788 x 1788 pixels, or 5.96 x 5.96 inches. Keep artwork inside any gold rim.
For the 8 in. gold rim plate, we recommend 365 to 390°F (185 to 200°C) for 40 to 120 seconds in a plate press, or about 360 seconds in a 3D vacuum press. The 10 in. plates and the coupe plate are listed at 400°F for 5 to 8 minutes, face down, with medium pressure. These are recommended settings only.
No. Keep artwork inside the gold rim or trim ring. Heat and pressure on the metallic banding will damage it.
The Photo USA 10 in. decorative plate with gold trim includes a stand, which makes it ready to display as a gift.
Weddings, anniversaries, memorials, new babies, pets, retirements and Christmas. Plates suit anything a customer wants to keep on display.
Wrap each plate, pack it snugly in an inner box and place that box in a larger outer carton with cushioning on every side. Photo USA double boxes every fragile product it ships.
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.
