You see those incredible, custom stainless steel tumblers online. You want to make them yourself. But when you try, the design just won't stick, leaving you with a costly failure.

Yes, you can sublimate on stainless steel tumblers, but only if they have a special polymer sublimation coating. Raw, uncoated stainless steel cannot absorb the sublimation ink, so the coating is essential for a vibrant, permanent transfer.

This is one of the first major lessons I learned when I started helping clients build their businesses. A new customer once called me, completely frustrated. He had purchased a case of beautiful, high-quality stainless steel tumblers from a restaurant supplier. He spent a whole weekend trying to sublimate them, and every single one failed. The ink either wiped right off or looked faded and blurry. He thought his press was broken. The real problem was that the tumblers were just regular tumblers. They were missing the most important ingredient: the sublimation coating. That experience taught me to always start with the basics: your product is only as good as the blank you print on.

Can you really sublimate directly on stainless steel?

You want to expand your product line to metal items. Pressing a design onto raw steel seems like a cool, industrial look. But the ink just sits on the surface and makes a mess.

No, you cannot sublimate directly on raw, uncoated stainless steel. The sublimation process requires a special polyester or polymer coating for the gaseous ink to bond with. Without it, there is no transfer.

The science behind this is actually pretty simple. My tech specialist, Alex, explains it like this: "Think of sublimation ink as a dye, not a paint." Paint sits on top of a surface, but dye has to soak into it. The magic of sublimation happens when the solid ink on the paper turns into a gas under the heat and pressure of your press. This gas then looks for polyester molecules to bond with permanently. Raw stainless steel is a non-porous metal. It has no polyester molecules. So, the ink-gas has nowhere to go. It just cools back down on the surface and can be wiped away. The special polymer coating is the layer of polyester that the ink needs to infuse into. It's not the steel that's being dyed, but the invisible coating on top of it.

How long does it take to sublimate a stainless steel tumbler?

You are ready to press your tumbler. You don't want to under-press it and get a faded design. And you don't want to over-press it and get burnt, brown colors.

In a tumbler press, it typically takes 50–70 seconds at 360–380°F (182–193°C). In a convection oven, it's about 6–7 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Always check your blank supplier’s specific recommendations.

Time and temperature are a critical pair. There isn't one single perfect setting, because it depends on your equipment and the specific tumbler you're using. Alex, my product expert, is an absolute stickler for consistency here. He always advises clients to sacrifice one tumbler from a new case to test and dial in the settings. A tumbler press provides direct, firm contact, so it's much faster. You wrap your design tightly and press for about a minute. A convection oven uses ambient heat, so it needs more time. For the oven method, you tape your design on and slide the tumbler into a shrink-wrap sleeve. The sleeve tightens in the heat, providing the pressure needed. The key is consistency. Once you find the perfect time and temp for your setup, write it down and use it every time for that specific product.

Starting Point for Settings

• Tumbler Heat Press:
  • Temperature: 365°F / 185°C
  • Time: 60 seconds, rotate 180° and press for another 60 seconds if needed for full wrap.
  • Pressure: Medium to firm.
• Convection Oven:
  • Temperature: 375°F / 190°C
  • Time: 6 minutes (do not preheat the tumbler).
  • Pressure: Provided by a tightly taped design and shrink-wrap sleeve.

These are just starting points. Your supplier's recommendation is always the best place to begin.

Can you sublimate on a Yeti tumbler?

Yeti tumblers are extremely popular and well-made. You want to offer them as a premium custom product. But you are not sure if the surface will work with your sublimation setup.

No, you cannot sublimate directly on a standard Yeti tumbler. Yetis have a durable powder coating, not the special polymer coating required for sublimation. The ink will not bond to the surface.

This question comes up all the time. Brands like Yeti, Stanley, or Hydro Flask use a process called powder coating to color their tumblers. It's a very tough, durable finish made of fine plastic powder that's sprayed on and then cured with heat. While it is a type of "plastic," it is not the correct kind of polymer for sublimation. It's not designed to be porous or to accept the ink gas. Trying to sublimate on a powder-coated Yeti will likely just damage the finish and waste your transfer paper. For customizing these premium brands, you have to use other methods. Permanent adhesive vinyl, cut with a machine like a Cricut, is a great option. Another professional choice is laser engraving, which etches the design into the powder coating to reveal the stainless steel underneath. Don't waste an expensive tumbler trying to sublimate it; use the right decoration method for the product.

What type of tumblers can you sublimate on?

You want to start selling tumblers. You search online and see hundreds of options. You need to know exactly what to look for so you don’t waste money on the wrong inventory.

You can sublimate on any tumbler specifically manufactured and sold as a "sublimation blank." These are tumblers, usually stainless steel or ceramic, that have been factory-prepped with the necessary polymer coating.

When you are sourcing your products, the description is everything. You must look for explicit keywords that confirm the tumbler is ready for your process.

Buying Checklist for Sublimation Tumblers:

• Check the Title/Description: Look for terms like "For Sublimation," "Sublimation Ready," or "Sublimation Blank." If it doesn't say this, assume it is not coated.
• Confirm the Material: Most sublimation tumblers are double-walled stainless steel, which is great for insulation. You can also find ceramic and glass sublimation mugs.
• Consider the Shape: Straight-walled tumblers are the easiest to work with, especially for beginners. Tapered tumblers require a tapered design and can be more challenging to get consistent pressure.
• Choose a Finish: Most blanks come in a glossy white finish, which produces the most vibrant colors. You can also find matte, silver (which gives a metallic look to your colors), and even glitter sublimation tumblers for special effects.

I always tell my mentees to buy from reputable sublimation suppliers. They understand the process and sell products they know will work. This saves you the headache and cost of experimenting with blanks from general-purpose stores.

Conclusion

Yes, you can create amazing stainless steel tumblers with sublimation. But the secret is starting with the right blank—one that has the special polymer coating necessary for a successful transfer.