I’ve been asked over and over how to print on mugs using sublimation and the Cricut Mug Press so I’m excited to finally share this tutorial. I’ll walk you through the entire process so you can confidently create custom mugs at home. These personalized mugs make thoughtful gifts for family and friends and work perfectly for almost any occasion.
How to Print on Mugs
This project is actually super simple, but there are some details that you don't want to miss. I made a video showing how to make sublimation photo mugs. Click play to watch it.
Can't watch the video or missed some of the steps? I also walk through the process below.
Supplies needed:
You do need a few specialty supplies for this project. Here is a list of everything you need:
- Sublimation mugs (see more below on the mugs I use)
- Sublimation printer and ink (see more below)
- Sublimation Paper (see which brand I use here)
- Scissors
- Sublimation Mat
- Protective Paper or butcher paper
- Heat-Resistant Tape
- Lint roller
- Heat-Resistant gloves
- Tape measure
- Cricut Mug Press
- Mug templates (optional, but you can get a set for free below)
Here are some tips and tricks for finding products that work.
Sublimation Coated Mugs
You will need to use sublimation-coated mugs for this project. These mugs feature a special poly-coating that allows the sublimation print to react with and bond to your surface. I used the following two mugs with this tutorial:
- White mugs with gray handles/inside (these are from Cricut and come in other handle/inside colors)
- Plain white mugs (these are just from Amazon, but Cricut also makes a version, or you can shop around)
Remember that if you are looking for mugs, be sure they have a coating and are 11 – 16 oz, straight-walled, 3.2 – 3.4 inches in diameter, and a maximum height of 4.72 inches.
Sublimation Printer
You will also need a sublimation print for this project. You can read more about what sublimation is in this post. Personally, I have an Epson EcoTank printer that I converted to a sublimation printer. Please note that a regular printer WILL NOT WORK for this project. You do need the right printer and sublimation ink for the process to work. Want to see how I made my printer? Try this post!
Free Mug Templates
Receive the set of templates I used to print on mugs by signing up for the newsletter below. Just add your information, and a zip file will be sent to your email address. If you already get the newsletter, just add your information again, as you will not be signed up for anything further. Once you sign up, you will be offered the larger bundle of templates at a discount if you would like those as well. Look for the form below with a picture of the files you want, then add your information.
Please note that these files are for personal use only. You can contact me for commercial use licenses or if you have any issues with your download, and I'll be happy to help!
Designing Your Mugs
Now that you have your supplies and your templates, it is time to design some mugs. You can either use the templates above, or there are also free templates in Cricut Design Space for mugs. For the Cricut Mug Press, remember that your design should be at least 1/2 inch from the handle on both sides. If you pick a mug that isn't a Cricut mug, I recommend using a sewing tape measure to get the mug's size, then make sure the templates will work for you.
I used Cricut Design Space to trim my pictures using templates and get the shapes I wanted for my designs before printing. You can use ANY design program that you have to accomplish this same task. You could also print the templates, trace them onto your printed sublimation print, and cut them out with scissors. There are many ways to make the templates work for the mugs.
If you want to see how to print on mugs using Cricut Design Space to size the images and the templates, I would suggest watching the video above. It definitely walks you through each step of uploading your pictures and slicing them to work with the templates. You can also use it to access free templates that have a variety of edge designs. I made one version with a single picture and another one with a picture collage. Both processes are explained in the video above.
Once you have your design, print it on sublimation paper with your sublimation printer. I also used Cricut Design Space for this, so you will see a black box around my prints. The box is not needed, and you do not need a Cricut machine either. The process was just easy to explain in Design Space, and the program is free. It does take extra ink, however, when printing the box.
You will want to uncheck the “add bleed” box when working in Design Space and printing. You can also check the “use system dialogue” box to change settings like print speed if you are having issues with print quality. Your sublimation print MUST BE mirrored when printing. You can do this either in your printer settings or in Design Space settings. You DO NOT need to do it in both places. Just one or the other!
Pressing Your Designs
Now that you have your prints, it is time to add them to your mugs! Heat up your mug press while you prepare the mugs themselves. Clean the mug with a lint roller before starting to remove any dust or debris.
Trim your prints with scissors to remove the thin borders at the top and bottom. I cut slowly and make sure it's as straight as possible, since you will use this to line up on your mug. You may notice that the colors on your sublimation prints are muted, and that is okay. They will really brighten and pop once pressed.
Line the print up on the mug surface, making sure it is straight and an equal distance from the handle on both sides. You want to make sure this is TIGHT on your mug surface before taping.
Tape the print down well in the center with heat-resistant tape. I like to tape one side, then pull the paper tight, and then tape the opposite side.
Then add tape at the top and bottom, where the template edges are, to hold them tight. It's also a good idea to tape the bottom all the way around so the mug press doesn't snag the print when inserting it.
Use protective paper over the sublimation prints to protect the press. I use three sheets as an extra precaution, but I often reuse the top sheet.
Cut the sheets to size and wrap them around the mug, being sure to cover the entire sublimation print. Tape these into place as well.
Add the mug to the press and close the lever. Remember that mug press heats itself to the right temperature and has a built-in timer. There is no need to set a time and temperature on this press. It will beep when it is done.
Once done, remove the mug from the press and put it on a heat-resistant mat. The mug handle will be cool.
I like to remove the paper from these while they're still warm, so I use some heat-resistant gloves and start peeling it back. The tape is also super easy to remove when hot.
Then just sit back and look at your gorgeous photo mugs and how amazing they look!
FAQs: How to print on mugs
What is sublimation, and how do I get started?
To start using sublimation, you will need a sublimation printer and ink. I have found the most economical way to get into this craft is to convert an Epson EcoTank printer.
Are these mugs dishwasher safe? Microwave safe?
Yes to both!
What if I am pressing on a different mug press? What are the time and temperature?
For other mug presses, follow all instructions on the mug blanks you are using. Each blank has a different time and temperature. If you can't find instructions there, look for instructions that come with your sublimation paper.
My photos messed up along the top/bottom? What did I do wrong?
Some mug blanks are slightly tapered along the top or bottom. This can lead to fuzzy images because the print is not tight. Try again, but tape the top and bottom all the way around and pull tight as you go.
Can I do this same project on tumblers and other blanks?
Definitely! Just use a different size template to get your images just right. I have also pressed tumblers in the Cricut Mug Press, and you can see that here.
So, will you make some photo mugs for your friends and family? These are basically the best gifts ever!
Custom projects like these are the number one reason I bought a sublimation printer. This is really the only way to make dishwasher-safe mugs with your own images.
Now that you know how to print on mugs, I hope you will consider adding sublimation to your craft room and make a few photo mugs of your very own!
I am trying to follow along yet my Cricut design space is different than in your video.
That template is not in that drop down menu, how did you get it there? Also when I find that template elsewhere and use it along with the slice, it slices the whole photo out the image, doesn’t look the same as yours. I haven’t been able to go any further the video as Im stuck. Any hints?
It doesn’t matter where you grab the template as they are the same. I don’t know what you mean by slicing the whole photo out of the image however?
Hey there! I love your videos and tutuorials but I am having major trouble with colors. I converted an Epson like your suggestion and I downloaded your Hipoo color profile. Any green, blue or purple is a massive difference and I just cannot get colors right. I am graphic designer by trade but I have an Etsy store on the side. I’ve been selling my items but I would love to get colors more correct. Right now, I spend a large amount of time burning samples and color correcting in Photoshop. Do you have any suggestions? You have great ideas and I was hoping maybe you have heard of these issues? I’m thinking I might need to spring for a Sawgrass machine with the color management software but that’s a huge investment. Thank you for your time and everything you post!
Definitely something like a Sawgrass would fix it. First, what are you pressing on to? And have you tried any other sublimation paper?
I followed all you did and all was perfect except my photo faces turned out so orange, any tips please, thanks so much
My guess would be your colors from your printer need to be adjusted.
Mine too are orange almost brown how do i fix the colors … i too converted epson 4750et love your videos always so helpful you are how i was able to convert it without a problem 🙂 so thank you !!
You can find ICC profiles to correct the colors off of your printer.
so i am new to the press as of two weeks i am using cricut mugs and i am using sublimation ink and stone city sub paper … every mug i put in comes out dark dark brown almost black … what can i do to fix this i love the press because it does a wrap around perfect with no fade but i can not get the color to come out beautiful like i can my regular mug press HELPPPP lol thanks in advance follower from canada !
Are your images dark? Not sure why this press would be any different looking for the same image than another press you are using?
Hi. I’ve been trying slates and coasters but some of my photos come out more red what am i doing wrong?
YOu probably need to color correct your printer.
Hello
I am trying to sublimate a mug when i print my image is fine and colors look fine but when i press they come out darker, i have printed in several settings and its the same thing i also lowered the temp on my cricut mug press and its still dark. Do you thinknit might be i have to take them out sooner? Tha ks in advance
What do you mean by darker? Sublimation prints will always be darker/more vibrant after it’s pressed.
My daughter is autistic and has fallen in love with doing mugs and tumblers. I have learned a lot helping her but we are stumped. Using the same printer, her tumblers come out great in her oven but the coffee mugs do not. The same jpeg photo looks great on her tumbler but on the mug the faces are too orange and the rest of the colors to dark. So it can’t be the ink or paper or how it’s printed color-wise since the tumblers look great. She has tried expensive mugs and bargain mugs, longer times, shorter times, used the oven and press. We can not for the life of us figure out what the issue is. I hope I can get some suggestions on here as we have been watching your videos and enjoy them.
My guess would be the amount of ink on the paper. I would try maybe a matte paper setting but don’t use best quality. Or a plain paper setting and use best quality. That might fix it!