Sublimation Heat Press Settings For Shirts, Tumblers, Mugs, Stainless Steel Water Bottles, and More

The dye sublimation process empowers crafters to create vibrant, intricate designs, but achieving optimal results requires the right sublimation press settings. If your image isn't transferring cleanly or it differs from your design, you likely need to adjust your temperature, time, or pressure settings.

To get the best results, you’ll also need to adjust your sublimation times and temperatures to suit your specific crafting products. For instance, the ideal polyester heat press settings will differ from the best tumbler heat press settings. 

Fortunately, we're here to help you master the ideal heat press settings for sublimation, organized by product type. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best settings for achieving professional-looking results for shirts, tumblers, mugs, stainless steel water bottles, and other items. 

Sublimation Shirt Time and Temp Guidelines

When it comes to fabrics, the sublimation process requires polyester fibers, and the higher the polyester content, the brighter and more permanent the design will be. The ideal temperature and time settings for sublimating t-shirts and other garments depend on the percentage of polyester in the fabric blend. 

In addition to time and temperature settings, polyester content also affects the recommended pressure settings. For instance, 100% polyester fabrics typically require medium to high pressure, while polyester-cotton blends require light to medium pressure. The amount of pressure may also vary depending on the fabric's thickness. 

Sublimation Time and Temp for 100% Polyester Shirts:

• Temperature: 400°F
• Time: 35 to 40 seconds
• Pressure: Medium to high

Sublimation Time and Temp for 50/50% Polyester-Cotton Blends:

• Temperature: 300°F to 350°F
• Time: 15 to 30 seconds
• Pressure: Light to medium

Quick Tips for Sublimating Shirts:

• Utilize a protective sheet, such as butcher paper or uncoated parchment paper, between the heat platen and the shirt.

• Use lower temperatures when working with cotton blends to prevent scorching.

• Pre-press fabric for 3 to 5 seconds to remove moisture and wrinkles.

• Avoid using too much pressure on thinner garments to prevent press marks.

• Perform test presses when working with new shirt types or designs, and make minor adjustments to optimize transfer quality.

Sublimating shirts is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to start a custom apparel business. With the right heat press sublimation settings, your designs will stay sharp and vibrant after years of regular washing.

Sublimation Heat Press Settings for Stainless Steel Tumblers and Water Bottles

Polymer-coated stainless steel drinkware provides a smooth surface that holds sublimation ink exceptionally well. To get consistent, vivid colors and the most durable prints, you'll need to use high heat and even pressing times on both sides of the cup. 

Sublimation Tumbler Time and Temp:

• Temperature: 350°F to 380°F
• Time: 45 seconds per side
• Pressure: Firm

Sublimation Water Bottle Time and Temp:

• Temperature: 350°F to 380°F
• Time: 45 seconds per side
• Pressure: Firm

Quick Tips for Sublimating Stainless Steel Drinkware:

• Make sure your tumbler or water bottle is clean and dry before applying the wrap.

• Wrap your transfer paper tightly around the cup and secure it with heat-resistant tape.

• Preheat your press for accurate sublimation results.

• Use firm, even pressure across the whole surface. Uneven heat leads to poor-quality transfers.

Once you’ve perfected your transfer settings, you'll achieve stunning sublimation results on your drinkware that match your original designs.

Sublimation Heat Press Settings for Ceramic Mugs

Polymer-coated ceramic mugs are excellent projects for creative entrepreneurs and small businesses. While the ideal mug sublimation temperature and time can vary by size, most mugs between 11 and 15 ounces use similar settings.

11-15oz Ceramic Mug Sublimation Time and Temp:

• Temperature: 356°F to 392°F
• Time: 140 seconds
• Pressure: Firm

Quick Tips for Sublimating Ceramic Mugs:

• Double-check that the ceramic surface is clean and free of dust and oils.

• Use a dedicated mug press or tumbler press for the best results. If you use a tumbler press, heat each side for 45 seconds.

• Preheat your press.

• Let the mug cool for a few seconds before peeling the sublimation paper to prevent smearing.

With the right sublimation press settings, ceramic mugs can deliver sharp, vibrant colors that hold up well to everyday use. Whether you add logos, photos, or text, your ceramic mugs will display professional-looking results that your customers will love.

Sublimation Heat Press Settings for Ornaments, Coasters, Keychains, and Neoprene Koozies

Smaller sublimation blanks, such as ornaments, coasters, keychains, and koozies, provide crafters with a way to create eye-catching and functional products. Learning the ideal settings for these compact substrates will help you produce clean sublimation prints and avoid scorching or fading.

Sublimation Ceramic Ornaments Time and Temperature

• Temperature: 350°F to 370°F
• Time: 100 to 180 seconds
• Pressure: Light to medium

Quick Tips for Sublimating Ceramic Ornaments:

• Test slightly different times and temperatures for new blanks, as their shapes and thicknesses will likely differ.

• Use light pressure to avoid breaking the ceramic, but ensure it is not too little pressure to prevent incomplete transfers.

• Allow the ceramic ornaments to cool flat on a heat-safe surface.

Sublimation Ceramic Coasters Time and Temp

• Temperature: 380°F to 400°F
• Time: 90 seconds. Rotate 180 degrees and press for an additional 90 seconds
• Pressure: Medium

Quick Tips for Sublimating Ceramic Coasters:

• Secure your sublimation paper around the coaster's edge with heat-resistant tape.

• Ensure you apply pressure evenly.

• Don't stack hot coasters right after pressing. Instead, cool them separately.

Sublimation Keychain Time and Temp

• Temperature: 350°F to 400°F
• Time: 40-70 seconds
• Pressure: Medium to firm

Quick Tips for Sublimating Keychains:

• Ensure your keychains have polymer coatings. Polymer-coated keychains are frequently made from metal, plastic, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF).

• Remove keychain rings, clasps, and chains before sublimating.

• Use a pressing pillow or silicone pad under thin materials to help distribute heat evenly.

• Test slightly varying pressure, time, and temperature settings for different keychain materials. 

Sublimation Koozie Time and Temp

• Temperature: 385°F
• Time: 55 seconds
• Pressure: Light to medium

Quick Tips for Sublimating Neoprene Koozies:

• Insert a pressing pillow or cardboard inside the koozie to prevent creases from forming.

• Be sure not to apply too much pressure, as this can cause the foam to crush or deform.

• Let the koozie cool on a flat surface to help it retain its shape after pressing. 

With the right temperature, pressure, and pressing times, you can bring out rich colors and sharp details in your compact products. These blanks are ideal for custom orders and seasonal promotions, so it’s worth taking the time to perfect your settings to achieve the best transfer results.

Quick Reference: Sublimation Heat Press Temperature Guide

The time and temperature chart below summarizes the recommended settings for various items:

Item	Temperature	Time	Pressure
100% Polyester Shirts	400°F	35–40 sec	Medium to high
50/50% Polyester-Cotton Shirts	300–350°F	15–30 sec	Light to medium
Stainless Steel Tumblers	350–380°F	45 sec/side	Firm
Stainless Steel Water Bottles	350–380°F	45 sec/side	Firm
11-15oz Ceramic Mugs (using a Mug Press)	356–392°F	140 sec	Firm
Ceramic Ornaments	350–370°F	100–180 sec	Light to medium
Ceramic Coasters	380–400°F	90 sec/side (rotate 180°)	Medium
Keychains (metal/plastic/MDF)	350–400°F	40–70 sec	Medium to firm
Neoprene Koozies	385°F	55 sec	Light to medium

Important Note: The best sublimation settings may vary depending on your heat press and specific blanks. If your heat press manufacturer or sublimation blank supplier provides specific heating instructions, follow them carefully. Following the recommended settings for your heat press machine and sublimation blanks can make a huge difference in achieving consistent and high-quality results.

Sublimation Heat Press Settings FAQs

How Can I Improve Color Vibrancy Beyond Just Adjusting Heat Press Settings?

Using high-quality sublimation ink and transfer paper can help optimize color brightness, clarity, and vibrancy. You should also ensure your sublimation printer profiles match your ink and paper combination for accurate color output. Additionally, always use blanks with quality sublimation coatings or high polyester content for optimal ink absorption and durability.

Should I Pre-Press My Sublimation Blanks Before Pressing?

Briefly pre-pressing fabrics can help remove moisture and wrinkles, creating a smooth surface that's ideal for heat transfers. Aside from fabrics, you do not need to pre-press. Do not pre-press your stainless steel drinkware, ceramics, and other substrates because these materials don’t absorb moisture the way fabrics do.

Do I Need to Let My Heat Press Warm Up Before Using It?

Always let your heat press reach the correct temperature before starting any sublimation project. Pressing your blanks too early can cause uneven transfers, faded colors, or ghosting. Waiting until your heat press reaches the proper temperature helps ensure your time and temperature settings work as intended and your results stay consistent.

What Safety Precautions Should I Take When Using a Heat Press?

Heat presses reach incredibly high temperatures, so it’s essential to exercise caution. Always wear heat-resistant gloves when handling your blanks or removing transfers. Additionally, keep your workspace clear of flammable materials and avoid touching the platen during or immediately after pressing. You should also ensure that your workspace has sufficient ventilation.

Get the Best Results for Heat Press Sublimation 

Mastering your sublimation heat press settings can take time, but once you learn what works best for each blank, the results speak for themselves. The right combination of temperature, time, and pressure helps you create long-lasting, professional-quality designs, whether you're working with fabric, drinkware, or other sublimation blanks.

If you're just getting started with sublimation or are looking to get even better results, you can count on The Stainless Depot Company for valuable advice. You can explore other helpful guides on our blog to help you create long-lasting prints, including our guide "How to Do Sublimation Printing." Additionally, explore high-quality sublimation products with our articles "What Is the Best Heat Press Machine for Small Businesses in 2025" and "Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners: A Complete Comparison Guide for 2025."

We also feature high-quality wholesale sublimation blanks and supplies on our website. There, you’ll find a great selection of tumblers, ceramic mugs, sublimatable shirts, sublimation paper, and more. When shopping for HOGG sublimation blanks on our website, you can view each product’s ideal time, temperature, and pressure settings by clicking on the drop-down menu underneath the product description.

If you have any questions about getting the best results with our products, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly through email. We’re here to support your crafting business with everything you need to keep creating with confidence.