In recent years, skinny tumblers have become best-selling drinkware items. Customers love their sleek look, comfortable grip, and convenient sizes that fit easily in most cupholders. Skinny tumblers are also great for both cold and hot beverages, making them hot-selling items year-round.
If you sell custom drinkware, adding skinny tumblers to your product line can help you reach more buyers and increase sales. Additionally, skinny tumblers are ideal for crafting, as their seamless straight sides make it easier to achieve professional-looking results.
Whether you’re completely new to skinny tumblers or looking to expand your existing product line, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selling these in-demand items. You'll also learn how to choose the best skinny tumblers for your business.
Let's jump in and explore how to get started with selling skinny tumblers, starting with their popularity and why they should be part of your product lineup. From there, we'll discuss why skinny tumblers are preferred in sublimation printing and which skinny tumbler features your cups should include.
What Makes Skinny Tumblers So Popular?
Many drinkware businesses see steady demand for skinny tumblers throughout the year, with 20-oz skinny tumblers being especially popular. Customers value these tumblers to keep beverages hot or cold, and many use them throughout their daily routines.
Here are a few of the reasons why so many consumers add skinny tumblers to their online shopping carts:
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They showcase modern, sleek designs that attract customers. Many buyers choose skinny tumblers because their shapes feel clean and contemporary. The tall height and slim body create a stylish profile that looks great on a desk, in a car cupholder, or in social media photos. This modern appearance makes the skinny tumbler an easy product to market, as it appeals to many and fits well with current drinkware trends.
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Skinny tumblers are lightweight and easy for customers to carry. Their convenient weight and size make them easy to take anywhere. Plus, the narrow grip helps users keep a secure hold on the cup, even when they are on the go. This convenience matters to busy shoppers who want practical drinkware they can bring to work or school. Some skinny tumblers also feature handles for added convenience, making them even easier to carry.
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Their smooth surfaces are great for customization. A skinny tumbler's straight-wall design makes it easy to add brand logos, monograms, or detailed graphics, helping achieve sharp and clean designs that are eye-catching against its smooth surface. Many creators prefer skinny tumblers because their straight designs prevent alignment issues, and customers love how polished customized cups look when the artwork wraps neatly around the skinny tumbler.
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A skinny tumbler is a versatile item that sells year-round. Personalized skinny tumblers are a reliable choice for holidays, birthdays, weddings, and business promotions. Their simple yet elegant styles can suit practically any occasion, and they're great as gifts, party favors, and decorations.
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Skinny tumblers are ideal for a wide variety of drinks, from water and coffee to cocktails and smoothies. Regardless of the beverage, a double-wall vacuum insulated skinny tumbler can keep it cold or hot for hours on end.
In short, skinny tumblers combine style, practicality, and versatility in a way few other drinkware products can. Their sleek design, lightweight feel, and customization-friendly surface make them a favorite among both crafters and customers.
Now, let's go deeper into why skinny tumblers are especially preferred among sublimation crafters.
Skinny Stainless Steel Tumblers Are Optimal for Sublimation
Skinny tumblers are a highly dependable choice for sublimation, as their shapes are great for heat transfers. The skinny, straight-wall design allows the wrap to make full contact and distribute evenly across the tumbler surface. This helps prevent transfer issues like fading, uneven coloring, or gaps in the design.
Many crafters especially enjoy sublimating 20-oz skinny tumblers because their sizes are optimal for most standard sublimation heat presses and sublimation ovens. The predictable shape and size allow beginners and experienced sellers to achieve reliable results with less guesswork. It also helps reduce wasted materials, saving time and keeping production costs under control.
Skinny tumblers provide a reliable canvas for delivering stunning products that will impress your customers and encourage repeat business.
Essential Skinny Tumbler Features to Look for When Shopping
Beyond the importance of selling skinny tumblers, you need to offer your customers high-quality drinkware that boasts desirable features. While there are plenty of skinny tumbler options on the market, not every supplier delivers the same level of quality.
That’s why it’s important to look for the following key qualities when choosing skinny tumblers for your business:
High-Quality Stainless Steel Tumblers
High-grade stainless steel is one of the most important features to look for in skinny tumblers. Food-grade 304 stainless steel offers strength, resistance to rust, and a long lifespan. Durable tumblers keep your customers happy and support repeat purchases, making them a smart choice for crafters and small businesses.
Smooth, Consistent Coatings
If you customize drinkware through engraving, sublimation, epoxy, or another method, you need to stock up on skinny tumblers that feature smooth coatings. As we've already seen, skinny tumblers are ideally shaped for customization, but these tumblers must feature appropriate surfaces to achieve professional crafting results.
For example, sublimation requires polyester fibers for the transfer ink to bond with the tumbler's surface. For that reason, a sublimation tumbler needs a consistent polyester-based polymer coating. The polymer coating ensures the designs transfer correctly and that the colors display vibrantly, whether it's red, blue, green, or another color. Reliable sublimation blanks with even polymer coatings can empower you to give your customers beautiful finished products.
Engraving and epoxy also require smooth surfaces to achieve the best results, but unlike sublimation, they do not need polyester coatings for successful transfers. However, you should always check that the blank is specifically designed for engraving or epoxy use to achieve a clean, professional finish.
BPA-Free Leak-Resistant Lids and Optional Straws
Customers appreciate tumblers that are easy to use and spill-resistant, so it's best to choose skinny tumblers with leak-resistant lids. Skinny tumblers with leak-proof lids and straws are convenient for iced beverages, while flip and slide lids are excellent for hot drinks.
No matter what types of lids and straws you offer, you need to make sure they're BPA-free. Using only BPA-free materials helps prevent chemicals from leaching into beverages and reflects your commitment to offering safe, high-quality drinkware.
Providing customers with leak-proof, BPA-free lids and straws ensures they have everything they need right out of the box.
Double-Wall Vacuum Insulation
When shopping for skinny tumblers, consider choosing stainless steel tumblers with double-wall vacuum insulation. Selecting well-insulated skinny tumblers strengthens the overall value of your custom products. This feature is appealing to potential customers because it maintains drink temperature for several hours, and it's one of the most sought-after features in reusable drinkware.
Skinny Tumblers Bulk Availability
Although not strictly necessary, purchasing skinny tumblers in bulk can reduce costs and ensure consistent availability for orders. Buying in larger quantities makes it easier to manage inventory, prepare for seasonal demand, and offer multiple sizes or styles to customers. It can also increase your profits, as your cost per unit will be lower than when purchasing individual units.
By focusing on these essential qualities — high-grade stainless steel, smooth coatings, leak-proof lids, double-wall vacuum insulation, and bulk availability — you can set your business up for success and provide skinny tumblers that exceed your customers' expectations.
Marketing and Sales Strategies for Skinny Tumblers
While skinny tumblers themselves are highly in demand, you'll need to market your offerings and show what sets your brand apart from others. Aside from your unique designs, the key factors that will help distinguish your business are the features and overall quality of your tumblers.
As we've seen, insulation is an invaluable feature that can set your brand apart, so you should highlight that your tumblers feature double-wall vacuum insulation. Customers are more likely to buy from your business if they have the assurance that your drinkware will keep their hot drinks hot and ice-cold drinks cold for hours.
Of course, your marketing strategy itself will also impact your overall success with skinny tumblers. Consider showcasing your stainless steel tumblers on social media to attract attention. Post high-quality images and videos that highlight the sleek designs, vibrant colors, and custom patterns available.
If you already have an established small business with a customer base, you can share user-generated content, such as customer photos of their skinny tumblers in action. Whether they're using your creations at the office, on a road trip, or on a night out, your customers can demonstrate the versatility of your custom drinkware. Plus, this can build a sense of community around your brand.
You can also partner with influencers or bloggers in the lifestyle, travel, or food spaces to reach new audiences. Targeting those who enjoy travel can be especially beneficial, as skinny tumblers are perfect for those who need easy-to-carry drinkware on the go. Collaborate on giveaways, product reviews, or tutorials to showcase how your skinny tumblers fit seamlessly into any lifestyle.
Additionally, offering special promotions can boost sales. Consider bundle deals, discounts on orders over a certain amount, or free shipping to encourage larger purchases. A loyalty program or rewards system can also keep customers coming back, while email marketing campaigns are perfect for announcing new products, limited-time offers, or exclusive designs.
By combining thoughtful marketing with high-caliber products, you can create a strong foundation for long-term success with skinny tumblers. Showcasing appealing designs, highlighting the benefits of durable stainless steel, and engaging with your audience will help your brand stand out.
Skinny Tumbler FAQs
What Size Are Skinny Tumblers?
Skinny tumblers are typically available in popular sizes like 20-oz and 30-oz. The 20-oz skinny tumbler is especially common for everyday use. Its exact size will differ by brand and model, but these tumblers typically measure from 8.2 to 8.5 inches tall with a diameter of around 2.5 to 3 inches. On the other hand, 30-oz skinny tumblers are around 10 inches tall and 3 inches in diameter.
How Long Does It Take to Press a Skinny Tumbler?
Generally, pressing a skinny tumbler takes between 40 and 60 seconds per side, but this will depend on your tumbler heat press machine or sublimation oven. Following the manufacturer’s instructions ensures you use the optimal sublimation settings to get the best results.
What Temperature Do You Sublimate Skinny Tumblers?
Crafters typically press sublimation-ready skinny tumblers at temperatures between 350°F and 380°F. That said, exact settings can vary depending on the tumbler coating and size, as well as the sublimation equipment. Always start by following the manufacturer's recommended temperature settings, then make adjustments if necessary. Using the correct temperature ensures the sublimation ink bonds properly for bright, long-lasting results.
What Is the 20-Oz Skinny Tumbler Wrap Size?
The standard wrap for a 20-oz skinny tumbler usually measures around 9.3 inches wide by 8.2 inches tall. If you're getting started with customizing skinny tumblers, you can use a digital wrap template to ensure you customize and print the correct size. We feature 20-oz skinny tumbler wraps, 30-oz skinny tumbler wraps, and other templates to help you get started.
What Is the Weight of a 20-Oz Skinny Tumbler?
A 20-oz skinny tumbler generally weighs between 10 and 14 ounces, depending on the material and lid type. This lightweight design makes it easy to carry while still feeling sturdy and durable.
Are Skinny Tumblers Dishwasher Safe?
Whether you can put your skinny tumblers in the dishwasher depends on the brand and model. Usually, it's best to hand-wash your tumblers, especially if you've already used sublimation, engraving, or epoxy to customize them. Hand-washing your tumblers helps preserve their finishes and prevent fading.
Start Selling Skinny Tumblers Today with The Stainless Depot Company
Skinny tumblers are a smart choice for small businesses and crafters because they combine style, practicality, and strong sales potential. In addition to being appreciated for their convenience, these straight-walled tumblers are ideal for personalization and sublimation.
If you're interested in customizing skinny tumblers, you'll need great blanks to get started. At The Stainless Depot Company, we feature high-quality skinny tumbler blanks. Our blank skinny tumblers feature leak-resistant lids, double-wall vacuum insulation, and polyester coatings, making them perfect for transferring long-lasting designs. These skinny tumblers are available for individual sale and in bulk, so you can stock up on the exact number you need.
In addition to stainless steel tumblers, our site features a range of customizable ceramic, glass, and acrylic cups. We also offer sublimation heat press machines, sublimation printers, fast-set epoxy resin, and more. Plus, our site features helpful guides for getting started with customizing drinkware, including how to sublimate a tumbler and how to epoxy a tumbler.
With The Stainless Depot Company, you can get everything you need to run a successful tumbler business. Whether you’re just starting your crafting business or expanding your product line, our selection of skinny tumblers, sublimation designs, and accessories makes it easy to craft designs your customers will love.
