Buying Guide
Which blank should you buy?
Pick your decoration method and we'll tell you exactly which material to grab. Every product ships from our Houston, Texas warehouse — free US shipping over $99, processed in 1–2 business days.
Sublimation → Sublimatable blanks. Epoxy → raw Stainless Steel (the gold standard, no prep). Laser engraving → Powder Coated. Want maximum flexibility? Sublimatable Stainless Steel works with every method we support.
"I want to do X" → buy Y
I want to do sublimation
Sublimation requires a special polymer coating to bond with the ink. Only products with "Sublimatable" in the title have this coating.
I want to laser engrave tumblers
Laser engraving works on stainless steel (all types) and raw aluminum. The laser etches the surface, revealing the contrast underneath.
I want to make epoxy tumblers
Epoxy needs a surface it can grip. Raw stainless steel is the gold standard — no prep required. Sublimatable stainless works too, but needs light sanding first.
I want to apply vinyl decals
Vinyl is the most flexible decoration method — it works on every material we sell. Choose your blank based on the look you want.
I want to do UV printing
UV print uses a flatbed or rotary UV printer to cure ink directly onto the surface. It works on every material in our catalog.
I want to use UV DTF transfers
UV DTF (Direct-to-Film) is a popular full-color method that doesn't require sublimation coating or a heat press. Works on every material.
I want maximum flexibility
If you want one blank that does everything, this is the answer. Compatible with every decoration method we support.
Full compatibility matrix
Use this matrix to confirm which decoration methods are supported on each material we sell.
| Material | Sub | Laser | Vinyl | Epoxy | UV print | UV DTF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel (raw) | — | ✓ | ✓ | ★ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sublimatable Stainless Steel | ★ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* | ✓ | ✓ |
| Powder Coated Stainless | — | ★ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sublimatable Aluminum | ★ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sublimatable Ceramic | ★ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sublimatable Glass | ★ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Raw Aluminum | — | ★ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Acrylic | — | — | ★ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plastic | — | — | ★ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Standard Glass | — | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | ★ |
| Standard Ceramic | — | — | ✓ | — | ★ | ✓ |
★ Best use case for this material. ✓* Works with epoxy but requires light sanding first.
Key things to know
Only "Sublimatable" products accept sublimation
If a product title doesn't include the word "Sublimatable," it does not have the coating required for sublimation. Sublimation requires a polymer coating that bonds with the ink during heat transfer. Browse our full Sublimatable collection to see all sublimation-ready options.
Powder-coated cups cannot be sublimated
Powder-coated tumblers are designed for laser engraving, where the laser removes the coating to reveal the stainless steel underneath, creating a sharp, contrasting design. The powder coating is not sublimation-compatible.
Sublimation time and temperature varies by product
There is no single universal setting for sublimation. Time, temperature, and pressure depend on the specific blank, your heat press, and other factors. Every Sublimatable product page includes a "Sublimation Time & Temps" dropdown with manufacturer-recommended settings. For a broader reference, see our complete sublimation heat press settings guide.
All our drinkware is BPA-free and food-safe
Every stainless steel tumbler we sell is BPA-free and food-safe. Our double-wall vacuum insulated tumblers keep drinks hot for approximately 12 hours and cold for 24+ hours — and they don't sweat. This HOGG never sweats.
Running into issues? Read our troubleshooting guides
Sublimation and tumbler decoration take some practice. If your project isn't turning out the way you expected, these guides cover the most common issues and fixes:
- The Most Common Sublimation Mistakes (And How to Fix Them) — banding, ghosting, gassing out, moisture issues
- Sublimation Heat Press Settings: Time & Temp Guide — full reference for every blank type
- What Material Can You Sublimate On? A Complete Guide — deep dive into compatible substrates
- What Is Sublimation Printing? — beginner-friendly process explainer
- How to Make Sublimation Mugs: Beginner's Guide
- The HOGG Heat Press Guide to Perfect Sublimation — equipment-specific troubleshooting
Ready to start your project?
Free shipping on US orders over $99. Ships from Houston, TX in 1–2 business days.
Shop all drinkwareFrequently asked questions
What is the best blank for epoxy work?
Raw (plain) Stainless Steel is the gold standard for epoxy — it requires no sanding or prep before application. Powder Coated Stainless Steel and Sublimatable Stainless Steel also work with epoxy, but Sublimatable Stainless requires light sanding first to help adhesion.
Can I sublimate on powder-coated cups?
No. Powder-coated tumblers are designed for laser engraving and vinyl, not sublimation. The powder coating is not sublimation-compatible. If you want to sublimate, choose a product with "Sublimatable" in the title.
Which tumblers can I laser engrave?
Laser engraving works on Powder Coated Stainless Steel, raw Stainless Steel, Sublimatable Stainless Steel, and raw Aluminum tumblers. It does not work on aluminum sublimation blanks, ceramic, glass, acrylic, or plastic products.
What is the most versatile blank you sell?
Sublimatable Stainless Steel is the most versatile blank we sell. It works with all six major decoration methods: sublimation, laser engraving, vinyl, epoxy (with light sanding), UV print, and UV DTF.
Can I use UV DTF on any tumbler?
Yes. UV DTF works on every material we sell — stainless steel, aluminum, ceramic, glass, acrylic, and plastic. It's a popular method for full-color decoration without sublimation coating or a heat press.
How do I know if a product is sublimation-ready?
Look for "Sublimatable" in the product title. Any product with "Sublimatable" in its title has been factory-coated for sublimation. Products without "Sublimatable" are not pre-coated and cannot be reliably sublimated.
