Sublimation printing produces vibrant, full-color, permanent designs on mugs, tumblers, shirts, and dozens of other products. While SVG files are the standard for cutting machines, sublimation uses PNG images — and the PNG files included in most design packs work perfectly for this process.
What Is Sublimation?
Sublimation uses special ink that, when heated, turns from solid directly into gas (it "sublimates"). This gas penetrates the surface of polyester-coated materials, bonding at a molecular level. The result is a permanent, full-color image that won't peel, crack, or wash off — because it's literally part of the material.
The Sublimation Workflow
- Get your design file — Use a PNG file with transparent background. The PNG files from our design packs work directly for sublimation.
- Size and prepare in design software — Open the PNG in your design software and size it for your specific product (e.g., 9.25" x 3.75" for a standard 11oz mug wrap)
- Print with sublimation ink — Print the design on sublimation paper using a printer loaded with sublimation ink. Mirror the image before printing.
- Press with heat — Wrap the printed paper around your substrate (mug, tumbler, shirt) and press with a heat press at the correct temperature and time.
- Remove and admire — Peel the paper to reveal a vibrant, permanent design.
SVG vs. PNG for Sublimation
Sublimation printers work with raster images (PNG, JPG), not vector files (SVG). However, the connection to SVG design packs is straightforward:
- PNG files from design packs are ready for sublimation — just size and print
- SVG files can be converted to high-resolution PNG using Inkscape (File > Export PNG) — useful when you need a custom size or color
- For cutting + sublimation combos — Use the SVG in your cutting machine to cut the shape, then sublimate the PNG version of the design onto the cut piece
For more on when to use each format, see our format comparison guide.
Popular Sublimation Products
Mugs (11oz and 15oz)
The most common sublimation product. White ceramic mugs with a polyester coating accept vibrant sublimation prints. Use a mug press for even heat distribution.
| Mug Size | Print Area | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11oz | 9.25" x 3.75" | 400°F (204°C) | 60 seconds |
| 15oz | 9.25" x 4.5" | 400°F (204°C) | 60 seconds |
Tumblers (20oz Skinny)
Stainless steel tumblers with a sublimation coating produce stunning results. The full-wrap design means you can print detailed, colorful scenes that cover the entire surface. Use a tumbler press or shrink wrap and a convection oven.
T-Shirts and Apparel
Sublimation on white or light-colored polyester shirts produces vibrant, soft-hand prints that breathe better than vinyl. The print becomes part of the fabric, so there's nothing to feel on the surface. Note: sublimation only works on polyester or polyester-blend fabrics.
Ornaments
Sublimation-coated ceramic and aluminum ornaments are popular for personalized gifts. Small designs work well at these sizes.
Coasters
Ceramic and hardboard coasters with sublimation coating produce colorful, washable drink coasters. These are affordable to produce and sell well as sets.
Phone Cases
Sublimation-blank phone cases accept full-color designs. The glossy finish makes colors pop. Requires precise sizing for each phone model.
Equipment You Need
- Sublimation printer — An inkjet printer converted with sublimation ink (Epson EcoTank models are popular) or a dedicated sublimation printer
- Sublimation ink — Special ink designed to sublimate. Regular ink will not work.
- Sublimation paper — Coated paper that releases ink cleanly during pressing
- Heat press — Flat press for shirts and coasters, mug press for mugs, tumbler press for tumblers. All-in-one combo presses are available.
- Heat-resistant tape — Holds the paper in position on the substrate during pressing
- Sublimation blanks — The coated products (mugs, tumblers, etc.) designed for sublimation
Tips for Best Results
- Mirror your image before printing — The print transfers in reverse. If you see text in your design, you must mirror it.
- Print at highest quality — Low-quality prints produce low-quality sublimation results
- Use correct ICC profiles — Color profiles matched to your ink and paper produce accurate colors
- Avoid touching the printed paper — Oils from your fingers can create spots in the final transfer
- Press temperature and time are critical — Too low or too brief produces dull colors. Too high or too long yellows white areas.
- White = transparent in sublimation — Sublimation ink is transparent. White areas of your design will show the substrate color (usually white). You cannot sublimate white onto a dark surface.
Get Sublimation-Ready Designs
Browse our design collections for PNG files with transparent backgrounds, perfect for sublimation projects. Every design pack includes high-resolution PNG alongside SVG, PDF, EPS, and JPG formats — plus commercial licensing for selling your sublimated products.
For more about file formats and when to use each, see our file format guide. And for selling sublimated products, check our Etsy selling guide.
