Sublimation
Sublimation Time and Temperature Chart
Common starting points for shirts, mugs, tumblers, and hard blanks. Use them as a baseline — then test on a scrap and log the exact settings that work for your press.
Quick answer
Common sublimation starting points: polyester shirts 385–400°F (195–205°C) for 40–60 seconds, hard blanks 380–400°F for about 60 seconds, mugs 350–400°F for 150–210 seconds in a mug press, and tumblers 360–385°F for roughly 5–12 minutes by size. Use light-to-medium pressure on fabric. Every press and blank differs — test on a scrap and log what works.
The chart, by blank
| Blank / substrate | Temp | Time | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester shirts / soft fabric | 385–400°F (195–205°C) | 40–60 s | Light–medium |
| Hard substrates / blanks coasters, signs, panels | 380–400°F | 60 s | Medium |
| Mugs (mug press) | 350–400°F | 150–210 s | Clamp (per press) |
| Tumblers (convection oven / wrap) | 360–385°F | ~5–12 min (by size) | Wrap tension |
Values are common starting points. °C shown where commonly cited; convert and verify against your own equipment.
How to read these settings
Sublimation works by turning solid dye into gas under heat and pressure, bonding it permanently into polyester or a polymer coating. That means three things have to line up every time: temperature (enough heat to gas the dye), time (long enough for the dye to fully transfer), and pressure (firm enough contact so the image is sharp). Change one and you often have to nudge another.
Soft goods like polyester shirts press fast and hot — around 385–400°F for 40–60 seconds. Hard blanks such as coasters, signs, and ceramic panels hold heat differently and usually want a steady 60 seconds at a similar temperature. Mugs and tumblers are a different game entirely because the heat wraps around a curved surface, so they trade a hotter, faster shirt press for a longer dwell time measured in minutes.
Shirts and soft fabrics
For polyester garments, start at 385–400°F (195–205°C) for 40–60 seconds with light to medium pressure. Use a sheet of butcher paper above and below the transfer to catch any gas-out, and press firmly enough for full contact without crushing the fabric texture. A quick pre-press of the blank for a few seconds drives out moisture and gives you a flatter, cleaner result.
Mugs
In a dedicated mug press, a typical starting point is 350–400°F for about 150–210 seconds — roughly two and a half to three and a half minutes. The wide range exists because mug presses, mug coatings, and wattage all vary. Begin near the middle, check the color, and adjust in small steps. If you wrap mugs and bake them in a convection oven instead, your time and temperature will differ, so treat the press numbers as a separate recipe.
Tumblers
Tumblers are usually done in a convection oven or with a heat-wrap at around 360–385°F for roughly 5–12 minutes, scaling up with the size of the tumbler. A 20 oz skinny needs less time than a fat 40 oz. Even wrap tension matters: loose spots create ghosting, and over-tight wraps can distort the print. Start at the lower end of the time range and add time only if the transfer is incomplete.
Common mistakes (and the fix)
- Faded or pale colors: usually not enough time, heat, or pressure. Add a little of one variable and retest.
- Ghosting / blurry edges: the transfer moved, or you lifted while it was still gassing. Tape it down and lift cleanly.
- Brown or muddy look: often over-pressed — too much time or temperature. Pull it back.
- Patchy transfer: uneven pressure or moisture in the blank. Pre-press and check your press is level.
The fastest way to stop repeating these mistakes is to fix one variable at a time and write down the version that looked right — the blank, the supplier, the printer, the time, the temp, and the pressure. That single habit is what separates a maker who guesses from one who repeats a winning result on demand.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature and time do you sublimate a polyester shirt? +
A common starting point for polyester shirts and soft fabrics is 385–400°F (195–205°C) for 40–60 seconds with light to medium pressure. Always test on a scrap first, since press models and poly blends vary.
How long do you press a sublimation mug? +
In a mug press, a typical starting point is 350–400°F for about 150–210 seconds (roughly 2.5 to 3.5 minutes). Wrap-and-oven methods differ, so test and record the result for your exact mugs.
What are the settings for a sublimation tumbler? +
Tumblers are usually done in a convection oven or with a wrap at around 360–385°F for roughly 5–12 minutes depending on the tumbler size. Larger tumblers need more time. Start low, check the result, and log the time that worked.
Why are my sublimation colors dull or faded? +
Dull colors usually mean too little time or temperature, or not enough pressure. Ghosting and a brown or muddy look usually mean too much time or movement when lifting. Adjust one variable at a time and write down the version that looks right.