How to Tape a Tumbler to Minimize Ghosting and Seams!

Tired of your sublimation tumblers and mugs having uneven edges, ghosting, and terrible seams? Check out how I wrap a tumbler for sublimation and my little trick for reducing 90% of the problems people have!
Join our Sublimation Made Simple Group:
/ sublimationmadesimple
Supplies used in this video (includes affiliate links):
• PYD tumbler press: amzn.to/3JuMRdy
• Epson EcoTank printer: amzn.to/3f9r8tC
• Sublimation tumbler: amzn.to/3zyPiaH
• Heat-resistant tape: amzn.to/3Sr4LSP
• Tape dispenser: amzn.to/3zd7Igm
• Butcher paper: amzn.to/3kjhfw7
• Rotary cutter: amzn.to/3Qr9G3L
• Acrylic ruler: amzn.to/3RSrPJ8
• Non-slip stickers for ruler: amzn.to/3eDPaQp
• Cutting mat: amzn.to/3d42RYs
• Heat-resistant gloves: amzn.to/3FBOpQz
Helpful blog posts:
How to Use a Tumbler Press: heyletsmakestuff.com/tumbler-...
Subscribe to my channel:
/ @heyletsmakestuff
Find me on social media:
Facebook: / heyletsmakestuff
Instagram: / heyletsmakestuff
Pinterest: / heyletsmakestuf
0:00 Introduction
0:20 What you'll need
1:47 Trimming the image to size
6:19 Cleaning the tumbler
6:41 Taping the tumbler
12:11 Adding butcher paper
12:48 Pressing the tumbler
13:32 Final reveal

[@pydlifeamazon1121]

Hey Cori,really nice videos.Thank you for sharing our tumbler press machine again.

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

You are so welcome!

[@HeatTransferWarehouse]

These tips are life savers! Thanks for sharing, Cori!! 😄

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Yay! Glad you like them!

[@debbied887]

Very helpful video which included a lot of great tips!

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Glad it was helpful!

[@emmandoriao4129]

Great tips. I'm new to sublimating tumblers, and this was super helpful. Thank you!!

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisamcpeak5684]

I want to thank you , I watched your video several times and did my first tumbler today and because of your advice it came out perfectly!!! I am so pleased!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

You are so welcome! Glad it turned out well!!

[@ritaurbina8281]

I wonder, just a thought, if you start with the seam at the bottom and then rotate to the top, it will help with the seam showing.

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

In the heat press itself?

[@stacyalexander9062]

I'm to the point I leave the image just above the bottom rim because it ghosts so bad or 'bleeds' around the bottom edge. Or both. I get most of my tumblers from Heat Press Nation. I will try rolling the bottom edge as you show here and see if it helps. I rarely. knock on wood, have ghosting issues at the top but will try the top as well. I have given up on doing transfers that have a solid black background. I ruined several tumblers trying to match a customer's logo then opted to wing it. Not sure if you have any thoughts on those? Color was off. Burn marks. Serious ghosting on the bottom. I now have many tumblers to epoxy with, though. 🙂

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

The ones with a totally solid background are the hardest! I tend to avoid those myself because there’s so much room for error. I recently saw some tumblers that are completely straight sided and don’t taper at the bottom. And I really want to try those! If I find a link I will come back here and share.

[@stacyalexander9062]

@@HeyLetsMakeStuff so the one you did wasn't 'squared' bottom? I may have to try one today. 🙂. Thanks for the video. It was really helpful.

[@Robsta69TV]

Really great video so helpful can I ask do you do it for 120 seconds twice and what temperature do you use please

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

I try and follow the manufacturer's settings to start. So I do 60 seconds at 360 and then rotate for another 60. But your tumbler might be different!

[@patv6306]

I noticed you did not use shrink sleeve. Is that why you pressed/ rolled the bottom & top?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

I do this method whether or not I press in my tumbler press (no shrink wrap) or use my convection oven (yes shrink wrap). Hope that helps!

[@laurendufrene8036]

How much pressure do you put? I have a PYD press and with my 20oz skinny, I can tighten it until there is no gap when it's closed. Is that too much? I leave a small gap but I'm not sure if I should.

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

I tighten it to the point where I can't pull the tumbler out of the side. Any tighter than that, you may press the tape into the surface and end up with tape marks. Any lighter than that and it won't have enough pressure to sublimate well. If it has a gap, just rotate and press your tumbler a second time :)

[@RebekahA84]

Do you have a tutorial for coffee mugs?!

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

I don’t have a specific video for wrapping coffee mugs, but I do it in this video: Beginner's Guide to Using a Tumbler Press for Sublimation kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKPWgoB_q7OogKM hope that helps!

[@RebekahA84]

Thank you!

[@shadia2000]

Do you measure the tumbler and print that exact size or add a bit of extra to it just in case it's lost in cutting?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

I add a little bit so I can trim it down using my rotary cutter and ruler :)

[@bettynipper6473]

What do you use the bronze colored tape for.? When I use it , it leaves a yellow stain on my project .

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

It goes right in the bin. I only use blue tape.

[@juliemiller4704]

The last several mugs I have made I can see the tape imprinted in...Ruined them all. So frustrating! Any idea why that would be?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Try lighter pressure on your press! I also find the blue tape imprints less than the yellow tape.

[@cathymacedo6917]

I have a question... why do u say not to use the shrink wrap when u use a heat press? Also is a cricut mug press the same as a heat press?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

The shrink wrap mimics the pressure of a heat press. Because the heat press applies the pressure, you don't need the shrink wrap if you are using a heat press. And a Cricut mug press is a type of heat press :)

[@craftietechie]

How long do you keep the tumbler in the press total? Thanks!

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

I do 120 seconds at 360°, rotate, and then 120 more.

[@chubiichubz]

does it have any affect on the image in terms of ghosting? or is ghosting only resulted if image not put on firmly?@@HeyLetsMakeStuff

[@goodloffg]

What temperature

[@JUMA7891]

What the measurements you use for your printer and your image

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

It depends on every individual blank -- even 20oz tumblers are not the same from brand to brand.

[@rolandoflores4948]

What temp did u use and u said 120 seconds then flip once how much time u had it on the 2nd flip

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

380 and 120 seconds on both flips.

[@PAndrew002]

So I have made several attempts to prevent ghosting at the top and bottom of the tumbler. I haven't even attempted seams yet. That's a whole other project. I have tried both an oven and heat press tumbler attachment. When I use the oven, the top and bottom are both perfect with no ghosting whatsoever although the image does appear to have transferred well. I am not sure if it was not in the oven long enough or possibly too long. It appears to be too long as what should be black is a dark grey. When I use the heat press attachment, the colors transfer perfectly and look beautiful although the top and bottom have significant ghosting. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Since you're having success with the shrink wrap method, I'd do some tests in the convection oven at different temperatures and times to see if you can dial in that color.

[@RachelWilliams-eq2sm]

So my tape marks keeps showing through the image on the tumbler. Some watt too much pressure from my press. I loosened it significantly so I am close press with one finger but still getting marks from tape as if part of designs. Suggestion?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Have you tried using a different brand of tape?

[@julierossbrickley146]

Did you peel the paper while hot or cold?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

While hot! If you wait until it's cold it's much harder AND it sticks sometimes.

[@julierossbrickley146]

Thx. I'm new to this and I've seen both ways. Trying to figure out if the pros and cons

[@brandydeleon4992]

What size do you print your image?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

It varies based on the tumbler. I'd measure the size of you tumbler and then set your measurements based on that.

[@susanproudfoot6730]

What temp do you ise

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

385° :)

[@marquidawaters9170]

120 seconds on what temp I wonder if my 365 for 30 seconds is not long enough

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

That's definitely not long enough and probably not hot enough. I do 120 seconds twice at 380-120 and then rotate for another 120.

[@juju-jk1kh]

I’m confused at the temp… you said 360, 365 and 385…which one is it

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Sorry, didn't realize I was all over the place! I use 385.

[@katiefoss6165]

I keep getting ghosting marks where the tape is. So I can see the lines from the tape on every tumbler I do. How can I address that?

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

What sort of tape are you using? I find the blue tape ghosts less. I would also lessen the pressure on your press- sometimes the high pressure of the press can sublimate those tape marks!

[@PAndrew002]

I was having same issue using the brown tape. Bought some blue tape and no tape marks except for when I left it in the oven too long.

[@ayannablakely4888]

How are you. I am having the same problem but I am using an oven. I am getting white marks at bottom and little at top of some of my tumblers. Should I change to the wide blue tape like you use in the video and roll the cup on the mat as well? Thank and your videos helps so much thanks for sharing

[@Jessica-wl3of]

No this doesn't work for me. I do cut to the exact length like you. I use three pieces of tape and two bands one at top and one at bottom. Where my issues are I'm having trouble with this one black wrap. It's a full throttle energy drink wrap. My toaster oven is burning it for some reason but no other wrap designs. I've also noticed a ton of ghosting and burning on the front top part of image. It's so weird. I have 12 tumblers ruined with that design and they are expensive tumblers 😢 I did four more tumbler wraps no issues no ghosting nothing. I've done other black images with no issues. I hate black lol 😆

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

Black is the last color to sublimate. Angie Holden has a good suggestion in this video to get your blacks correct: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqauoH5viZdml9U

[@Jessica-wl3of]

@@HeyLetsMakeStuff thank you. It ended up being those tumblers from stainless steel. All my other tumblers are sublimating fine. I usually never have problems with their tumblers and I barely opened that box. I'm hoping the next box I open I don't have this same issue. The buyer wanted specifically two duo tumblers and those were the ones not working. I put that same image on a regular tumbler and it was fine. Did I already say I hate black 😂. I did really like your tip about how to get an accurate touch at the seem. I was thinking why didn't I think of that lol. So much easier than trying to cut down only to realize I took a tad too much off. That's going to save me a ton.

[@HeyLetsMakeStuff]

@@Jessica-wl3of Glad you found that tip helpful! :)