Sublimating Bottom of Mug?

[nik_decalarama]

Can it be done?

I have seen a few 'I'm A Tw*t' mugs on ebay and this is something I have been playing about with. I was under the impression the entire mug would be coated so it could be done. I have did a test on 2 different types of mugs with no joy. I was using my tshirt heat press with the mug at an angle, a metal disc on top of the sub paper, plenty of heat and plenty of time and no joy. Would I be wrong to assume that mugs are coated all over including the bottom, so this would never work?

[nik_decalarama]

Just completed another test - partially successful. The mugs I am using must be coated on the bottom but because they are not completely flat, I am only getting a partial print. any ideas on what I can use that is soft/flexible that will transfer that sort of heat?

[Paul]

Silicon matt??

[WorthDoingRight]

Well I suppose any heat conductive material could work so maybe you could try something made from kitchen foil even. However Pauls Silicon Mat suggestion is a good one if you have one!

[frazzle]

I presume you are using a bigger heat press and trying to transfer the heat on the bottom of the mug maybe a aluminium disc would transfer the heat better than any other type of metal or some heat resistant rubber. Just a thought.

[Justin]

I am aware of a press that is capable of doing this but to my knowledge most mugs aren't coated on the bottom.

[frazzle]

Cant you get the sublimation coating and coat the bottom with it.

[nik_decalarama]

I was thinking Silicon Mat, but wasn't sure if they would conduct enough of the heat, I will get some and give it a try. I already used a metal disc and found that the bottom is not completely flat so it's not applying pressure all the way across, which is wear kitchen foil may help, I think I will also try that.

Justin, I buy my mugs from BMS, the cheaper brilliant white ones. These must be coated on the bottom as some of the text transfered lightly, but not evenly.

I'll try a few more tests and post my results.

[Justin]

Sounds more like over spray than coating on the bottom. You could spray them yourself but they need to be cured and then you should be able to print. Not easy to coat evenly in the right dust free environment and as we've said before, is it worth the hassle for the profit you make? I put dishwasher proof stickers onto bases for a couple of my customers which works well.

[Ian M]

I wonder if it was done like this then as Justin says it could be over spray on the bottom.