Sublimation Mugs Look Faded? Try This 8-Step Workflow
Fix faded bottoms on 11oz ceramic mugs with a standard mug press. This step-by-step edge-to-edge sublimation workflow shows the exact sizing, color management, taping, pressure, time, and temperature to get clean, full-bleed transfers. No filters. No gimmicks. Just results.
What you’ll learn (8-step workflow)
1. Design size: safe width 185–200 mm; height 98–100 mm for true edge-to-edge on a ~95 mm mug.
2. Print setup: correct ICC profile, Relative Colorimetric, No Color Adjustment; Epson Matte media type.
3. Minimal taping: only two heat-tape strips so corners stay checkable.
4. Pressure dial-in: pre-adjust cold; uniform wrap without over-crushing.
5. Time & temp from the cheat sheet: 200 °C for 240 s in a standard mug press.
6. Ghost-proofing: wrap mug with blank paper before pressing; precise positioning.
7. Corner checks: quick inspect; if edges fade, re-wrap and add ~80 s max.
8. Clean peel: remove artwork in one motion to avoid ghosting.
Tools & settings used
• 11oz ceramic mug, standard mug press
• Sublimation printer + paper, heat-resistant tape, microfiber cloth
• Affinity Designer 2 (200 mm × 98 mm artboard)
• Printer props: Epson Matte, Relative Colorimetric, No Color Adjustment
• Press: 200 °C | 240 s | even pressure
Playlists:
Why this works
Faded bottoms come from sizing errors, uneven pressure, contaminated elements, or over-taping. This method fixes all four with exact dimensions, uniform clamp, paper wrap to prevent ink transfer to the element, and a sanity-checked re-press window so you don’t scorch the mug.
Grab the Cheat Sheet 📄
Use the same settings we use in the video. Download here: https://shop.sublimationsupplies.co.za/frequently-asked-questions-2/
Shop our blanks and gear: https://shop.sublimationsupplies.co.za 🛒
Training info: https://shop.sublimationsupplies.co.za/sublimation-training-packages/
About us
Hosted by Gerrit and Caitlin from Sublimation Training Studio. Stick to the end for pro tips on scaling to 100-mug batches without quality drop-offs.
Call to action
If this saved a batch, drop a comment with your next product request, hit like, and subscribe for more no-fluff workflows.
📌 Chapters (suggested)
0:00 Intro – Faded bottoms story & 8-step edge-to-edge fix
2:01 Step 1 – Design size & layout (Affinity Designer)
3:06 Step 2 – Print setup & colour management (ICC profile)
4:07 Step 3 – Minimal taping & mug prep
4:46 Step 4 – Set mug press pressure correctly
5:20 Step 5 – Time & temperature using the cheat sheet
5:49 Step 6 – Wrap & position to prevent ghosting
6:10 Step 7 – Edge checks & second press if needed
6:52 Step 8 – Clean peel without ghost images
7:06 Outro – Recap, Q&A & next product requests
#Sublimation #MugPress #EdgeToEdge #11ozMug #SublimationPrinting #HeatPress #PrintSettings #AffinityDesigner #EpsonEcoTank #ICCProfile #SmallBusiness #DIYMugs
Learn how to fix faded bottoms on mugs with a proven edge-to-edge sublimation mug workflow tailored for 11oz ceramic mugs using standard mug press settings. We cover the exact 11oz mug settings (including mug press 200 °C for 240 s), proper sublimation pressure setup, and how to prevent ghosting in sublimation with minimal taping sublimation (just 2 strips of heat-resistant tape) and a mug wrap paper ghost prevention method. You’ll see how to size sublimation mug artwork using an Affinity Designer 2 template (200 mm × 98 mm), dial in ICC profile Relative Colorimetric with No Color Adjustment driver and Epson Matte media type, plus microfiber cloth prep for spotless blanks. We also show a simple sublimation corner check method, when to safely re-press for 80 seconds, how to clean peel and remove artwork without shifting, and full color management for sublimation mugs so your batch sublimation mugs workflow is ready for real mug business production. Filmed by Sublimation Training Studio in South Africa, this is a complete guide on how to sublimate an 11oz mug with consistent, professional results.
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