Create Personalized Photo Mugs With Cricut Mug Press
If you're looking for a unique and personalized gift to give to friends and family, look no further than creating your own photo mugs with the help of the Cricut Mug Press. In this article, I'll guide you through the process of making your own custom mugs using sublimation printing. With just a few materials and some creativity, you can create beautiful and dishwasher-safe mugs that will delight any coffee drinker.
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Materials
Sublimation printer or a home printer, such as an Epson Ecotank, converted into a sublimation printer
Mugs with a polyester coating:
Heat-resistant surface (such as a silicone mat)
Cricut machine (any model except for the Cricut Joy)
High-resolution image or design for your mug (I purchase mine on Etsy or make my own on Canva; you can also use a hi-res photo from your phone!)
Choosing the Right Mugs
When selecting mugs for this project, it's important to choose ones that have a polyester coating. This coating allows the sublimation ink to adhere properly to the mug. While Cricut does have its own line of mugs, you can also find sublimation blank mugs on Amazon. These mugs often go on sale and come in larger quantities, making them a cost-effective option.
Preparing Your Image
Before uploading your image to Cricut Design Space, it's a good idea to ensure that it is sized accurately for your mug template. This will save you time and frustration later on. To do this, you can use a free design tool like Canva. Sign up for a free account and search for "wrap around mug" to find a blank canvas to work with.
If you already have an image in mind, you can upload it to Canva. Once you have your image, you can position and resize it to fit your mug template. Canva provides a variety of tools to help you design your image, including adding text and other elements. Once you're happy with your design, you can download it and save it to your computer.
Using Cricut Design Space
Now that you have your image ready, it's time to open Cricut Design Space. Click on "New Project" in the upper right-hand corner to start a new project. Then, click on "Upload" in the lower left-hand corner to upload your image. Browse for your image file and select it to add it to your canvas. Once your image is on the canvas, you'll need to size it correctly for your mug. To do this, click on "Images" on the left-hand side and then select "Browse All Images." On the left-hand side, you'll see a drop-down menu for "Project Type." Select the appropriate mug size template (15 ounce or 12 ounce) for your mug. Cricut will show you a variety of templates, but since you're creating a custom design, it doesn't matter which template you choose.
Resize your image to fit inside the template by arranging and scaling it. Once you're satisfied with the size and placement, delete the template. Now, click on "Make It" to proceed.
On the preview page, you'll see your image with a black box around it. This box represents the area that the Cricut machine will cut. Don't worry, this box won't show up on your mug. Make sure your image is mirrored since you're using sublimation printing. If you have any text or specific elements that need to be facing a certain way, make sure to mirror them as well.
Click on "Continue" to move to the next step.
Printing and Pressing
Now it's time to send your image to the printer. Click on "Send to Printer" and select your sublimation printer from the options. Choose your desired print settings, such as paper type and quality. If you have forgotten to mirror your image in Design Space, you can flip the page horizontally in the print settings to achieve the same effect.
Once you've set your print settings, click on "Print" and wait for your image to print. Keep in mind that sublimation prints may initially appear less vibrant, but they will become more vibrant once transferred to the mug.
While waiting for your print to dry, plug in your Cricut Mug Press and turn it on. The press will heat up, and the circles on the machine will light up to indicate that it's ready. This usually takes about five to ten minutes.
Once the press is heated and ready, open the side of the press to release the clamp. Place your mug inside the press, making sure to align the top and bottom edges of the mug with the top and bottom edges of the paper. Center the mug as much as possible to ensure even distribution of the design.
Use heat-resistant tape to secure the paper to the mug, ensuring that it doesn't move during the pressing process. This will help prevent any ink bleed.
Press down on the press to start the heating process. The lights on the press will flash as it heats up. Once all five lights are illuminated, your project is ready to be removed from the press. This usually takes about five to ten minutes, so take this time to relax and enjoy a snack or a cup of coffee.
After the pressing process is complete, put on your heat-resistant gloves and use a heat-resistant surface, such as a silicone mat, to slide the mug out of the press. Be careful, as the mug will be hot.
Allow the mug to cool completely before removing the sublimation paper. This will ensure that the design sets properly and prevents any smudging. It's best to wait for about 10 to 15 minutes before removing the paper.
Once the mug has cooled, remove the tape and peel off the sublimation paper to reveal your custom design. The colors may appear dull at first, but they will become more vibrant once the mug cools.
And there you have it! Your custom photo mug is complete and ready to be enjoyed or gifted to someone special. The Cricut Mug Press makes it easy to create personalized mugs that are both beautiful and durable. Experiment with different designs, patterns, and sizes to create unique gifts for any occasion.
