Dye Sublimation PrintingA Coffee Mug Business forUnder $500 : Dye Sublimation PrintingA Coffee Mug Business forUnder $500 A fun hobby or business that requires very little investment and can be done in your home! Presented by Bruce Milne
Start your own coffee mug business with these basic items! : Start your own coffee mug business with these basic items! Convection Oven
$78.26 at Walmart Coffee Mug
$1-2 each Used Epson Printer
Ebay $20-200
Start your own business with these basic items! : Start your own business with these basic items! Cactus Mug Wrap
$23 Each Ink
$212 Transfer Paper
$13.50/100 sheets
What else do I need to start this business? : What else do I need to start this business? A graphics program such as Adobe Photoshop or comparable software.
A computer.
A scanner can be very useful.
Most of these items you probably already have and thus are not included in the $500 estimate.
What is dye sublimation? : What is dye sublimation? Dye sublimation is the transfer of pigmented ink to a hard or soft substance. Dye sub coffee mugs have a special coating on them. The pigmented ink when heated turns to a gas and goes through the coating and reforms underneath.
Where can I sell my products? : Where can I sell my products? Internet
Flea markets and Farmer’s Markets
Stores
Gift shops
From your home…custom work for private individuals
Graphics Programs : Graphics Programs Your work is going to be judged by the quality of your artwork. A good graphics program is essential. Many of the community colleges have online courses on Adobe Photoshop and Corel Draw. (Free to seniors)
When a customer hands you artwork, you’re probably going to have to clean it up.
Graphics Programs (continued) : Graphics Programs (continued) These higher end programs will allow you to enhance what may be a mediocre picture or graphic image when you receive it.
When doing dye sublimation, you MUST REVERSE THE IMAGE before you make the transfer.
Printers : Printers The Epson printers use a special technology that makes them better suited for dye sublimation. The Epson Stylus Color 900 and 980 are older printers but real workhorses. The sublimation ink they use is over $100 less than the newer Epson printers. These printers can often be found on Ebay. Epson Stylus Color 900 or 980
Sublimation Ink : Sublimation Ink A company named Sawgrass has a monopoly on the sublimation ink business in the U.S.. They carry two kinds, Sawgrass and Artainium. These inks are VERY expensive. The Epson Stylus Color 900 and 980 cartridges are the least expensive. Artainium Ink for Epson 900
Convection Oven : Convection Oven A convection oven is used to bake the image on to the coffee mug. The Hamilton Beach model 31197 is well suited for doing coffee mugs due to its large size.
Mug Wraps : Mug Wraps Mug wraps are used to hold the image in place on the coffee mug while it is being baked. It also helps in the transfer process. You need at least two of these. The Cactus wraps are very popular.
Mug Wraps and Convection Oven : Mug Wraps and Convection Oven There are many brands of mug wraps, but the Cactus wrap has an excellent reputation. Click on the Cactus wrap picture to go to a website that has an excellent tutorial on how to use these wraps. It also recommends a convection oven to use. This oven is available at Walmart for under $100.
Mug wraps are about $23 each.
Transfer Paper : Transfer Paper A special transfer paper is required to transfer the image to the coffee mugs. These papers are readily available. I use E-ZTrans paper from a company named LRI (Laser Reproductions).
High Release Paper : High Release Paper To do dye sublimation, you need a high release paper, available from most vendors.
I’ve been using EZ-Trans paper from Laser Reproductions
(http://www.laserreproductions.com/Sublimation-Transfer-Paper.html)
Most vendors carry a suitable transfer paper.
You will also need some special heat tape to tape the paper to the coffee mugs..
Tape and transfer paper are available from most vendors.
Coffee Mugs : Coffee Mugs Mugs are available from a variety of sources, and prices vary from $1.00 each and up. These mugs have a special coating on them that makes it possible to sublimate images to them. I get my mugs from a company named Conde.
Double blank form uses straight edge of paper for alignment of picture to mug : Double blank form uses straight edge of paper for alignment of picture to mug
Coffee Mug Techniques : Coffee Mug Techniques Design a blank form
Print images on form
Use a mirror image
Coffee Mug Techniques : Coffee Mug Techniques Cut out form
Make sure to cut inside red line so it doesn’t transfer to mug.
Coffee Mug Techniques : Coffee Mug Techniques Cut out blank white form slightly larger than the form with the image. This is called “blowout” paper.
Coffee Mug Techniques : Coffee Mug Techniques Blowout paper protects the wrap from picking up ink, dirt, etc.
Here’s a tip. Use the top edge of an 8 ½” x 11” paper as your straight edge for the top of your image form. That will help the transfer appear straight on the mug.
Coffee Mug Techniques : Coffee Mug Techniques Now take the mirrored image and tape it to the mug, using a special heat tape available from various sublimation vendors.
After the image is secure on the mug, tape the blowout paper over the image form.
Coffee Mug Techniques : Coffee Mug Techniques Now take the mug wrap and secure it over the paper on the mug. Tighten the mug wrap with a 7/16” nut driver. Do not tighten it too much! Tighten it until snug and then give it one more turn. Now you are ready to bake!
Coffee Mug Techniques : Coffee Mug Techniques Preheat the oven to 400 degrees (F). Place the mug(s) in the oven upside down, with adequate spacing between them.
Heat for approximately 15-16 minutes and remove from oven. Remove wrap, peel off paper, and submerge in WARM water for a minute.
Coffee Mug Techniques : Coffee Mug Techniques Here you see the finished product. Because the mugs have a protective coating on them, they are protected somewhat from scratches, etc. and print up very well.
Coffee Mug Techniques : Coffee Mug Techniques Here you see the finished product. Because the mugs have a protective coating on them, they are protected somewhat from scratches, etc. and print up very well.
A Good Imagination Is Required! : A Good Imagination Is Required! One of the things I love about this business, is the creative side of it. People LOVE personalized items. A picture of their house, children, boat, camper, etc. are instant sellers.
Look for an “angle.” I happen to live in a city that was the first colonial capital of North Carolina. Tiles, coasters, etc. of New Bern’s historic homes and buildings are popular.
Good Imagination (continued) : Good Imagination (continued) Look around your area for ideas and pictures that will sell. Then find a place to sell them.
It helps to make up a few samples to show people the nature and quality of your work.
Advertise on the internet. Even though you may not sell much there, you will be surprised at how many people look, and then come to buy at your location.
Dye Sublimation Vendors : Dye Sublimation Vendors Laser Reproductions - http://www.laserreproductions.com/
Conde - http://www.conde.com/
Paramount Services - http://www.dye-sublimation-products.com/
Starline Pacific - http://www.starlinepacific.com/
Cactus Equipment - http://www.cactus-equipment.com/
Alpha Supply – www.alphasupply.com
Artainium Ink = http://www.artainium.com/
Hix Heat Press - http://hixheatpress.com/
Aftosa - http://www.aftosa.com/
Future Presentations : Future Presentations Preparing an image for dye sublimation printing-tricks of the trade.
Using the heat press-techniques-things to avoid.
If you would be interested in these sessions, would you please let me know via email. wb2qap@yahoo.com