What Is A Sublimation Water Bottle? (Explained!)
Do you want to add some flair and personality to your reusable water bottle? Are you looking for a fun craft project or even a creative small business idea?
Then learning how to make customized sublimation water bottles is perfect for you!
Sublimation printing allows you to permanently transfer dye onto water bottles made of metal or specially-coated plastic.
The result is a vibrant, durable design that won’t scratch or fade over time. Whether you want to showcase your artistic talents, promote a brand, or make unique gifts, sublimation offers endless possibilities.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn ‘what is a sublimation water bottle’, what kinds of bottles work best, step-by-step instructions for sublimating designs, and so on.
So, let’s dive in!
You may also like:
- How Do You Apply Sublimation Transfers? Full Process
- Can Sublimation Ink Go Bad? (Reasons & Preventions)
- Can You Sublimate Stickers Using Sublimation Printers?
- What Sublimation Printer Prints 11×17? Top Picks
What is a Sublimation Water Bottle?
A sublimation water bottle refers to a reusable drinking bottle that has been decorated using a special printing process called sublimation.
This technique permanently adheres dye onto the surface of the bottle by applying heat and pressure.
Unlike traditional printing methods that leave ink sitting on top of the material, sublimation infuses the dye directly into the bottle’s exterior coating.
This allows for sharp, vibrant designs that stretch across the entire surface without distortion. The prints won’t chip, fade, or peel off with regular use.
Sublimation is exceptionally good at rendering intricate designs in full, rich color. From bold graphics to photorealistic images, anything you can dream up can be brought to life on a sublimation water bottle.
What Kind of Water Bottles Can You Sublimate On?
The water bottle material needs a polyester-based coating to accept sublimation ink. Common sublimatable bottles include:
For best results, opt for pre-coated sublimation blank water bottles from reputable suppliers. Avoid bottles with extremely curved or irregular surfaces which can cause distortion.
How to make a sublimation water bottle
Follow this step-by-step guide to start making personalized sublimation water bottles at home:
Supplies Needed
1. Design Your Images
Use graphic design programs like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to create fun custom artwork, patterns, drawings, or text you want on your bottle.
Make sure to design images specifically sized to properly fit the type of water bottle you’ll be using based on its dimensions and shape.
Consider the specific curvature and angles of the bottle surface and how that may affect or distort the artwork. Adjust and compensate in your digital file as needed.
It’s very important also to horizontally mirror or flip the entire design before printing so your images transfer in the correct orientation onto the bottle material later in the process.
2. Print onto Sublimation Paper
Sublimation paper has a polymer coating designed to work with sublimation ink. This allows the prints to release from the paper and infuse directly into the polymer of sublimation blank items.
Carefully cut pieces of sublimation paper to the exact size needed to fit each of your unique designs. Be sure not to waste excess paper.
Follow your printer’s instructions and settings for printing specifically onto sublimation paper with sublimation ink. Check for quality, vibrant colors, ink saturation, and proper print configuration.
3. Thoroughly Clean and Prepare the Bottle Surface
It’s crucial to start with a blank slate, so wash the bottle thoroughly with mild dish soap and hot water first to eliminate any residual manufacturing and handling substances left on the surface.
Then wipe down the full exterior surface carefully with isopropyl alcohol prep pads to fully degrease and eliminate any leftover dirt, dust, debris, fingerprints, or oils.
This cleaning prepares the bottle for ideal ink adhesion.
4. Affix the Sublimation Design
With a clean surface, carefully wrap your custom-printed design around the water bottle, keeping the image straight and taut.
For optimal results, print a complete wrap of the whole bottle. Gently smooth out any air bubbles between the paper and the bottle surface.
Use heat-resistant tape strips to fasten and fully secure all edges of the sublimation paper to the bottle.
Adhere tape especially along any seams to keep the paper completely flush with the curved or angled surface with no gaps. Trim off excess overlapping paper if needed.
5. Heat Press the Bottle Wraps
Place your entirely wrapped and secured bottle inside an open manual clamshell heat press machine.
Insert just one bottle at a time. Adjust the heat press plates and set consistent pressure between both plates of around 40-45 PSI.
Close the heat press lid to lock in the bottle for consistent heat transfer distribution. Set your timer and allow the bundle to press for 90 seconds once the plates reach 400°F.
This process activates the sublimation ink to gas vapor which permeates and fuses permanently into the polymer coating.
How to Clean and Care for Sublimation Water Bottles
Follow these simple tips to clean and protect your special sublimated bottles:
With a little routine care and maintenance, your custom sublimated bottles will keep dazzling everyone around you with their sweet brilliant vibrancy for years on end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a few frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of this topic:
Is sublimation good quality?
Yes! When done properly on optimal bottle blanks, sublimation produces vibrant, professional-level designs that far outlast traditional printing.
Is sublimation waterproof?
The prints themselves are embedded into the bottle coating so they cannot be “washed away.” However, moisture can still damage the bottle over time, so take precautions.
What is sublimation on plastic?
It’s the same concept as sublimating metal bottles but requires plastic polymer bottles with special coatings designed to bond securely with sublimation dyes.
Wrapping Up
The world of sublimation water bottles offers endless creative potential, whether you’re making personalized gifts, party favors, promotional items, or just want a daily bottle that shows off your unique style.
Follow this guide to get set up with the right supplies and techniques. With some practice, you’ll be customizing stunning designs that infuse bold colors and graphics onto durable, dishwasher-safe bottles.
The ability to permanently adhere vibrant dye directly into the exterior coating gives sublimated bottles an eye-catching, flawless look that lasts for years.
Anytime you need to add a splash of color and flair to your hydration, sublimation is the way to go!
