The Best Sublimation Blanks for Cricut Mug Press - Well Crafted Studio (2024)

If you just purchased the Cricut Mug Press, or if it just released in your country, then you may be wondering what you can make with it (besides mugs of course!) And you may be questioning if you can only use the Cricut brand mugs. The answer for both is that you do NOT have to use JUST the Cricut Mugs and you can make more than you think! In this post on the best sublimation blanks for Cricut Mug Press, I have tumblers, mugs, water bottles, and even metal mason jars for you to check out. I think #5 is my favorite. But I’d love to know what you like best!

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Merry Maker-mas Day 11 Christmas Sublimation Bundle

If you’re here for Merry Maker-mas, and love these downloads you can find them under the Sublimation Designs section in my Free Creative Resource Library.

I do have a tutorial post/video on how to use the Cricut Mug Press to make water bottles if you’d like to see the mug press in action. You can also WIN a Cricut Mug Press as part of this holiday giveaway event!

Click here to enter and see all the holiday projects!

If You Think You Already Have Too Many Mugs

So I totally wasn’t going to buy the new Cricut Mug Press. I thought about it when it came out, but my husband kept reminding me that I “could only do so many mugs before running out of people to give them to. And we already had more mugs that would fit in the cupboard. So it wouldn’t get much use.”

I couldn’t really argue that as the Mug Press did seem pretty limited in its use, and I couldn’t really justify the cost of it. Maybe you’ve thought the same thing (or your husband did!)

Turns out it will make more than just mugs. And in the post below I give you some of the other options for things you can make with your mug press. I think you’ll be surprised! I ended up getting the Mug Press for my bday and absolutely love it!

About the Cricut Mug Press and Sublimation

The new Cricut Mug Press is a heat press machine created to be used with the Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets and Infusible Ink markers. Infusible Ink is Cricut’s proprietary name for their product line of sublimation-ready transfer sheets and pens.

The Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets are easy to use, but they are limited in their colors and patterns. However, you can find TONS of third party transfer sheets on Amazon.

What is a Sublimation Blank?

Simply, a sublimation blank is a product that has been coated with a sublimation coating that will absorb sublimation ink (like blank mugs). This post is full of compatible mugs and tumblers that you can use with the Cricut machine.

Tip- Usually, to find the template size for your blank, you can look in the product listing for that blank and it will tell you how big to make your design.

Yes! You CAN Use Cricut Mug Press for Sublimation!

Many people are starting to get sublimation printers or converting home printers (like the Epson Eco-Tank) so that they can print any design or photo that they want to and sublimate it.

The Cricut Mug Press is $199 and sold here. This isn’t super cheap so of course, we want to get as much out of them as possible. That’s where this post comes in, with the best sublimation blanks to use with the mug press.

How Do You Do Sublimation on Mugs with Cricut?

Sublimation ink is a dye that turns into a gas when heated at a high temp. When you have a printed sublimation design pressed up against a mug (with the special coating) the high heat will turn into a gas and permeate the sublimation coating. This creates a permanent design that is waterproof, fade-resistant, and scratch-resistant.

Sublimation prints are created with a sublimation printer on sublimation paper.

Do I Need a Cricut Machine to Use the Cricut Mug Press?

No! You do not need a Cricut cutting machine (like a Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore) to use the Cricut Mug Press. The mug press machine is the perfect addition if you’re using the Infusible Ink products, as you have to cut out the designs from the infusible ink sheets with a cutting machine.

But if I’m using a sublimation printed design vs. the infusible ink, I usually wrap the design around the mug and secure it with some heat-resistant tape.

What to Look for When Searching For the Best Sublimation Blanks for the Cricut Mug Press

I have all my recommendations below but wanted to give you some things to think about before you purchase any sublimation blanks for your mug press.

Think of the User Experience

Because the odds are that you will either give or sell your projects at some point, I evaluated these mugs with more thought than if they just “worked” with the Cricut Mug Press.

When you purchase ANY sublimation blanks you want to think of the end-user experience, as well as your experience creating with them. Check the product reviews- people usually mention if the handle doesn’t fit their hand, or if the blank feels or looks cheap.

Often you can’t tell some of these things until you purchase the blanks. SO most of the one’s I recommend below I’ve purchased and tested.

No Branding/Minimal Branding

Also, I looked for mugs that did NOT have printing on the bottom and that came in plain, unwrapped boxes that make mailing (or gift wrapping) easy for you.

In my opinion, if you plan to sell your mugs then branding on the bottom of the mugs conflicts with your branding and makes your products look less professional.

However, when I was in a Facebook group lately, someone mentioned that they thought it was a great idea to use Cricut mugs because people would recognize that it was a quality product. And the Cricut mugs do fit in the hand well and have a solid feel to them. So… I included both in the list of blanks below.

Where Can You Buy Sublimation Blanks for the Cricut Mug Press?

There are all kinds of places to purchase sublimation blanks, however, they are almost all online.

Amazon- All of the blanks I’ve tried so far are available on Amazon, except for the Cricut Mugs. Which I bought at Michaels. Since Amazon is all over the world, it means it’s more likely for my blog readers to locate the same items, no matter where they live.

Coastal Business- Another online business that comes recommended from friends that sublimate professionally (and who buy in bulk.)

JPPLus- Yet another source that people I know have used and highly recommend.

I am an Amazon associate and this post does include affiliate links for your convenience.

✨ My 7 Favorite Sublimation Tumblers that Fit the Cricut Mug Press

Tumblers are where it’s at, and your sublimation tumbler choices are huge.

I found I really liked the PYD brand and they were great to buy from. All the products came packaged in individual white boxes which made it easy to gift them later. The tumblers and mug all felt like quality blanks as well.

Note: I added pixel measurements (as well as inches) to the size templates. This way you can create templates to size on a letter-sized canvas in Procreate, or in another raster-based design program.

#1) PYD Stainless Steel Straight Skinny Tumblers

I saw a video where the gal used these in the Cricut Mug Press but flipped it upside down after pressing the bottom so that she could press the top. Genius!

Size for Template: 9.5″w x 8″h . Diameter at bottom is 2.94″ In pixels: 2850 px w. x 2400 px h.

#2) PYD 20 oz. Tapered Bottom Tumbler

These have a slightly different look than the straight-sided tumblers that most people are making with the mug press. So they stand out from those too!

NOTE: The tapered shape is hard to sublimate with a full wrap and the width at the TOP of the tumbler just BARELY fits in the mug press. So either go for a floating design in the middle or create a shaped template that will fit the taper. I’ve tried to do a full wrap on these and it’s really hard to get it to look good. But I do really love this shape!

Size for Template: 10.5″ w. x 5″ h. In pixels: 3150px w. x 1500px h. (Diameter at the bottom is 2.84″)

#3) Mr. R. Stainless Steel 15 oz. Tumbler

This one is more expensive than the first, but it has a really nice lid and looks like a really quality product. I just tried one of these and was super pleased with the results. It is too small for the mug press, but I did find a solution for this that I talk a little more about in the water bottles section of this post.

Size for Template: I gave this away as a gift- so I need to re-order it to get a measurement for you

#4) PYD Stainless Steel Short Tumblers

These are like the typical tumblers but have a metal straw, and they’re just super cute and little. So they’re kind of a mix between a mug and a tumbler which makes them stand out.

Size for Template: I’ve got these on order. ❤️

#5) PYD Life 20 oz. Tumbler with Handle

Another mix between a mug and a tumbler that really stands out from other products on the market. Honestly, as someone who prefers mugs to tumblers, I can’t wait to try these!

Size for Template: Currently out of stock so I couldn’t measure myself. But I think it would be similar to the other 20 oz tumblers (except for the handle).

#6) PYD Glitter Straight Tumbler

These are the same as the tumblers above except in glitter. They also had plain stainless steel tumblers as well. Be aware that sublimation designs show up a lot better on white than metal. These also come in gold glitter now too!

Size for Template: 9.5″w. x 8″h In pixels: 2850px w. x 2400px h. (Diameter at bottom is 2.94″)

#7) PYD Mason Jar Tumblers

I love how these look, and they’re a great size for smoothies. They do get very cold. But they fit the Cricut Mug Press very well. I have a pic of this after sublimation below.

Size for Template: 10.75″ w.x 4″ h. In pixels: 3225px w. x h. (Diameter at bottom is 3.37″).

✨ 5 Great Mugs For the Cricut Mug Press

#8) Tibaili 15 oz. Porcelain Sublimation Mugs

I used this for the first mug I made and really loved the results. They really are the classic ceramic mugs for sublimation, and I really like the 15oz mug size. These do have a slightly beveled bottom, have a generous handle, and I love the smooth ceramic finish.

Individual Packaging: Yes.

Size for Template: 9.75″ w. x 4.26″h. (Actual width is 10.75″ but there’s a handle.) In pixels: 2922px w. x 1278px h.

#9) Cricut White Mugs in 12 oz. or in a 15oz mug

These are the Cricut mugs literally made for the Cricut Mug Press. So the fit is perfect, and they do feel good in the hand. However, they do have “Cricut” stamped on the bottom which is kind of a give-away that these were created by an at-home crafter. Watch Jo-Anns and Michaels for good deals on the Cricut Mug Press to get a good price on these.

Individual Packaging: Yes.

Size of Template: 15 oz.mug- 4.26″h. x 9.75″ w. (Actual width is 10.75″ but there’s a handle.) In pixels: 2922px w. x 1278px h.

#10) Cricut Beveled Bottom Black Handle 15 oz. Mugs

More Cricut mug blanks, these mugs are different from the all-white ceramic mug (above) in that they have a slightly tapered bottom. They also have a black handle and are black on the inside of the mug as well. These differences look nice, and they make it stand out. These are also individually packaged to make selling or giving away the mugs easy.

Individual Packaging: Yes.

Size of Template: Try the measurements for the 15 oz. mugs above.

#11) El Grande Multi-Color Mugs 15 oz.

In all the colors of the rainbow, this set of 12 mugs are white.

Size of Template: Unknown, but you can try the measurements for the 15 oz. mugs above.

#12) PYD Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs

These fit the Cricut Mug Press and I really like how different they are from the regular coffee mug (metal vs. ceramic). And with a lid, they’re kind of a nice in-between a tumbler and a mug.

Individual Packaging: Yes.

✨ 2 Awesome Water Bottles to Try As Sublimation Blanks the Cricut Mug Press

Okay, so here’s the deal with water bottles and the Cricut Mug Press. So far I haven’t found any water bottles that fit the mug press perfectly.

BUT- here’s the thing- if you don’t mind doing a little finagling you can totally make water bottles in the Cricut Mug Press.

#13) Techtongda Stainless Steel Sublimation Water Bottle 500ml

So I am NOT a water bottle girl (unless there’s a straw), but the lip of these is perfectly shaped to make drinking from these water bottles a pleasure. They come with a carabiner and are the perfect size for my bike holder. And I LOVE how stylish my custom water bottle looks when I carry it. (pic above)

Individual Packaging: Yes.

Size for Template: 9.25″ w. x 5.5″ h. In pixels: 2790px. w. x 1650px h. (Diameter at bottom is 2.86″)

#14) AiHeart 17 oz. Sublimation Water Bottles

This is the super trendy style of water bottle that you see in the IG reels of fitness queens. I know, I know, but trendy sells! (pic on the right below)

Individual Packaging: Yes.

Size for Template: 8.34″ w. x 4.75″ h. is the flat space. BUT, you can try it with the taper, and then I would make the design either 5.5″ h. (little taper) or 7″ h. (full taper) ❤️ In pixels: 2502px w x 1425px h. With 5″ = 1650px h. with 7″ taper= 2100px h.

Note: These are also too small for the mug press, but you can do it!

✨ My OTHER 3 Favorite Sublimation Blanks for the Cricut Mug Press

Honestly, I have no idea how popular either of these types of products is, the big sellers are tumblers and mugs. BUT, I do see them show up in the sublimation Facebook groups fairly often so I wanted to give you these options.

#15) PYD Life 12 oz. Stainless Steel Can Coolers

These move away from the coffee or smoothie possibilities and are perfect for the craft brew, hard cider, or soda folks. This 12 oz. size fits cans as well as bottles. They would make a great custom project for the beach wedding, party, or an afternoon on the pontoon. They’d look great with some 70’s style designs, or maybe vintage-looking label art. Right? You can totally see it!

Individual Packaging: Unknown

#16) PYD Life Wine Tumblers

These make the perfect gifts for wine lovers! And probably not something they already have. I’ve also seen these as Mr. and Mrs. wedding gifts, sometimes in a set with one of the trendy water bottles above. These do not have a straight wall but are sloped so it’s a little harder to get a good transfer all over. Not a big deal, if you have a small center design, but keep the limited space in mind when you plan your project.

Individual Packaging: Yes.

#17) Stainless Steel 12 oz. Sublimation Thermos

Paul Bunyan, skiers, and lumberjack wannabe’s rejoice! There is a sublimation thermos blank. However, like the water bottles, the thermos is only 6.6 cm. wide which means it does NOT fit well in the Cricut Mug Press. However, if you’re looking for a fun blank, you can try the tip I have for pressing the water bottles above.

Individual Packaging: Yes.

And that’s it! My picks for the best selection of sublimation blanks for Cricut Mug Press Projects.

Which have you tried and which is your favorite? I’d love to know in the comments!

Still On the Fence About Purchasing the Cricut Mug Press?

With all of these options, the Cricut Mug Press is way more versatile than you may think. It’s not as affordable as some heat presses, but with the hack for making smaller items (like water bottles) it actually makes it more versatile than the standard mug press.

It’s also super cute. And its’ compact size is great for small craft rooms.

And while not cheap, it’s not crazy expensive either. Cricut also did a great job of designing it with lots of thoughtful safety features (including auto sheet off). Plus, did I mention it’s cute?

Want to Know More About Sublimating and Cricut?

Thanks for checking out this post for beginners to sublimating. If you’d like to know more about sublimating with your Cricut I’d love to have you check out my post, Sublimation Made SImple for Cricut Crafters.

It gives you the basics of what sublimation is, how to use it, what the heck an ICC profile is, and how to get the best results. AND be sure to grab the great sublimation designs I have free in my Free Resource Library.

I hope you found things here that interested and inspired you! And I hope I answered your questions about sublimating with the Cricut mind press. If so, please take a minute to share this post on social media. It really helps me continue to produce content like this post.

Thanks for Reading!