Are Sublimation Mugs Dishwasher-Safe? – PrinterJoy

Sublimation mugs will be serving you properly without any defects as you use them in the dishwasher. But here is the point, don’t take it too much for granted. There are scopes that sublimation mugs can be affected and get damaged if not maintained properly.

So, are sublimation mugs dishwasher safe? Yes, they are but need to make it use that way. 

Like, keeping it aloof from the dishwasher heat is the prime task to keep its trait alive. Also, not using any harsh chemicals will uplift its dishwashing safety property.

So, be it the sublimation mugs or the Cricut sublimation mugs, you have to be careful while you are washing them. The same could be an issue with microwaves as well. 

But, why worry? Here you have an ocean of information on keeping your sublimation mug dishwasher safe. So, let’s dive.  

Are Sublimation Mugs Dishwashers Safe?

Yes, you can safely use sublimation mugs in the dishwasher because it is fully dishwasher safe. The coating used on the mugs allows the prints over it to stick on the surface firmly. The print and its color get settled on the surface as a whole, making it a part of the mug.

The mugs tend to hold the prints and color for years without any issues. You can expect your print and color of the mug to stay firm and rigid after washing several times on dishwashers.

But here is a thing, the sublimation mugs are dishwasher safe only when you use the usual detergent for washing. Potent detergent still will work but will fade the sublimation ink quicker than usual.

Also, it is mandatory to keep the mugs away from any heat source while you are washing them in the dishwasher. 

Otherwise, the heat going straight to the mug’s surface will extract the sublimation ink out from the mug by mixing it with the liquid.

So, not much of a hassle but some straightforward method should be implied while washing sublimation mugs in the dishwasher. As per regular usage, there are no hazards or issues in using it in the dishwasher.

Are Cricut Sublimation Mugs Dishwasher Safe?

Yes, Cricut sublimation mugs are dishwasher-safe as well. You don’t have to worry about the print dialog box printed color or design because the ink is fully compatible with the dishwasher and microwave.

But like some factors, you have to be cautious and be careful of certain things. That includes the heating cycle of the mugs after washing. 

Don’t just heat it immediately after you clean the mugs. Rather, it is recommended to rinse and clear the water with a rag or cloth.

Again, too much pressure on the mug will not let it sustain for a while. If you just scratch it heavily as per your desire, the design or color will just start to loosen up from the surface. And when it is washed via dishwasher, the color might just fade away.

Maintaining Sublimation Mug Quality in The Dishwasher

Once in a while, the feature of sublimation mugs will fade away eventually. But to keep the mugs alive and lucrative to date, it is important to maintain them properly.

More or less, people make certain mistakes in dealing with sublimation mugs, assuming it is like the normal ones. So, here are some points you can keep in your mind to maintain the beauty and features of sublimation mugs for a very long time.

1. Keeping the mug away from heat

Now that the dishwasher will be using hot water for washing the mugs, how are you going to refrain from it? The trick here is to keep the mug at the top section of the dishwasher.

The main thing is, it is holistic to keep the mug away from the water dispenser as much as possible. 

Although the hot water will touch the mug’s surface, eventually it’ll drain out faster leaving the least impact on the mug. Thus, there won’t be any significant effect on the design or color of the mug.

2. Rinsing the mug properly after washing

Once you are done washing the mugs in the dishwasher, give them a good rinse on them. You can use a clean cloth or towel for the purpose.

This will help the additional water or soap material remaining on the mugs after washing to go away. They might just stay and create a fuss over the mugs. No need for that, rather just clean it fully and store it in a safe place.

Keep in mind, you have to avoid abrasive materials in rinsing the mugs. Any such material will additionally damage the quality and will fade away the color and design of the mug in no time. So, a clean cloth or towel might do the job properly.

3. Don’t over-wash the mugs

Anything overdone is not good. The same goes here for the sublimation mugs. Just wash the mugs when it is needed. Using it once and washing it after that will still do.

But, rewashing the mugs after already washing them in the dishwasher is just unnecessary. Moreover, it just puts extra effort into the mugs. More or less, the mug’s sustainability decreases then.

Safe Washing Methods for Sublimation Mugs

Knowing how to wash sublimation mugs is mandatory if you are to retain the mug for a long time. And by retaining, we mean to maintain its design, features, color, and whatnot.

So, we present you with the safest and most convenient ways to wash sublimation mugs.

1. Run the dishwasher on a normal cycle

Most of the enthusiasts just go on and run the dishwasher on high heat or sanitize mode. Usually, it happens when you are including other things with the mugs. But it won’t be sustaining for sublimation mugs.

While you are using a dishwasher to wash sublimation mugs, always use a normal cycle. 

It’ll keep the washing normal and convenient, aloof from any kind of pressure on the mugs. Thus, you can retain the quality of the mug properly for a long time.

2. Washing with cold water

When you are washing the sublimation mugs, avoid hot water. It extracts the color or designs from the surface of the mug. Rather, cold water gives the perfect washing and cleaning. 

Moreover, you will feel convenient with it. And for the dishwasher, keeping the mugs away from the hot area and rinsing them properly, later on, will do the job perfectly.

3. Refraining from using bleach or other chemicals

Bleach or any relevant chemical is very strong to remove any color or image from the sublimation mug. So, using it while washing will just be a pain and sorrow for yourself.

Rather, using it in the dishwasher with recommended soap or cleaner will do the job significantly. 

Moreover, if you think your mugs require additional rubbing or cleaning, you can do that with your hands later on.

Factors Affecting Sublimation Mug Dishwasher Safety

There are high chances you might just become clueless when you find your sublimation mugs, are not dishwasher safe. 

Yes, some points can affect the features and characteristics of the sublimation mugs, which later on makes them not eligible for dishwashers. Here you have: 

1. Using abrasive sponges

Abrasive sponges are very harsh and cruel substances for the sublimation mug. 

Not only do they remove the color and design on the mugs, but also, they damage the quality of the mugs. It puts scratches on the surface and any image or color will start to fade away.

Instead, any soft cloth or towel is highly recommended here. As you’ll have to rinse it on your own, do it gently.

2. Leaving the mugs in the sun

As said earlier, leaving the sublimation mug in the sun will just damage the quality and specialty of the mug. Its sublimation design is what you crave, right?

When you keep it in the sun, the color and the design get exposed fully and start to fade away from the surface. Later on, washing it in the dishwasher where additional heat is applied, removes the color or design completely.

3. Using proper ink for sublimation

It is normal that one day, your sublimation ink from the mug will fade away. But that shouldn’t be happening anytime sooner. Right after sublimating your mug, use aftermarket surface protectants for the best safety. S

urely, it’ll hold the color and image properly while you put the mug in the dishwasher.

Dishwasher-Safe Alternatives

If you don’t want to wash your sublimation mugs in a dishwasher, don’t worry, we have other alternatives as well. These are convenient and DIY methods. So, let’s dive into it.

1. Using Soap

This is one of the most common methods for any type of cleaning. Just put enough soap or liquid soap in the mug with a little water to swish it around. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes and then give a good scrub.

After completing that, just wash the mug and rinse it. Hopefully, your cleaning will be done properly.

2. Using vinegar

Vinegar is a superb cleaning agent. And for sublimation mugs, it is completely safe to use; nothing will happen to the colors of the design on the mug.

So, fill half of the mug with vinegar and the rest with water. Let the mixture sit for around 10-12 minutes. Then, throw the mixture and scrub the mug with soap and water. And after cleaning it, you’ll find it completely clean.

How to Make a Dishwasher-Safe Mug

A dishwasher-safe mug won’t just be like that; you have to make and ensure it. And for that, the quality of the mug is very important. Again, not all mugs can be made dishwasher-safe, there are just some selective kinds.

Let’s know the procedure through some common questions. Rather than seeing it as a question, you can consider it as a method of preparing a perfect dishwasher-safe sublimation mug.

What Kind of Mugs Have to Use for Sublimation?

You’ll find ceramic mugs mostly suitable for sublimation. In that field, glazed ceramic mugs are the popular ones. The surface of the mug is made such that it can attain the maximum ink on it and retain them for a long time.

There are other ceramic mugs available for the purpose, you can use them as well. The main thing to remain conscious of is the layer of the mug. 

It is a must for the mugs to have a special polymer coating that allows the ink to penetrate through the surface. And that’s only when you can expect the ink to stay for a long time, even after dishwashing or amid the heat.

Apart from ceramics, you can also use stainless steel mugs for sublimation. Using a sublimation coating and putting it on the surface of the stainless-steel mugs allows it to draw much ink in it. And thus, it possesses the features of a casual sublimation mug.

Can You Do Sublimation on A Regular Mug?

No, you just cannot use any mugs for sublimation. You have to be selective and watchful for the mugs for sublimation because sublimation is a special printing technique that requires specific surfaces to be treated upon

Using old mugs for sublimation will just ruin your effort, nothing else. It lacks the ink-retaining tendency. Thus, the design or color you’re putting on it will eventually fade away after some washings.

White mugs are preferable for sublimation mostly. Because the color will display the most vibrant nature of the sublimation ink. 

Also, you need to ensure that your mug has a polymer coating for retaining the ink. Otherwise, they’ll just wash away after certain washings.

The better the quality of the mug, the more convenient it’ll be for you to sublimate. Nevertheless, the quality might be compromised sometimes, but you also have to spare the sustainability from it then.

3 Best Dishwasher-Safe Blanks Mugs

To make the perfect dishwasher-safe mugs, we have selected the three best dishwasher-safe white mugs for you. These are:

1. Cricut Blank Mug

When it’s blank, it’s white. And that is for the ceramic polymer coating that is the most desirable quality for a dishwasher mug. This pack of 4 mugs is the perfect dishwasher-safe mug you’ve been searching for.

These blank mugs are fully compatible with infusible inks and perfect for sublimation printing. But the quality is so amazing that sublimation ink can settle on it properly without any hassle.

What amazed us is the surface of the mug. It is fully smooth and clean for perfect ink implementation. Not only that, the polymer assures that the ink stick in it forever, you can say.

For that, you can directly apply the infusible ink on it without any adhesive or base material. Don’t worry, the ink will settle properly and present you with your desired design.

And as said, it fulfills our agenda here, i.e., being dishwasher safe. Not only that, you can use it in a microwave oven as well. Just be careful and follow the guides for using them well.

2. Cricut Beveled Blank Mug

Another mug of Cricut has to be top-notch. Otherwise, wouldn’t be our pick here. Testing the mug for sublimation was a great experience and for dishwashing, it was another.

Hardly we saw any mugs being that good for dishwashing. This is the kind of mug you can keep wherever you want in the dishwasher. That means you won’t have to worry about keeping it on the top rack every time you wash it via dishwasher.

You can use the mug with both Cricut and sublimation. Don’t worry, it won’t discriminate. Just like the blank mug, its polymer coating is so good to absorb enough ink in it.

A smooth and feasible surface makes the ink stay longer. Even if you use it in the microwave, you won’t face any issues with the design or color. So, who’s stopping you from heating your cold coffee in the microwave with the mug?

The mug is quite exclusive and demanding in the market. So, the manufacturers have been producing it as a single-piece pack. You can avail of multiple pieces packs as well.

3. Esdabem Sublimation Mugs

A high-firing resistive mug is in great demand. Like, everyone would love to enjoy their coffee hot, right? So, the weather making it cold won’t be that of a thing when you have esdabem sublimation mugs.

First, let’s come to the sublimation. The finishing of the mug is so superb that you can input infusible ink without any hassle on it. And it stays for a long time too.

Now, the mugs are specially made to sustain in the microwave. The polymer layer of the mug can sustain amid extensive heat. So, using it in the dishwasher is completely safe and sound you won’t have to worry about it a bit.

The cup is durable and the bottom is made so firm that it hardly slips. Even if it gets a gentle fall, it won’t break compared to the others in the market.

But one thing, using metal or a relevant thing to clean the cup might damage the layer a bit. And that would be not good for your sublimation or Cricut printing. So, you better be careful about that.

2 Mug Press to Make Dishwasher-Safe Mugs

Your sublimation printing has to settle well on the surface of the mug for a long-lasting service. And to assure a firm setup, the mug press is very effective. So, here we are with two amazing mug presses to make dishwasher-safe mugs.

1. Cricut Mug Press US

Making an amazing design and still thinking of setting it firmly on your mug? Surely you haven’t seen the Cricut mug press so far. The mug press is so amazing that it will make the design attach to your mug firmly for a good time.

With this mug press, you are sure to get a peel-proof work of design on the mug. It provides good zone heating that makes the design settle on the surface. Not only that, the design will set so well on the surface that you can use it on the dishwasher and microwave.

But to make things happen, you have to get the infusible ink transfer sheet, marker, or pens. They are sold separately in the market. And with your desirable Cricut design on it, you know what you are getting from the device.

2. VEVOR Mug Press Machine

A one-touch design is what makes the Vevor automatic mug pressing machine so convenient. You don’t have to adjust any kind of pressure or temperature. Just insert the mug, press the button, and the press machine will do the rest.

Its automatic clamping feature is amazing. Just set the mug and it clamps instantly. And once the mug is pressed firmly, it opens automatically and doesn’t take a second more or less. Some lights signal its completion.

You can use mugs from size 11-15 oz. in it. Also, you won’t have to change the baker as well. It adjusts automatically.

Oh, don’t miss out on the quality of the sealing. It’s top-notch. The machine doesn’t miss out on a single chance to portray the best of the colors on the mugs. It even gives a good texture and firms it on the surface for a long time.

2 Best Sublimation Inks to Make Dishwasher-Safe Mugs

You just can’t expect any sublimation ink from the market to serve as per your desire. There are quality differences between them and they’re for good.

Among so many sublimation inks we have tested, here you are with the top two ones perfect to serve you accordingly.

1. Printers Jack 400ML Sublimation Ink

The ink that’ll set well on the surface, won’t bleed, and stay for a long time – is in high demand. 

And printer jack sublimation ink is one of them. This ink is one of the most versatile inks in the market, and that goes well with almost all the printers out there.

With this heat transfer ink, you can do sublimation printing on mugs, t-shirts, boxes, flags, posters, and whatnot. And when we are recommending mugs, that means it’ll sustain dishwashing.

This water-based ink provides massive heat transfer printing. Not only that, the color is bright and vivid. You’ll be availed with 3 layers of formulated ink for the heat press transfer printer.

You won’t have to worry about the ink fading away. It is water resistant and light fastening. Not only that, you won’t find any clogging in it too. So, a smooth and perfect finish is the main aim of the ink.

2. Hiipoo Sublimation Ink

Hiipoo is an amazing brand for inks. We have used so many of their inks, and all of them are amazing. But for sublimation, we have chosen this particular one.

Be it for fonts or animation or design making, the ink is amazing and stands top above all. 

You can use it firmly over shirts, bags, hoodies, sweaters, mugs, and other materials. And all these get nailed when you use the combination of sublimation paper with the ink.

This is a water-based ink, so it gives a high printing rate to the material. And it sets well on the surface as well. You can use it in the dishwasher and microwave without worrying.

You won’t have to worry about its drying too. Once you make the design, the ink will dry pretty fast. And the color it produces is amazing. Bright, vivid, and strong tone on your mug will look so good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enthusiasts have been searching for many questions and queries regarding the matter. So, here we are with some questions and answering them.

Conclusion

So, what’s the conclusion you got? Are sublimation mugs dishwasher-safe? Yes, they are. You can use sublimation mugs in the dishwasher without any worry, but properly.

Keeping the mugs close to the heating zone might destroy the color of the mug. Not only that, you have to be careful in rinsing and washing the mugs. Being too much harsh might cost you a lot later on.

Keeping the precautionary measures in mind, you can make the sublimation mug alive for a long time, be it in the dishwasher or the microwave. But there goes again, be nice and gentle with the wash, that’s it.