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What size sublimation for a 20 oz tumbler? For a straight skinny tumbler, the wrap is as long as the tumbler's circumference, which is the diameter times 3.14, and as tall as the straight printable section. A 20 oz skinny about 2.92 inches across, like HTVRONT's blank, needs a wrap of about 9.2 inches. The height depends on the brand, so measure your own tumbler before you design, then check that the wrap fits on paper your printer can print.
Sizes vary because "20 oz skinny" isn't a standard. Different makers use different diameters and heights, so a template from one brand can leave gaps or overlap on another. Here's how to measure, calculate and pick the right paper for 20, 30 and 40 oz tumblers.
How to measure a tumbler for a sublimation wrap
- Find the straight section. Look at the tumbler from the side. Mark where the wall stops being straight near the rim and near the base. That's your printable height.
- Measure the height between those marks with a ruler.
- Measure the circumference with a flexible tape, or wrap a strip of paper around the tumbler, mark where it meets, and measure the strip. Or measure the diameter and multiply by 3.14.
- Decide on overlap. HTVRONT suggests adding about 2 mm to the circumference for a slight overlap, or cutting to the exact length for none.
- Write it down with the brand and model, so your next order uses the same template.
What size sublimation for a 20 oz tumbler, 30 oz, 40 oz and mugs
| Blank | How to size the wrap | Figure from a maker | Fits on letter paper? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 oz skinny straight tumbler | Length = diameter x 3.14; height = straight section | HTVRONT lists its 20 oz skinny at 2.92 in wide by 8.04 in tall, so the wrap is about 9.2 in long | Usually, if the printable height is under about 8.5 in |
| 30 oz skinny tumbler | Same method | Fits HTVRONT's A200 standard plate at 2.9–3.1 in outer diameter, so about 9.1–9.7 in long | Only if the height is under about 8.5 in |
| 40 oz handled tumbler | Straight section between handle ends | HTVRONT sells a separate A200H kit and mat for 40 oz handled cups | Often not; measure both dimensions |
| 16 oz glass can | HTVRONT publishes the print size | 9.65 x 4.73 in for HTVRONT's 16 oz glass | Yes |
| 11 oz mug | Pre-cut mug paper | 3.5 x 9 in sheets, such as A-SUB's | Yes, or on mug-size paper |
| 15 oz mug | Pre-cut mug paper | 4 x 9.5 in sheets, such as A-SUB's | Yes, or on mug-size paper |
The 2.92-inch figure is HTVRONT's listed dimension for its blank; your tumbler may differ by a few millimeters, which changes the wrap length by about 3 mm per millimeter of diameter.
A worked example
Say you measure a straight skinny tumbler and get a diameter of 2.92 inches and a straight section 7.5 inches tall (your numbers will differ by brand).
- Length: 2.92 x 3.14 = 9.17 inches. Add about 2 mm (0.08 inch) for a slight overlap, and the canvas is about 9.25 inches long.
- Height: 7.5 inches, the straight section you measured.
- Paper: 9.25 x 7.5 inches fits on letter paper with the length along the 11-inch side, with room for margins.
- Printer: any 8.5-inch sublimation printer, such as an Epson F170, Sawgrass SG500 or Brother SP-1.
If the same tumbler's straight section were 9 inches tall, both dimensions would exceed 8.5 inches, and you'd need 11 x 17 paper and a wider printer.
Which paper size fits your wrap?
A wrap has two dimensions, and your paper has to cover both, minus your printer's margins. Run the wrap's length along the paper's long side:
| Wrap size | Paper | Printers that handle it |
|---|---|---|
| Length up to about 10.5 in, height up to about 8.3 in | Letter (8.5 x 11) | Any 8.5-inch sublimation printer |
| Length up to about 13.5 in, height up to about 8.3 in | Legal (8.5 x 14) | Sawgrass SG500, Brother SP-1 |
| Height above 8.5 in (and length above 8.5 in) | 11 x 17 or 13 x 19 | Sawgrass SG1000, converted Epson ET-15000 |
The rule that catches people out: if both the wrap's length and height are over 8.5 inches, an 8.5-inch printer can't print it in one piece. A tumbler's circumference is almost always over 8.5 inches, so the height decides. Tall 30 oz skinnies and many 40 oz handled tumblers fall into this group. You can split a design into two panels, print on a wider printer or buy the transfer.
Printer margins shave a little off every sheet. Epson's F170, for example, has 3 mm left and right margins. Check your printer's printable area before you set the canvas size. Paper options are in our sublimation paper guide, and printers that print tall wraps are compared in our best sublimation printer for tumblers guide.
How to set up a tumbler template
- Create a canvas at your measured length x height, at 300 dpi.
- Add the overlap if you want it: about 2 mm extra on the length, per HTVRONT.
- Keep key details away from the seam and edges. A safe margin of about a quarter inch protects text and faces from the seam line and the paper's edge.
- Mark the back. If the tumbler has a lid slot or logo side, plan which part of the design faces front.
- Mirror the print before sending it to the printer.
- Trim the paper to the wrap size. HTVRONT warns that paper running past the rim or base folds and causes misprints or faded edges.
The full pressing process is in our step-by-step guide to how to sublimate a tumbler.
Tapered and handled tumblers
Tapered tumblers are wider at the top than the bottom. A rectangular wrap leaves loose paper at one end and blurs that part of the print. Use a curved, fan-shaped template that follows the taper, and expect to press in an oven, since most tumbler presses are built for straight cylinders.
Handled tumblers need a wrap that stops short of the handle. Measure the straight section between where the handle attaches, and leave a small gap on each side so the paper lies flat. Some presses need a dedicated plate for handled cups; HTVRONT sells a handle tumbler plate kit for its A200 family. Our sublimation tumblers guide covers presses for each shape.
Common mistakes
- Using a template from another brand. A few millimeters of diameter changes the wrap length by more than you'd think.
- Measuring total height instead of the straight section. The curved rim and base won't press evenly.
- Forgetting printer margins. A wrap that fits the paper exactly may get clipped.
- Overlapping paper without a tape strip. HTVRONT warns the overlap prints a double layer of ink; tape the back of the paper's edge or cut to the exact length.
- Planning a tall wrap on an 8.5-inch printer. Check both dimensions before designing.
FAQ
What size sublimation design do I need for a 20 oz skinny tumbler?
The wrap length is the tumbler's circumference: diameter times 3.14. For a skinny tumbler about 2.92 inches across, like HTVRONT's 20 oz blank, that's about 9.2 inches. The height is the straight printable section, measured on your own blank. Brands differ, so measure before you design.
What size sublimation paper do I need for a 20 oz tumbler?
Letter-size paper (8.5 x 11 inches) usually works, with the wrap's length running along the 11-inch side. That's only true if the design's height is under about 8.5 inches, minus your printer's margins. Measure the straight section of your tumbler to confirm.
What size sublimation for a 30 oz tumbler?
Measure it: the wrap length is the diameter times 3.14, and the height is the straight section. A 30 oz skinny that fits HTVRONT's A200 standard plate (2.9–3.1 inches across) needs a wrap of about 9.1–9.7 inches. Taller 30 oz cups often need paper larger than letter size.
What size sublimation for a 40 oz tumbler with a handle?
Measure the straight section between the handle's ends, since the handle interrupts the wrap. Many 40 oz handled tumblers are wider than skinnies and taper toward the base, so print only the straight part and leave a gap at the handle. If both dimensions exceed 8.5 inches, an 8.5-inch printer can't print it in one piece.
Should I add bleed or overlap to a tumbler wrap?
HTVRONT suggests adding about 2 mm to the circumference for a slight overlap, or cutting to the exact length if you want no overlap at all. If the paper overlaps, HTVRONT suggests a strip of heat tape on the back edge of the paper to stop a double layer of ink at the seam.
Next steps
Once your template fits, press it with the steps in our guide to how to sublimate a tumbler. If tall wraps are a big part of your orders, a printer that handles 11 x 17 or 13 x 19, like the Sawgrass SG1000 in our Sawgrass SG500 vs SG1000 guide, removes the 8.5-inch limit.