Sublimation — for bright
- Vivid colors that won’t wash off or wear away (the ink bonds into the polymer coating).
- Usually dishwasher (top rack) and microwave safe—the print won’t crack.
- Ideal for white mugs and specially coated sublimation tumblers.
- No raised texture: smooth, pleasant surface.
- Cost-effective for batches and everyday use (offices, cafés, merch).
Best for: white ceramic mugs, polymer-coated tumblers, full-color photos and gradients.
UV-DTF Printing
- Full-color printing on many smooth surfaces: stainless steel, metal, glass, plastic, painted tumblers.
- Subtle raised/glossy finish, premium look, excellent fine-detail rendering.
- Scratch- and moisture-resistant, great for complex shapes where sublimation isn’t possible.
- Works on dark/colored bases.
Best for: stainless tumblers, bottles, travel mugs, colored or dark substrates, logos and intricate graphics.
How to choose?
- White ceramic mug / polymer-coated tumbler → choose Sublimation (maximum longevity and dishwasher-safe).
- Stainless, colored/dark tumblers, glass, plastic → UV-DTF (versatility + premium raised finish).
- Photos & smooth gradients → both work; on white, sublimation looks “factory-applied.”
- Strong adhesion on metal/glass → UV-DTF.