I wanted to share my first experience using the OMPERIO Sublimation Oven to make one of my bestsellers—personalized ceramic shot glasses! If you’ve been following me, you know I used to sublimate these with a tiny thrift store air fryer. It worked, but I could only do three at a time, which isn’t ideal when you’re running a business. Plus, I knew I wanted to start experimenting with bigger projects that needed more space. So, after some research, I took the plunge and got the OMPERIO Sublimation Oven from Amazon, and let me tell you—it’s a game-changer.
Not only is this oven large enough to fit several items at once, but it also came with a bunch of accessories, like heat gloves, tape, shrink wrap, and even a heat gun. I was sold, and I couldn’t wait to try it out. The first thing I tested? My go-to: ceramic shot glasses. Let me walk you through the process!
Here’s What I Used:
If you’re ready to make your own personalized shot glasses, here’s a full list of what I used (and where to find it):
- OMPERIO Sublimation Oven: Check it out here
- Heat Gloves: Pink ones I love
- Sublimation Shot Glasses: Bulk case or Smaller pack
- Shrink Wrap for Shot Glasses: From JDS Industries
- HTVRONT Sublimation Paper: Get it here
- Heat Tape: A must-have
- Sawgrass Sublimation Printer: I use the SG400
The Sublimation Process
1. Design Your Transfer
The first step is always creating your design. I use Photoshop to customize my shot glass template, which I’ve tweaked over the years. The shot glasses have a slight curve, so I use a Smart Object to make sure the design aligns perfectly. If you’re a Photoshop pro, you know what I mean, and if not, let me know—I’d be happy to make a tutorial!
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a shot glass template, check with your supplier. I got mine from JDS Industries, which provides templates for most of their sublimation products.
2. Print and Prep Your Transfer
I use a Sawgrass SG400 sublimation printer (now replaced by the SG500). Make sure your design is mirrored before printing! Once printed, I cut out the design as close to the edges as possible for a cleaner look.
3. Clean and Tape
I always clean my shot glasses with rubbing alcohol to remove any dust or debris. Dust particles can sublimate blue, and nobody wants that! Then, I tape the design to the shot glass—one piece of heat tape on each side works great.
4. Apply Shrink Wrap
To ensure even pressure, I use shrink wrap around the glass. I tuck the excess into the glass, and instead of using a heat gun to shrink it beforehand, I let the oven do the work.
Using the OMPERIO Sublimation Oven
This oven is a dream. I set it to 400°F and 6 minutes for shot glasses. What I love most? The oven starts preheating with the push of a button and even has a light inside so you can check on your items. Tip: Make sure once you select your time and temperature, make sure you click the "preheat" button to get it warmed up, otherwise it won't heat up! Once you close the door, the timer automatically starts. Seriously, it’s so user-friendly.
The Big Reveal
After 6 minutes, I carefully removed the shot glass with heat gloves and immediately peeled off the shrink wrap and transfer. Waiting too long can cause the wrap to stick, so I don’t let it cool first. Once everything was off, I let the glass cool down completely, and voilà—a perfectly sublimated shot glass!
Here’s how the final product turned out:
Final Thoughts
I’m thrilled with how the OMPERIO Sublimation Oven performed. It’s efficient, easy to use, and perfect for small business owners like me who want to increase production without sacrificing quality. If you’re in the market for a sublimation oven, I highly recommend this one!
If you want to see the whole process in action, check out my YouTube video here. Don’t forget to subscribe and let me know what you think!
And, of course, if you want your own personalized shot glasses, head over and personalize one for yourself here. I’d love to make something special for you.
Happy crafting,
Ryan