The Vevor Mug Press is the best tumbler press for sublimation. This versatile machine handles an extensive range of mug and tumbler sizes, from 11 to 30 ounces.

Perfect for straight mugs, skinny tumblers, water bottles, thermos cups, coffee mugs, skinny sippy cups and more!

This Vevor Tumbler and Mug Press has given me consistent results time and again. I love working with this press and I really do prefer it over the automatic mug presses such as the Cricut mug press.

With its one-piece patented LCD knob-style panel, you can easily and accurately control the time range (0-999 seconds) and temperature range (0-410°F/210°C) with the utmost precision.

And if you want to print 2 pieces of 11-15oz straight mugs or cups simultaneously, it’s no problem. This press can handle cups with diameters of 2.87-3.42in/7.3-8.7cm and heights up to 9.8in/25cm! 

Not only that, but it also has an alarm to let you know when your sublimation is finished, and it even comes with a heat-resistant gloves, heat tape and 20 sheets of sublimation paper

So it is a no brainer that if you want to sell cups and tumblers this press is a fantastic choice!

The PYD Life Store Tumbler Press  is the best mug press for sublimation from Amazon. This press is really popular and highly rated on Amazon. 

Actually, it's quite similar to the Vevor mug press we mentioned earlier, but for some obscure reason it carries a double price tag.

This press, like the one mentioned earlier, accommodates various mug and tumbler sizes ranging from 11-30 oz.

This tumbler press can print 2 x 11-15oz mugs in one go. The length of the heat press attachment is 27CM or 10.6 Inches, making it sufficiently large to fit any and all mugs and tumblers you could want to print on.

It has an adjustable temperature range of 0-464°F and time range of 0-999 S.  

On top of that, it's incredibly easy to use and store!

The have a 3 month warranty on their tumbler press main parts and tumbler press attachments- so you can feel confident in buying from them.

This press is very popular on Amazon and has gotten some fantastic reviews. I'm not sure I understand why it is so much more expensive in comparison to the Vevor mug press as it does pretty much the same thing. 

But if you want to buy a tumbler press from Amazon, this is the best one on there!

The FUN-WORX Mug Press is a great mug press for sublimation. The machine is suitable for a large variety of sized mugs and tumblers from 11 - 30 oz. 

The heat press machine can press straight mugs, skinny tumblers, water bottles, thermos cups and more! 

The heat press has a digital display so you can easily change the temperature and time parameters.

The heat press is compact enough that it does not take up a lot of space in your craft room, and can easily be stored away.

It is available in two colors, white and blue.

Its size and weight make it highly portable which makes it great if you want to create designs and mugs at craft shows and markets. 

The Cricut Mug Press is designed for home use whilst still giving a vibrant, professional-quality to personalized mugs.

The mug press is designed to work with Cricut Mug blanks and their Infusible Ink materials (pre-printed sublimation transfer sheets). 

Once you have created your design (which you need to do in Cricut Design Space Software) you attach it to your mug and let the press do the rest! 

My thoughts after my hands-on analysis is that the mug press is to easy to use as there is no need to set the temperature or pressure.

I really love that the press does all the thinking for you!

The Cricut Mug Press has a heat plate that creates excellent, consistent results with every use.

This is the ultimate home mug press that allows to you make unique and personalized gifts for family, friends, teachers, neighbors, and coworkers with complete ease. 

Although the Cricut Mug Press has been optimized for Cricut's Infusible Ink products, you can use it with other sublimation blanks and products as well.  

So if you have a sublimation printer this is definitely a great addition to your crafting room and machines.

This unique mug press is the perfect complement to any brand of cutting machine.  

In my opinion this press is perfect for those who wish to create the occasional mug for a gift.

However I think that if you want to sell mugs, that you would be better off buying another mug press such as the FunWorx Mug Press.

The press is designed to work with mugs that are 11 - 16 oz (350 - 470 ml) in size.

Note that I wouldn't purchase this press if I wanted to do other things such as tumblers as well.

In my opinion, the heat press is reasonably priced, is compact enough that it does not take up a lot of space in your craft room and can easily be stored away.

Its size and weight make it highly portable which makes it great if you want to create designs and mugs at craft shows and markets. 

Here are some answers to the most asked questions about the Cricut Mug Heat Press.

1. Can you use Cricut Mug Press without a computer?

When setting up your Cricut Mug Press you do need a device (computer, iOS or Android) for activation and firmware updates.

Once your Cricut Mug Press has been activated, you will be able to use the press without a computer by using sublimation prints. 

You can also draw designs with Cricut Infusible Ink pens and markers and use the Cricut Mug Press to transfer your designs to your sublimation mug blank.

But yes, ultimately it is just so much easier and more versatile to use the Cricut Design Space software on a device (computer, iOS or Android).

2. Can I use Cricut Mug Press without Cricut?

Yes you can. If you have a sublimation printer you can print designs with sublimation ink and use the Cricut Mug Press to transfer your sublimation print to your blank mug or tumbler.

3. Can you use a Cricut Mug Press for tumblers?

The great news is, yes you can! Using your Cricut Mug Press to create tumblers is possible.

If the tumbler is really tall as some may stick out of the top of the tumbler, you will need to ensure that your design is taped to the correct part of the tumbler which can be a little tricky.

Ultimately if you plan to do lots of tumblers then I recommend you look at a press that is specifically made for that though.

4. Can I use Dollar Tree mugs for Cricut Mug Press?

Yes you can, provided they are sublimation blanks from Dollar Tree. 

You may also find that when using Cricut Infusible Ink materials on the Dollar Tree mug blanks that the color is not as vibrant.

5. Can you use mason jars in Cricut Mug Press?

Although sublimation mason jars can be used in the Cricut Mug Press it is not a supported product.

It is not recommended that you do use Mason Jars in the Cricut Mug Press due to heating issues.

I hope that has answered some questions that you might have had. I love this press. If you want to do cups, then I highly recommend this press. 

However if you want to do tumblers then I suggest you look at the previous press that is on our list.

>>> Click the button below to check the price, or click here to grab on the best Cricut Mug Press Bundles.

Once you have purchase the machine, you can grab your Cricut mug press set up instructions here.

5. UNQWIN Mug Heat Press Review

The UNQWIN mug heat press is a great alternative to the Cricut Mug Press machine.

This is an automatic machine as you cannot set the temperature and time settings on the heat press machine.

Not only are the time and temperature automated so is the pressure.

This mug heat press is a great price if you are looking for an automated mug press machine similar to the Cricut Mug Press Machine.

You can only press one mug at a time and with one press taking up to 5 minutes at a time it can take a long time to press many mugs or tumblers.

The maximum heat reached for this mug press is 392°F which is not as high as some of the other mug heat machines on our list.

It is still sufficient to use with a variety of sublimation blanks and products.

The heat press is best suited for sublimation blanks between 11 -  15 oz in size.

As you cannot adjust the pressure on the mug press you cannot use tumblers or mugs that are too slim or skinny. 

6. BIZK Mug & Tumbler Heat Press Review

The BIZK mug heat press is a portable mug press machine suitable for a variety of sized mugs and tumblers.

It might just be the best tumbler heat press because you can fit a large variety of mugs. Simply twist the screw to adjust the diameter of the attachment to fit different cups and mugs. 

The heat press has an automatic shutdown safety feature where the machine will switch off after 10-minutes of no use. 

The heat press has one button with 3 mode settings levels. You can set the temperature to low (160℃), medium (180℃), and high (200℃) to meet different heat transfer needs. 

This mug heat press is a really affordable price if you are looking for a mug press machine to start creating personalized mugs and tumblers.

7. VEVOR Automatic Mug Heat Press Review

The heat press is easy to use with one button to press to switch on the heat press.

The mug press automatically sets the time and heat settings taking out all the guesswork for you.

You can only press one mug at a time. The maximum heat reached for this mug press is 392°F which is not as high as some of the other mug heat machines on our list. 

The press gives a full 270° wrap around your mug or tumbler when pressing which is great if you want to achieve a full wrap around your mug.

8. BetterSub Mug Heat Press Review

BetterSub is responsible for a wide range of heating presses. The manufacturer makes standard presses for shirts, presses for cups and mugs, and also vinyl and sublimation paper.

That being said, if you’re only interested in transferring ink on mugs, there’s no real need for anything more advanced than a basic cup press machine, especially not if you’re not planning to commercially release your mugs just yet.

This BetterSub machine can heat press mugs in a timely manner. The temperature goes up to 482°. You can set its timer between 0 and 999 seconds, which is all you need for mug sublimation machine.

There’s three mug attachments included. With these mug attachments you can do both straight or conical mugs up to 16 oz in size.

The heat press lever is small, which gives the machine a small vertical footprint when not in use.

It also has LCD digital screen for setting temperature and time. You can also adjust the pressure with the use of the adjustment knob.

9. Super Deal Pro 2-in-1 Mug Heat Press Review

This Super Deal Pro 2-in-1 mug heat press is a manual-operated machine. It allows you to digitally set the temperature and timer for the press, but the pressure adjustments and the press itself are not automated.

There’s a pressure adjustment knob with easy access from above. The press itself has a handle and is rubber-coated to protect you from the heat and give you a firm grip over the lever.

This mug heat press is similar to many others in this price range.

Super Deal offers multiple heat press machines including for T-shirts and other apparel.

But what makes this model particularly appealing is its high heat output and the fact that it comes with two attachments.

The package includes two elements, one for a standard 11-oz. mug and one for a 12-oz. latte cup. The latter comes in a cone shape.

This provides some much-needed versatility to the heat press as it allows you to create a wider range of merchandise if you want to scale up production for your startup.

Of course, you can only press one mug at a time – but there’s nothing to stop you from getting a dozen of them (and you might be able to train someone to operate 3 or 4 of these machines at a time).

The maximum heat output can be held steady at around 420°, ± 2°.

The solid steel framework makes this a durable machine and reliable in the long run, especially for a portable model. The display panel can be set to display Celsius or Fahrenheit.

The timer only goes to around 240 seconds. But, that’s enough for all ceramic applications anyway. Another cool feature is the cycle recording function.

The machine automatically records how many times you’ve completed a pressing cycle so you can always check how many mugs you’ve made.

How to Find the Best Heat Press for Tumblers and Mugs

There are a few considerations you need to be aware of before buying the best cup heat press. It is not just about the 'looks' or even about the reviews. 

Most of the time, the cheaper heat press machines will be too similar in specs to even tell apart from one another unless you check the logo. This means that the devil is in the details. 

1. Temperature

First of all, if you’re looking at a mug heat press that can barely break 380° F it means that you won’t be able to guarantee a long-lasting imprint.

I recommend you look for a mug press that can get to 400° F.

2. Timer

Now you have to look at what the timer offers. I recommend you look for a press that allow a maximum timer setting of around 240 seconds.

The longer you make the pressing cycle, the darker the imprint turns out (although you have to be careful not to burn the ink).

If you’re looking for a darker shade then you may need a few extra seconds. That’s when machines with timers that go from 0 to 999 come in handy.

Not that you should ever get to 999 or anywhere near that mark, but it’s good to know that you can extend the pressing cycle without having to operate the machine twice per mug.

It saves time, ink, and money.

3. Adjustable vs. Automatic

There are really three types of mug presses: those that are manually operated, those that have a mix of automatic and manual features, and those that are fully automatic.

If you are new to creating personalized mugs, you might prefer the automated presses. However if you are more advanced you might prefer the manual ones which will allow you to tweak things more easily.

There are a couple of models for home use that don’t require anything from you than to just add the mug and press the start button – temperature and pressure settings are calculated by the machine.

One thing to look out for is even heating. If the press doesn't have even heating, then you will end up with a 'ghosted' effect on the mug, where the ink is not as dark as everywhere else.

4. Production Goals

At the end of the day, probably nothing matters more than what your actual goals are.

What do you need a mug press machine for?

If you’re not looking to sell tons and tons of mugs, you won’t need a very fast, heavy-duty machine to make your vinyl or sublimation mugs. Something easier to use like a Cricut Mug Press might be better for you.

If you want to make your mugs to order (for selling purposes) or to promote your brand or company, then you might need a machine which supports mug attachments of different sizes.

This will allow you to put your artwork on small cups and large mugs and make your presentation more appealing.

Last but not least, if you are considering a medium-sized commercial production, then you need a heavy-duty machine first and foremost.

In that case you need a press that can press multiple cups at the same time. Even two cups at the same time are better than one at a time.

Also worth noting is the fact that not all commercial mug heat presses may allow you to work on mugs and cups of different sizes simultaneously.

So, if that’s something important to you, you should look into that feature first.

In my opinion, I recommend that even if you are creating mugs just as a fun hobby at home, that you should invest in a press that has been designed to work with both mugs and tumblers.

5. Warranty

Due to how much work these machines are put through, manufacturers rarely offer more than one year of warranty.

This is why it’s tricky to judge the durability of a mug heat press.

One thing that I highly recommend is that you get a press where the company is happy to send a replacement if something is wrong. 

Whilst reading reviews I often see that people receive presses that don't even work from the get-go. So having a responsive company to is happy to send out a replacement if that is the case is important. 

6. Attachments

You can either purchase a dedicated mug press as per our list above. Or alternatively you can purchase a press with multiple attachments.

Some of the best heat press machines also come with a mug attachment as well.

You will often see a press labelled as “2-in-1,” “5-in-1,” “6-in-1,”. This usually refers to the number of attachments supported (sometimes to create other products such as bowls, caps, t-shirts and more).

These presses are handy if you only plan on making the occasional mug, however they are harder to learn to use.

7. Price

Luckily, when it comes to heat pressing mugs at home, there are many affordable machines that can get the job done beautifully.

You can expect to pay anywhere from around $60 - $250 for a mug press machine that is perfect for home or small business use.

8. Bonus Features

There are a few interesting features, some rarer than others, that you may find on a coffee cup heat press machine.

One of them is a safety feature that can switch off the machine if you forget to do so.

Some might have a secondary thermometer that kicks in and resumes the pressing cycle if the default temperature sensor fails.

Another cool feature is alarm notification. This alerts you when the heating pad reaches the desired temperature and the transfer is complete.

This means you can prep more mugs while waiting for the one in the machine to finish which can speed up your production cycle considerably.

Dual temperature unit support is also nice to have. Since not all machines are manufactured in the US, some of them may come with instructions that use the metric system and the Celsius scale for measuring temperatures.

How to Print on Mugs

Sublimation printing on mugs is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to monetize your artwork.

This process involves turning sublimation ink into gas and transferring it onto the mug. This is done through the pores built into sublimation paper.

You can use sublimation paper to create a lot of different products.

The end result is almost always very smooth and maintains all the colors used by the artist.

There’s one very important thing to remember when printing on a mug. Different materials require different temperatures, pressures, and pressing times.

While generic mugs may be heat-pressed in just 60 seconds, ceramic coffee cups may take up to 210 seconds for the ink transfer to complete.

No matter what you’re pressing your designs on, the recommended temperature is always around 400°. Anything less and you risk losing color saturation and clarity. 

Simply design your artwork. Print it out with a sublimation printer. Cut to size and adhere to the mug using heat tape. Then pop the mug in the press and let it do its job.

Why Should You Buy a Cup Printing Machine?

While it’s true that monetizing your artwork by printing it on various cups, mugs, or apparel has a lot of potential, there are many more things that you can use a sublimation mug press for.

What if you’re not an artist and you don’t plan on filling dozens of boxes with printed mugs? You can use a cup printing machine for branding.

Put your company’s logo on a couple of office coffee mugs and include them in your gift packages.

People will always see your brand on a coffee mug. Business cards have a way of getting lost or forgotten.

Another thing that you can do is to use a heat press to make a few unique mugs and use them as proof of concept during presentations for your design firm.

And, considering how cheap some starter mug heat presses are, you can even use one to give new life to your favorite mugs at home.

You really don’t have to worry about the brands.

Furthermore, we’ve done the legwork for you and picked out the best mug press machines for your perusal.

Final Thoughts On The Best Mug Heat Press for Sublimation

Clearly everyone has their own interests and needs, so what works for you may not work for another crafter.

That being said, in my opinion the best purchase would be to grab the Vevor Mug and tumbler Press. Not only is it affordable but it can also work with a large range of mug and tumbler sizes.

It is affordable and from reading the reviews it is clear that the company is happy to send out replacements free of charge for any defaults.

And, with all three key factors being completely under your control (time, temperature, pressure) you can make sure that each mug comes out exactly the way you want it to.

With that in mind, if you really want to ramp up your production scaling, then the Techtongda 3D Sublimation Vacuum Heat Press with its 12-mug capacity can really help.

It’s big and it can ensure you get the turnaround you want, from the comfort of your home or somewhere else. It is the best mug printing machine for small businesses.

Now that you have a mug press what is next? Grab some inspiration of what to make from our Cricut Mug Ideas post. You can also find all of our heat press projects here.

Want to create a 3D sublimation tumbler, follow our tutorial to see how to make a sublimation tumbler here!