How to Sublimate on Coasters: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Sublimation coasters are one of the most popular products for crafters, gift makers and Etsy sellers in the UK — and it’s easy to see why. They’re quick to make, affordable to buy in bulk, and sell brilliantly as personalised gifts for weddings, birthdays, housewarmings and Christmas.

But if you’ve ever ended up with a faded, blotchy or ghosted coaster, you’ll know that getting it right takes a little know-how. This step-by-step guide walks you through everything you need — from equipment and design to pressing and finishing — so you can produce professional-quality sublimation coasters every single time.

What You’ll Need

Before you start, make sure you have everything on this list:

• Blank sublimation coasters (MDF with sublimation coating — square or round)
• A sublimation printer loaded with sublimation ink (e.g. Sawgrass or Epson EcoTank converted)
• Sublimation transfer paper
• A flat heat press (not an iron — domestic irons don’t apply consistent pressure)
• Heat-resistant tape
• A Teflon sheet or protective paper
• Scissors or a trimmer
• Heat-resistant gloves (recommended)

Make sure your coasters have a proper sublimation coating — not all MDF coasters are suitable. All coasters from Blanks Sublimation are specially coated and tested in-house for vibrant, consistent results.

Step-by-Step: How to Sublimate on Coasters

Step 1 — Design Your Coaster

Open your design software (Canva, Photoshop, CorelDRAW, or even Word) and set your canvas to the size of your coaster. Our square MDF coasters measure 9.5cm x 9.5cm, so set your design to 95mm x 95mm (or 3.74 x 3.74 inches).

Important: Mirror (flip horizontally) your design before printing. Because sublimation transfers the image in reverse, if you don’t mirror it, any text will come out back to front on the finished coaster.

Pro tip: Add a 2–3mm bleed around the edge of your design so there are no white borders if the coaster shifts very slightly during pressing.

Step 2 — Print Your Design

Print your mirrored design onto sublimation transfer paper using your sublimation printer. Make sure you’re printing on the coated side of the paper (it feels slightly different to the plain side — usually a little smoother or whiter).

Use the highest print quality setting available and make sure your printer is set to use sublimation ink profiles if available. Allow the print to dry for a minute or two before handling to avoid smudging.

Pro tip: Trim your printed design to size before pressing. Excess paper around the coaster can trap heat unevenly and cause patchy results.

Step 3 — Pre-Heat Your Press

Set your heat press to 185°C (365°F). Allow it to fully reach temperature before you press — most presses take 5–10 minutes. Pressing before the plate is fully up to temperature is one of the most common causes of uneven transfers.

While you’re waiting, do a quick pre-press of your coaster for 5 seconds. This removes any moisture from the blank and ensures a clean surface for the transfer.

Step 4 — Tape the Transfer to Your Coaster

Place your printed design face down onto the coaster (print side touching the coated surface of the coaster). Secure it firmly with heat-resistant tape on all four sides.

This step is critical. Even a tiny amount of movement during pressing will cause a ‘ghost image’ — a blurry double outline around your design. The tape is cheap insurance against a ruined coaster.

Step 5 — Press the Coaster

Place the coaster face down (design side facing down) onto your heat press plate. Lay a Teflon sheet or piece of protective paper on top of the coaster before closing the press. This protects both the coaster and your press plate.

Press at 185°C for 75–90 seconds with medium pressure. Don’t be tempted to press harder — medium pressure is sufficient and excessive pressure can distort the coaster.

Coaster Type	Temperature	Time	Pressure
Square MDF coaster (9.5cm)	185°C (365°F)	75–90 sec	Medium
Round MDF coaster	185°C (365°F)	75–90 sec	Medium
Ceramic coaster	200°C (392°F)	150–180 sec	Medium–firm

Step 6 — Remove and Peel

When the press beeps, open it and carefully remove the coaster using heat-resistant gloves — it will be very hot. Place it on a heat-safe surface.

Peel the transfer paper off immediately while it’s still hot. Don’t let it cool first. As the coaster cools with the paper still on it, the paper can re-adhere slightly and cause ghosting. Peel it back in one smooth, confident motion.

Step 7 — Allow to Cool

Place the finished coaster face up on a flat surface and allow it to cool completely for 2–3 minutes before handling. The colours will look their best once fully cooled — don’t judge the result while it’s still hot as colours can look slightly different at temperature.

That’s it — your sublimation coaster is done! With a little practice, the whole process from pressing to finished coaster takes under 3 minutes.

Troubleshooting: Common Coaster Problems and Fixes

Faded or washed-out colours: Temperature too low or time too short. Try 190°C or add 10 seconds.

Ghost image (blurry double outline): Transfer paper moved during pressing. Use more heat tape and peel the paper off immediately after pressing.

White patches or uneven transfer: Uneven pressure on your press, or the blank had moisture. Pre-press for 5 seconds and make sure your press plate is flat.

Text is back to front: You forgot to mirror your design before printing. Always flip horizontally before hitting print.

Colour looks dull or brown-tinged: Temperature is too high. Drop by 5–10°C.

Ink bled past the edges of the design: Time was too long or pressure too heavy. Reduce time by 10 seconds and check pressure is medium.

Tips for Selling Sublimation Coasters on Etsy

Coasters are one of the best-selling personalised products on Etsy UK. Here are a few tips to make yours stand out:

• Offer sets of 4 or 6 as well as singles — sets sell much better as gifts.
• Create seasonal designs (Christmas, Valentine’s, birthdays) and list them 6–8 weeks before the occasion.
• Photograph your coasters with a drink on them — lifestyle photos sell far better than plain product shots on white backgrounds.
• Offer personalisation (names, dates, custom photos) — this commands a higher price and drives repeat customers.
• Use cork-backed coasters — buyers notice the quality difference and leave better reviews.

All our sublimation coasters come with cork backs as standard — no extra cost. Cork prevents slipping, protects surfaces and gives your finished product a premium feel that customers love.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a normal iron instead of a heat press?

We don’t recommend it. Domestic irons don’t apply consistent pressure or maintain a steady temperature across the whole surface, which leads to patchy, uneven transfers. A heat press is essential for reliable sublimation results.

Do I need special coasters for sublimation?

Yes — the coasters must have a sublimation coating. Standard MDF or ceramic coasters without a coating won’t hold the ink. All coasters sold by Blanks Sublimation are specifically designed and coated for sublimation printing.

Can I sublimate on both sides of a coaster?

Yes, you can sublimate on both sides — just repeat the process for the reverse side once the first side has fully cooled. Make sure the first side is protected with a Teflon sheet when pressing the second side.

How long do sublimation coasters last?

When sublimated correctly, the design is permanently bonded into the coating and won’t fade, peel or scratch off under normal use. Sublimation coasters are dishwasher safe, though hand washing is recommended to preserve the colours long-term.

Shop Sublimation Coasters

Ready to get started? We stock square and round sublimation coasters in a range of pack sizes, with bulk discounts available. All coasters are cork-backed, specially coated, and tested in-house for consistent results.

Browse sublimation coasters: www.blankssublimation.co.uk/product-category/blank-sublimation-coasters/

Free UK delivery on orders over £100. Questions? Call us on 01293 922 952.

Written by the Blanks Sublimation team — UK sublimation blank specialists. All tips and settings in this guide are based on our own in-house testing.