Oven Method for Sublimation Flower Pots
This method was tested using a thermo fan oven. Since all ovens vary, you may need to adjust the settings slightly to find what works best for your setup. Ovens with top and bottom grill elements tend to run hotter, so we recommend testing with a sample product first before doing production runs.
Please note: Overheating or leaving the product in the oven too long may cause the print to appear faded, dull, or washed out.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C for approximately 15 minutes.
- Position the tray in the centre of the oven or slightly below the centre.
- Place silicone paper or baking paper onto the tray for protection.
- Secure your sublimation print tightly around the flower pot using heat tape.
- Prepare the shrink film by cutting a slit down one side. Wrap it tightly around the flower pot and trim any excess if necessary. Secure the join using two rows of 2cm heat tape for extra strength.
- Using a heat gun, carefully shrink the film tightly around the flower pot until smooth and wrinkle-free. Keep the heat gun approximately 10–15cm away from the shrink film and move it continuously, similar to using a hair dryer. Avoid holding the nozzle too close, as this may melt the shrink film.
- Place the flower pot upside down in the oven and bake at 180°C for approximately 12 minutes.
- Remove the flower pot from the oven and immediately remove the shrink film, paper, and print while still hot.
Important Safety Notes
• Always use heat-resistant gloves when removing items from the oven.
• Avoid allowing shrink film to touch the raw ceramic directly, as it may occasionally stick to the flower pot and become difficult to remove.
• Silicone paper helps protect the product during pressing and baking.
• For best results, ensure the shrink film is smooth, tight, and free from bubbles or creases before placing it in the oven.
Helpful Tip
Applying the shrink film with a side slit makes removal much easier after pressing. Simply remove the tape and unwrap the film instead of struggling to slide it off the product.
As with baking, every oven behaves differently, so testing your own timings and temperatures is highly recommended.
