How to Make Sublimation Tumblers: A Step-by-Step Guide

In December 2023, Stanley™ cups went viral. The luxury mug brand rocketed into the spotlight when a video showed its iconic insulated tumbler was keeping a TikToker’s drink ice cold—right after she pulled it from her burning car!

The brand’s time in the spotlight may have passed, but tumblers are as popular as ever. To get in on the fun, we’re exploring how to use sublimation to make a unique tumbler of your own.

Discover how students can use sublimation to transform unique designs into fun, useful accessories!

Gear and Materials

To start sublimation printing on containers, you’ll need a sublimation printer, a heat pressing machine, and a few supplies.

We recommend our Sublimation Printer: All-In-One Printing Machine. It’s built with classrooms in mind, designed to empower students at different skill-levels.

We also recommend choosing from a wide range of heat press options, to best meet your class’s needs. Just make sure your heat press machine comes with a tumbler-compatible attachment or add-on.

Additional Materials:

  • Heat tape
  • Heat-resistant gloves
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape
  • Scraper
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cloth
  • Sublimation paper
  • Sublimation ink
  • Design software
  • Scanner (optional)

Select Blank Sublimation Tumblers

Choose blank cups with surfaces coated with a sublimation-compatible material (like polymer). The coating is necessary to meld sublimation ink into the object’s surface.

One popular tumbler material is stainless steel, as it’s durable and dishwasher-safe. For example, this lidded, 22 oz travel cup is strong, lightweight, and 100% compatible with sublimation.

Choose a white, light-hue, or translucent blank.

Translucent elements, like the frosted blue gradient on this glass tumbler blank, adds a bit of pizzazz to the piece without affecting your printed design.

Step #1. Discover How To Make Sublimation Designs For Tumblers (With Creative Apps!)

Measure the height and circumference of your tumbler’s print-ready surface.

Make a design for your tumbler on an app, or download a free design from crafters on Pinterest.

You’ll likely have to crop your design, so the design’s most important elements should be in the vertical center of the image.

Make sure to save your completed design as a PNG file, with a resolution of 300 dpi or greater.

Before printing, resize your image so its height and width match the cup’ height and circumference (respectively).

Step #2. Print Your Design Onto Sublimation Paper

Use the tumbler’s measurements to select appropriately-sized sublimation paper for this project.

Load your sublimation paper into your printer, then send the file and print. If you get stuck, call the printer manufacturer’s customer support line.
Step #3. Preheat Your Heat Press To the Ideal Temperature

The optimal temperature (°F), duration (s), and degree of pressure (psi) will vary by material.

Check the printed instructions included with your sublimation blanks (i.e. the blank tumblers) to find the right presets.

If you can’t find the information in the included technical paperwork, look for it on the tumbler manufacturer’s website, or call the customer service line.

As a last resort, use a trial-and-error method to determine the right settings. Run a few test prints, starting with these settings:

Stainless steel: 365 °F / 90-120 s / 40 psi (med.)
Frosted glass: 370-380 °F / 90-120 s / 35 psi (light or med)
Acrylic: 385-400 °F / 50-75 s / 40 psi (med)

Start with the lowest recommended settings. If the print is too light or blurry, increase the temperature, pressure, and time in small increments, then try again.

Repeat until the image on the test tumbler is sharp and saturated.

Step #4. Prepare Your Print and Blank Tumbler For Heat Transfer

As the press preheats, prepare your tumbler.

Peel any protective coatings from your blank tumblers, then clean the cup’s surface. Rub off the adhesive, dust, and any other debris with your cleaning alcohol and cloth.

Use your measurements to crop or trim your sublimation print, then gently wrap it around your tumbler. Make sure the inked side of the print touches the cup’s surface.

Use your hands to flatten the paper, removing any wrinkles or bubbles. Then, after the print is smoothly aligned to the cup, use heat tape to hold it in place.
Step #5. Press Your Sublimation Print and Tumbler

Put on your heat-resistant gloves. The heat press machine will be hot.

Then, put your print-wrapped cup into the tumbler attachment on the heat press and secure it in place.

Adjust the pressure settings to the recommended psi. This can involve manually adjusting tension in the tumbler attachment, to make sure the pressure is evenly distributed.

Then, press your tumbler for the recommended amount of time.

Note:

If your machine doesn’t heat your tumbler evenly, open the attachment after you press it, rotate the tumbler, then press it again.

Step #6. Let Your Tumbler Cool, Then Peel

While wearing heat gloves, move the tumbler to a cooling rack. Once it’s cooled, peel off the heat tape and sublimation paper.
Unique Ways To Use Sublimation Printed Tumblers In Your Classroom
What’s the best way to use sublimation printed tumblers in your classroom? We’ve got some ideas!

Students can keep their personal cups with them all day. This lets them stay hydrated without risking the spread of germs.

Students could also give them away as gifts. As the Stanley™ cup craze showed, tumblers are pretty popular!

Teaching budding entrepreneurs? Students could design tumblers to sell at a craft fair, or sell their accessory-printing services to local businesses.

Get Your Print Lab Kids Ready To Create, Sublimate, Educate and Go!

At AGC Education, we believe technology and art have the power to teach students lifelong skills. That’s why we offer guides like this: to teach each and every kid (and kid at heart) to make real what they’ve dreamed up.

Whether you need sublimation printers, heat presses, or accessories, our team has something to offer.

Call us today at 1 (800) 535-7553 to learn more about bringing our creative technology to your classroom. Or, fill out our online contact form, and one of our experts will get right back to you.

Classroom Sublimation Projects: Create Your Own Christmas Ornaments

Why sublimation print on blank ornaments as a class project? It’s a great way to connect your students to a centuries-old holiday tradition—with a creative, high-tech twist!

Did you know the earliest Christmas ornaments were created by German glassworks craftsmen in 1597? Most of the original decorations were glass fruit and nuts, warm reminders of summer to bring the evergreen tree through winter. 

Yet, tree ornaments only became truly popular 250 years later. 1857 was the year Hans Greiner, the great-grandson of those craftsmen, began selling “baubles”: colorful, spherical “bubbles” made of hand-blown glass. These round Christmas ornaments became a smash hit! 

Today, Christmas decor is an $8B industry, and ornaments come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and materials. Glassworking skills might be a little out of reach for most kids, but sublimation printing is a fun way to create something new at a wide range of skill levels. 

Discover how to run a DIY ornament project that works for everyone, tailored to your particular classroom’s unique needs. 

How Kids Can Make Christmas Ornaments With Sublimation—In 5 Easy Steps!

There are many ways to engage students in a creative sublimation project. For this project, start by reflecting on a few questions, and use what you know about your classroom to weigh different options.

What Are the Best Types of Blank Ornaments To Personalize?

Consider how the ornaments’ colors, materials, and shapes affect the project. There are a range of options that will work on a technical level. Just make sure whatever ornaments you choose are compatible with the sublimation process.

Quick Review: How Does Sublimation Printing Work?

Sublimation printing uses a unique chemical process to transfer designs onto diverse objects. A design printed on sublimation paper, with sublimation ink, becomes gaseous when heated and pressed against an object’s surface. 

In gas form, the printed design integrates into the surface of a sublimation-compatible object. In essence, the vaporous ink dyes the object’s vinyl, polyester, or polymer-coated surface. The vapor dye transforms the colors of the particles or threads composing the object’s surface to reflect the design. 

The result is a smooth, single-layer surface, wholly embedded with the design. 

Process Differences Guide Material Choices

Sublimation differs from other methods of transferring prints. 

For example, heat transfer vinyl methods actually add a thin layer over top of the surface of the object receiving the transfer. The surface of the object itself is unchanged. This layer can chip or peel off over time, so heat transfer vinyl designs have a much shorter lifespan than sublimation printed designs.

In contrast, sublimation actually dyes the material composing the object’s surface, the sublimation ink mixes with the threads’ or particulates’ pre-existing color.

Ornament Color

When sublimation dye ink mixes with colored particulates, the resulting color differs from the one in the original design. Thus, you should only sublimate designs on white, transparent, or light-colored objects. Sublimating directly onto dark reds or greens just won’t work.

That said, there sublimation ornament blanks that incorporate festive colors. The key is making  sure those festive elements are outside the sublimation area. As long as the sublimation surface element of the blank ornament is white, the design will work. 

Ornament Materials

Likewise, the vaporous sublimation ink needs to connect with a compatible surface in order to dye it. Compatible surfaces are typically polyester or have a polymeric coating. Polymer readily absorbs the vapor. In contrast, glass, ceramic, and most natural fabrics repel the gaseous ink. 

There’s good news, though: you can find a wide range of blank Christmas ornaments designed specifically for sublimation. 

Some, like cast acrylic or vinyl blanks, are naturally compatible with the sublimation process. Others, like blank glass, wood, and metal ornaments, are also still viable options, as long as they have a sublimation powder coating. Fortunately, these options are available in an array of shapes and sizes. 

Ornament Shape

That brings us to shape. For most students, sublimation is easiest when they can press their design onto a flat surface. So, while attachments to sublimate onto spheres and cylinders exist, they aren’t the best choice for a class project. Instead, choose a flat, festive shape, like a snowflake, star, or tree

Age Group Considerations

When running projects for a diverse group of students, it’s important to adapt or personalize them based on the students’ ages and levels of skill. Consider each student’s:

  • Dexterity
  • Technological skill
  • Attention span
  • Personal preferences 

Some kids may be old enough and skilled enough to design, print, and press their ornament with minimal supervision. Others may require more one-on-one direction, or they may benefit from lighter-weight tools. [this mini heat press] requires less strength and dexterity to use than the conventional, large heat press.

Once you’ve thought through your options, it’s time to start the project!

Step #1. Get Your Materials Ready 

Any sublimation project requires a sublimation printer and a heat press. 

You might already have both set up in your classroom or maker lab. If so, that’s excellent! If not, why not explore our guide to choosing the best sublimation printer and the right heat press machines for your space?

In addition to your gear, this project requires a few more materials. 

Materials

  • Sublimation inks
  • Sublimation paper
  • Sublimation blanks (i.e. blank ornaments with polymeric coating)
  • Rubbing alcohol or a similar cleaning agent
  • Cleaning cloths
  • Heat-resistant gloves
  • Cutting tool (optional)
  • Heat tape (optional)
  • Photo- or image-editing software
  • Scanner (optional)

Heat Press Prep Steps 

While you won’t use the heat press until Step 4, it’s good to look up the appropriate settings ahead of time. Your sublimation blanks (the blank Christmas ornaments), should come with printed information that explains the following:

  • Temperature. What temperature should you set your heat press to in order to sublimate onto the ornament?
  • Duration. During the heat press phase, how long should you press the design to the ornament?
  • Detailed Instructions. Is there a QR code or link to a video demo or more detailed instructions?

In some cases, there is no printed information. Instead, you have to go straight to the ornament manufacturer’s website. 

Missing Info? Learn Through Trial-And-Error

If you can’t find the information there either, then you’ll have to do a few trial-and-error tests. 

Try sublimating a basic, printed design onto a test ornament by heating your press to 360℉, then pressing for 60 seconds. If the design doesn’t transfer, increase the heat and duration in small increments and try again. 

Step #2. Create Art For Blank Ornaments 

Once you’ve gotten the supplies together, it’s time for students to create their designs. 

If they’re going to create the artwork for the ornaments digitally, using a program like Pixlr or Canva, skip ahead to Step #3. If, instead, they’re creating art with physical materials, and they’ll digitize them later, read on. 

Encourage kids to draw, paint, or collage photos from magazines to create the design for their ornament. They can use holiday imagery like snowmen or reindeer. Or, they can simply create images that depict something meaningful to them personally. 

Younger students might benefit from a life-size “template,” printed on regular paper, outlining their ornament’s borders. That offers a sense of the parameters their design has to stay within, to make sure it fits on their decor. 

Step #3. Scan, Upload & Edit (Design Phase)

Digitize Physical Works of Art

Once the students have completed their designs in physical materials, upload their pieces into an image-editing app. To do this, photograph or scan their pieces with a scanner. Make sure the resulting digital images have a resolution of 300 dpi sRGB (or greater). 

Save each student’s piece under their individual name, as a PNG file. Then, open the piece in an image editing app.

Editing For Print

At this stage, both students who created digital designs on creative apps, and students who made art with physical media and had it digitized, are ready to edit their image for print. 

Make sure the image is saved at a high resolution, so the design is sharp when printed on sublimation paper. Teach students how to:

  • Improve their design’s contrast
  • Crop or resize the image to fit the ornament
  • “Mirror” the design as a final step

Note that their design will be re-reversed, or oriented correctly, in the heat press phase. So, if they don’t mirror it before printing, it will be backward on the ornament. 

Save and Send

Save the final image as a PNG file. Then, send the image to the sublimation printer. 

Step #4 Print Unique Designs On Blank Christmas Ornaments 

Send the student’s PNG file to the sublimation printer. Make sure the printer is loaded with sublimation paper and sublimation dye ink. Regular ink and paper will not work!

Once the sublimation printer has inked the design on the sublimation paper, you can go straight to Step #5. That said, some students appreciate an additional step, to make the next step easier.

Optional: Cutting and Taping

Cutting and weeding aren’t necessary for sublimation. But, some students do prefer to cut out their printed design, so it has no borders. This lets them secure the printed design to the ornament with heat tape, keeping it stable and aligned more easily. 

If you go this route, make sure the inked side of the cut-out, printed design is the side facing the ornament’s surface. You can secure the design by taping the exterior edge of the ornament and design alike. 

Only use a few strips of tape; too much tape will make it harder to peel later. 

Step #5. Heat, Press, Peel, and Cool

Ornament Prep

Set the blank ornament on the flat tray of the heat press. Make sure the side you want to sublimate the design onto is facing up.

Lay the sublimation paper on top of the ornament, so the inked design is touching the ornament’s surface. While wearing heat-resistant gloves, press the paper flat against the ornament, preventing any wrinkles or bubbles.

Pre-heat the press to the optimal temperature, determined in Step #1. 

Press and Peel

Once the ornament is placed, close and press the ornament and printed design together. Maintain pressure for the recommended duration.

After pressing is complete, let the heat press cool. 

Once it’s begun to cool down, gently release the pressure from the ornament. Don’t let the release jostle the paper. As it becomes cooler, move quickly yet steadily, and peel the sublimation paper from the ornament.

Note: “Cool Peel” Paper

Some sublimation papers are labeled “cool peel.” If you use cool peel paper, then wait until the ornament is 100% cool before removing the paper.

If necessary, you can gently transfer the ornament to a separate cooling tray, to free up the heat press. To transfer, hold both the top and bottom of the ornament, to keep the paper in place until it’s ready to peel. 

This Christmas, Let All Makers Make Merry! Find Festive Projects For Your Maker Space And Beyond. 

Sublimation printing is an excellent method to make beautiful, long-lasting Christmas ornaments. Whether you use them as gifts or outlets for self-expression, these DIY projects make an impact.

At AGC Education, we believe in supporting and cultivating students’ creativity in every phase of life. That’s why we offer the technology to bring kids’ creative visions to life, and the support you need to make the tech work in your classroom. 
Call us at 1 (800) 535-7553 to learn more about our sublimation printing equipment, tools, and accessories. Or, use our online contact form to book a free, personalized consultation.

Your Comprehensive Heat Transfer Vinyl Guide

Custom T-shirts, tote bags, aprons, hoodies, and more—all featuring your custom design, brand, or logo. With heat transfer vinyl, creating those custom items yourself becomes far easier. You’ll use an assortment of materials and tools to craft your designs, including a vinyl cutter and specialty vinyl. 

If you’re new to creating items with heat transfer vinyl, the process can seem a bit overwhelming. This guide simplifies the process, walking you through each stage to help you kickstart your creation journey. 

What is Heat Transfer Vinyl?

Heat transfer vinyl is a type of vinyl that requires heat and pressure to adhere to fabric. Once you craft your design and cut out the vinyl to the correct shape, you can iron the vinyl onto the fabric of your choice. Use it to create custom tees, hoodies, bags, aprons, and more—there are so many fun ways to use heat transfer vinyl!

6 Steps to Creating Custom Designs With Heat Transfer Vinyl

Crafting a custom product featuring your own personalized heat transfer vinyl design entails a handful of steps. Here’s how to get started designing:

1. Gather Your Materials

Before you can start creating your custom artwork, you’ll need to gather a few supplies and tools. You’ll need:

  • Heat transfer vinyl in a type and color that suits your project
  • A vinyl-cutting machine
  • Weeding tools to help remove excess vinyl from the cut design
  • Heat press or iron to adhere the design to the fabric
  • Transfer tape, optional (but helpful for intricate designs)
  • Garment or fabric item, such as a tote bag or T-shirt
  • Design software

2. Design Your Artwork

The first step in creating custom vinyl artwork is designing it. This is where you can let your creativity take the reins. Let your ideas flow! Dream up a unique design that matches the item you want to create!

Once you have an idea of what you want to make, create the design from scratch in design software. If you’re at a loss for what to make, consider importing a pre-made design. Before you start designing, make sure that the design software you use is compatible with your cutting machine. 

Once you’re finished with your design, adjust the canvas size to match the size of your vinyl sheet and the area on your fabric item. Remember to mirror your design before sending it to your cutting machine, too! Since heat transfer vinyl is applied face-down, you have to mirror the design so that it will appear correctly once transferred. If you don’t it’ll all be backwards, which isn’t ideal (especially if your design includes words).

3. Prepare the Vinyl

After designing, it’s time to prep the vinyl for cutting. Slice the vinyl to size, ensuring you leave it slightly larger than your design. Set the vinyl on the cutting mat. If you’re wondering if heat transfer vinyl goes shiny side up or down, the answer is shiny side down. The matte side (this is the side with the adhesive) should face up. If you’re using colored vinyl, the colored side should typically face down. 

Once you set the vinyl on the mat, secure the mat and load it into your cutting machine. If you’re not sure how, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. Each machine is different, so the process can vary slightly. 

4. Cut and Weed Your Design

With the vinyl loaded and ready to go, start cutting the design. Select the appropriate material setting on your cutting machine for the type of vinyl you’re using. Once you adjust the settings (if needed), start the cutting process from your software. The machine will handle the hard, precise part of cutting the design onto the vinyl. 

After the machine finishes cutting out the design, carefully unload the mat from the machine. Remove the excess vinyl from around the design. This is called weeding. It’s usually easiest to do this with special weeding tools, but you could also use tweezers or a similar tool to pluck the excess vinyl from around your design. 

Once you’re done, you should be left with the mirrored design on the carrier sheet. 

5. Apply Your Design to the Fabric

Preheat your iron or heat press to the temperature recommended for your specific heat transfer vinyl. Once it’s ready, position the design on your fabric item. This time, the answer to shiny side up or down on heat transfer vinyl is the shiny side (carrier sheet) up. Make sure the fabric is completely smooth without any wrinkles, as this can interfere with your design. 

Lay a Teflon sheet or parchment paper over the design and fabric to protect them from direct heat. Use your heat press or iron to apply the design over the fabric. If you’re using a heat press, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re using an iron, press firmly on the design, moving across all parts to ensure even coverage and solid adherence. 

Let the design cool slightly, then peel away the carrier sheet slowly and carefully. If the design lifts from the fabric, lay the carrier sheet back down and apply more heat and pressure. 

6. Finishing Touches

After you apply the design, take a closer look to make sure that the vinyl has adhered properly and there aren’t any loose edges. If everything looks good, let the item cool completely before washing or wearing it. 

When you need to clean the item, flip it inside out to protect the design while washing. Avoid using high heat in the dryer, as this can interfere with the design.  

Dos and Don’ts of Heat Transfer Vinyl

Working with heat transfer vinyl, design software, and vinyl cutting machines can seem overwhelming, but with time and practice, you’ll learn the ins and outs of it all. Here are a few dos and don’ts to help you get started:

  • Do complete a test cut before cutting your design to ensure your settings are correct. 
  • Don’t forget to flip the item inside out before washing. 
  • Do air dry the item, or, if necessary, dry on low heat. 
  • Don’t wear or use the item before cooling, as this can interfere with the design. 
  • Do double-check your fabric type and recommended heat transfer vinyl settings to avoid issues with the vinyl not sticking. 
  • Do practice with simple designs before moving on to more extravagant and intricate designs.

Start Creating Custom Vinyl Designs With AGC Education

Heat transfer vinyl is the perfect medium for all sorts of projects, from creative seasonal hoodies to adorable, personalized tote bags. There’s so much you can create—the sky is your limit! If you’re ready to begin crafting custom vinyl projects with heat transfer vinyl, we have you covered. 

At AGC Education, we have everything you’ll need to get started, including a vinyl cutter and multiple supplies, such as various types of vinyl, and various accessories to complete your creations. Contact us today at 1(800) 535-7553 or complete our online contact form to learn more about our heat transfer vinyl tools and supplies

The Ultimate 3D Printer Maintenance Checklist

Maintenance is an essential part of having a 3D printer. Like any machine, it needs a bit of care and upkeep from time to time to ensure it remains in working order. Whether you’re new to 3D printing or have an entire collection of custom 3D prints you’ve made, you’ll need to take care of your printer. 

The must-do maintenance tasks vary from day to week, week to month, month to quarter, and quarter to year. By completing these tasks, you can avoid issues like clogged nozzles, poor print quality, and mechanical malfunctions, ultimately maximizing your printer’s lifespan. Here are the tasks to add to your 3D printer maintenance checklist.  

What are 3D Printers?

A 3D printer, or three-dimensional printer, is a machine that creates a three-dimensional object using information from a digital model. It adds layers of plastics, such as composite or bio-materials, on top of each other to create the final product. These machines are incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide range of projects, from school science projects to functional crafts (like a planter or desk organizer). 

The Importance of Regular Maintenance

Like any machine, 3D printers need regular maintenance. They don’t last forever, but with proper care and upkeep, you can give them the best chance at lasting the longest. Without proper maintenance, you might run into issues such as clogged nozzles, poor print quality, and inconsistent filament extrusion. So, it’s best to stay on top of 3D printer maintenance tasks. 

Daily Maintenance Tasks

If you use your 3D printer daily, complete these maintenance tasks. Even if you don’t use your printer daily, it’s still a good idea to complete these tasks after each use. 

Clean the Print Bed

A clean print bed is essential to ensure the print adheres well and doesn’t end up as a failed mess. So, follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning instructions. Generally, this involves cleaning with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol to ensure the bed is debris-free. 

Inspect the Nozzle

Clogged and damaged nozzles can affect print quality. Before and after each print, take a look at the nozzle. Look for filament build-up or blockages. If you find issues, use a nozzle cleaning needle or a piece of fine wire to clear debris. If the clog is severe, a replacement might be necessary. 

Check Filament Quality

Good-quality filament is essential to produce quality prints. Check your filament for signs of damage or issues, such as moisture absorption, brittleness, or tangling. To ensure that the filament remains in prime condition, store it in a dry, sealed container with desiccant packs when you’re not using it. 

Weekly Maintenance Tasks

Some maintenance tasks need to be done frequently, but not quite as often as daily. Here are a few weekly tasks to add to your to-do list:

Lubricate Moving Parts

Each week, lubricate the moving parts. Proper lubrication helps ensure everything can move smoothly, reducing friction and wear on moving components. If you’re not sure what oil or lubricant to use on your 3D printer, check the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Tighten Belts and Screws

Take a peek at the belts and screws that allow the system to function. If these are loose, they might cause poor print quality and mechanical hiccups. So, check all belts for proper tension and tighten loose screws you come across. Don’t overtighten either—ideally, both should be taught but not overly tight. 

Calibrate the Bed Level

The print bed needs to be level to ensure that the print turns out well. If it’s tilted in any direction, the print may not adhere properly, and the final print quality might be poor. Use a piece of paper or a feeler gauge to verify its level, checking the distance between the nozzle and bed at multiple points. 

If necessary, adjust the bed level using the calibration knobs or screws. 

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

Select a day each month to tick off your monthly 3D printer maintenance tasks, including:

Deep Clean the Extruder

The extruder needs to remain clean and unobstructed to ensure consistent filament feeding and print quality. Each month, disassemble the extruder and thoroughly clean each component. While you’re cleaning, inspect each component for signs of wear or damage and replace parts as needed. 

Inspect the Cooling Fans

The cooling fans on your printer help prevent overheating and improve print quality. Check the fans, removing any dust and debris using compressed air. Confirm that the fans are spinning freely—if you find one that is noisy or not functioning properly, replace it. 

Check Electrical Connections

If your printer’s electrical connections are loose or damaged, they could become a safety hazard and cause printer malfunctions. Inspect all electrical connections, checking for signs of wear or damage. Replace any frayed or damaged wires. 

Quarterly Maintenance Tasks

Every quarter, complete these maintenance tasks:

Update Firmware

Firmware updates can boost your printer’s performance and fix known issues. While an update might not be available every quarter, it doesn’t hurt to check. You can find available updates on the manufacturer’s website. Generally, you’ll find instructions on how to update the printer’s firmware there, too. 

Inspect the Hot End Assembly

The hot end assembly is integral for proper filament extrusion. Each quarter, take apart the hot and examine each component for wear or damage. If necessary, replace worn or damaged parts. Before you put it all back together, clean each part thoroughly. 

Examine the Frame and Structural Components

Your printer needs a sturdy frame to do its job. If the frame is loose or damaged, the printer might not be able to accurately print your projects or might encounter mechanical hiccups. So, take a peek at the frame. Look for signs of loosening or damage. Tighten loose bolts and screws to ensure that the frame is square and level. 

Annual Maintenance Tasks

Pick a day each year to complete all of the tasks that require annual attention, including:

Replace Worn Components

After a while, the parts on your 3D printer might begin to wear out, especially if you use it frequently. So, each year, inspect all major components, including the belts, rods, and bearings. If they look tired and ready for retirement or damaged, replace them. 

Fully Calibrate the Machine

It’s important to fully calibrate your machine at least once each year. This ensures your printer performs optimally, and while it might take a while, it’s good to do it at least once a year. Follow your printer’s calibration procedures and use calibration prints to fine-tune settings and ensure accuracy.

Perform a Safety Check

Confirm that your printer is still functioning safely and efficiently each year. Thoroughly inspect all components, especially the electrical components, for signs of wear or damage. Make sure that all safety features, such as thermal cutoffs and fuses, are functioning as they should. If your printer has an enclosure, confirm that it’s secure and well-ventilated. 

Start Printing With AGC Education

A well-maintained 3D printer can operate smoothly and efficiently, helping you create all sorts of projects, from school projects to room decor. With regular daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance, you can keep your printer running in tip-top shape, ensuring it’s always ready for your next project. 

If you’re ready to start creating 3D projects with a printer or need a few items for your 3D printing projects, we’re here to help. At AGC Education, we offer everything you’ll need to get started, including 3D printers, printer enclosures, and all sorts of supplies. Contact us today to learn more.