sublimation Archives - AGC Education

Student-Powered Fundraising Projects

Larry Girty on October 30, 2025

Forget cookie dough and catalog sales. Today’s fundraisers can do more.

Traditional fundraisers have their place, but they don’t always reflect what’s possible in modern classrooms. Schools now have access to tools that let students design, create, and sell their own products – right on campus.

From poster printers and vinyl cutters to sublimation systems, laser engravers, and 3D printers, educators already have the building blocks for creative, student-led fundraising built into their curriculum.

The best part? These fundraisers don’t just raise money. They build confidence, community, and career-ready skills.

Why Student-Led Fundraising Matters

Student-centered fundraisers flip the old model on its head. Instead of handing out catalogs or selling products for a percentage, students become the creators, marketers, and managers.

The benefits go far beyond the bottom line:

Keep funds in-house. Every dollar raised stays with your school or program.
Build real-world skills. Students learn design, production, and entrepreneurship.
Promote ownership and pride. Fundraisers become “their project,” not another obligation.
Connect to SEL, STEM, and CTE goals. Students collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve – all while supporting their school community.

No matter your grade level or program, there’s a way to turn your existing tech into a powerful fundraising engine. Let’s break it down.

Fundraising Ideas for Elementary Schools

Hands-on, creative, and community-oriented projects that put kids’ ideas front and center.

Student Art Show and Sale

Recommended tools: Poster Printer, Sublimation Printer

Turn your students’ art into a celebration — and a fundraiser. Have students select their favorite pieces, print them as posters or small sublimated items (like tote bags or bookmarks), and sell them during open house or art night. It’s creative, inclusive, and supports your art program while celebrating every student’s talent.

Personalized Gifts for Families

Recommended tools: Sublimation Printer, Laser Engraver

Younger students love giving something personal. Let them design ornaments, magnets, or keychains for families during the holidays or Mother’s/Father’s Day events.

Engrave student names or messages, and sell them at school events. The sentimental value makes these items easy to market.

School Pride Stickers and Magnets

Recommended tools: Vinyl Cutter, Poster Printer

Every kid loves stickers. Have students design school-themed decals featuring mascots, slogans, or school logos. Print the stickers with your poster printer and sell them to classmates, families, and community members.

Stickers printed with the Educator Plus Poster Printer

School merchandise made with AGC's Sublimation Station

Fundraising Ideas for Middle Schools

Middle schoolers thrive when given responsibility and creative freedom – this is where fundraising meets entrepreneurship.

Custom Spirit Wear

Recommended tools: Vinyl Cutter, Sublimation Printer

Let students create spirit wear or accessories — shirts, mugs, water bottles, or tote bags — featuring original designs. Tie this into digital design, entrepreneurship, or business classes for added learning impact.

Maker Market

Recommended tools: 3D Printer, Laser Engraver

Host a school “Maker Market” where students design, produce, and sell their creations and protypes. Students can make things like keychains, jewelry, or small trinkets. Pair this with business lessons on pricing, branding, and promotion.

Themed Fundraiser Events

Recommended tools: Poster Printer, Vinyl Cutter, Sublimation Printer

Students can take ownership of event fundraisers – like Valentine’s Day sales, winter fairs, or end-of-year carnivals – by creating all promotional materials and merchandise in-house.

From tickets and banners to shirts and signage, students handle production and marketing, turning the event into a fully student-run operation.

Coaster engraved with AGC's Laser Lab engraver

Fundraising Ideas for High Schools

High school fundraisers can double as CTE projects, marketing lessons, or even student-run enterprises.

Student-Run School Store

Recommended tools: Poster Printer, Vinyl Cutter, Sublimation Printer, Laser Engraver

Combine classroom learning and fundraising by setting up a permanent or pop-up student store. Students can be involved in every part of the operation – from designing spirit wear to managing pricing and advertising.

Perfect for business, entrepreneurship, or DECA programs — and every sale goes back to student initiatives.

Senior Gifts and Recognition Items

Recommended tools: Laser Engraver, 3D Printer, Sublimation Printer

Students can produce custom-made senior gifts, awards, or teacher appreciation items. This can be a great way to celebrate student achievements while simultaneously raising funds and teaching business skills.

Custom Event Merch

Recommended tools: Sublimation Printer, Vinyl Cutter

For sports teams, theater, prom committees, or other student organizations — create merch that students design and sell themselves.

Everything from shirts and water bottles to event signage can be produced in-house. It’s practical, profitable, and aligned with career-readiness skills.

Sublimation printed mason jars for school fundraising

Laser engraved tumbler for school fundraisers and student stores

Fundraising Ideas for Student Clubs and Organizations

Give every student group the power to fundraise for their own goals – while learning valuable production and business skills.

Club-Branded Merch

Recommended tools: Vinyl Cutter, Sublimation Printer

Let each student organization create its own small merch line — mugs for drama club, decals for esports, shirts for band, etc. Each sale supports the club directly while promoting school pride and teamwork.

Engraved Awards and Gifts

Recommended tools: Laser Engraver, 3D Printer

Clubs can use laser engravers or 3D printers to create personalized gifts or awards — for teachers, students, or local sponsors. This type of fundraiser is perfect for recognition events or seasonal sales.

Local Partnership Projects

Recommended tools: Poster Printer, Vinyl Cutter

Encourage clubs to collaborate with local businesses to create signage, promotional materials, or window decals — in exchange for sponsorship funds. This approach blends fundraising, work-based learning, and community partnership in one project.

Laser engraved teacher appreciation gifts

Support When You Need It – EmpowR Academy

Empower your fundraising. Empower your students.

Ready to make fundraising easier and more impactful?

EmpowR Academy includes dedicated modules that help teachers and students plan and launch fundraising projects using the tools they already have.

Whether your students are designing posters, printing custom merch, or engraving personalized gifts, EmpowR’s fundraising support walks you through every step – from idea to execution.

Prefer a more hands-on partnership?

AGC’s team can help you map out projects, integrate fundraising into your curriculum, and show your students how to turn creativity into real results.

Turning School Tools into Student Success

When schools use their own technology to fundraise, students don’t just make products – they make progress. Every project becomes a chance to explore entrepreneurship, collaboration, and innovation. Whether it’s a poster sale, a school store, or a maker market, student-led fundraising turns creative energy into community impact.

Start small. Let students lead. Watch your next fundraiser build more than budgets – it’ll build pride, purpose, and possibility.

Empowering Student Entrepreneurs: Tech Solutions for School-Based Enterprise

Larry Girty on September 24, 2025

School-based enterprises are on the rise in schools, and it’s easy to see why. When students get the chance to run a school-based business, they’re not just making and selling products. They’re learning how to collaborate, solve problems, and think creatively. These are the kinds of skills that stick with them long after graduation.

For educators, school-based enterprise programs can boost classroom engagement, encourage innovation, and bring the school community closer together. It’s a win for both students and schools.

Of course, having a good idea is only the starting point. To turn those ideas into school-based enterprises, students need the right tools. That’s where technology makes all the difference.

Benefits of School-Based Enterprises for Students and Schools

Developing Real-World Business Skills

Students quickly discover that running a business is about more than just making products. They develop financial literacy, marketing know-how, project management skills, and the ability to make data-driven decisions – all in a safe, supportive environment.

Encouraging Creativity and Problem Solving

From designing a product to figuring out how to fix mistakes in production, students are constantly problem solving. They learn to test ideas, make adjustments, and find creative solutions when things don’t go as planned. These hands-on challenges help them build resilience and connect classroom concepts to real-world situations.

Building Confidence and Leadership

Student-run enterprises – even small ones – give students agency. They learn to lead teams, make decisions, and present their ideas with confidence. These experiences are invaluable for college applications, future careers, and personal growth.

Choosing the Right Tech for Your School-Based Enterprise Program

Not every school-based enterprise needs the same setup. Some schools might launch a simple print shop, while others dive into custom merchandise or prototyping. The key is to pick the right starting point for your program – one that fits your budget, your students’ interests, and the type of products you’d like them to create. Below, we’ll compare some of the most popular tools schools are using for school-based entrepreneurship, with examples of what each one does best.

Poster Printers for Student-Led Print Shops

If your students want to design and sell banners, event posters, or larger graphics, a poster printer is a great place to start. It’s ideal for programs that want quick wins – big, eye-catching products with relatively simple production.

What Can Students Make with a Poster Printer?

Event Banners
Promotional Posters
Custom Art Prints
Graphics and Signage

Starting Point: AGC’s Educator Plus Poster Printer for Schools

AGC’s Educator Plus Poster Printer helps students create banners, posters, and classroom displays quickly and easily. Its intuitive interface and flexibility allow students to bring ideas to life for school events, fundraisers, and school-based enterprise projects.

High School window graphics, installed by students

Vinyl Cutters for Custom Decals and Apparel

Vinyl cutters shine when students want to create small, personalized items. From laptop decals to car window stickers, this tool makes it easy to design and sell products that appeal to both peers and the wider community.

What Can Students Make with a Vinyl Cutter?

Custom Stickers
Car Decals
T-Shirts and Spritwear
Labels and Packaging

Starting Point: AGC’s Cut Out Studio Vinyl Cutter for Schools

AGC’s Cut Out Studio Vinyl Cutter lets students design and produce custom decals, stickers, and apparel with precision. Easy to use for beginners, it enables hands-on learning while students prepare products for school spirit items, fundraising, or student-led enterprises.

Laser Engravers for High-End Merchandise

Laser engravers allow students to add a high-end feel to everyday items. Think engraved water bottles, keychains, or trophies. This is a great fit if your program is aiming for a more polished, retail-quality product line.

What Can Students Make with a Laser Engraver?

Personalized Gifts
Awards and Recognition Items
School Spirit Merchandise

Starting Point: AGC’s Laser Lab Engraver for Schools

AGC’s Laser Lab Engraver allows students to create personalized gifts, awards, and merchandise. Safe and user-friendly, it gives students professional-level engraving experience while supporting entrepreneurship and creative projects.

Sublimation Printers for Merchandise and Apparel

Sublimation printers open the door to custom apparel and gift items. T-shirts, mugs, and tote bags are all fair game, making this tool perfect for programs focused on spirit wear or community fundraising products.

What Can Students Make with a Sublimation Printer?

Custom Mugs and Drinkware
Apparel
Personalized Gifts
Home & Office Items

Starting Point: AGC’s Sublimation Station for Schools

AGC’s Sublimation Station Printer helps students produce high-quality merchandise like mugs, shirts, and ornaments. Its straightforward setup and reliable results make it ideal for teaching design and production skills in school-based business programs.

3D Printers for Prototyping and Custom Products

3D printers give students the power to design and build from scratch. Whether it’s prototyping inventions, making custom keychains, or producing replacement parts, this tech is ideal for schools emphasizing STEM and innovation alongside entrepreneurial education.

What Can Students Make with a 3D Printer?

Prototyping Product Ideas
Custom Merchandise
STEM-Linked Products

Starting Point: AGC’s Imagin3D Printer for Schools

AGC’s Imagin3D Printer enables students to prototype and produce custom products such as keychains, figurines, or educational tools. Easy to learn and manage, it encourages creativity and problem-solving in school-based enterprises.

Comparing Technology for School-Based Enterprises

Machine	Best For	Materials	Skill Level	Products	Business Types
Poster Printer	Signage, marketing materials	Paper, vinyl, window film, magnetic, and others	Beginner	Posters, banners, signage, print items	School print shops, event marketing services
Vinyl Cutter	Decals, stickers, custom apparel	Adhesive and heat transfer vinyl materials	Beginner – Intermediate	Stickers, t-shirts, tote bags	Spirit wear, custom merch, fundraising
Laser Engraver	Personalized & engraved products	Wood, acrylic, metal, glass, and others	Intermediate	Plaques, keychains, trophies	Gifts, school awards, online merch shops
Sublimation Printer	High-quality, personalized merchandise	Apparel, mugs, metal, ceramics, and others	Intermediate	Shirts, mugs, ornaments	Spirit merch, seasonal products, print-on-demand
3D Printer	Prototypes, STEM-linked products	PLA, ABS, resin, other plastics	Intermediate	Figurines, models, tools	STEM products, prototyping, custom goods

Supporting School-Based Enterprises with EmpowR Academy

Step-by-Step Program Guidance

EmpowR Academy provides teachers with structured resources for running school-based enterprise programs. From selecting products to teaching business concepts, we help educators set up sustainable programs.

Ongoing Support for Educators and Students

EmpowR Academy supports schools throughout implementation, helping with troubleshooting, scaling programs, and integrating lessons into existing curricula.

Student Certification Opportunities

EmpowR Academy’s student certification programs give students a way to show what they’ve learned. They turn hands-on experience in design, production, marketing, and business management into credentials that students can include on resumes, portfolios, or college applications.

Educator Partnership

The EmpowR Academy team works directly with educators to ensure school-based enterprises are successful and adaptable to different school contexts. This partnership makes student entrepreneurship in schools sustainable, effective, and engaging.

Getting Started with School-Based Entrepreneurship in Your Classroom

Launching a school-based enterprise can feel overwhelming, but small steps make a big difference:

Start Small: Pilot a single product or project before expanding.
Match Tech to Goals: Use the comparison table to select the best tools for your program.
Incorporate Certification: Offer student credentials to increase engagement and provide real-world recognition.
Leverage Support: Use EmpowR Academy resources to guide implementation and keep programs on track.

Conclusion

School-based enterprises blend creativity, leadership, and business skills in ways few classroom experiences can match. By selecting the right technology and leveraging resources from AGC’s EmpowR Academy, schools can create programs that are both successful and sustainable.

Start small, choose tools that fit your students’ ideas, and let EmpowR help every step of the way. Your students can turn their ideas into thriving school-based businesses – and gain skills that last a lifetime.

4 Easy Christmas Sublimation Gift Ideas

Larry Girty on December 4, 2024

The holiday season is meant to be a time of good cheer, generosity, and gratitude. At its best, a gift can embody all of these values!

Yet, each year, a new, controversial gift-related hot take seems to “go viral”: that everyone’s too materialistic, that gifts for teachers from students are unethical, or, that somehow gift giving (and receiving!) has become a chore.

This year, why not go for a personable, affordable gift that’s actually fun to give and receive? Create a unique gift with custom designs through sublimation printing. What type of gift? We can think of a few neat ideas…

Why Make Sublimation Christmas Gifts?

Sublimation is a printing process that enables truly high-quality results. This lets your gifts showcase your unique sense of style, without appearing “cheap.”

Quick Review: What Is Sublimation?

Sublimation printing uses a sublimation printer to dye “blanks”: objects like drinkware or apparel, treated with a special substance that absorbs the dye, adhering the printed design to the object’s surface.

Unlike other types of printing, like vinyl pressing, the design becomes wholly suffused on the object’s surface, so it can be washed and used normally. In contrast to heat pressing, there’s no risk a sublimated design will peel or wear off with use.

4 Excellent Qualities of Sublimation Gifts

Sublimation products all share four traits that make them standout gifts. When you give a sublimation product as a gift, you can be confident it will be…

Unique

Sublimation empowers you to create original designs! You’re also free to put your own twist on a design that suits your style. Either way, you can be sure the recipient is the only person in the world with that exact piece.

Affordable

Sublimation blanks can be purchased wholesale, making them a cost-effective choice for a gift. Consider that a popular 20 oz stainless steel tumbler at Target is $29.99. Meanwhile, a stainless steel tumbler blank is only $12.00. That’s quite a savings!

Aesthetically Appealing

You can control all elements of the printed design to align with your fashion sense—or your intended gift recipient’s. And, if you don’t feel confident in your aesthetic sense, you can always download a print created by professional graphic designers that’s ready to go.

Useful

Sublimation can be used to print on canvases or posters. But, more often, it’s used to add artwork or creative flair to practical items we use every day. In this way, sublimation gifts balance beauty and utility.

4 Easy, Brilliant Gift Ideas (Simple Classroom Sublimation Projects)

Classroom sublimation projects can be an easy, fun way to get students invested in mastering design and problem-solving skills—all while getting creative!

Each of these projects utilizes a sublimation printer, a flat heat press, or a component that can be easily fitted to a heat press (like a tumbler-shaped attachment). The ideas’ simplicity stems from the templates, tutorials, and guide design options available for each.

At the same time, these sublimation projects can be altered and adapted, so they can suit students of varying skill levels. (If you need more detailed information on how to make sublimation gifts, check out our guide).

Sublimation Christmas Ornaments & Holiday Decor

Sublimation Christmas ornaments are festive and straightforward. Simply choose a sublimation ornament blank in an iconic shape—maybe a Christmas tree, a snowflake, or a star—then work with students to create an original design that fits the shape, or to work from a template. For younger students, a popular option is to use a blank that incorporates a frame into its design, like this bell. Then, as you create the digital design to print, use the student’s school photo (or, a family photo) as the design’s centerpiece.

Sublimation Fashion Accessories

Fashion accessories are fun, trendy, and useful. Patches, which gift recipients can stitch onto their bags or sashes, are a perennially popular punk look.

Backpacks and hats are practical while offering a large “canvas” for students’ creativity. They’re particularly popular among the athletes on your gift list.

When choosing blanks, consider how the curve or waviness of the accessory might affect your design. It might be best to choose bold, central images which read clearly across the room, or fun abstract patterns and prints.

DIY Home Decor Project With Sublimation

Home decor is a fun gift category for people who might otherwise be hard to buy for.

Maybe your thoughtful, studious cousin would appreciate a notebook printed with a one-of-a-kind design. Or, maybe your mom would appreciate a set of coasters to protect her end tables (and brighten them up!).

From clocks to keychains to refrigerator magnets, sublimation can spruce up almost anything in the house.

Sublimation Printed Tumblers & Drinkware

Drinkware is an S-tier sublimation Christmas gift. Not only is it useful—everyone needs to stay hydrated!—but it also helps your giftee save money on bottled drinks, helps protect the environment, and adds a bit of creative charm to every meal.

Drinkware like tumblers, mugs, and bottles can be sublimated in a process that is largely similar to typical sublimation projects. There is one extra step: using the curved heat press attachment to affix the print on your cylindrical blank. Other than that, though, the process is smooth sailing.

AGC Education: Equip Student Makers With Technology, Vision, and Support

Holiday breaks don’t mean taking a break from getting creative! That’s why AGC Education offers full-service technical support every day of the year.

Classroom edtech solutions can’t be one-size-fits-all. Our maker space products and resources are fully customizable, so you can craft a solution that fits your community’s unique needs. And, each and every client gets the undivided attention of our support service team—no matter when you call.

If sublimation projects are right for your classroom—or you have questions about maker space options—contact us at 1 (800) 535-7553. Or, reach out for more information at [email protected].

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

Larry Girty on September 30, 2024

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.