How to Sublimate a Rectangle Metal Tin

Personalised rectangle metal tins are a great sublimation project for creating gifts, keepsakes, promotional products and personalised storage. With a large printable area, you can add photographs, logos, patterns, text or completely custom designs to create a professional-looking finished product.

In this guide, we'll show you how to sublimate our Dye Sublimation Rectangle Metal Tin using a flat heat press.

What You'll Need

Before you start, you'll need:

• Dye Sublimation Rectangle Metal Tin (available here: https://www.dyesublimationstore.co.uk/products/dye-sublimation-metal-tin)
• Sublimation printer
• Sublimation ink
• Sublimation paper (available here: https://www.dyesublimationstore.co.uk/collections/consumables)
• Heat press
• Heat-resistant tape (available here: https://www.dyesublimationstore.co.uk/collections/consumables/products/heat-tape-10mm)
• Protective paper or blowout paper
• Your chosen artwork or design

Recommended Press Settings

For our Dye Sublimation Rectangle Metal Tin, we recommend the following starting settings:

Temperature: 185°C
Time: 80 seconds
Pressure: Medium

Heat presses can vary slightly, so you may need to make small adjustments depending on your particular press and setup.

Step 1 - Create Your Design

Create your artwork using your preferred design software.

Our rectangle metal tin has a removable sublimation insert measuring approximately 19.3 × 12.2cm, giving you plenty of space for photographs, graphics, logos and personalised text.

Remember to mirror your design before printing so that it appears the correct way around once transferred.

If you've purchased the tin from us, you'll also receive access to our Canva and Photoshop templates to make setting up your artwork easier.

Step 2 - Print Your Design

Print your mirrored artwork onto sublimation paper using your sublimation printer and inks.

For the best results, make sure you're using the correct print settings and colour profile for your printer, ink and sublimation paper combination.

Allow the print to dry before positioning it onto the sublimation insert.

Step 3 - Prepare the Metal Insert

Before pressing, remove the protective coating/film from the sublimation surface.

This is an important step. The protective layer is there to prevent the surface from becoming scratched during manufacture, packing and transport, but it must be removed before the insert is sublimated.

Once removed, try to avoid touching the printable surface unnecessarily, as fingerprints or dirt may affect the finished transfer.

Step 4 - Position Your Design

Place your printed design face-down against the sublimation side of the metal insert.

Carefully position the artwork, making sure the design is straight and covers the area you want to print.

Secure the sublimation paper in position using heat-resistant tape. This helps prevent the paper from moving during pressing, which can cause ghosting or blurred edges.

Step 5 - Prepare Your Heat Press

Set your flat heat press to:

185°C for 80 seconds with medium pressure.

Allow the press to reach the correct temperature before pressing.

Place protective paper above and below your work where appropriate. This helps prevent excess sublimation ink from transferring onto your heat press.

Step 6 - Press the Metal Insert

Place the prepared metal insert and sublimation print into your heat press.

Press at 185°C for 80 seconds using medium pressure.

Take care when opening the press once the cycle has finished, as the metal will be extremely hot.

Step 7 - Remove the Sublimation Paper

Carefully remove the insert from the heat press using suitable heat-resistant protection.

Remove the sublimation paper promptly and place the metal insert on a suitable heat-resistant surface to cool.

Avoid touching or moving the printed surface unnecessarily while it is still extremely hot.

Step 8 - Assemble Your Rectangle Metal Tin

Once the sublimated metal insert has cooled, it can be fitted back into the lid of your rectangle metal tin.

Your personalised rectangle metal tin is now complete!

The finished tin is ideal for:

• Personalised gifts
• Keepsake boxes
• Photo gifts
• Promotional products
• Business branding
• Stationery storage
• Sweets and treats
• Small gift sets
• Wedding or event keepsakes

Tips for the Best Results

Remove the protective film – Always check that the protective coating has been completely removed before pressing.

Mirror your artwork – Sublimation designs should normally be printed in reverse so they appear correctly after pressing.

Secure your print – Heat-resistant tape helps prevent movement and reduces the risk of ghosting.

Protect your heat press – Use protective paper to prevent unwanted ink transfer.

Handle with care – The metal insert will be extremely hot immediately after pressing.

Test your setup – Heat presses can vary, so treat 185°C for 80 seconds at medium pressure as the recommended starting point for this product and make small adjustments if required.

Create Your Own Personalised Rectangle Metal Tins

Our Dye Sublimation Rectangle Metal Tin features a smooth sublimation-ready metal insert designed to produce bright, detailed personalised designs.

With an insert size of approximately 19.3 × 12.2cm, there's plenty of room for photographs, branding, artwork and personalised messages, making these rectangle metal tins a versatile addition to any sublimation business or craft setup.

Recommended settings: 185°C | 80 seconds | Medium pressure