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If you love sublimation tumblers but want something a bit lighter, trendier and “TikTok–friendly”, glass cans are where the fun starts.
Frosted beer-can style cups are perfect for iced coffee, mocktails and soda — and they’re surprisingly easy to press once you pick the right blanks.
Use this guide to:
Use this guide to:
• pick the right size and pack (6, 12 or 20 cans),
• choose lids and straws that actually fit,
• avoid the usual cracking / ghosting issues when you press glass blanks.
Why Frosted 16oz Glass Cans Work So Well for Sublimation
Why Frosted 16oz Glass Cans Work So Well for Sublimation
Frosted 16oz “beer can” glasses became popular for a reason:
Frosted 16oz “beer can” glasses became popular for a reason:
• Straight, even walls – designs wrap around cleanly, without wrestling a curved mug.
• Matte frosted coating – hides tiny press flaws and makes colors look richer.
• Perfect drink size – 16oz is ideal for iced coffee, matcha, soda, mocktails, smoothies.
• Gift-ready look – bamboo lids and reusable straws instantly turn a blank into a gift.
Most projects in this guide use 16oz frosted cans, with a separate option for 18oz when you need more room for ice, cream and toppings.
Pick Your Glass Can Set
Pick Your Glass Can Set
You don’t need every set on Amazon. Start with one of these four and you’ll cover almost any project.
If you want one reliable set to reach for again and again, start here.
• What you get: twelve 16oz frosted glass cans, bamboo lids, reusable glass straws – plus shrink sleeves to help you get a tight wrap.
• Why it’s easy to work with: straight sides, consistent coating and clear temperature/time suggestions in the listing. Great for both a heat press and a regular oven.
• Best for: Etsy sellers, weekend crafters and anyone who wants a “grab-and-go” box where everything matches.
Once you dial in your time and temperature with this set, you can repeat the same settings for most other 16oz glass cans.
Running classes, selling at markets, or stocking up for seasonal launches? The ABBSH 20-pack gives you more blanks in one go.
• What you get: twenty 16oz frosted glass cans with bamboo lids and straws in one big box.
• Why it’s useful: the cost per glass drops when you buy in a larger pack, and you don’t have to re-order every two weeks.
• Best for: workshops, small businesses, fundraiser projects, wedding party gifts and corporate orders.
If you know you’ll decorate more than one or two sets this season, a 20-pack is usually cheaper over time than buying several smaller packs.
Prefer to keep things simple and buy your shrink sleeves separately? The WHEATHUSK 12-pack is another solid 16oz frosted option.
• What you get: twelve 16oz frosted glass cans with bamboo lids and straws.
• Why it’s different: the listing suggests slightly gentler oven settings (around 360°F / 182°C and 10–15 minutes), which some makers find less stressful for glass.
• Best for: crafters who already have a favorite brand of shrink sleeves or who use a tumbler press most of the time.
Think of this set as your “Plan B brand” – great to have on hand if one listing goes out of stock.
Sometimes 16oz just isn’t enough – you want extra ice, whipped cream, cold foam or fruit pieces. That’s when the PYD Life 18oz cans shine.
• What you get: six 18oz frosted glass cans with bamboo lids and straws.
• Why makers like them: slightly taller and wider than a 16oz can, but still straight-walled and easy to wrap. The extra volume looks great with layered drinks and bold artwork.
• Best for: coffee bars, gift sets and “statement” designs where you want the glass to feel a bit more substantial in the hand.
Use your 16oz settings as a starting point, then test one 18oz glass and tweak time/temperature if needed.
16oz vs 18oz, 12-Pack vs 20-Pack – How to Choose
16oz vs 18oz, 12-Pack vs 20-Pack – How to Choose
You don’t need a spreadsheet to pick a set. Use this quick guide:
You don’t need a spreadsheet to pick a set. Use this quick guide:
Volume: 16oz or 18oz?
Volume: 16oz or 18oz?
• 16oz (all three main sets):
The “standard” iced coffee size. Great for everyday use, kids’ drinks, gifts, and subscriptions. Most pre-made designs you find online are sized for 16oz cans.
• 18oz (PYD Life):
Slightly taller and wider. Ideal if you fill cups with lots of ice, boba, fruit or cream and want the design to stay visible above the liquid.
Pack size: 6, 12 or 20?
Pack size: 6, 12 or 20?
• 6-pack (PYD Life): perfect for testing a new coating or design style, or for making gifts for a small group (family, bridesmaids, teachers).
• 12-pack (Kocdam / WHEATHUSK): sweet spot for most hobby crafters and small shops – enough to practice and still have stock left to sell.
• 20-pack (ABBSH): when you’re doing classes, markets or large orders and want consistent blanks at a better per-glass price.
Finish & style
Finish & style
All four sets above are:
• frosted (matte) – more forgiving, hides tiny specks and fingerprints, and looks expensive;
• straight “beer can” shape – easy to wrap, no weird curves to fight.
If you love clear or colored glass, you can apply the same logic from this guide, but frosted is the easiest way to start.
Lids, Straws & Leak Tips
Lids, Straws & Leak Tips
Most sublimation glass can sets include:
Most sublimation glass can sets include:
• Bamboo lids with a silicone ring
• Reusable straws (glass or plastic)
• Sometimes extra plastic lids with a sliding closer
What to look out for:
What to look out for:
• Make sure straw hole size matches what you plan to use (regular straw vs chunky smoothie straw).
• Check that the silicone ring sits flat; if the lid feels loose, gently press the ring back into its groove.
• These lids are great for daily use and car rides, but they’re not 100% spill-proof if you throw the glass in a bag.
Tip: after washing, let bamboo lids dry completely in an open rack. Putting them away damp can warp the wood and loosen the seal.
How to Prep & Press Frosted Glass Cans
How to Prep & Press Frosted Glass Cans
Whether you use a tumbler press or an oven + shrink sleeves, the prep is almost identical.
Step 1 – Clean the glass
Step 1 – Clean the glass
1. Wash the cans in warm soapy water, rinse and dry.
2. Just before pressing, wipe the outside with a lint-free cloth or lint roller to remove dust and fingerprints.
Step 2 – Wrap the design
Step 2 – Wrap the design
1. Print your design on sublimation paper.
2. Wrap it tightly around the glass, aligning the seam at the back.
3. Secure with heat-resistant tape along the seam and around the top and bottom edges.
Step 3 – Add a shrink sleeve (for oven or extra-tight wraps)
Step 3 – Add a shrink sleeve (for oven or extra-tight wraps)
1. Slide a shrink sleeve over the wrapped glass.
2. Push out any trapped air, especially near the base and rim.
3. Use a heat gun for a few seconds if needed, just to pre-shrink the sleeve so it hugs the paper evenly.
Step 4 – Press or bake
Step 4 – Press or bake
• In a tumbler press:
• Start with the time and temperature recommended in your glass set listing (for many 16oz cans that’s around 360–392°F / 180–200°C).
• Press, rotate once if your press doesn’t make full contact, then press again.
• In a regular oven:
• Preheat fully.
• Place wrapped cans on a baking tray (use a silicone mat if you have one).
• Bake for about 10–15 minutes in the 360–392°F range, watching for the shrink sleeve to smooth out completely.
Always test with one blank first. Once you’re happy with the result, batch the rest using the same settings.
Center Your Design & Avoid “Ghosting”
Center Your Design & Avoid “Ghosting”
Centering tricks
Centering tricks
• Mark the front center of the glass with a removable pencil dot.
• When you wrap the design, line the middle of your artwork with that dot, then tape the seam at the back.
• For repeating patterns, align one vertical line of the pattern to the back seam so it doesn’t look crooked.
Typical problems & quick fixes
Typical problems & quick fixes
• Ghosting / shadows
→ Paper shifted or sleeve wasn’t tight enough.
– Use more heat tape around the top and bottom edges.
– Make sure the shrink sleeve has no loose, wrinkled spots.
• Light or faded colors
→ Not enough time, temperature, or pressure.
– Add 1–2 minutes in the oven or a bit more time in the press, but don’t jump straight to max heat.
• Uneven bands around the glass
→ Heat isn’t even, or the glass was too close to the heating element.
– Rotate the glass halfway through pressing or baking.
– In the oven, keep cans away from direct contact with the top element.
• Cracked glass
→ Too much heat or sudden temperature shock.
– Don’t go far above the suggested temperature.
– Let glasses cool down on a heat-safe surface; don’t drop them straight into cold water.
FAQ – Glass Cans & Sublimation
FAQ – Glass Cans & Sublimation
Are frosted glass cans dishwasher safe?
Are frosted glass cans dishwasher safe?
Most manufacturers recommend hand-washing to keep the coating and colors looking new. Gentle hand-washing is the safest option for long-term use.
Can I put hot drinks in these glasses?
Can I put hot drinks in these glasses?
Many borosilicate glass cans can handle hot liquids, but they really shine with cold drinks. Avoid sudden extreme temperature changes (like pouring boiling water into an ice-cold glass).
Do bamboo lids leak?
Do bamboo lids leak?
Bamboo lids with a good silicone ring are fairly spill-resistant for everyday use. They’re not completely leak-proof if turned upside down for a long time, so treat them as “travel friendly”, not “throw-in-your-bag” bottles.
Will the frosted coating scratch?
Will the frosted coating scratch?
With normal use and gentle washing, the coating holds up well. Avoid abrasive sponges and harsh cleaners, especially around sharp design edges.
Do I need shrink sleeves, or is tape enough?
Do I need shrink sleeves, or is tape enough?
You can sublimate with tape only, especially in a tumbler press. Shrink sleeves just make it easier to get an even, tight wrap – especially in an oven or when you’re running multiple glasses at once.
Ready to Press Your First Glass Cans?
Ready to Press Your First Glass Cans?
Frosted glass cans look high-end, are surprisingly forgiving for beginners, and work beautifully with both simple and complex artwork.
Choose your starter set:
Choose your starter set:
• Grab a 12-pack (Kocdam or WHEATHUSK) if you’re just getting into glass sublimation or want a reliable everyday blank.
• Step up to a 20-pack ABBSH if you’re teaching, selling or prepping for a busy season.
• Pick the PYD Life 18oz set when you want taller glasses with extra room for ice and toppings.
More Sublimation Guides You Might Need
More Sublimation Guides You Might Need
Once you fall in love with glass cans, you’ll probably want to fine-tune the rest of your setup too. These two guides cover the accessories and shrink sleeves that make pressing faster and more predictable.
Sublimation Accessories Starter Kit — What You Actually Need
Get a simple must-have / nice-to-have checklist for heat tape, lint rollers, butcher paper, gloves and more, plus three ready-made bundles (Budget, Standard and Pro) so you don’t overbuy random tools.
Shrink Sleeves for Tumblers & Mugs — Size Guide & Oven Method
A practical size chart for 11–30 oz mugs and tumblers, tips on sleeve thickness and perforation, and an easy “no-cone” oven method to avoid ghosting and uneven shrinking.
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