Table of contents
Introduction
Welcome back to the HTVRONT A100 Auto Multi Heat Press tutorial series.
The A100 Auto Multi Heat Press is an intelligent, fully automatic heat press with a tool-free quick-swap design that lets you switch between flat press, hat press, and tumbler press modules — making it a true automatic 3-in-1 heat press machine. In our first tutorial, we learned how to use the A100 flat heat plate for T-shirts and HTV projects. In the second tutorial, we covered the hat heat plate for caps. In this third and final tutorial, we'll cover how to switch modules and use the 20 oz tumbler heat plate for cups and sublimation projects.
💡 Series Navigation:
📘 Lesson 1: How to Use A100 Flat Heat Plate — T-Shirt & HTV Pressing Guide
📘 Lesson 2: How to Use A100 Hat Heat Plate — Cap Pressing Guide
📘 Lesson 3: How to Use A100 Tumbler Heat Plate — 20 oz Sublimation Guide (this guide)
📦 Materials Preparation
What's in the Package Box
- ✅ HTVRONT A100 Auto Multi Heat Press x 1
- ✅ 12×10 in Heat Plate x 1
- ✅ 20 oz Tumbler Heat Plate x 1
- ✅ Large Hat Heat Plate x 1
- ✅ 12×10 in Heat Press Mat x 1
- ✅ Quick Start Guide x 1
- ✅ Heat-Resistant Gloves x 1 Pair
📌 Note: This tutorial focuses on the 20 oz Tumbler Heat Plate for cup and tumbler sublimation projects.
Additional Supplies You'll Need
- ☕ Cup or Tumbler (ceramic, stainless steel, or glass with sublimation coating)
- 🎨 Design (printed on sublimation paper)
- 📏 Heat-resistant tape (to secure design)
- ✂️ Scissors
💡 Material Tip: The A100 tumbler heat plate works best with cups under 8 cm in diameter — optimal performance at 7.4 cm diameter. For sublimation, ensure your cup has a sublimation coating and use sublimation paper (not regular printer paper). The tumbler module pressure is factory-fixed at 30 kg (66 lb) — no adjustment needed.
⚙️ Step-by-Step: How to Use A100 Tumbler Heat Plate
Follow these steps carefully. The entire process takes about 12 minutes.
📍 Part 1: Installation & Mode Switching
⚠️ Before you begin: Put on your heat-resistant gloves and keep the machine plugged in but not turned on. Ensure the heat plate connector is disconnected.
Remove the Hat Heat Plate
- Pull out the ironing board and rotate clockwise to remove the hat heat plate base.
- Hold the hat heat plate with one hand, press the release button with the other.
- Remove the hat heat plate and place it on the hat heat plate base.
Select Tumbler Mode
- Press and hold the "Mode" button to enter mode selection.
- Press the "Mode" buttonrepeatedly to cycle through the modes:
- 👕 T-shirt Mode (flat plate)
- ☕ Tumbler Mode (cup/tumbler plate)
- 🧢 Hat Mode (cap/hat plate)
- ⚙️ Custom Mode (thick materials)
- Since we're using the tumbler heat plate, select Tumbler Mode.
- Once selected, press the "Start" button to confirm.
Install the Tumbler Heat Plate
- Press the tabs on both sides of the tumbler heat module.
- Slide the tumbler heat module into the main unit lock slot.
- Align it properly, then lift both tabs to secure it in place.
Connect the Heat Plate
Finally, reconnect the heat plate connector. Align it with the arrow as shown and insert it firmly until fully secured.
📍 Part 2: Settings & Preheating
- Press the power button, then set your temperature and time according to the Quick Reference Chart.
-
Example for an 11 oz ceramic mug:
- 🌡️ Temperature: 375°F (190°C)
- ⏱️ Time: 400 seconds
- The "Start" button will turn red, indicating the machine is heating up.
- ⚠️ Safety reminder: While the machine is heating, wear heat-resistant gloves and avoid touching the heat plate with bare hands.
- While it heats, prepare your materials:
- Trim the printed sublimation design with scissors
- Use heat-resistant tape to secure the design onto the cup
- Ensure the design is wrapped tightly and smoothly around the cup
📍 Part 3: Automatic Heat Pressing
- When you hear a beep and the "Start" button turns green, the machine is ready.
- ⚠️ Friendly reminder: Please wear heat-resistant gloves before starting the heat pressing process to help avoid accidental burns during operation.
- Insert the cup into the tumbler heat plate.
- Press "Start" — the machine will lower automatically and begin pressing.
- When the countdown finishes, the machine lifts up with a beep.
- Remove the cup carefully (it will be hot — use gloves!).
- Wait 30 seconds, then tear off the sublimation paper to reveal your finished design.
✅ That's the full workflow for using the tumbler heat plate!
📍 Part 4: How to Remove the Tumbler Heat Plate
If you need to remove the tumbler heat plate and switch to another module:
- Make sure the machine is turned off and the heat plate is cool.
- With one hand, press the release button.
- With the other hand, push down the heat plate tabs.
- Pull outward using the ironing board to remove the tumbler heat plate.
- Store the tumbler heat plate safely for future use.
📊 Quick Reference: A100 Tumbler Heat Plate Settings
💡 Recommended settings for tumbler pressing: Pressure is factory-fixed at 30 kg (66 lb) — no adjustment needed. Always test on a scrap piece first.
🔧 Troubleshooting Common Tumbler Pressing Issues
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Design is faded or ghosting | Temperature too low or time too short | Increase time/temperature; ensure even tape pressure |
| Design shifted during pressing | Design not taped securely | Use more heat-resistant tape to secure edges |
| Uneven color / white spots | Paper not tightly wrapped or cup not centered | Wrap design tightly; ensure cup is centered in the plate |
| Cup won't fit in the tumbler plate | Cup diameter too large | Use cups under 8 cm diameter; 7.4 cm is optimal |
| Sublimation paper stuck to cup | Peeled too early or temperature too high | Wait 30 seconds after removal before peeling |
📺 Video Tutorial: A100 Tumbler Heat Plate
Watch the 3-minute 38-second video below for a complete visual walkthrough of the A100 tumbler heat plate process.
📚 A100 Tutorial Series — Complete!
Congratulations! You've now completed the entire A100 Auto Multi Heat Press tutorial series. You've learned:
- 👕 Lesson 1: How to use the flat heat plate for T-shirts and HTV projects
- 🧢 Lesson 2: How to use the hat heat plate for caps and hats
- ☕ Lesson 3: How to use the tumbler heat plate for cups and sublimation
With the A100's tool-free quick-swap design and fully automatic operation, you're ready to create professional-quality custom products across three different project types — all with one machine.
Stay tuned for more crafting inspiration and happy pressing! 🎨
📘 Previous Tutorials:
Lesson 1: How to Use A100 Flat Heat Plate — T-Shirt & HTV Pressing Guide
Lesson 2: How to Use A100 Hat Heat Plate — Cap Pressing Guide
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What size cups can I press with the A100 tumbler heat plate?
A: The A100 tumbler heat plate works best with cups under 8 cm in diameter. Optimal performance is at 7.4 cm diameter, which fits most standard 11-20 oz tumblers, mugs, and glass cups.
Q: Can I adjust the pressure for the tumbler heat plate?
A: No. The tumbler module pressure is factory-fixed at 30 kg (66 lb) — no adjustment needed. This ensures consistent results for sublimation on cylindrical surfaces.
Q: Can I use the tumbler heat plate with HTV or DTF transfers?
A: The tumbler heat plate is specifically designed for sublimation on coated cups and tumblers. For HTV or DTF, use the flat heat plate instead.
Q: Why do I need to wait 30 seconds before peeling the sublimation paper?
A: Waiting allows the sublimation ink to fully set and cool down. Peeling too early can cause ghosting, smudging, or incomplete transfer.
Q: How do I remove the tumbler heat plate to switch modules?
A: Press the release button with one hand, push down the heat plate tabs with the other, and pull outward using the ironing board. Always make sure the machine is off and the plate is cool before removal.
Q: What type of paper should I use for tumbler sublimation?
A: Always use sublimation paper designed for heat transfer. Regular printer paper will not work and may damage your tumbler or machine. For detailed guidance, check out our sublimation paper collection.
📧 Need help? Contact HTVRONT support: support@htvront.com
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