Sublimation water bottles are among the UK’s best-selling blanks. At Longforte, we lead the market with the widest range and largest stock levels — from aluminium bottles to premium stainless steel and colour-changing tumblers. With bulk carton deals and reliable supply, you can count on us to keep you stocked.
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Longforte is the UK’s leading supplier of sublimation water bottles, trusted by printers, schools, merch companies, and promotional businesses nationwide. We stock an unrivalled range of aluminium and stainless steel bottles, giving you options to suit every customer and budget.
Aluminium Sublimation Water Bottles – lightweight, budget-friendly and ideal for giveaways, schools, and team branding.
Stainless Steel Sublimation Bottles – premium, durable and double-walled, including our best-selling bowling bottles, Proventurer bottles, tumblers, and flasks designed for retail and events.
Specialty Bottles – colour-changing tumblers and bottles, children’s sizes, and models with colourful lids — perfect for creating standout collections.
Every bottle is coated for vibrant, long-lasting prints and supplied with secure lids and packaging, making them retail-ready. Whether you’re producing custom school bottles, branded merchandise for events, or premium drinkware for retail, these blanks deliver consistent quality and strong margins.
We hold the UK’s largest stock levels, ensuring reliable supply even during peak demand. Bulk carton pricing is available across the range, and for larger clients we also arrange half or full container loads direct from our factories.
Why choose Longforte for sublimation water bottles?
- ✔ Widest UK range of aluminium & stainless steel bottles
- ✔ Colour-changing, kids, sports, and event-ready designs
- ✔ Unbeatable stock levels with year-round availability
- ✔ Bulk carton deals and bespoke container load pricing
- ✔ Free, fast delivery on wholesale orders
- ✔ Trusted by schools, printers, merch brands, and resellers
From budget aluminium bottles to premium double-walled stainless steel designs, Longforte gives you the choice, reliability, and value to keep your business ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Printing & Preparation
What kind of water bottles can be sublimated?
What kind of water bottles can be sublimated?
Sublimation bottles are either aluminium or stainless steel, coated with a special polymer. Standard bottles without this coating won’t hold a print. Stainless steel bottles are popular for durability and insulation, while aluminium is lightweight and cost-effective.
How do you sublimate a water bottle?
How do you sublimate a water bottle?
Print your mirrored design onto sublimation paper, tape it securely around the bottle, and use a mug press, oven with shrink wrap, or a dedicated tumbler press to apply heat. Time and temperature vary by press, but it’s usually around 180°C for 3-4 minutes.
Do you need a jig or wrap for bottles?
Do you need a jig or wrap for bottles?
Yes, a wrap or shrink sleeve is essential in an oven to hold the transfer tight against the curved surface. Jigs are used for polymer bottles to ensure that they are not warped out of shape when heated in an oven or mug press.
Time, Temperature & Equipment
What’s the best press for sublimation bottles?
What’s the best press for sublimation bottles?
This all depends on what bottles you are wanting to print. Our larger bottles can be done in an 11oz mug element or 40oz tumbler element. For skinnier bottles you need a 20oz tumbler element. Convection ovens also work well with shrink sleeves for full-wrap designs.
Can water bottles crack or warp under heat?
Can water bottles crack or warp under heat?
No — sublimation bottles are manufactured to withstand heat transfer. However, overexposing them (too high temperature or too long) can cause coating discolouration or lid warping. Always remove lids before pressing.
How long does it take to sublimate a water bottle?
How long does it take to sublimate a water bottle?
Typically 3-4 minutes in a press at around 180°C. Different bottles may need slightly longer or shorter to ensure even activation of the coating. Please try on a sample before doing a large production run to avoid any issues.
Quality & Safety
Are sublimation water bottles BPA-free and safe?
Are sublimation water bottles BPA-free and safe?
Yes. All our bottles are tested to EU standards, BPA-free, and food-safe. Stainless steel versions also keep drinks hot or cold for hours due to their double-wall vacuum insulation.
Do sublimation bottles come with packaging?
Do sublimation bottles come with packaging?
Yes, most are supplied with individual white boxes — perfect for retail and resale. Bulk packaging is also available for high-volume buyers.
How durable are the prints on water bottles?
How durable are the prints on water bottles?
Extremely durable. Unlike vinyl stickers or screen printing, sublimation is permanent and won’t peel. Prints can last for years with normal use, though we recommend hand washing to preserve vibrancy.