Making Your Crafts Last: Care Tips for Customized Drinkware

When you put time and effort into crafting something unique, you want it to last. At For Crafts Sake, we know that proper care is key to keeping your customized crafts looking their best. Whether you’re selling personalized drinkware or making them for yourself, here’s what you need to know to extend their lifespan.

Before Customization: Dishwasher Friendly

All our Polypropylene (PP) drinkware is dishwasher-friendly before customization, meaning you can wash them without worry. PP is a sturdy material that holds up well to heat and moisture, making it a reliable base for your projects.

After Customization: Handle with Care

Once you've added vinyl decals or other custom touches, it’s time to switch to gentle handwashing. While our products are designed to be durable, prolonged exposure to heat and moisture can weaken vinyl adhesives over time.

Best Practices for Long-Lasting Custom Drinkware

✅ Handwash with mild soap – A soft sponge and lukewarm water will clean your tumbler without damaging the design.
🚫 Avoid soaking in warm water – Prolonged exposure to water can loosen vinyl and lead to peeling.
⚠️ Not scratch-proof – PP plastic is durable but can still get scuffed, so handle with care to keep it looking great.

Putting It to the Test: Dishwasher Experiment

While we don’t recommend putting customized products in the dishwasher, we wanted to see just how well they’d hold up. We put one of our ribbed travel cups—which already has a slightly rougher surface—through multiple dishwasher cycles. The verdict? It survived! While results may vary (due to vinyl quality, size of decal etc), this test showed that our products are tough, but still need proper care for the best longevity.

Extra Steps for Even Better Adhesion

Although not necessary, some of our customers swear by these extra steps to keep their vinyl designs looking great for longer:
✨ Clean the surface first with an alcohol wipe to remove any dust or oils.
🔥 Apply some heat (like a hairdryer or heat gun) after applying the vinyl to "activate" the adhesive.
⏳ Let it sit for at least 24 hours before use to allow the vinyl to fully cure.

Got a go-to tip for making your custom crafts last? Leave a comment below and help out your fellow crafters!

Craft with Confidence

Taking a few simple steps will help keep your custom drinkware looking its best, so you can enjoy your designs without worry.

Stay tuned for more Sticky Situations posts—where we tackle burning questions, common crafting challenges, and solutions to make your projects frustration-free!