Why tapered tumblers need a curved template
A tapered tumbler is shaped like a cone with the tip cut off (a "frustum"). If you unroll that shape onto a flat sheet, you don't get a rectangle. You get a curved band, like a slice of a rainbow. If you print a rectangle and wrap it around a tapered tumbler, the design tilts, the seam won't line up, and text slopes downhill.
This generator calculates the exact curve from your measurements and can bend (warp) your flat design to match, so you can skip the Photoshop warp step entirely.
How to measure a tapered tumbler
- Top circumference: wrap a strip of paper around the tumbler just below the lid line, where your print will start.
- Bottom circumference: do the same just above the curve at the base, where your print will end.
- Height: measure the distance between those two lines. "Straight up" means measured vertically, like a ruler standing next to the cup. "Along side" means a tape lying flat against the tumbler wall. Either works; just pick the matching option.
How the warp works
The left edge of your design goes to the left end of the arc, and the right edge to the right end. The top of your design follows the wide (outer) curve and the bottom follows the narrow (inner) curve. Text stays upright and level once it's wrapped on the tumbler. For best quality, start with a design that's at least as many pixels wide as the top circumference × 300.
The math (for the curious)
With top radius R₁, bottom radius R₂ and side length s, the outer radius of the flat arc is s × R₁ ÷ (R₁ − R₂), the inner radius is that value minus s, and the arc angle (in radians) is the top circumference divided by the outer radius. The tool shows all three values so you can recreate the template in any design app.
Tips for a clean tapered print
- Cut your sublimation paper along the curve, leaving a small margin, before wrapping.
- Tape the seam first, then tape along the top and bottom edges so the paper can't slide.
- Shrink wrap gives more even pressure on tapered shapes than most tumbler presses.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a template for a tapered tumbler?
Measure the top circumference, bottom circumference and printable height, enter them above, and the generator builds the curved arc template. You can download it as a blank PNG or upload your design to have it warped automatically.
Can I use a straight template on a tapered tumbler?
Not well. A rectangle wrapped on a tapered tumbler tilts toward the narrow end, so the seam won't meet and text slopes. A curved (arc) template fixes this.
Is my design uploaded to a server?
No. The warp runs entirely in your browser. Your image never leaves your device.
Why is the downloaded file wider than my tumbler?
The file is the rectangle that contains the curved shape. The curved shape itself matches your tumbler; the transparent corners are just empty space.
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Last updated 2026-10-08. All calculations run in your browser. Nothing you enter or upload is sent to a server.