How to Make It: Neoprene Can Hugger

These can huggers are the perfect addition to a girls night out or a bachelorette party.

Written by sawgrass

on September 11, 2023

Skill Level: Intermediate

Tools & Supplies to Make It:

How to Create It:

Log into the Sawgrass Exchange and start a new creation in DesignMate.
For your product, select the Neoprene Can Hugger. It can be found under Drinkware.
On the Create Your Design Panel, click on Designs. Click on the filter icon and then select Country Living and click apply.
Choose the Let’s Go Girls design.
The image may come in a little large for the area, so use your mouse to lasso around the images and select them all as a group. Then, use the resize icon on the group to reduce the size. It should stay centered.
To add the same design to the second side, click on copy design on the top of the design area. Make sure back is selected and then chose Apply Design.
You may need to select the design and make sure it is centered.
When your design is finished, hit the Continue button to move to the product details page.
You’ll be prompted to name your design, put it in a Category folder, and then then hit save.
On the Product Detail page, you’ll give the project a name and add a description, then hit print.

How to Print It:

Make sure that you are seeing the popup to Open PrintMate and are hitting Open PrintMate. If you are not seeing this, you’ll need to disable your popup blocker.
In PrintMate, start by scrolling down and making sure your print orientation is set to Portrait.
For this project, you can use the preset Can Hugger.
Make sure that the media size and type match what you have in the printer.
On the Color Management Tab, we suggest having the Color Mode set to Vibrant.
When you’ve confirmed all of your settings, Hit Print.

How to Press It:

Turn your press on and set the temperature to 385 degrees and the time to 45 seconds. Pressure should be light.
Prepare your can hugger by using a lint roller to remove any fibers or dust.
We will do each side at a time.
Place your design face down on the can hugger and tape it down.
Place the can hugger on the lower platen of the press with the printed page on top.
Place a piece of blowout paper on top.
Close the press and wait 45 seconds before opening the press and removed the printed can hugger.
Once slightly cool, flip the can hugger over and repeat the steps to press the other side.

Tips & Tricks:

You want to make sure the pressure is low enough that you don’t flatten the hugger.
Using a spray adhesive or putting cardboard inside the hugger will help make sure that you get full coverage.