How to HYDRO DIP Gator Skin Tumbler (with Hydro Dip Film)
How to HYDRO DIP Gator Skin Tumbler (with Hydro Dip Film)
Ready to be WOW’ed? Learn how to make a custom hydro dip gator skin tumbler with hydro dip film. Gators are a big deal here in Florida and I love making custom tumblers. So, I knew I had to make a Gator skin tumbler when I saw the pattern on hyro dip film.
Whether you are a Florida Gators fan or a Swamp Life fan, once you learn to use this hydro dip fan, you’ll be able to come up with thousands of customizable craft ideas.
I have had so many people ask – How do you get a gator skin pattern on a custom tumbler?
That’s why I created this tutorial with you in mind.
What is hydro dip film
Hydro Dip Film is a water transfer hydrographic that has been printed onto a water-soluble sheet. Once sprayed with an activator, the hydrographic adheres to the surface of whatever it touches. Hydro dip film can be used on tumblers, shoes, hard plastics, wood, glass and many other types of material.
The sticky side of the hydrographic film must be placed down onto the water.
Click the link for my handy cheat sheet:
4 Tips For Using Hydrographic Dipping Film.
TIP #1 – Store your hydro dip film away from any moisture as it will damage the film
How to Choose Hydro Dip Film for your Project
Hydro dip film comes endless patterns. Some have a color base to them and some are patterns that overlay your base colors. You’ll see in this tutorial I painted the base colors of my tumbler with an ombre effect in orange and blue.
The hydro dip film that I am using in this tutorial has the gator skin pattern in black and clear which will allow your base color to show through.
If you want to know what your hydro dip film will look like with a specific base color, I recommend placing a piece of card stock behind the film. This will allow you to see exactly what your film and color combination will look like.
When considering purchasing hydro dipping film, just know that it comes on a continuous roll much like rolls of vinyl. It’s awesome because there is plenty hydrographic film to do lots of projects! And trust me, once you learn how to do water transfer hydro dip, you are going to be mind-blown at the possibilities. Don’t forget to buy the hydrographic film activator as well because it’s absolutely necessary for the film to work.
Supplies you’ll need:
TIP #2: Please read the entire post before starting your HYDRO DIP Gator Skin Tumbler
Prep and Paint your Tumbler
If you want to create a Florida Gators type tumbler, I recommend using Rust-Oleum Sail Blue and Rust-Oleum Orange. Otherwise choose the base color you want for your custom tumbler.
Lightly sand your stainless tumbler with fine sandpaper so the paint has an etched surface to stick to. Once you have sanded your tumbler, wash it well in warm soapy water. Dry completely with a paper towel.
If you want an Ombre effect on your tumbler, start by painting half of the cup with the lightest color. Apply the darker color on the opposite end of your tumbler, furthest from the lighter color. As you apply the spray paint closer to the middle of your cup, make sure your tumbler and spray paint can are at a farther distance. This helps diffuse the spray giving you that ombre effect where the two colors meet.
If you goof and don’t like the ombre, the colors are very forgiving. Just go back in with the lighter and darker colors where they intersect.
TIP #3: To avoid color drips – Don’t get too close with the spray paint to the tumbler.
Allow your tumbler to completely dry before moving on to the next step.
HYDRO DIP Gator Skin Tumbler
Measure and Cut Hydro Dip Film
Now that your tumbler is painted, let’s prep the hydro film.
Measure the height and circumference of your tumbler. Cut the hyro dip film larger than the tumbler you are going to dip. Place painters tape on each of the outer ends of the hydro dipping film. This helps keep the film flat and on top of the water. If you get water onto the printed side of the hydro dip film, it will get messed up.
TIP #4: I highly recommend wearing gloves and using a wand to dip your tumbler.
Place a plastic bag over your tumbler wand and some painters tape on the inner rim. Press the wand into the tumbler to make sure cup is on securely. I use this bag and tape trick to make sure the gator skin pattern does not adhere to the inside of my tumbler. If it does, you can wipe it off with a little bit of acetone.
Using a tumbler wand while dipping has several benefits:
- A tumbler wand will keep the tumbler in place as you dip it.
- It will allow you to dip the tumbler in at a precise angle.
- Using a tumbler wand will keep the hydro dipping film off your hands
- You can turn the tumbler as you dip it into the film.
How to Hydro Dip your Gator Skin Tumbler
Fill a large plastic tub or container of water with water. Note: the water must be warm at approximately 86F degrees (or as specified by the manufacturer) to work properly. If your water is colder than that the process will not work well.
Place the prepped hydro film on the surface of the water allowing approximately 60 seconds for it to hydrate.
Once the film has soaked on top of the water, spray the activator spray in a straight down manner at 12-18 inches above the hydro dip film. You only have to use one coat of the activator spray.
When the film has a bit of glassy look to it, it’s ready to dip. It takes about 10-15 seconds for the hydro film to liquify. So, I highly recommend having your tumbler nearby and ready to go.
With the tumbler secured to the wand, carefully dip it at a 30-degree angle with a slight twist motion. Keep dipping past the hydro dip film into the clear water below. Wave any extra bits of film to the outer edge of the water container and bring your tumbler up and out.
If there are any areas that did not catch onto the film, you can easily cut a smaller piece of hydro dip film and repeat the process until your tumbler is completely dipped. Just dry the part of the tumbler that has already been dipped and tape it off so the newly dipped section doesn’t go over the area you already have covered with the gator pattern.
Clean Up
Now that you have your tumbler completely covered with the gator skin hydro dip pattern, you’ll notice it feels slimy. Don’t worry, that’s totally normal. Just run the tumbler under clean warm water until the cup is free of the slimy film.
Decorating your Hydro Dipped Gator Skin Tumbler
Hydro dipping the gator skin on your tumbler is the first part of creating your custom masterpiece.
Allow your tumbler to completely dry after you have added the hydrographic design. Once the hydrographic is fully dry, use a clear matte enamel spray to protect the design. Allow the clear coat to dry completely before using any epoxy on your tumbler.
The gator skin effect on a tumbler is seriously an awesome look. If you want to leave it as is, I would recommend adding another coat of clear enamel spray. The tumbler will have a matte finish to it.
If you want to epoxy your gator skin tumbler, you will end up with a super glossy glass-like finish that really makes the pattern pop! One you have a layer of epoxy on your tumbler, you can use your Cricut machine or other cutter to add vinyl decals. Adding vinyl really gives your tumbler that one of a kind personalized touch.
If you have never made an epoxy tumbler and would like to know more, please take a look at my other helpful tutorial.
To learn how to use epoxy resin on a tumbler, check out my other tutorial here –> How to Make Epoxy Resin (Glitter) Tumbler Cups.
P.S. – Before you go, can I ask a favor? When you create your gator skin hydro dipped tumbler, would you please tag me. You can find me on Istagram @https://www.instagram.com/diy_cakeandcrafts/
One more thing…I have had a tremendous amount of people asking where I got the Hydrographic Gator Skin Film and I promised to share where I got it from. You can find it by clicking the link here –> Hydrographic Gator Skin Film.
