What printers can be used for sublimation?

In this article, you will know what printers can be used for sublimation! Go!

Not too long ago, my editorial team started talking about a new trend in the industry, sublimation printing, and I was curious about this popular trend. Sublimation printers make it easy for us to create colorful, highly detailed images for our projects.

These printers use a special type of ink and high temperatures to speed up the process to produce spectacular high-resolution images on heat-resistant paper, which then hardens into beautiful prints. Then they can be transferred to tea or coffee mugs, t-shirts, and so on.

The most beautiful pre-printed sublimation paper is Cricut Infusible paper. It allows you to print images of excellent quality for unique projects.

I have put together detailed instructions for review, and also made a video for you, as I received questions from you and realized that you are as interested in this topic as I am. Check out the answers to questions about choosing the best sublimation printer!

What printers can be used for sublimation?

You want to determine for yourself which is the best sublimation printer to choose. And decided to read our article. Congratulations, you are on the right track! This is an important intention. You need to decide what stage you are in: whether you want to create sublimation printing at home or use your skills for business.

Sublimation thermal transfer printing is used to make superior products that are pleasing to the eye and feel good to the touch and can withstand repeated washing and use.

Whether you’re new to making your first t-shirt or just a fan of dish prints, this review will still help you develop your skills and help you choose the best printer for your needs.

Luxury sublimation photo printers

And now we have concentrated on sublimation printers, predefined for heat transfer programs. We assume that all sublimation printers will function to print thermal transfer designs, but this is not the case. Many printers use sublimation processes intentionally for printing photographs, due to the high-speed printing and instant drying of the prints.

These types of printers are well-suited for photo booths that require top-notch photo printing at high volumes. Glossy or matte paper is suitable for these printers, and labels can also be made. Attention! If you transfer your drawings to letterhead, they will not print on carbon paper.

What does a sublimation printer do?

Sublimation is a printing method that uses a special type of ink to create excellent full-color images that are then allowed to be moved to another element with a matching finish. You can apply heat and pressure to continuously move the ink to other lined objects that the ink can penetrate, such as ceramic-coated cups or polyester t-shirts.

Sublimation design is applied on special paper using sublimation ink. Then, when you have finished the cooling process and the sublimation printing process, the design is embedded directly into the item and does not wash off, crack or peel off.

You can apply a stunning full-color image to bags, mugs, shirts, and more with the option to use sublimation printers and heat presses. First of all, you need to know a few nuances that you need to know before you buy a sublimation printer.

Heads with piezo printing

Piezo print heads have a thin film on top that is charged with electricity and vibration. This vibration indicates that the film has relaxed and contracted, creating pressure that pushes the ink out of the nozzle onto the paper.

Fast film movement and bending can be precisely controlled for ink removal speed. This type of printing is compatible with oil, solvent, water-based inks, and solar inks. These printers include Epson, Sawgrass, and Roland models. There are, of course, other printers with this piezo head, but without soft ink.

Why do people choose the Epson printer? There can be many reasons and circumstances, but the main reason is valuable. Whether you’re starting your own business or trying out a new hobby, the most important thing to remember is the quality of your work.

Sublimation printers that do not need to be updated

Both Sawgrass and Epson offer sublimation printers that require no conversion.

• Saw SG500.
• Sawfly SG1000.
• Epson Surecolor F170.
• Epson Surecolor F570 Pro.

They cost less than $500 and can print 8.5 × 14 inches. That sounds like a great price, right? But you also need to consider the cost of ink replacement and printer availability. Sawgrass ink is $77 for a color cartridge, which can be expensive for a home business or hobbyist.

The new Epson F170 printers are sublimation printers that do not require replacement. New inks start at $25 (prices for 2022 are subject to change). The only problem is availability. Released January 2021, these new Epson F170 sublimation printers are available in limited quantities from authorized resellers.

The main benefit of using a sublimation printer is guaranteed performance.

Can I use my HP printer for sublimation?

If you have an HP home or office printer, you cannot change it to sublimation. This is because most HP printers apply ink to paper through a thermal process. This is because almost all HP printers cannot print crisp images with sublimation ink. After all, the ink is mostly welded onto the paper or released from the cartridges during the printing process.

How about an HP sublimation printer?

HP has a line of CAN and DO-capable printers for sublimation and UV inks. This particular line of printers can print on paper or directly onto fabric. These are large, expensive industrial printers built for the job.

How many printers? HP’s entry-level industrial sublimation printer costs about $7,000 and does not include ink. You see, this sublimation is not for a hobby. Conclusion: HP printers cannot be used for sublimation.

Can a Brother printer be used for sublimation?

Some people have successfully used Brother sublimation printers. Most Brother printers use piezoelectric printing technology. But the biggest problem with Brother printers is that no one makes sublimation ink for them, and no one makes “replacement” cartridges for them.

This means that print quality suffers greatly because you cannot adjust the ink profile. When you exalt, you want the end product to look fresh and vibrant. For this reason, Brother printers are not ideal unless you are using sublimation. However, you can quickly get annoyed by the wrong colors and washed-out patterns.

Conclusion: Brother printers can shine with unsatisfactory results – pray for improvement!

Are Canon printers suitable for sublimation?

Canon has a simple answer to this question. No, Canon printers cannot be used for sublimation or converted to sublimation. They use thermal printing technology, which negatively affects sublimation ink.

How about Canon sublimation printers? I know that most people have heard that Canon makes sublimation printers, and understandably, it’s easy to get confused.

Canon Sublimation Selphy printers are the best small desktop printers, but they are not sublimation printers. Instead, they use sublimation ink and built-in heaters to sublimate your photos onto transparencies. They do not allow you to insert paper and sublimation printing.

Verdict: You can’t use a Canon sublimation printer, and don’t be fooled by Canon’s dye-sublimation desktop photo printers.

Heat transfer and photo sublimation printer

Epson and Sawgrass inkjet printers are two major desktop printer companies using high-quality sublimation printers on a variety of media. Please note that there are other printers with dye sublimation technology, but they are not suitable for thermal transfer projects.

For example, the Canon Selphy cp1300 might pop up during a quick search on various sublimation printer marketplaces, and you might think, “Wow, only $99!” Unfortunately, it is not suitable for heat transfer.

The Canon Selphy line uses dye-sublimation technology to print high-quality photographs on photo paper, but this printer cannot be used with sublimation paper to transfer printed images. Make sure you buy more than just a photo printer if that’s not what you’re looking for.

All printers in this review are suitable for sublimation printing on shirts, mugs, or other blanks for the home or trade.

Epson conversion is permanent

After installing an Epson inkjet printer (traditional cartridge or Ecotank) for sublimation printing, it is no longer possible to return to printing with conventional ink on paper. You cannot use the optional inkjet printer. Sawgrass printers are designed for sublimation printing.

What is the best Epson sublimation printer?

Both printers are great options. They have a nice touch screen and AirPrint wireless connection via power cable, NFC, or memory card.

No matter which model you choose, you will need to upgrade to sublimation ink, as they are designed like traditional inkjet printers. I have to admit, when I first heard this, I freaked out and just thought, “It doesn’t matter, I’ll just pay for weed.” Don’t let the pain of transition stop you from choosing Epson!

The conversion just clears the print head nozzles, injects sublimation ink into the cartridges, and restarts the printer. There are tons of great videos on YouTube to help!

The real difference between the two Epson models is that the VF7710 has one print tray, while the VF7720 has two feed trays. Both have the same print sizes, and the same output power levels, and can be used wirelessly. If I were you, I would choose the model that can be found cheaper.

Also, if you’re looking to upgrade your old Epson Stylus C88+, any of these printers will work for you and provide similar (if not better) print quality.

Another alternative Epson sublimation printer is the Workforce VF-7210. It has the same print size as these other models, but can often be bought cheaper on sale. It can be used with CISS and many people have had success with it.

If you need large prints up to 13″ × 19″ on canvas or similar, the Epson Express Photo HD XP-15000 (the successor to the Epson Artisan 1430) is a good choice. Sublimation printers have some disadvantages:

• Switching your printer to sublimation will void your warranty, so you will not receive any customer support from Epson.
• Once the sublimation ink is incorporated into an inkjet printer, it cannot be converted back to regular inkjet ink.
• These Epson printers are not designed for sublimation paper and ink, so some problems may occur over time (such as lifting multiple sheets of paper at the same time).

Even with these drawbacks, using these Epson printers is the cheapest way to get started. I would recommend them as a viable option for growing your sublimation hobby or business.

Epson printers that require a dye-born conversion

One of the main reasons why some people choose to convert Epson printers to sublimation is that they are readily available at major retailers. The printers start at $250, so the low cost was another big factor in their decision.

The downside to being aware is that these printers are not technically supported if you use them as sublimation printers. And adding sublimation ink to it voids the manufacturer’s warranty. So if you have any problems, you’ll have to figure out how to fix them yourself.

But don’t worry, there are many social networks and forum groups where you can try to get help.

Which is better Epson or Sawgrass?

Your choice between Espon and Sawgrass (formerly Ricoh) for sublimation printing, which one should you choose?

Epson sublimation and inkjet protocols include possible printers:

• Wireless direct printing via Wi-Fi.
• Smartphone/mobile device is compatible with Android and iPhone.
• Can print on various paper sizes.
• Suitable for home and commercial use.
• Use with Mac and Windows.
• High-quality print.
• High-speed printing.

Based on the extended sublimation scale of a wide range of printing, we understand that your budget will primarily depend on the choice of the fraction. If your budget allows, buy a Sawgrass. If you want sublimation printing to be as cheap as possible, buy an Epson.

Epson large format sublimation printer

If you prefer to print large 13 × 19-inch sublimation images for banners, carpets, quilts, and large format clothing, you will need a large format sublimation printer. Many Epson inkjet printers are considered wide format and can print such large documents.

You may have trouble finding Epson sublimation and large format printers, but they will come and go from warehouses. Be a little patient, as this is the key to a successful purchase.

Attention! Hard to find Epson EcoTank ET-15000. They are, again, ordered from all dealers. Many users need this printer as it can print 13 × 19 inches for large sublimation projects such as XL T-shirts, garden flags, and rugs.

Don’t believe the rumor that these printers are abandoned, it’s not true. I personally contacted Epson support, and they told me that the ET-15000 reveal model is not out of production yet, but production is on hold.

But, unfortunately, there is no approximate date when they will be put into production. Therefore, if you are looking for this printer, you need to be patient and see if it is available.

Converting an Epson inkjet printer to a sublimation printer is as easy as identifying sublimation cells in it. You have a wide variety of Epson printers to choose from, and deciding which one to get will depend on your wallet and the size of your sublimation projects.

Epson Workforce and sublimation EcoTank

Now you can choose between EcoTank and Epson WorkForce printers and switch to sublimation. Epson Workforce and sublimation EcoTank the main difference between Epson WorkForce and EcoTank is the type of required cartridge.

The main difference between Epson WorkForce and EcoTank is the type of cartridge required. For printers, WorkForce requires full sublimation ink cartridges to be inserted into the printer, while EcoTanks can refill sublimation ink cartridges.

Ink cartridges designed for WorkForce printers have problems with them, such as the failure of the cartridge chip. EcoTanks simply refills the cartridges they manufacture, which is the easiest of the Epson printer types to refurbish by sublimation.

Quality ink is important

Whatever printer you choose, you can find it from other manufacturers. For Epson printers that have switched to sublimation printing, purchasing high-quality ink is especially important, as the ink company you choose will be the only customer support available to you.

Sawgrass users typically use Sawgrass inks until the warranty expires, after which they can try third-party inks. We highly recommend using Cosmo inks with any sublimation printer you have. Their reviews speak for themselves!

Accessories

You’ll also need a good heat press to apply the sublimation transfer to fabric or other hard, polymer-coated workpieces. EasyPress 2 is suitable for sublimation, but not recommended for commercial use. Additionally, you will need to choose the right sublimation paper for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any printer be used for sublimation?

No, you need a special sublimation printer or a modified inkjet printer and special sublimation ink and paper. You cannot sublimate with regular inkjet ink or plain paper.

You need special ink and special paper.

What printer is best to use for sublimation printing?

Of course, finding the right printer depends on your budget and usage plans. Most of my colleagues and team members use the Epson EcoTank reusable printer because it’s cheap, making it a great way to do it every day.

But small business owners planning to incorporate sublimation projects into their production might be a little worried. There are also wide-format printers that can print large formats, such as the Sawgrass SG1000 or the Epson Artisan 1430. However, the best sublimation printer is the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 if you can afford it.

Can you use a regular HP printer for sublimation?

You won’t be able to sublimate your HP printer if you have one at home or in the office. That’s because most HP printers use thermal heat to disperse ink on the paper.

What printers are sublimation ready?

There are brands of printers that can be used for sublimation: Epson, and Sawgrass.

How to get a sublimation print on a craft project?

When you heat sublimation transfer paper in polyester-coated pours, tumors change from solids to gases and are embedded in the parent material. When tumors remain, they return to the solid state and become permanent parts of the material.

Which heat press or heat source should I use to print sublimation transfer paper?

Most sublimation projects require temperatures of 350-400 °F. Domestic iron is not compatible with sublimation projects.

Will any inkjet printer work for sublimation?

Printers that can print with sublimation ink in the inkjet cartridges. The Epson Artisan 1430 Inkjet printer, for example, has this compatibility, while most low-cost Inkjet printers do not. Check your specific model to see if this is the case.

The end

Most home printers are not compatible with sublimation. To be able to work, the printer must work correctly and use piezo printing.

This means that HP and Canon printers cannot be used for sublimation, as they do not use piezo signals.

Piezo technology is used, but it does not appear when the amount of ink is increased, which means that there is no printed image. You never think about printing a profile until you need to create something that looks good on paper. Without printing, the results will be blurry and colorless.

Epson printers are the best printer for sublimation. This is because they use piezo-printing units, and many provoke the development of infection with beautiful paints. This means that the results are very good. Just be aware that print warranties will be void as they are not sold as sublimation printers.

Regardless of which printer you choose, you must purchase one. None of the above printers are available with single sublimation cells. They usually consist of pigment cells that are useless under sublimation conditions. Enjoy sublimation!

You may also be interested: Can you use sublimation ink for regular printing?