Best Printer For Sublimation Printing?
You’re a beginner. You’re confused about the sublimation printing available in the market. You may be unsure which printers can be used for sublimation. I faced that same hurdle a couple of years ago. I was searching for what kind of printer I needed for sublimation.
I came to know that the printers that use Micro Piezo heat-free print heads can be used for sublimation.
For sublimation, what kind of printer is required?
To put it briefly, sublimation printing is not compatible with thermal printers. Thermal technology will not work with sublimation ink. This creates a huge mess. On the other side, inkjet printers can be used for sublimation. Print heads use heat-free piezoelectric technology.
Piezoelectric printers don’t use heat to transfer ink. Instead, a piezo print head nozzle pressurizes sublimation ink using an electric charge. This process prints and transfers the ink to sublimation paper without creating any mess or imprecision from heat.
Can You Use Any Printer For Sublimation?
You now understand that thermal printers and all inkjet types are not suitable for sublimation. Only piezo print head printers work for sublimation. However, the question of which printer to use for sublimation emerges. Alternatively, can you sublimate using any printer? You can only use Epson printers that use piezo print heads. You can also use Sawgrass and Ricoh printers for sublimation.
Epson Eco Tank and WF printers have micro piezo print heads. Some other printers, like Epson Sure Color, also have micro piezo print heads. They can be used for sublimation. But, they are not made for sublimation. They must be converted into sublimation, just like WF printers. Eco tank printers are ready to use for sublimation. You only need to fill the sublimation ink tanks.
Apart from that, Sawgrass and Ricoh printers are made for sublimation and will be ready to use out of the box.
Is It Possible to Sublimate Using Any Epson Sublimation Printer?
All the Epson sublimation printers use Micro Piezo technology. They can be used for sublimation. Epson does produce a range of sublimation printers that yield prints of very high quality. If we sublimate them, they come with a guarantee.
Epson Sure Color desktop printers are part of the excellent Epson sublimation printer lineup. Epson printers are often used to start online sublimation businesses from home or office.
Let me give you a thunderstorm. Epson Sure Color, Eco Tank, and Workforce printers work with sublimation. Don’t fill them with regular ink before using them with any other ink. You will need to fill cartridges or ink tanks of Epson Eco Tank printers with sublimation ink. They will then be able to sublimate.
But, the warranty and tech support will not be included if you use any third-party sublimation ink for sublimation. Don’t be afraid of it. Many people are running their handsome businesses using Epson Eco tank printers including me. Epson always updates its products. It discontinues older models but you can still buy and use them. They are excellent.
One of the most famous lines of Eco tank sublimation printers is the 2000 Eco tank series. It includes ET-2720, 2750, and 2760. The ET-2800, 2803, and 2850 are the most recent improved versions that Epson has offered.
Can I Use Brother Printer For Sublimation?
Many users have bought Brother Printers for sublimation. This is because their piezo print heads can be converted for sublimation. The primary problem is that Brother Company does not produce sublimation inks or cartridges. Thus, they cannot be used for sublimation. Yet, third-party sublimation ink suppliers also do not make sublimation ink for Brother Printers.
This will result in not being able to create ICC profiles to look sharp and dense images for sublimation.
Can an HP Printer Be Used For Sublimation?
You cannot sublimate HP inkjet printers, except Epson. The explanation for this is that HP printers with thermal technology are the ones found in households and offices. They might spread the sublimation paper’s ink.
HP Company manufactures huge desktop printers for industrial printing. They can print onto fabric sublimation paper made for heavy-duty tasks. They are very expensive. It’s like ripping off a beginner’s skin to start sublimation printing. Their price may exceed $10,000.
However, they often use UV and sublimation ink. HP released a line of sublimation printers called HP STITCH. But, these printers are not ideal for beginners.
Can I Use a Canon Printer for Sublimation?
The way HP and Brother Printers are not capable of being converted into sublimation. Additionally, Canon printers cannot be made into sublimation printers. They also use thermal printing technology. This technology is harmful to the sublimation ink. It also harms the printer.
Further, you will find a printer on the market named Canon Sylph. It is used to produce dye sublimation photos on a clear film. Yet, it is not capable of producing sublimation prints on the sublimation paper.
Do You Need A Special Printer For Sublimation?
It is not extremely complicated to employ a specific type of printer for sublimation. But, there are some precautionary steps to keep an eye on them when you buy a sublimation printer. Nothing special. Only inkjet Piezo printers can be used for sublimation. Epson, Sawgrass, and Ricoh are capable of it.
A few Steps to Look before Buying a Suitable Sublimation Printer
Stop here and read if you’re going to put all your budget into any type of Epson sublimation printer. Different functionality and user experiences are available with Epson printers. Without knowing the factors of buying, you will feel a huge frustration. You won’t know which the best Epson sublimation printer is. So have a look!
1. Resolution
The recommended DPI (dots per inch) for 4 by 6 photo production is 600. You will need to keep an eye on the DPI resolution of a printer. It needs to produce photos with at least 600 DPI so you can embed them on various sublimation blanks.
2. Many Paper Trays
Printing 4 by 6-inch pictures at 300 DPI is required to integrate photos on mugs. Make sure the paper tray’s hinges may be adjusted to change the size of the images for that reason.
3. Many Connectivity Options
We’re not living in the old times when only USB connectivity was enough to connect PCs with printers. We must examine the Ethernet, Bluetooth, NFC, and WIFI connectivity choices. This will help us produce smooth printings with ease. One positive to consider is the LCD control panel that is included.
4. Low Running Cost
You’ll find two types of Epson sublimation printers. One has cartridges that produce vivid prints. They have high running costs but low buying costs. The second one without cartridges is free ink cartridge printing. It will produce less vivid prints and has low running costs but high buying costs. Now, this depends on your pocket and which model you decide to go with.
Faqs
How much does a sublimation printer cost?
You should budget between $500 and $800 for a decent sublimation printer, not including ink and paper prices. Professional or household businesses can use those expensive dye-sublimation printers. Sawgrass and Ricoh are the most expensive desktop sublimation printers. Professionals use them for commercial purposes.
Does Epson have sublimation ink?
Yes! Epson has sublimation inks for Epson Sure Color printers. They create unique sublimation prints. Here is where you can find sublimation inspiration. Also, check the best sublimation blanks.
Can you sublimate with an inkjet printer?
Inkjet printers that use piezo print heads can be used for sublimation. But if you find inkjet printers with thermal print heads, stop buying that printer for sublimation. Most of the thermal print head printers are manufactured by HP, Canon, Dell, and Brothers.
Conclusion
In case you’re still unsure about the type of printer required for sublimation. We conclude that only Epson Eco Tank and Epson Sure Color printers with piezo print heads produce sublimation ink crystals. They produce them when piezoelectric signals are applied.Sublimation printing is also an option for Ricoh and Sawgrass. No other printer such as one made by Brother, Canon, or HP can be sublimated.
Read More: A Comprehensive Review of the Epson F570 Sublimation Printer
