This Detailed Guide On How To Select The Best Sublimation Printer will show you what is available and what the distinctions are between them, whether you are an experienced sublimator seeking to update your printer or are just starting out and researching what sublimation printer to buy.
Selecting the Best Sublimation Printer will be easier for you to do since you’ll be able to decide based on your knowledge of what you need and want.
If you want to print on textiles, plastic, metal, porcelain, and glass, sublimation printing is a popular option. It can be precisely what you need.
What is sublimation printing and how does it work?
Sublimation printing is a digital printing technique that transfers dye onto various surfaces by applying pressure and heat.
This is the entire procedure:
Sublimation inks are used to print a design onto specialized transfer paper.
After that, you apply the paper to the item and use a heat press to warm it.
The material absorbs the inks once they become a gas due to the heat.
You obtain an enduring, colorful print as a consequence, one that won’t fade or chip over time.
WHAT IS THE BEST SUBLIMATION PRINTER TO BUY?
The best sublimation printer is the one that satisfies all of your requirements in terms of print quality, cost, and level of technical assistance.
There are many solutions available, and what works for one individual might not work for another. You can determine which factors are crucial when selecting a sublimation printer by using this thorough advice from Sublimakers Academy.
Choose if you want to get a printer that is designed for sublimation or one that is an ordinary inkjet printer that you can modify to sublimate before deciding which one is best for you.
The size of the sublimation prints you require, your budget, the cost of replacement or refilling sublimation ink, and the level of technical assistance you require in the event that you run into issues should all be taken into account. Having a clear expectation of what you want out of sublimation is a smart idea, since the perfect printer for one person may not be the right one for another.
The best sublimation printers
Depending on how you want to utilize one, you should choose from the top sublimation printers. To make your own unique and crisp works of art, you could wish to print onto t-shirts and other soft fabrics, or you might prefer to print on tougher materials. By transferring digital pictures from paper into materials with heat and pressure, dye-sublimation printing enables you to realize your ideas. To finish your products, all you’ll need is one of the greatest heat presses.
Here at Creative Bloq, we’ve done a ton of testing and reviews, so we know exactly how to make the greatest bespoke art and how to use sublimation printing. To ensure that you get the most out of your printer, we have compiled a list of the top sublimation printers after doing extensive research and testing.
The top sublimation printers available, from reputable companies like Epson and Sawgrass, are included in this guide to help you get started on your crafting endeavors and even learn how to sell your handmade goods on Etsy for a profit.
The best sublimation printers available now
1. Epson SureColor SC-F100 (F170)
Desktop dye-sub makes home printing possible
SPECIFICATIONS
Category: Sublimation inkjet printer
Max print resolution: 1200 x 600 dpi
Ink capacity: 140ml x4
Paper size: up to A4
Weight: 17.8kg
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Low price
Easy to use
Works with lots of sublimation blanks
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited to A4 size-
Limited print resolution
The simplest printing technique for cloth and other appropriate sublimation surfaces is provided by this specialized dye-sublimation printer. As with a standard inkjet printer, you load the ink tanks with the special ink that comes in the package, then print your design onto special transfer paper. This type of printing produces dependable results when applied to the surface of your choice using a heat source. Four 140 ml T49M bottles of ink (C, M, Y, and K) are included; these are generally regarded as the best sublimation dyes. The printer is based on Epson’s outstanding EcoTank series, and it is conveniently small. Despite not having a display, it is simple to operate using the included Mac and PC applications.
Best overall: Sawgrass SG500
Specs
- Maximum resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi
- Maximum print size: 8.5 x 14 inches
- Weight: 32.8 pounds
- Dimensions: 15.75 x 17.25 x 8.5 inches
- Type: Purpose-built sublimation printer
Pros
- Comes with a set of Sublijet UHD sublimation inks
- WiFi connectivity
- 2-year product warranty and In-house support
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
- Ink is expensive
Sawgrass is a well-known manufacturer of sublimation printers, and their entry-level model is the SG500. It generates accurate, rich colors and has a high resolution for printing intricate details. You may use it to develop and apply creative graphics to a broad range of things, such as mugs, coasters, phone covers, clothes, and more. You can print on media up to 8.5 x 14 inches.
The Sawgrass SG500’s compact design makes it simple to place on a desk. That being said, it remains a strong dye-sublimation printer suitable for a wide range of applications, regardless of whether you run a small business or a hobby. It allows you to print wirelessly without being connected to your computer thanks to a WiFi connection.
Since this printer is specifically designed for sublimation, you won’t need to worry about any conversions when you first start. Both setup and printing are simple. Sawgrass Print Manager, a software tool that minimizes ink waste and automatically modifies the ink output to guarantee the best possible quality, is included with it. That’s perfect because one of the biggest drawbacks of this printer is the cost of the ink. Additionally, it doesn’t hold much, so you’ll need to replenish ink regularly if you print a lot.
Best for photos: DNP DS620A
Specs
- Maximum resolution: 300 x 300 dpi
- Maximum print size: 6 x 8 inches
- Weight: 26.4 pounds.
- Dimensions: 10.8 x 14.4 x 6.7 inches
- Type: Purpose-built sublimation printer
Pros
- Excellent performance and very fast
- Prints high-quality photos
- Offers several different print sizes
- You can print either glossy or matte finish
Cons
- Pricey
- Not for transfers
For event and wedding photographers as well as content makers who need to swiftly print a large number of high-quality images to distribute during an event, the DS620A printer is perfect. This printer’s ability to print in three distinct sizes—4 x 6 inches, 5 x 7 inches, and 6 x 8 inches—sets it apart from less expensive sublimation printers.
It is also quite quick, the DNP DS620A. 400 prints can be printed an hour, according to the business. Moreover, you can use the same medium to create glossy or matte pictures by adding a watermark on the back of each image. It has a standby mode that maximizes energy efficiency to reduce expenses. You may also check the printer’s remaining media, media type, printer status, printer life counter, color control data, firmware version, and serial number thanks to the sophisticated status information the driver gives.
It is vital to note that this printer is limited to printing photos. You cannot print pictures to transfer to mugs, shirts, or other items since it is not designed for transfer purposes. However, if you want to provide them with long-lasting and stunning images, this is a great option.
HP Stitch S500
Efficient and flexible dye-sub design
SPECIFICATIONS
Category: Sublimation inkjet printer
Max print resolution: 1,200 x 1,200 dpi
Print speed: 110 m²/hr
Ink capacity: 775ml x4
Print size: up to 1.62 m roll width
Weight: 13kg
The same cutting-edge water-based dye-sub ink is used by HP’s sophisticated dye-sub printer to print directly onto cloth as well as transfer paper. With its fast print speed of about 110 m² per hour and its ability to be automated to operate through the night without supervision, the Stitch S500 is the perfect choice for companies with high print requirements. Large rolls of paper or cloth may be used, and there is ample space for ink. The thermal printheads are readily recyclable and replaceable with one hand. Before the ink is rolled, tiny fans blow on the developing print job to dry it, and an intuitive touchscreen panel is included. This is the dye-sup printer you’ve been waiting for—a durable machine with all the newest capabilities.
Epson SureColor F570 Pro
Simplified and supersized sublimation
Category: Sublimation inkjet printer
Max print resolution: 1,200 x 1,200 dpi
Ink capacity: 140ml x4
Print size: up to 24-inch roll width
Weight: 29kg
Everything you need to print on fabric and hard surfaces is included in the box of Epson’s step-up dye-sub printer. This large-format inkjet printer is capable of printing on rolls of transfer paper up to 24 inches wide, ranging in size from Letter/A4. There is an integrated cutter and two 140ml ink bottles with all four colors included in the package. Professional software, Epson Edge Print Pro, is also included with this Pro edition. This makes dye-sub printing simple, and the precisionCore MicroTFP printhead provides the best print quality. Combine that with the big color touchscreen interface, and dye-sub printing is made easy.
What to consider when buying the best sublimation printers
It’s likely that many of you have never even heard of sublimation (also known as dye-sublimation) printers. You may be wondering how dye-sublimation printers produce pictures and prints, and how they vary from inkjet printers in that regard. In essence, heat is delivered to the solid ink layers during printing, causing them to sublimate—that is, to go directly from the liquid state into the gaseous one. The picture is then created when the ink returns to a solid after coming into contact with paper or another substance. In order to avoid smearing, the printer then applies a transparent protective coating to finish.
What will you be using the printer for?
There are two primary uses for sublimation printing: picture printing and image and graphic printing for transfer. While some printers are designed to perform one or the other, some can do both. It is important to know exactly what you plan to use a sublimation printer for before making a purchase. What you can use the printer for will depend on the kind of media that it supports.
In particular, sublimation technology is frequently used in small, portable photo printers. This is partially because the heating process used to create sublimation picture prints makes them more durable than regular inkjet prints. They are completely dry when they come out of the printer and will not smear if handled too soon.
Additionally, they resist fading well. Larger machines that employ this printing technique are also available, although they may grow very expensive.
Sublimation printers are widely used by artists and small-business owners to print pictures or designs onto cloth and various hard objects like metal sheets and mugs. This type of dye-sublimation printing requires the creation of a design or picture, which is then printed in reverse onto transfer paper using a dye-sub print machine. The image or design can be transferred to an object by heating it once the ink on the transfer paper has dried. After the ink is heated, it vaporizes and is transferred to an item.
Type of printer
You have two choices if you’d want to add your images or designs to personalized presents like t-shirts, mobile phone covers, baseball caps, or mugs. An inkjet printer can first be converted to a dye-sublimation printer. It’s as easy as substituting the ink that comes with your printer when you purchase a new one with sublimation ink. However, be advised that you will no longer be able to use your printer as an inkjet printer if you choose to convert it to the sublimation technique. Since you are not utilizing the printer’s ink, it also nullifies the guarantee on your printer.
Furthermore, not every inkjet is convertable. Thus, be careful to investigate whether your model can be transformed.
Purchasing a sublimation printer designed for that purpose is your alternative. These are become more widespread as more companies provide entry-level gadgets that work well in offices or homes.
Print size
You should think about the size you will be printing in before you buy a printer. While some printers have a maximum print size of four by six inches, others have a maximum print width of thirteen inches. A smaller printer will save you money and yet serve your purpose effectively if your main focus is producing little images to be printed on mugs and other promotional goods. However, concentrate on printers that allow greater print sizes if you want to be able to generate large images.
What other equipment and supplies will I need on hand?
You will also require a heat press if you want to buy a sublimation printer in order to transfer pictures to objects or other materials. There are several types of heat presses available, some designed especially for mugs, caps, and other asymmetrical things. Additionally, you will need to purchase blanks to transfer your graphics onto, heat-resistant tape, ink, and sublimation paper. When selecting a printer, make sure to account for each of these expenses in your budget.
