Sublimation Printer Selection: A Comprehensive Guide
If you’re looking to purchase a printer that will allow you to create custom heat transfer designs, the first thing you’ll want to do is ask yourself what kind of printer should I get? There are several options available, and choosing between them can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for or where to start.
To make the process easier, we’ve created this comprehensive guide on the best sublimation printer for heat transfer (along with some alternative recommendations), so you can make an informed decision without having to scour the internet in search of information.
The Sawgrass VJ 628 is a great printer and the best sublimation printer for heat transfer. This printer has high-quality prints and it’s relatively affordable. It also comes with a lifetime warranty. The only downside to this machine is that it doesn’t have wifi capabilities, but that can be resolved by purchasing a USB cable so you can connect the Sawgrass VJ 628 to your computer.
Key Features
The Epson SureColor F570 is the best printer for sublimation and heat transfer. It’s both a pigment-based, solvent-free dye sublimation printer and a dye-sublimation inkjet printer, so it can handle any type of print job. It includes such features as six individual ink tanks that allow you to change colors during a single print job and two inks (black and white) that combine to produce grayscale prints.
The F570 also has an automatic media feeder that can accommodate up to three different media types at once, allowing you to print on roll paper or create prints with multiple sheets of paper laminated together.
Key Features
The Epson Artisan 1430 Inkjet is a reliable and cost-effective option that’s perfect for heat transfer. It uses 8.5 x 11 paper and can print up to nine different colors at once, which is perfect if you’re designing a logo or t-shirt design.
It also has the ability to print on fabric, so you can use it to create your own custom clothing! The only downside is that it doesn’t have Wi-Fi, but if you’re using it solely to print your designs onto fabric or paper, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Key Features
The Epson EcoTank 3760 is a great option because it’s incredibly versatile. You can print with dye-subliming, inkjet, or pigment inks and use various media such as cotton, polyester, canvas, and more. The ink tanks are housed in the printer rather than on your desk like most other printers. This helps keep your workspace tidy and makes it easy to change the ink out when needed.
It also has an automatic document feeder that works well with thicker substrates. Another benefit of this printer is the high resolution of 1440×720 dpi which means you’ll get crisp images every time! If you’re looking for a multifunctional printer that will provide quality results while keeping your desktop clean, then this is a great option to consider!
Key Features
The Epson Workforce Wide-Format Inkjet Printer is a great option for the home office or small business. It is an affordable, versatile printer that can print on a variety of media. The printer is built with speed, performance and efficiency in mind – it prints at speeds up to 26 feet per minute. Plus, you’ll be able to print on large format paper sizes up to 13×19 inches with ease.
Key Features
- Fast printing speeds with a 10×15 inch borderless photo in 2 seconds.
- Epson Connect with mobile print and scan apps for easy printing from your phone or tablet.
- Advanced LCD touch screen display and menu navigation make it easy to use the printer at the office or on-the-go
- Ink saver mode so you don’t have to replace cartridges as often
- Prints up to 600 x 2400 dpi resolution 6. Paper size range of 8×10 inches to 13×19 inches 7 Holds one roll of film
The Brother Mono-Laser Printer is a great entry-level printer with a low price point. This is a mono-laser printer, meaning it can only print one color at a time. This might be an issue if you are printing photos where every pixel needs to be the same color, but this printer is perfect for when you want to print documents in black and white and don’t need any other colors in your prints. It also has duplex printing capability which means you can print on both sides of the paper.
This printer does not have many features or capabilities, but it is still very useful because it prints everything clearly and consistently on all types of paper including plain paper and transparencies.
Key Features
The Sawgrass SG500 is a high-quality desktop printer which is easy to use and prints an excellent quality image. If you are looking for a printer that can handle anything from small, personal projects to big commercial orders with ease, this is the machine for you.
It’s perfect if you’re just starting out and don’t want to spend too much on your first sublimation printer. The Sawgrass SG500 even has Wi-Fi connectivity so you can print straight from your computer or mobile device without having to be in the same room as the printer.
Key Features
Things to consider when choosing Best Epson Sublimation Printer For Heat Transfer
The Basics of Working with Heat Press Machines
Heat presses are an excellent way to add a customized touch to your company’s promotional products. Because they can be used to print on almost any type of material and heat press machines can be used in many different ways, it can be intimidating to begin using them if you’re new to this technology.
The good news is that there are some tips and tricks you can use that will make the process simpler and more rewarding overall! In this article, you will learn about some of the basics of working with heat presses, so read on to find out more.
Heatset vs Direct To Garment Printing
Heatset printing is the process where a laser or ink-jet printer transfers an image onto a polyester garment using heat. Direct to garment printing is the process where the design is printed on a garment with a heat press machine.
Direct to garment printing can be done on cotton and polyester, whereas heatset print only works on polyester garments. Cotton shirts are more prone to shrinkage than polyester shirts when they’re dried in a dryer, but they do not shrink as much as 100% cotton products when washed in warm water.
Direct-to-garment print is also best for any complicated designs that would not work well with heatset printing because it allows for finer detail and better color accuracy than what heatset printing does. It’s important to note that direct-to-garment prints typically last longer than other prints, even after washing.
But there’s one downside to this method–it takes much longer to produce these types of prints. With this type of print, you need to start by printing your design onto a special transfer paper which then needs to go through an etching process before being put into the printer and transferred onto your shirt (which is why we’ve put together some handy guides below).
Types of T-Shirts You Can Use with a Heat Press Machine
There are many types of t-shirts that can be used with a heat press machine. Short-sleeved, long-sleeved, tank tops, T-shirts with and without sleeves, sweatshirts and more. You can also use cotton, polyester or fleece fabric for your shirts. There are no limits!
Different Types of Heat Press Machines Available in the Market
1. Embroidery Machines
Embroidery machines are the most expensive type of heat press machine and are used for decoration purposes only. Embroidery machines come with a variety of fonts, embroideries, and designs that can be stitched onto clothes or other products with materials like polyester and vinyls.
2. Transfers Machines
Transfers machines are also very expensive and used for decoration purposes only as well, but they work by transferring graphics onto clothes or other materials instead of stitching them on.
3. Vinyl Cutters
These presses cut through large sheets of vinyl material at one time to produce a clean-cut design that’s ready to apply on clothing or any other material using an iron or steamer process.
4. Screen Printing Machines
These have been around since the late 1800’s and are still a favorite in many small-to-medium sized businesses. Screen printing is a good option when you’re looking to create custom t-shirts, posters, and more!
5. Iron & Steamer Process (Thermoforming)
An inexpensive way to get quality prints is through this process where you put your own shirt over top of another shirt (and even patterns!) before applying your desired image/pattern with an iron or steamer.
6. Silhouette Cutting Machine
Used for cutting out vinyl shapes from different sources such as CD covers, CD labels, logos, textiles etc., this machine will cut down your production costs in half because it cuts from both sides of the piece at once and saves you a lot of money on wasted materials. The downside is that it requires special software which not everyone has access to.
7. Inkjet Printers
A newer technology, these printers use inkjet technology to print on various types of fabrics without causing damage.
8. Laser Printers
A more old school printer, laser printers transfer images directly onto paper so that they can be applied directly onto garments or pieces.
9. Sublimation Printers
Sublimation printers are similar to laser printers in the sense that they transfer images directly onto paper but these particular machines use sublimation technology which transfers ink right into fabric without having to go through paper first.
10. Ribbon Silk Screening
Ribbon silk screening is an affordable way to make color copies of your design as long as you don’t mind waiting for each screen to dry.
11. Continuous Cylinder Printing
Continuous cylinder printing uses water based inks which gives this process a lower price tag than typical oil based inks.
12. Quick screen Printer
A less expensive type of screen printer, quick-screen printers use digital plates rather than screens and are meant to replace manual processes like silk screening.
13. Direct To Garment Printers
The newest form of garment manufacturing, DTG printers use inkjets combined with UV coating films and specially coated nozzles that help produce high quality prints.
5 Tips For Choosing The Right Sublimation Printer For You
1. Price Check
Even if you have a tight budget, there is probably a printer out there for you.
2. Compare Brands
Ask about the pros and cons for each company’s printers before you commit to one type of machine or another.
3. Learn How To Use It
Make sure the model you choose has videos on how to operate it, as well as troubleshooting guides, so that when your printer needs an adjustment or fix, you’ll be able to handle it quickly and efficiently without needing professional help!
4. What Type Of Fabric Will You Be Printing On?
When choosing a machine, make sure that the type of fabric your designs are printed on matches up with what your machine can handle.
5. Are You Doing Full Color Designs Or Just Black And White?
f you’re doing full color, then a 4 color printer will be best suited for the job. However, if you’re printing black and white designs only, then a 2 color heat press will do just fine. Once you know these basic principles of using heat presses, find out more by checking out our other blog posts!
FAQS
Can I use a sublimation printer for heat transfer?
We don’t recommend that you use a sublimation printer for heat transfer. Sublimation printers are more expensive than other types of heat presses, and sublimation printers use a different type of ink. If you’re interested in using a printer for heat transfer, we recommend a dye-sublimation printer.
Is DTF printing better than sublimation?
DTF printing is a popular option for those who want their designs to be printed directly on their products. DTF printing does not offer the same level of color vibrancy as sublimation, but it does have the advantage that you can use any type and color of paper.
Can a regular printer do sublimation?
No, regular printers are for printing ink onto paper. Sublimation is a process that transfers the design from a special film onto the garment using heat and pressure.
What type of printer is needed for sublimation printing?
To print with a heat press machine, you need both a printer and a heat press machine. A printer is what prints the design onto the fabric or garment, while the heat press machine presses the design onto the fabric and heats it up so that it will transfer from ink to fabric.
A sublimation printer is needed for this process because it uses heat and pressure to change one type of substrate into another type of substrate. Without these two elements, printing with a heat press machine would not be possible. For example, if you wanted to print an image on wood with your heat press machine, you would need an industrial wood-burning device rather than just any old printer.
Last Updated on March 21, 2023
