Can you use Epson sublimation ink on heat transfer paper? The answer is yes! It’s actually one of the best ways to print beautiful t-shirts, sweaters and other garments with an iron-free sublimation transfer process.
Follow along in this step by step guide on how to use Epson sublimation ink on heat transfer paper to learn how to successfully print your own custom made clothing with your home printer, right at home!
Can You Use Epson Sublimation Ink on Heat Transfer Paper
What is sublimation ink?
Sublimation ink is a type of ink that does not require any wetting agent to be added. It is perfect for using with heat transfer paper because it will dry as soon as it is applied, making the paper ready for use in a short amount of time.
The best Epson printer to print sublimation ink onto heat transfer paper is an EPSON SureColor P400 or P600 series printer.
How does heat transfer paper work and what makes it different from other papers?
Heat transfer paper is a special type of material that has a heat sensitive coating. This coating allows it to be transferred onto another surface, such as fabric. The most common use for heat transfer paper is to print designs onto t-shirts or other clothes.
It’s also used in the home for decorating paper, making invitations, and more. Some people use heat transfer paper with inkjet printers but this can be difficult because the inkjet printer needs to produce high quality images for them to work well.
A better option might be an Epson printer which uses sublimated inks that are specifically designed for this process.
Why you can use only certain inks with some printers
Epson printers are a great choice when looking for a printer. Their newest line of printers, the SureColor P800, is excellent for printing sublimation inks onto heat transfer paper.
The SureColor P800 has multiple cartridges that can be switched out depending on what you’re printing with. It has one ink cartridge specifically designed to print sublimation inks and it also comes with two other ink cartridges to print general purpose ink onto cotton or polyester fabric using best Epson printer method called direct-to-garment printing.
You don’t need to worry about not being able to find the right ink because it’s most likely compatible with your printer, but there are a few things you should keep in mind before buying an Epson printer.
Which printers are compatible with heat transfer paper
If you are looking for the best Epson printer for heat transfer paper, look no further. Here we have compiled a list of the best printers that can use heat transfer paper.
For anyone who is not sure what this type of printing is, it is done by feeding an image-bearing sheet into a heated cylinder. This creates a sublimate chemical reaction which makes the ink appear to be printed directly on the material.
The best thing about using this type of printer is that it will not smudge or scratch off like normal ink would because it has been printed with heat.
Tips for getting the best prints
-Before printing, always check to make sure your printer is set to the correct paper type.
-Ensure that you’re using compatible inks. -Print from a single print job and not from multiple jobs.
-If you need more help, please contact your printer’s manufacturer for troubleshooting information. A while back, I needed some shirts printed but my company had changed printers since our last order and so I wasn’t able to use the same sublimation ink as before.
Since then I have discovered this new brand of heat transfer paper called Pearl Prints that has worked really well for me! They offer over 20 different colors of sublimated inks (including green!), with a wide range of options such as rolls or sheets.
The cost varies depending on which size you want; however their standard size of 3’x6′ is around $24-$35 depending on how much ink you want to order. There are even custom sizes available upon request! So now when we are ordering t-shirts at work I know exactly where I can get them done!
Do you Need Special Ink For Heat Transfer Paper?
A lot of people ask me this question, and the answer is NO. There are a few reasons why you wouldn’t need to use sublimation ink for heat transfer paper, but one of the biggest reasons is that heat transfer paper is not sublimated.
The ink is printed onto the paper in the same way that it would be printed onto a t-shirt. The only difference is that your artwork will be transferred to your garment and not sit on top of it like it would with regular t-shirts.
Advantages of Sublimation Ink on Heat Transfer Paper.
- The ink can also be used for other purposes such as stamping and embossing
- Using sublimation ink for heat transfer paper is a new way to give the sheets of paper an elegant, professional look
- It creates a raised design with the use of a heated press or iron
- There are many advantages to using this ink rather than others such as dye-sub, screen printing or watercolor paints
5 Using sublimation ink for heat transfer paper is a new way to give the sheets of paper an elegant, professional look - It creates a raised design with the use of a heated press or iron
- Sublimation ink has been known to have less fading when compared to other methods of ink transfers
- Some items that you may need to consider before beginning this process are whether your printer will work with pigment based inks, which color combination would work best for your project and what type of paper you plan on using
- You will want to make sure you are aware of the limitations that come with both types of papers so that you don’t choose one over another incorrectly
Disadvantages of Sublimation Ink on Heat Transfer Paper.
- The primary issue is that heat transfer paper does not absorb sublimation ink well, so the colors may not be as vibrant or opaque and the ink might crack when applied to the heat transfer paper.
- Additionally, it can be hard to find heat transfer paper that has a glossy finish, which you need for most sublimation projects.
- If you want to use sublimation ink on heat transfer paper anyway, be prepared for potential issues with air bubbles and uneven colors as well as possible cracking of the inks while they are curing because they are not absorbed by the paper as well and need more time to cure than other types of inks would require.
- There are two main ways around this problem. One option is to apply your heat transfer paper design to a sheet of glass or metal and then put your sublimation ink on top. For large surfaces like backdrops, this method will work better than using an actual sheet of heat transfer paper because the flat surface will allow for maximum contact between the ink and your glass surface.
- Another option is printing onto vellum instead of heat transfer paper, though vellum can only be used for one-sided prints since it cannot accept any type of adhesive sealant like you would use with traditional fabric printing methods such as screen printing.
How Long Will a Heat Transfer Shirt Last?
Wondering how long a heat transfer t-shirt will last? The answer depends on how much you wear it. If you’re wearing it every day, there’s a good chance that the image will fade or get worn off after a year or two.
But if you just wear it occasionally, the shirt could last for five to ten years. And if you take care of your shirt by washing it in cold water and air drying (or dry cleaning) it, this can help prolong the lifespan.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best way to get the right answer to this question is to try it out for yourself and see if it works. If you’re willing to take that risk, then use your favorite sublimation ink with heat transfer paper and hope for the best.
There are a few different ways that you can experiment:
-Start by printing your artwork onto the transfer paper in reverse (so you’re printing the back of what you want) and see how that goes. You might find a solution before going any further or just waste some time.
-Another option is to print as normal but cut around an edge of the design (or cut away all of it) before applying so there’s no need for scraping. Just make sure there’s enough space around what remains for a clean cut without any messy pieces hanging over onto another part of the design.
Last Updated on October 13, 2022
