Sublimation printing involves imprinting materials other than paper. It is also known as transfer printing or dye sublimation. It requires a heat press, which uses a heated metal plate to expose the ink to the product.
So, can you use any printer for sublimation? No, you cannot use any printer for sublimation. Sublimation printing requires a special type of printer designed specifically for the process. While you may be able to find some all-in-one printers that claim to be able to do sublimation printing, they will not produce the same quality as a dedicated sublimation printer.
We will cover in this article all about the printers that can support sublimation and the features that are required for this process.
Can Epson Printers Be Used For Sublimation?
The Epson EcoTank printers are ideal for sublimation printing. Epson EcoTank printers are a game changer in the world of sublimation. It saves you time and money by not having to replace the ink cartridges. You can print more than 2000 pages before you have to change the tanks.
Epson EcoTank printers have a larger ink capacity than other inkjet printers. When you print with these printers, the ink is stored in an external tank instead of being held in the print head. This allows you to print more pages before having to replace your ink cartridges or refill your cartridges.
Here is the list of Epson printers you can use for sublimation.
Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless Color Printer
The all-new Epson EcoTank ET-2720 wireless printer is the perfect way to get affordable, fast, and reliable sublimation printing. With built-in scanning and copying capabilities, you can use this printer at home or in the office. Utilizing cutting-edge sublimation printing technology, the EcoTank ET-2720 can produce high-quality prints without the need for cartridges.
The refillable ink tanks make it easy to keep your printer running at peak performance, while its high-resolution printing ensures that your documents look their best.
Epson EcoTank ET-2760 Wireless Supertank Printer
Want to use a sublimation printer that is affordable and easy to use? Check out the Epson EcoTank ET-2760. The printer has cartridge-free ink tanks and comes with an LCD screen, USB, and Ethernet connectivity.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Cartridge-Free Printer
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a cartridge-free printer that is perfect for any home or office, offering amazing print quality and fast speeds. Copy and scan documents with ease, or use it for your sublimation printing needs. Using wifi connectivity, you can print from anywhere.
Epson Premium EcoTank 4800 Series Printer
The Epson Premium EcoTank 4800 Series Printer is the ideal printer for your home or office. This wireless printer can easily connect to your mobile device for convenient printing on the go. The printer’s voice control feature allows you to tell it what to do. The EcoTank 4800 Series Printer also features sublimation printing, which is perfect for high-quality prints.
Using Brother Printer For Sublimation
A Brother printer can be used for sublimation. While doing so, it’s important to keep certain things in mind.
- First, Brother printers are not designed specifically for sublimation printing. That means that they may not have all the settings or options needed to produce high-quality images. For example, if your printer does not have a temperature control option, it may be difficult to get the proper setting for your sublimation paper.
- Second, Brother printers are not necessarily made for long-term use with sublimation in mind. If you plan on using your printer regularly for this purpose, you should consider investing in one specifically designed for sublimation printing. This will give you better results and more flexibility when using your printer.
Other Printers You Can Use For Sublimation
Sawgrass UHD Virtuoso SG500 Sublimation Printer
The Sawgrass UHD Virtuoso SG500 Sublimation Printer is the perfect choice for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and manage printer. The printer comes with 100 sheets of sublimation paper, designs, tapes, and other items.
Canon SELPHY Wireless Compact Photo Printer
The Canon SELPHY Wireless Compact Photo, Printer for sublimation is the perfect tool for printing your favorite pictures. Because it is portable and wireless, you may use it anywhere without worrying about connections. The SELPHY has built-in memory and can print directly from an SD card or USB drive. Through Bluetooth technology, you may also print directly from your tablet or smartphone.
The Fargo DTC1250e Printer
To print ID cards using sublimation, use the Fargo Single-Sided Printer. This printer allows you to create professional-looking ID cards, badges, and labels with ease. The DTC1250e prints at speeds up to 12 inches per second and offers a wide range of features that will help your business thrive.
Evolis Classic Zenius Transfer Printer
The Evolis Classic Zenius Transfer Printer is a printer that uses the transfer method to print on sublimation paper. This printer is compatible If you are working on Windows and Mac operating systems.
The printer also allows you to print on both sides of the paper, which makes it ideal for creating business cards, invitations, stickers, or any other type of document where you need to print on both sides of the page.
Specs Required for Sublimation Printer
A printer that you are choosing for the sublimation must have the necessary qualities to support it. So below, we have comprised a few specs that a printer must have to do sublimation:
Compatibility
A printer’s compatibility with sublimation inks should be the first thing to be verified. Particular kinds of ink can only be used with specific printers. These are usually inkjet printers that use cartridges. Other printers offer a wider range of options when it comes to using different kinds of ink with different properties.
Resolution
Next up: resolution! This refers not only to how many pixels each inch contains but also to how well those pixels are defined. The higher the resolution, the better quality result you will get from your print job. It is no different than using high-quality paper instead of cheap copy paper!
Speed
Finally, speed! You need a high speed for sublimation printing. Sublimation printing requires speed because it is used for on-demand printing. The faster you can get your prints done, the more money you will make!
What Happens If You Use Any Ordinary Printer For Sublimation?
Using an ordinary printer for sublimation can lead to a lot of problems. Let us have a look:
Ink Does Not Stay
If you use an ordinary printer for sublimation, the ink will melt before it gets to the paper. This can be dangerous and will result in a poor-quality print.
Smudgy Printing
If you are using an ordinary printer for sublimation, you will end up with smudges and scratches on your printed piece, and this is just unacceptable!
Low-Quality Results
If you use any ordinary printer for sublimation, the resulting print will be of low quality. It may not have a good color range, and the ink may rub off the skin.
Speed Is Not Much
Another drawback that you will face while using an ordinary printer for sublimation is its slow speed. Because those specially designed printers that support sublimation are generally fast than that ordinary printers.
Best Hacks for Sublimation Printing
- Turn off your inkjet printer’s fan.
- Use opaque ink, rather than a transparent one.
Sublimation inks are used to print on fabrics, plastic, glass, and other materials that are sensitive to heat. Sublimation printing technology creates high-quality prints that are vibrant and colorful, while still being durable enough to withstand normal use. This makes it an excellent choice for promotional items like pens, mugs, and t-shirts because they will last longer than other types of materials.
