Sublimation is transferring color designs on different materials like t-shirts, Mugs, or covers. if we think about what printers can be converted to sublimation? the answer is not all printers have the influential materials we use for sublimation because sublimation printers effectively infuse the image within the fabric or any other material instead of sticking it on the product’s surface. Sublimation printers completely fuse the colored ink into the material and make it hard to peel off or crack.
On the other hand, regular printers like the Epson inkjet printer can also be used for sublimation Inkjet printers are good at creating good quality images, but these printers cannot fuse the image into the material. As a result, the image can be cracked and damaged easily.
Sublimation printers are the best choice for sublimation. Some inkjet printers can also be used for sublimation. So, What printer can be converted to sublimation?
Two inkjet printers, Epson and Sawgrass, have mostly used printers offered by two different brands for sublimation. Sawgrass printers are uniquely made for sublimation, whereas Epson printers need to convert to sublimation printers.
In this article, we will discuss what printers can be converted to sublimation in detail. Let’s get straight into the details and make things clearer for further information.
What Printers Can Be Converted to Sublimation?
when we think about What Printers Can Be used for Sublimation? quickly we think about Epson which is the preferable brand we use for sublimation printing. These Epson Sublimation printers require conversion before we use them as sublimation printers. Epson eco tank printers are not designed purely for sublimation, but conversion does not reduce the quality of the dye-sublimation printer.
They come with the same quality whether we use them as sublimation or Epson inkjet printers. Epson also offers all-in-one printers that can be used for various purposes. Epson printers produce a product quite similar to sublimation printers.
Epson brand also made a series of dye-sublimation printers. These dye-sublimation printers come with their special transfer sublimation paper and sublimation ink. Best Epson printer is being used widely, even knowing that most of their printers require conversion for sublimation. This is because of the quality they provide both for regular and sublimation printing.
How to Convert an Epson Printer for a Sublimation Printer?
When you hear conversion of the best Epson printer, it might seem hectic, but it’s easy. You don’t need to be an expert or a technician for conversion. You can convert Epson printers into sublimation printers by simply following a little guide.
If you know how to set up your regular printer, you can also set up a Sublimation printer. You have to change the ink you use in your regular printer when you convert it to a sublimation printer. Follow the guide and convert your regular printer for sublimation.
- Purchase the best Epson printer or use your printer if you already have one.
- Buy a set of compatible sublimation ink with your printer’s model. Many brands make suitable ink for any sublimation printer. However, Epson offers suitable ink for dye-sublimation printers.
- After you purchase sublimation ink, open the ink set, and find a needle or syringe to fill the ink’s cartridges. Some mouths also come with this ink set, and you can set them to fill the ink tank. Shake the ink bottle well before you use it.
- This step uses a needle or syringe to fill the ink tank with sublimation ink. Carefully fill the right color ink tank with the right color ink. Otherwise, you can face problems if you fill the ink color with the wrong color ink.
- After completing the filling process, set your printer. Once you complete the setting, your regular printer is ready to use as a sublimation printer.
Material You can Sublimate on with Epson Printers
Along with the quality, the Epson sublimation printer is also popular among people due to the diversity it provides. Epson printers can sublimate on various blanks with a single sublimation printer. So, you can sublimate on different surfaces by using Epson printers.
Remember, Sublimation printing is best for any polyester material. For some other materials like cotton, Sublimation printers do not work well. Following are some surfaces you can sublimate on with Epson printers:
Fabric
Fabric is at the top of the list of materials we use for sublimation with the Epson sublimation printer. The sublimation of shirts is a common example of fabric sublimation. You can select any design and print it on the surface of any t-shirt by using the best Epson printer for sublimation.
Hats and Caps
Epson printers are being used for the sublimation of different hats and caps. This sublimation makes them look cooler. Sublimation on hats and caps is popular, just like sublimation on Hoodies with Epson printers.
Ceramic or Tiles
You can sublimate various designs on ceramic materials like Cups and mugs with Epson printers. Just like ceramic material, tiles can also be sublimated.
Glass
Glass is one of the materials we use for decorating our homes or offices. Therefore, the sublimation of glass materials is important. Epson printers helped sublimate any design on the glass surface in any shape or color.
Tumbler
Using a tumbler without any design can be boring. You can design your tumbler and make it look more interesting by sublimating designs on its surface. The best Epson printer for sublimation also works well for sublimation on your tumbler’s surface.
Woods
In this era, Designs on any surface are becoming possible and popular. Similarly, designs on the surface of wood blank surfaces are also popular among people. They like to sublimate on wood blanks. Here Epson printers work well to sublimate designs on the wood surface.
Phone Cases
We all use phone cases in our daily lives with amazing designs. These designs are printed on the surface of cases by sublimation. For this kind of sublimation, we use Epson printers. You can also make your phone case look good with sublimation printers.
Best Epson Printers That Can Be Converted For Sublimation
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless
If you were searching for a perfect sublimation printer, this Epson ecotank printer would be the best sublimation printer for long-lasting. The eco-friendly Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is a great all-around inkjet printer that can produce excellent quality black pages and color prints.
Specifications:
The ET-15000 Epson printer for sublimation has high page yields, so you won’t need to refill your tanks anytime soon. This amazing product also comes with low-cost replacement bottles, making this sublimation printer durable and economical.
Spend less, get more
The low operating costs of this printer make it a great investment for any home or office. The color sublimation printing costs only 1 cent per page, which means you can save tons on your ink expenses each year. The Epson EcoTank uses 90% less sublimation dye ink and has replaceable bottle sets at a low cost.
Get quality prints
With a print speed of up to 40 million dots per second, this printer produces some of the highest-quality prints on any model currently available. This amazing technology gives the ET-15000 an edge in reproduction quality, even when compared with other models on the market today.
Easy to connect with any device
This Epson printer has a large format printer and is great for those who want to print wirelessly through their Wi-Fi connection. If needed, you can also connect it with an Ethernet cable, but that will take up more space in your home or office.
Pros
Cons
Epson EcoTank 2720 All-in-One Supertank Printer
The eco-friendly, cost-effective ET2720 is a virtual super tank class printer from Epson. If you are tired of dealing with high prices and frequent replacement schedules, you might be looking for an alternative solution.
Specifications:
The ET 2720 Epson printer for sublimation uses sublimation ink bottles instead of cartridges which promise lower costs per page and considerable savings in the long run.
Sleek and attractive design
With its sleek, black or white color option and high build quality, this printer looks like a professional would. The Epson ET-2720 measures 179 x 375x 347mm, making it moderately large for an office space but not too bad in size.
Save your money
The EcoTank ET 2720 wireless printer is an excellent investment for any small business or home and office. It saves you money on your sublimation printing, but the quality of work remains constant with time, so there’s no need to worry about fading documents.
Connect your computer with wifi
The Epson Ecotank 2720 is easy to set up; with on-screen instructions, connect it wirelessly via Bluetooth or wifi from your smartphone and computer in just minutes. Using wifi direct you can get high-quality prints.
Fill once and use for at least one year.
The Epson printer for sublimation is an eco-friendly printer that doesn’t require traditional ink cartridges. It instead uses refillable cartridge tanks for its printing needs and offers a great way to save money while reducing waste.
Pros
Cons
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
If you have less space on the counter and don’t want to use two different printers, the brand new printer Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is an excellent choice to get colorful photo paper.
Specifications:
The ET-8550 printer offers the perfect balance of performance and costs with the help of an ink lineup, specifically for both document and photo sublimation tasks.
Colorful touch panel display
This printer has a beautiful 4.3-inch touch panel display to check your sublimation printing status and maintenance quickly without having a computer or smartphone.
Easy to connect with any device
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 can be used virtually from anywhere with the help of an Android or ISO device. Moreover, the printer can be connected with USB, wifi, and Ethernet cable.
Cartridges free
With the Epson Claria ET Premium Ink system, you can print 4″ x 6″ photos for about 4 cents, compared with 40 cents using cartridges.
Sublimate thick material
With this sublimation printer, you can print up to 1.3 mm thick cardstock material of this size. Meanwhile, the brand new eco tank printer has everything that covers all your printing needs.
High-quality prints with less spending
With the EcoTank Photo ET-8550 ink bottle set, you’ll be able to use it for at least two years. And still, save up 80% on your sublimation printing costs while still getting quality prints.
Professional scanning
With a native 4,800 dpi 48-bit flatbed scanner, the sublimation printer offers an opportunity for color and black-and-white scanning. So, print directly with this printer that even most brother printers for sublimation don’t offer.
Pros
Cons
Epson EcoTank ET-4700 Inkjet Printer
If you need a cheap but full of-features sublimation printer, the best model in this selection is the Epson EcoTank ET4700 which has a low price tag and high functionality
Specifications:
The printer is the perfect size for any desk to print large documents or projects. Moreover, the scanning of long sublimation paper is now easier with the help of an automatic document feeder.
Weight and dimensions
Weighing only 11 pounds, the Epson ET-4700 is a compact printer that can fit on most desks and office spaces. The dimensions (16.5 x 17.6 x 12 inches) make this printer perfect for your work area.
Tiltable LCD screen
You can get all the information you need about your sublimation printing, possible errors that may arise during the process, and even find folders on this 3.7 cm LCD screen. The display screen is tiltable, so it’s easy to view from any angle.
High-capacity ink tanks
This printer has four high-capacity ink tanks that you can refile, which works for a long time, which means lots of black and color pages before needing another refill.
Low price per print
The Epson ET-4700 is the perfect printer for large families that need to print many photos. This cost-effective model has a low price per print and can be refilled with various ink packages or bottles.
Easy print from your mobile
The ET-4700 is great for sublimation printing from your mobile devices, but it lacks external storage support, so you won’t print using a USB or SD card. If you’re looking into this printer because of its connectivity options like AirPrint or Mopria Print Service, you are in the right place.
Pros
Cons
Can I use my HP printer for sublimation?
In short No, you can not convert your HP printers to sublimation printers for sublimation. These printers use thermal heat, which sprinkles ink on the sublimation paper and ruins your design.
Therefore, you may not be able to make a good image for sublimation printing on fabric. HP offers printers that can sublimate on paper and fabric using special sublimation ink cartridges or UV ink. Industrial printers are made for this highly expensive purpose. That’s why this method is so expensive. Plus HP printer for sublimation comes with expensive ink cartridges.
Can I use a Brother printer for sublimation?
Yes, we can use Brother printers for sublimation. These printers use piezo technology for printing and can be used for sublimation. But still, these printers are not ideal to use for sublimation. This is because there are no sublimation ink cartridges specifically made for Brother printers and replaceable ink tanks.
This affects sublimation printing because you cannot set up ink according to use. Many people sublimation to their Brother printer, but they are not successful in getting a good print. Annoying design printing and boring colors make it worthless.
Are Canon Printers good for sublimation?
Without making it complex, the simple answer is No. You cannot use any regular Canon printer for sublimation. This is because of the thermal sublimation printing process they use. This thermal technology can easily ruin the image quality and make the design worthless.
But can we use Canon sublimation printers? Like many other people, you can also be confused that a Canon sublimation printer cannot be used for sublimation, but a Canon sublimation desktop printer can be used.
Dye-sublimation Selphy printers desktop printers( not sublimation printers) are being used for sublimation. These printers use their built-in heaters for sublimation and print a good image.
Can All Epson Printers Be Used for Sublimation?
Yes, almost all Epson printers can be used for sublimation because these printers use pressing technology for printing images on the fabric.
Epson’s capable Sublimation printers:
Epson does not offer sublimation printers, but the printers they provide are not worthless. These printers can easily convert to sublimation printing by simply using sublimation ink.
There is no warranty when you pour the ink into Epson’s ink tank. But you can get the guide for many social media sites and sublimate the material by using Epson’s inkjet printers.
Can Refurbished Epson Printers Be Converted to Sublimation?
Yes, Refurbished printers offered by Epson can be converted to sublimation. These are recommended printers when we talk about printers from the Epson family. All Epson printers work well after we convert them to sublimation.
Like Epson, ET-15000 is extremely easy to set up. It prints 13×19 with high resolution. It can be converted to sublimation by just using sublimation ink.
What type of printers can be used for sublimation?
There are two types of printers: one can be used for sublimation, and one can’t be used for sublimation.
- Piezo print printers: These can be used for sublimation.
- Thermal print printers: These cannot be used for sublimation.
Piezo print printers
Piezo prints have a thin film that produces electric charges and vibrates. This Vibration causes the film to bend and produce pressure. Due to this pressure, ink forces form the nozzle and drop onto the paper. This piezo print method makes sublimation easier.
Therefore, all the printers for sublimation use this piezo print for printing, Like Epson and SawGrass. Some other brands use this piezo print, but they don’t have sublimation ink.
Thermal print printer
Thermal sublimation prints use heat to boil liquid ink and make bubbles of ink vapors. These vapors are forced through nozzles, come from the chamber, and then quickly cooed and dropped onto the paper. Canons and HP printers use this process.
Should you convert an Epson Printer to a sublimation printer?
Many people ask this question: Why do we use an Epson printer instead of using sublimation printers? There are many reasons for this, but the main reason is the expenses. Sublimation printers cost more than normal printers. Therefore, many small businesses use and prefer Epson printers, especially when you are just starting.
Frequently asked questions:
Which Epson printer is best for sublimation?
From the list of Epson printers Epson EcoTank, 4760 is the best to choose for sublimation. Other printers offered by Epson also work pretty well.
Can any EcoTank printer be used for sublimation?
Can any inkjet printer be used for sublimation?
Yes, many inkjet printers offered by Sawgrass and Epson can be used for sublimation. But some printers Offered by other brands like Canon, HP, or Dell are not preferable. They also use thermal sublimation printing heads, so they do not produce a good image. These prints can easily be ruined.
Conclusion
In my opinion, Many people use inkjet printers instead of sublimation printers because of their low cost therefore Epson and SawGrass are the most useful regular printers. Sawgrass needs no conversion to sublimation, whereas Epson requires conversion to sublimation. Both use Piezo print for sublimation and create a good quality print that fuses into the fabric and cannot be cracked. so, at this moment if you are thinking What Printers Can Be Converted To Sublimation? Epson and Sawgrass is my choice to go with these brands.
