So, now it's time to introduce your craft or small business into the world of sublimation printing; and you're probably on the hunt for an affordable sublimation printer. Through this review, you'll not only get an affordable option but a list of the best sublimation printers, their pros and cons you should definitely look out for.
This is definitely a big decision that you'll have to make. The best sublimation printer for you will be mostly determined by the stage you're at and whether you want to make the sublimation transfers as a personal hobby or for your business. Either way, the printing costs will definitely go down with better printing speed and print quality.
What sublimation printer is best?
Dye-sublimation printing gives you the versatility that comes with printing your artwork on paper and transferring the dye on either ceramics or fabrics. Dye-sublimation printers do an impeccable job at this.
Through sublimation heat transfer, you can make high-quality custom items that not only look great but also feel as great. This means they can stand all the washing and use. A great sublimation printer comes in handy for a beginner doing their first t-shirts, as well as for someone running a business in printing glassware, mugs or any of the endless items that work great with sublimation printing.
What Is Sublimation Printing?
In a nutshell, this is a straightforward printing technique that works by customizing print work from a single unit.
Here are the benefits that make it so popular:
- Easy to learn, especially, if you already know how to manage graphic programs, in which case you'll need less than 30 min for instructions
- Economical equipment
- Work is done quick
- Can be printed on different materials, including ceramics, textile, metal, wood, plastic, glass
Heat Transfer Vs. Photo Printing
Heat transfer printing uses both heat and pressure to print the image on the t-shirts and other items. Generally, there are 2 main heat transfer methods: digital and vinyl print. Both methods will require using a heat press machine.
Pros for Heat Transfer:
- Cost-effective for relatively small orders
- Easy to print images containing multiple colors and complex designs
- Affordable setup and printing costs
- Great images and print quality
- Can easily customize different shirts
- Environmentally friendly
Cons:
- Not suitable for darker t-shirts
- Designs are not as durable compared to screen printed items
- Stiffer feel on fabric
- Doesn't give as bright colors compared to screen printed shirts
Note that some dye-sublimation printers cannot be used for heat transfer projects. Most of these printers also can't use sublimation transfer paper to transfer the printed images.
So always ensure that you're not just buying a photo printer if it's not exactly what you need. All the reviewed printers on this list are suitable for sublimation transfers onto t-shirts, mugs, or other items both at home or in your business.
Firstly, you should know that heat transfer printers accomplish 2 critical things:
- Transfer design imprints onto fabric items, such as clothes, sheets, or blankets
- Transfer design imprints onto specific hard surfaces that have ceramic at their core. These include dinnerware
What Are The Core Functions Of Sublimation Printers?
Sublimation printers give you 6 different functions for utilization:
- Heat transfers
- Printing
- Laser cutting materials
- Copying
- Scanning
- Faxing
Very few sublimation printers can do all 6, so in most cases, you'll have to choose printers that specialize in either one or two of the functions. For example, typically, most sublimation printers that do heat transfers or laser cuts only do that. But some special printers can achieve heat transfers and laser cuts, in addition to the other basic functions, as an all-purpose printer.
How Do You Use A Heat Transfer Printer?
To make the imprint, the design choice is printed onto a heat transfer paper that is then placed onto whatever was intended to have the imprint on. Here are some things to note: The whole process starts with:
- Design and create your design using a software that connects to your heat transfer printer
- Make sure that the printer has the correct sublimation ink for the design
- Make sure that the design also comes in the right size that can your heat transfer printer. For instance, if you have a heat transfer printer that only allows 8½ x 11-inch paper and your art design is printed on the different paper sizes, you'll also need to adjust accordingly
- You can also use the heat transfer printer to print your designs directly on the surfaces you want
- Alternatively, you can also print the design on the heat transfer paper then transfer it to the surface using an alternative method
- When using a transfer paper, always ensure that it can work with the general color scheme of your art design
- You are advised first to print the design using the sublimation transfer paper, just as you would while using any other kind of printer, then you can transfer it to your surface choice
Heat transfer is a skill and an art, like other forms of art and skills. It's really not something you could master overnight, so always remember that it'll take some good amount of practice.
Generally, these are the steps you'd take to use a sublimation printer:
- Turn the printer ON
- Check whether the right settings are on
- Adjust each of the settings from the panel of the printer, so it's most ideal for the best sublimation prints
- Place your sublimation paper on the sublimation printer
- Always perform a test first
If the printing does not come out in the right shades, then rework the settings again to adjust its color range depending on what's needed to obtain the results
Best Sublimation Printers
1. Brother Sublimation Printer
- Compatible with Artspira: Import and save up to 20 printing...
- Create in Artspira: To start using the Brother Sublimation...
- Make readymade clothes all yours: Use the Brother Sublimation...
- Fast printing speeds: With fast printing speeds, you can quickly...
- Brother Reliability: Brother’s reputation for creating...
When we started experimenting with the Brother Sublimation Printer, we realized within a short time how the bright prints could beautify our DIY crafts. The installation of the printer was easy; all we had to do was plug it into the Wi-Fi and start creating custom designs. Among the applications, it is possible to distinguish the Artspira, that allows creativeness from almost any location or environment.
The print quality was actually beyond what we expected. Every single design printed turned out to be vibrant and clear, ideal for our tees as well as mugs. However, pronounced details turned out to be less saturated, which can be disadvantageous for designs with intricate patterns. Perhaps, it is useful to try different settings to achieve a similar outcome.
Moreover, it is conveniently small and portable so it is helpful for those who do not have much space to spare. Please remember that heat press is required for the transfer process only. In conclusion, the features of the Brother Sublimation Printer enhance creativity as it delivers excellent and vibrant prints in the shortest time possible.
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2. Brother Sublimation Printer
- Bundle Includes: Brother Sublimation Printer, 4 x Brother...
- Make it Your Own: Combined with the Artspira app, the Brother...
- Artspira Connection: Edit designs right on your mobile device and...
- Customized Creations: Use the Brother Sublimation Printer on...
- Fast Printing Speeds: With fast printing speeds, you can quickly...
Using the Brother Sublimation Printer has been a rewarding experience. Once we downloaded the Artspira app, we quickly found ourselves creating unique designs that are true to our vision. The process of printing and transferring designs is smooth, thanks to the wireless integration with our mobile devices.
We appreciate how intuitive the setup is and how seamlessly everything works together. The colors that come out of this printer are truly impressive. From custom shirts to mugs, we’ve tested it on various materials, and each project brings our ideas to life. The print saturation has been noteworthy so far, enhancing the final product.
However, it’s important to mention that setting up a heat press is a necessary step for sublimation. While it does add to our overall costs, the results are worth it. We’ve also noticed some inconsistencies in print quality at times, which can be a bit frustrating after you’ve invested in the setup. Overall, the Brother Sublimation Printer offers a great combination of features and quality for creators ready to express their creativity.
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3. Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless
- Epson printing system is designed to be used exclusively with...
- Save up to 90 percent on ink with low-cost replacement bottles...
- Epson EcoTank is the No.1 Best Selling Supertank Printer
- Versatile paper handling — print up to 13" x 19" through rear...
- Print for up to 2 years with each included or replacement ink...
When printing with the help of the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 we remained impressed with the fact that our printing costs remain as low as possible. The cartridge-free system is a great leap; each set of the bottles can serve us for thousands of the pages without the irritating need to replace the cartridges. Another strength is that the process of refilling ink tanks is not complicated which makes it less burdensome.
The lines and colors are striking and clear, especially when operating in sublimation mode for detailed work. We found it easy to set up even though it took some time at the beginning. When functional, the printer was found to be very efficient as far as the quality of the prints both for small and large documents and prints.
However, since it is a heavy item, moving it becomes somewhat of a chore, but given the sturdy characteristics, one should find a suitable permanent location for it. The 2-sided printing and specialty media handling contributes to its flexibility and we are able to handle various tasks without having to invest in another machine.
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4. Epson EcoTank ET-2800
It has been both easy and quite refreshing to use the Epson EcoTank ET-2800. Since we do not have to worry about the usual cartridges then we are no longer pressured with frequent replacements. They are refillable ink bottles, each one containing as much ink as 80 conventional cartridges which is very environmentally friendly and cost effective.
The setup was fairly simple, though we had to take a moment to connect it to our Wi-Fi network. Once that was sorted, we appreciated the ease of printing from our smartphones through the Epson Smart Panel app. The print quality is impressive; text comes out sharp, and color graphics excel on various paper types.
While we're enjoying all these features, we did notice the print speed isn’t the fastest out there. It suits our needs well for home use, but if we were printing a large volume of documents regularly, it may not be the perfect fit. Additionally, the absence of automatic double-sided printing could be limiting for some.
Overall, the EcoTank ET-2800 is a solid choice for families and home offices looking for an efficient and economical printing option.
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5. Epson EcoTank ET-15000
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― High-capacity ink tanks...
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with...
- Stress-Free Printing — Up to 2 years of ink in the box (4) –...
- Zero Cartridge Waste – By using an EcoTank printer, you can...
- Impressive Print Quality ― Unique Micro Piezo Heat-Free...
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 has been a game changer for our home printing needs. We appreciate the cartridge-free system that allows us to refill ink tanks with ease. This not only reduces waste but also leads to significant savings over time.
Setting it up was straightforward, though we found the prompts a bit chatty at times. Once ready, the print quality impressed us—sharp texts and vivid colors bring our documents to life. The auto-duplex feature saves us paper, which is nice for the environment and our budget.
While it’s not the fastest printer out there, it performs well for our average printing habits. It’s perfect for family use, but those who need to print large volumes quickly might want to consider other options. Overall, the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 stands out as a reliable family printer that combines ease of use with high-quality output.
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How To Choose the Best Sublimation Printers?
A) Can It Print The Materials?
Before purchase, always check the list of materials your printer can print on. Always consider materials that you'd want to print ideally, since sublimation printers are made from different materials, such as aluminum, plastic, glass, etc. Some have an advantage over others since they use heat instead of chemicals to transfer the content.
Obviously, some plastics will wear off easily, while others will be quite resistant. The same applies to metals such as aluminum and stainless steel, however, note that glass tends to get scratched while being transported.
So what suits you best will entirely depend on your taste and design preferences. Generally, most people will go with metal since it's more robust and lightweight. On the other hand, the glass comes in handy to achieve some prints and designs. Plastic seems relatively cheaper but is also not as durable.
B) What’s The Working Cartridge?
Another important thing to note in sublimation printing is the working of the cartridge, the number of pages it can print, and the cartridge's cost. Also, check whether the ink cartridges work individually per color.
Additionally, before purchase, be sure to check how often it'll require replacing since some sublimation printers will come with replaceable cartridges, while others won't. To avoid expenses that surprise you later, always check this before purchasing.
Most manufacturers will include plenty of options for purchasing any new products and any preowned models. You'll also need to choose between black or white cartridges depending on whether you like to keep things simple or give things a little extra flair.
C) What’s The Highest Sublimation Printing Resolution?
High-resolution printers produce high-quality prints, so always check the highest resolution it comes with before purchasing the sublimation printer. The resolution of the print is measured using the dots per inch.
Generally, the higher the resolution, the sharper the images in sublimation printing. This is because, with high-resolution machines, you won't need to set up profiles and upload files. However, several factors will determine the number of dots per inch each that each sublimation printer can give.
For instance, some low DPI devices will only give you a choice between 300 dpi-600 dpi. Others have more acceptable resolutions that range from 800dpi-1200dpi.
D) What’s The Connectivity?
Sublimation printing is best done with plenty of connectivity options that are available on purchase. Always check for both wired and wireless connectivity, either via USB or Wi-Fi Direct connectivity. Most modern printers connect wirelessly via Bluetooth technology.
Frequently Asked Questions On The Best Sublimation Printers
1. What’s A CISS?
In full, this is the Continuous Ink Supply System, where the refillable ink deposit system allows you to control the level of ink for easy refills. Installing this on the best sublimation printer is as simple as changing the previous ink cartridges.
2. Are sublime inks green?
Yes. Generally, sublime inks are water-based printing inks in a bright yellow-green color. Seasonally, they also come in perfect spring green. Sublime inks show some fun shading on Tomoe River.
Although they are super fun to play with, they only give you a vague idea of how the ink looks when it's supersaturated. It's also recommended that you recycle the ink cartridges.
3. Can a photo paper be printed using an inkjet printer?
Photo printers will mostly use more ink compared to a general-purpose inkjet for them to bring out that soft color graduation that you'd expect from a photographic image. However, with clever mixing of its limited inks, any inkjet printer can be used to produce a decent photographic print that's at least A4 in size.
