The second you start occupied with sublimation printing, the primary query that will pop in your thoughts is which printer to make use of. In a normal sense, this course of is simply attainable with inkjet printers as sublimation printing makes use of sublimation ink in liquid type not like the powder ink utilized in laser printers.
Once more, all inkjet printers will not be able to finishing up sublimation printing. If you need to use the sublimation course of for printing, you will have a printer particularly designed for this objective. Though loads of printers from totally different manufacturers declare to be appropriate for sublimation printing, not each one delivers high-quality outcomes. To get an ideal print utilizing sublimation printing, selecting the correct printer is essential.
What’s a Sublimation Printer?
It’s essential know what sublimation printing is earlier than diving deep into sublimation printers’ selections. This kind of printing entails transferring a design or a emblem from a sublimation paper onto a cloth by subjecting it to stress and warmth. On this course of, the liquid ink is transformed into gaseous type, which then permeates the fibers within the cloth leading to a long-lasting print that doesn’t crease or fade.
A number of firms and folks use sublimation printing to customise merchandise, supplies, and a number of other different issues. Since sublimation printing offers superior-quality prints, it has not too long ago gained large recognition.
Completely different Sorts of Sublimation Printers
There are two various kinds of printers primarily based on the kind of print head. This function determines whether or not a printer can be utilized for sublimation printing or not. Every of those varieties and its working has been described under.
1. Thermal Print Head
When the printer has a thermal print head, it can’t be used for sublimation printing. It is because such printers use solely water-based inks whose utility is proscribed to photograph printing. Typically, Canon and HP produce printers with the sort of print head.
Working of a Printer With Thermal Print Head
Because the identify suggests, a thermal print head printer makes use of warmth for boiling ink. The thermal print heads are heated throughout printing which melts the ink within the nozzles earlier than it spreads onto the fabric. The second the ink comes out of the nozzle, its temperature will get decreased so the resultant printed paper is cool.
2. Piezo Print Head
In case your printer has a piezo print head, it’s appropriate with sublimation printing. You should utilize many kinds of inks with piezo print head printers, together with solvent, water-based, eco-solvent, gel-based, and so on. Manufacturers like Sawgrass, Epson, and Brothers manufacture printers with piezo print heads. Such printers can be utilized for the sublimation printing course of by utilizing sublimation ink. Earlier than investing in such a printer be sure that it’s appropriate with sublimation ink.
Working of a Printer With Piezo Print Head
There are particular crystals in piezo print heads to which electrical present is utilized throughout printing. This might end in these particular crystals to broaden which might then power the ink onto the material. When the printing course of is accomplished, the electrical present is eliminated. This makes the crystals return to their authentic form which attracts the ink again into the print heads.
Professionals and cons of sublimation printing
As with all expertise, there are professionals and cons on the subject of sublimation printing as effectively.
Professionals:
- Very straightforward course of
- Leads to high-quality prints
- The method is fairly versatile
- Comparatively low cost
- Excessive-precision expertise makes it able to printing detailed designs
- Ready time is minimal as soon as the design is transferred onto the fabric
- Since ink is bonded with the fibers of the material, it doesn’t come off or turn out to be brittle simply
- The colours are intense and don’t fade
- Prints are proof against UV rays in addition to different environmental modifications
- Atmosphere-friendly course of since no solvents or binding brokers are used.
Cons:
- You want particular printers, ink, and paper for sublimation printing
- Preliminary prices are comparatively increased
- Sublimation printers usually work slowly
- Solely polyester or polyester coated supplies could be printed
- White, boring, and lightweight colours can’t be printed successfully
- Designs usually shrink from 1-4%
- Can not print on darkish supplies
Record of Sublimation Printers
Since there are a selection of sublimation printers available out there, we have now consolidated a listing of sublimation printers which might be the very best.
1. Dye Sublimation Printers
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a. Sawgrass SG500
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b. HP Envy 7255
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c. HP Officejet Professional 8025
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d. Epson Expression House XP-5200
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e. HP Good Tank 6001
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2. Finest Sublimation Printers for T-shirts
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a. Epson ET-5170
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b. Epson Eco Tank ET-8550
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c. Epson Eco Tank WorkForce Professional WF-3820
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d. Epson Eco Tank ET-15000
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3. Finest Sublimation Printers for Cricut
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a. Epson Eco Tank ET-2800/2803
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b. Epson Eco Tank ET-2850
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c. Canon Pixma MG-3620
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4. Extensive Format for Sublimation Printers
| Printers | Options, Professionals, Cons |
a. Epson WorkForce Professional WF-7820
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b. Brother MFC-J5855DW
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c. Brother MFC-J6945DW
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d. Sawgrass SG1000
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Components to Take into account Whereas Shopping for the Sublimation Printers
Since there are many sublimation printers obtainable out there, it’s essential do your analysis previous to selecting a really perfect sublimation printer in your wants. Under are just a few elements that you will need to think about earlier than choosing a sublimation printer for your self.
1. Printing Dimension and Decision
To supply 4” X 6” pictures, 600 DPI is right. Which means that it’s essential search for a printer which prints a minimum of 600 DPI decision designs.
2. Ink Compatibility
Some sublimation printers are appropriate with solely the ink equipped by the printer’s model. Each model provides inks at totally different costs. Even the standard equipped by every model varies. This is the reason it’s essential intently take a look at the ink compatibility of the printer you might be buying.
3. Printer Sort
For sublimation printing, you can’t go and buy a laser printer. Solely inkjet printers can perform sublimation printing. Once more, all inkjet printers can not assist sublimation printing. Be aware of this whereas selecting a printer.
4. A number of Paper Trays
Having the choice of a number of paper trays eliminates the wastage of time and provides. You’ll be able to dedicate a tray for every kind of fabric you print.
5. Connectivity Choices
Attempt to get a printer which helps a number of connectivity choices like Wifi, ethernet, and USB. Out of those, Wifi connectivity is a should.
6. Print Pace
Yow will discover sublimation printers with various print speeds from 18 sq. meters per hour to over 3000 sq. meters per hour. You’ll be able to select a sublimation printer with the print pace you need.
7. Upkeep and Assist
Like each digital gadget, even a sublimation printer must be arrange earlier than use. With correct assist this course of turns into pretty straightforward. When you begin utilizing the printer it’s essential pay ample consideration to its upkeep as effectively in any other case efficiency points could crop up.
8. Guarantee
Most sublimation printers include a 1-2 years guarantee. Longer the guarantee interval, higher can be the assist supplied every time the printer malfunctions.
Sublimation – FAQs
Ans: No, each inkjet printer is just not appropriate with sublimation printing. You want an inkjet printer that has been particularly designed for accommodating and utilizing sublimation ink for the sublimation course of. The common inkjet printers will find yourself producing poor outcomes when used for sublimation printing.
Ans: No, you can’t print cotton materials utilizing sublimation printing. This printing expertise works greatest when it’s used to print polyester or polyester coated supplies. Because the sublimation ink bonds with the fibers of the material, it won’t be efficient on cotton or another pure cloth. For printing on cotton, it’s essential use a printing methodology like DTG printing or Direct To Garment printing.
Ans: No, once you use sublimation inks in an everyday inkjet printer which isn’t appropriate with sublimation printing, the printer could get broken. This might end result within the printer guarantee turning into void. You should utilize sublimation ink solely in these inkjet printers which have been particularly modified for finishing up sublimation printing.
Ans: To be able to obtain correct colours utilizing sublimation printing, it’s essential use high-quality sublimation inks. The colour profile you utilize should additionally match your printer and the fabric on which you want to print the design. For constant and vibrant shade, shade administration and calibration are essential. Hold checking your printer’s settings recurrently and calibrate every time required to keep up excessive shade accuracy in your printer.
Ans: Sublimation ink could be very totally different from dye-based ink. The important thing distinction lies in the best way ink bonds with the fibers of the substrate cloth. Sublimation ink undergoes a metamorphosis from strong to gasoline on utility of warmth and fuses with the fibers of polyester cloth. In the meantime, dye-based ink merely sits on the material floor. Resulting from this distinction, sublimation ink provides a extra vibrant and sturdy print when in comparison with dye-based ink.
Conclusion
With sublimation printing, you’ll be able to obtain high-precision ends in very much less time. Additionally it is low cost in comparison with different printing strategies. This text particulars all the pieces about sublimation printing. With the assistance of the main points above you may make the suitable selection on the subject of shopping for a sublimation printer. Based mostly on the tip utility, the selection of sublimation printer could range. The suggestions above can assist you within the choice course of.
