If you’re new to the POD (Print on demand) dropshipping world, there are numerous printing techniques. Today, we’ll discuss the most eye-catching of them all—sublimation printing. What is sublimation printing? It’s the process of transferring designs from a sublimation paper onto various materials, e.g., ceramic mugs or T-shirts, using heat (between 350 – 400 degrees) and pressure.
A sublimation printer is a “standard” inkjet printer converted or modified for use as a sublimation printer. Desktop-sized printers (commonly A4-A3) are often standard Ricoh or Epson inkjet printers fitted with a continuous ink system (CISS) or refillable ink cartridges for use with dye sublimation inks.
Table of Contents
- 1 What is the Difference Between a Regular Printer and a Sublimation Printer?
- 2 What is a Sublimation Printer Good For?
- 3 What is a Sublimation Printer for T-Shirts?
- 4 Can I Use a Regular Printer for Sublimation?
- 5 Sublimation for Beginners
- 6 Sublimation Printing at Home
- 7 Is Cricut a Sublimation Printer?
- 8 Epson Sublimation Printer
- 9 Sublimation Ink
- 10 What is a Sublimation Printer? FAQs
- 11 Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- A sublimation printer is a printing machine that uses a special sublimation ink that permeates objects with ink vapors.
- Sublimation printers are standard inkjet printers that are purpose-built for sublimation, like the Epson F170 and the Sawgrass.
- A sublimation printer can be a desktop printer converted to use sublimation ink, such as the Epson Workforce or Epson EcoTank.
In this post, I’ll explain everything you need about sublimation printing. I’ll answer some of the most common questions about its uses and would be limitations.
What is the Difference Between a Regular Printer and a Sublimation Printer?
If you want to print photos or other graphical materials, you can opt for a regular inkjet printer or a sublimation printer.
A regular printer prints standard text documents, spreadsheets, and correspondences, while a sublimation printer specializes in graphics. Regular inkjet printers print liquid ink onto paper, while a sublimation printer permeates a material with ink vapors.
Related: Sublimation vs. Screen Printing: Understanding the Process and Applications
Differences Between a Regular Printer and a Sublimation Printer
Regular and sublimation printers have differences in terms of production methods and production capacity. Check out their key differences:
- Printing Capability
Both regular and sublimation printers have limitations regarding the types of materials they can print on. Regular printers use normal paper and can also print on sticker paper or photo paper. On the other hand, sublimation printers use a special sublimation paper, which you can use on a wide range of media, such as ceramics and fabrics.
You’ll also find large-format models that print directly on a tarpaulin.
- Output
Regular printers often use black, yellow, magenta, and cyan cartridges. Although these reproduce many other colors, the base inks are still limiting. A sublimation printer also possesses the same base colors, but some can accommodate fluorescent dye sublimation inks that give a bright and brilliant output.
- Ink
A regular printer uses an ink cartridge containing liquid; you’ll notice it is still wet when printing a document. Sublimation printers use a special ink type referred to as sublimation ink. When you transfer the dye ink, it turns into vapor or gas.
- Printing Process
Regular printers use ink-dot technology, while a sublimation printer penetrates ink vapor into your print media. Depending on your choice of printer, most sublimation prints must undergo heat press too.
When using regular inkjet printers, the document gets delivered ready. But with a sublimation printer, you must heat press the sublimation paper using the medium of choice.
Related: 5 Best Epson EcoTank Printers for Sublimation
Sublimation Printer For Beginners
Epson WorkForce WF-7720
The Epson WorkForce WF-7720 is an excellent sublimation printer for beginners, offering great value for money. It provides all the necessary features at an affordable price. With a maximum print size of 13 x 19 inches and a scan area of 11.7 x 17 inches, it offers versatility in producing high-quality prints.
The printer is capable of printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. It has a print resolution of 4800 × 2400 dpi and a scan resolution of 1200 × 2400 dpi, ensuring sharp and detailed results. With a print speed of 18 ppm for black and white and ten ppm for color, it allows for efficient bulk printing.
The printer supports Ethernet, USB 2.0, and Wi-Fi connectivity, and it features a 4.3-inch color touchscreen display for easy control. Overall, the Epson WorkForce WF-7720 is a reliable and versatile sublimation printer suitable for beginners.
Specifications
- Print resolution: 4800 × 2400 dpi
- Scan resolution: 1200 × 2400 dpi
- Print size: 13 x 19 inches
- Scan size: 11.7 x 17 inches
- Connectivity: Ethernet, USB 2.0, and Wi-Fi
- Print speed: 18 ppm for black and white prints and ten ppm for colored prints
- Dimensions: 32.2 x 22.3 x 13.4 inches
- Weight: 40.80 lbs
Pros
- The printer is power-efficient
- It has two paper trays for separating standard papers from sub-par ones.
- High print resolution for quality prints.
- High print speed for enhanced production.
Cons
- You need a sublimation ink kit and a refillable cartridge, meaning you’ll incur extra costs.
Check the Epson WorkForce WF-7720’s latest prices on Amazon
What is a Sublimation Printer Good For?
Before discussing what a sublimation printer is good for, let’s first look into the sublimation printing process.
So, how does sublimation printing work? Once you settle on your design, use a sublimation printer to print it out on special paper. You then transfer the design onto the fabric by applying pressure (if you’re doing it from home) or using a heat press.
First, print a transfer paper or foil mirror-inverted, place it on your desired material, and heat it for 30 to 60 seconds up to 230°C using a thermal transfer press.
The inks used during sublimation turn into gas when exposed to heat. They then combine with the material, causing them to imprint permanently onto the fabric. It makes a permanent design less prone to fading because the ink penetrates the material rather than just laying on top like on regular print.
Heat in the oven or press makes the fabric pores open, while the pressure on the fabric turns the ink into a solid form by cooling it down. After that, you can release the pressure and gently remove the paper from the mug or shirt (or whatever you’re printing the design onto).
What can you print with sublimation?
- Polyester Aprons
- Polyester Cushion Covers
- Polyester Mouse Mats
- Aluminum Sheets
- Glass Sheets
- MDF Coasters
- Ceramic Tiles
- Ceramic Mugs, e.t.c
Epson EcoTank Printers for Sublimation
EcoTank Pro ET-16600
The ET-16600 EcoTank Pro is a standout sublimation printer, thanks to its large ink tanks that can print up to 14,000 pages without requiring a replacement cartridge. This feature not only saves money on ink expenses but also reduces waste.
Equipped with sublimation technology, the printer delivers vibrant and accurate colors that meet the high standards of professional photographers and graphic designers. It also offers wireless connectivity and mobile printing capabilities, allowing for easy printing from smartphones and tablets.
The EcoTank Pro ET-16600 is both fast and reliable, boasting a print speed of 15 pages per minute. Additionally, it features automatic two-sided printing, saving you time and paper.
Specifications:
- Print Technology: Dye-Sublimation
- Print Resolution: 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi
- Print Speed: 13″ x 19″ image in as fast as 30 seconds
- Ink: 16 UltraChrome HD ink cartridges
- Ink Capacity: 300 ml per color
- Maximum Print Size: 16″ x 100′ (406mm x 30.5m)
- Print Quality: High-quality prints with vivid, lifelike colors
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, USB
- Dimensions: 36.7″ x 29.7″ x 15.9″ (932mm x 755mm x 404mm)
- Weight: 44.5 lbs (20.2 kg)
Pros:
- It saves money on ink costs and reduces waste
- Ideal for professional photographers and graphic designers
- Fast and reliable printing
- Eco-friendly
Cons:
- Not compatible with some software or devices.
Check the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600’s latest price on Amazon.
Advantages of Sublimation Printing Over Regular Printing
Compared to regular printing techniques, sublimation printing has several advantages over regular printing:
- Friendly for small batches: Sublimation printing is an excellent option for small batches or one-off orders, which makes it easy to customize gifts or apparel quickly.
- Uses minimal energy and water: Dye sublimation requires less energy and water than regular printing methods.
- Seam-to-seam printing: Sublimation works well on even the most complicated designs, allowing you to print the whole garment.
- Fade-free: Dye used during sublimation becomes part of the fabric and doesn’t degrade or fade, and the colors don’t run off when exposed to water.
- No mess: When there’s no liquid ink during the printing process, there are no spills to clean up.
- Less moving parts: Sublimation printers are simple machines, and the thermal print head doesn’t have to move back and forth when printing. It means that sublimation printers are less likely to break down.
- No dry time needed: One of the best aspects of sublimation printers is that you can fold a garment or wear it immediately after printing without worrying about smearing the ink.
- Continuous tone: All ink dots in sublimation printing can be in different colors. Thus, sublimated designs have a higher resolution with fantastic color fidelity even when checked under a microscope.
What is a Sublimation Printer for T-Shirts?
Now that you understand the ins and outs of sublimation printing, it’s time to know how it works on t-shirts.
Here’s a rundown of how to sublimate your first designs.
- Download or create your design on software such as photoshop, procreate, or silhouette studio.
- Print the design (ensure you mirror it) onto sublimation paper using the sublimation ink in the sublimation printer.
- Per the directions, preheat your heat press to the required temperature for T-shirts.
- Prepare the butcher paper pieces. You need one under the press, another between the T-shirt and the heat plate, and the last one between the T-shirt to ensure the ink doesn’t go to the back of the t-shirt.
- Place the sublimation design on the T-shirt and press for 45-55 seconds using medium pressure.
- Lift the press and carefully remove the sublimation design and butcher paper.
- Give the t-shirt a few seconds to cool down, then take it off the heat press.
Benefits of Using a Sublimation Printer for T-Shirt Printing
When using screen printing, the garment shows its age soon enough, cracks appear on the design, and it starts to fall off.
A sublimation printer gets rid of most of the screen printing drawbacks. The ink becomes part of the fabric, meaning the design lasts as long as the garment does. Another critical advantage of sublimation printing is the freedom it offers.
Regular printing methods often stretch and blur the design. When using a sublimation printer, you add designs to the whole apparel at once, giving a crisp, clean design all the time.
Can I Use a Regular Printer for Sublimation?
No, you can’t use a regular printer for sublimation because it requires a dedicated printer that uses specific heat-activated ink. That said, you can convert a model such as the Epson EcoTank into a sublimation printer. However, the printer can’t have regular ink installed before.
Sublimation for Beginners
Now that sublimation sounds like a great idea; it’s time to learn how to do it step-by-step. Sublimation is a print and transfer method that duplicates high-quality and full-color designs. It’s called sublimation because it’s about changing the form, not the essence.
The process involves heating the ink to a gaseous state, soaking it into the apparel, mug, or whatever you like, then cooling down and becoming solid to create a permanent design. After the sublimation cools, which happens fast, your design embeds on the object’s surface and doesn’t wash away, rub off, peel, or crack.
Tips for Starting With Sublimation Printing
To begin sublimation, you must remember these three critical things:
- Use a sublimation printer together with sublimation ink
- You must use a high-heat source
- Transfer your designs to a sublimation-ready surface
Related: How to Print Sublimation Images – A Step-By-Step Guide
Essential Equipment for Sublimation Printing
I’ll walk you through the necessary equipment for the sublimation printing process.
- Sublimation Printer
There are four most common printers you can use at home. The Epson SureColor F170 and Sawgrass are purpose-built sublimation printers. On the other hand, the Epson WorkForce and Epson EcoTank are inkjet printers converted to work as sublimation printers.
I recommend the Sawgrass for support and ease of use, and if you’re looking at both convenience and price, the EcoTank is the best choice.
- Sublimation Ink
Because you can’t use pigment ink or regular inkjet ink, you must have sublimation ink. Purpose-built sublimation printers come with their sublimation ink, while you must purchase the ink separately when using a converted inkjet printer.
- Sublimation Paper
You should purchase special paper because it makes the most vibrant and best sublimation prints. Brands such as TruePix sublimation paper and A-Sub paper are among the best. They’re available in regular and larger sizes that match the large format printer.
- Sublimation Heat Presses
There are various ways to heat sublimation transfers onto the intended surfaces. You can opt for a traditional heat press, an EasyPress, or a Cricut Autopress. You may use a tumbler, mug, or hat press for oddly-shaped surfaces.
Sublimation ink activates at 175°C or 350°F, so whatever you choose must be hot enough for the dye sublimation procedure.
- Protection
When using the heat presses, you need white uncoated butcher papers and white cardstock to protect your heat platten and pads. These protective sheets are essential because the sublimation ink gets unbearably hot and turns to vapor which can blow out to other surfaces if you don’t cover them.
- Sublimation Blanks
These blank surfaces have some sort of sublimation coating or polyester that allow the sublimation ink to sink in, thus, retaining the ink. Other people call them substrates. Cricut T-shirts work well, or any T-shirt that’s at least 65% polyester. The critical thing here is the polyester content.
- Design Software and Sublimation Designs
A computer allows you to use design software to create your designs. There are software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Corel, Procreate, Affinity Designer, Canva, Gimp, Inkscape, and many more.
When ready with the designs, add ICC printer profiles because they’re ink specific and make a huge color difference.
Sublimation Printing at Home
More and more people are getting into at-home sublimation printing. For your home-based sublimation business, you must have some essential equipment. To start, you need a heat press, sublimation blanks, sublimation paper, sublimation ink, and a sublimation printer.
You’ll find all these sublimation materials from reputable suppliers, but the desire to learn sublimation, patience, and creativity comes from you.
Advantages of Home Sublimation Printing
- It’s straightforward to do and can run on small orders
- At-home sublimation printing allows you easy personal customization to printed products
- It’s cost-effective because you reduce overheads
- You have the freedom to print as much or as little as you like
Disadvantages of Home Sublimation Printing
- You might not have enough space for bulk printing
Recommended Equipment and Supplies for Home Sublimation Printing
You’ll need the following equipment and supplies for your sublimation printing at home:
- Sublimation blanks
- Heat press
- Sublimation ink and paper
- A computer and design software
- Sublimation print
- Miscellaneous supplies like silicone cover sheets, foam pillows, thermal tape, spray adhesive, and transfer gloves.
Is Cricut a Sublimation Printer?
No, a Cricut isn’t a sublimation printer. Cricuts have no printing capabilities, and they’re not sublimation machines.
Cricut was incorporated under the Utah state laws in June 1969 under Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc. It changed its name in March 2018 to Cricut, Inc. Its headquarters is in South Jordan, Utah.
The company makes smart cutting machines with an easy-to-use application to help you personalize and design anything – everyday items, unique apparel, custom cards, and so much more.
Some of their most popular cutting machines are Cricut Maker™ 3, Cricut Explore™ 3, and Cricut Joy™.
Comparison of Cricut With Sublimation Printers
Do you wish to decide between a Cricut machine and a sublimation printer? For most crafters, the decision boils down to the initial price, but you should also consider the business goals.
Sublimation printing uses pressure and heat to transfer dye onto materials. On the other hand, Cricut is a cutting machine that makes paper crafts and vinyl decals. It’s not a printer and has no printing capabilities.
In 2017, Cricut introduced a small, lightweight heat press called the EasyPress, which helps to attach heat transfer Vinyl on surfaces like koozies, shirts, and other cloth items.
Let’s look at the main comparison between Cricut and sublimation printers:
- Cricut Infusible Ink and Sublimation Ink
Sublimation printers and ink print designs on sublimation paper. Cricut infusible ink sheets are pre-made sublimation sheets from Cricut, and when used with great quality blanks, they come out clean and professional-looking.
- Design Freedom
Cricut infusible ink sheets limit your colors and patterns purchases online or in-store. With sublimation printing, only your imagination limits you. If you can dream it, you can print it and press it. Thus, sublimation printers give you more freedom to design.
- Cutting and Weeding
When you’ve settled on the design of choice in the Cricut Creative Studio, you must weed your design to transfer the design to the blank and not the whole sheet. If you’re using sublimation, you print your design with the sublimation ink and not an entire sheet of ink.
- Layering and Multiple Patterns
When using the Cricut infusible ink sheet, you must cut, weed, and layer all designs separately. Sublimation printing allows you to print the whole design all at once. Therefore, sublimation allows your designs to be as colorful and detailed as you like.
- Photo Printing
Sublimation printing lets you expand your horizon beyond sublimation patterns and designs. That’s why many people include a sublimation printer in their collection of craft tools. It’s not the case with Cricut.
Related: Sublimation vs. Vinyl: The Ultimate Printing Showdown
Epson Sublimation Printer
Epson was founded on May 18th, 1942, in Suwa, Nagano, Japan. In 1975, Epson (Electronic printer or Son of EP) was formally established as the next generation of printers based on the EP-101.
Built from the ground up, Epson dye sublimation printers serve all unique business needs, and their engineering offers a combination of blazing-fast print output and exceptional and reliable operation.
Comparison of Epson Sublimation Printers With Other Brands
Here’s a comparison of Epson sublimation printers and other brands:
- Epson
Epson is one of the most popular brands in the sublimation printing business. For instance, Epson guarantees new-age printing solutions. They offer advanced printing technology. In addition, Epson sublimation printers come with pre-installed, ready-to-use software that’s user-friendly.
Also, Epson printers are well-known for their low-cost printing. Thus, Epson sublimation printers are an excellent choice for every business.
Their price ranges between $300 – $1,000.
- Sawgrass
Sawgrass printers come fully designed for sublimation compared to Epson printers, and you have to convert to sublimation using third-party ink. The Sawgrass ink costs much higher than Epson. Also, unlike Epson sublimation printers, Sawgrass users have fewer ink options.
If you’re looking for the best Sawgrass sublimation printer, then the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG1000 is your best bet. It prints coffee mugs, tumblers, luggage tags, custom T-shirts, and more.
Sawgrass sublimation printers’ costs range between $900 – $1,600.
The Best Affordable Sublimation Printer for Beginners
The best affordable sublimation printer for beginners is the Epson EcoTank. It’s a budget machine because setting up the EcoTank as a sublimation printer lies in using sublimation ink. It costs approximately $300 for basic and $1,000+ for the business class options.
The Epson EcoTank saves you a ton of money, especially if you print often. Furthermore, EcoTank ink bottles have a lot of ink, allowing you more printing at low costs.
EcoTank sublimation printers are the best for beginners because they’re also easy to use. So, if you’re new to sublimation printing, check out EcoTank.
Benefits of Using an Epson Sublimation Printer
Epson sublimation printers have many advantages compared to models from other brands. Some benefits of using Epson for sublimation printing include the following:
- Advanced printing technology
- Epson sublimation printers are efficient and convenient. They have pre-installed, user-friendly, ready-to-use software
- These printers offer low-cost printing and have different ink cartridge packages and sizes convenient for all needs.
- Epson sublimation printers are cost-effective and are low-power consumer
Sublimation Ink
Sublimation ink works together with the sublimation printer during printing. The ink starts in a liquid form, then when you add pressure and heat, the dye changes to gas and adheres to the substrate permanently.
Key Differences Between Sublimation Ink and Regular Ink
Sublimation Ink | Regular Ink |
Suitable for sublimation printing | Doesn’t suit sublimation printing |
Only suitable for sublimation printing | Not compatible with sublimation printers and paper |
Permanent and long-lasting | Is not long-lasting |
Doesn’t damage the sublimation printer’s inner mechanism, and warranty | May damage the sublimation printer and void its warranty |
Compatible with heat press machines, sublimation printers, sublimation paper, and all other sublimation-related stuff | Not formulated for sublimation printing |
Recommended Brands of Sublimation Ink
Some recommended sublimation ink brands include:
- ORDTBY
- WOKOK
- HAPPYTONER
- Tonha
- MERRYWORK
- E-Z Ink Autofill
- Hiipoo
- Printers Jack
What is a Sublimation Printer? FAQs
Can Any Printer Do Sublimation?
No, you can’t do sublimation with just any printer. You need a sublimation or converted inkjet printer together with a sublimation transfer paper and sublimation ink. You can’t sublimate using regular paper or regular inkjet ink.
Can I Use Normal Ink for Sublimation?
No, you can’t use normal ink for sublimation. You require sublimation ink during sublimation ink transfer.
Is Sublimation Paper Glossy or Matte?
The printing side of the sublimation paper is white with a matte finish. A sublimation paper has one white side and a colored side.
How Long Does Sublimation Ink Last?
Sublimation inks have a shelf life; leaving them on the printer too long may cause banding, head clogs, and color shifting.
Conclusion
Sublimation printing is an excellent option for creating high-quality graphics and allows you to create as many products as you wish. It’s also among the economical printing processes. The only expensive part is when you have to purchase a heat press.