Epson Stylus Inkjet Printer
|

Best Sublimation Printer Reviews and Guide

Spread the love

Introduction

Today’s printers are capable of a wide range of tasks and are becoming more and more feature-rich and complex. You may now utilize a high-profile sublimation printer to print your unique designs on practically any material of your choice, as opposed to the past when you could only print on plain paper.

This category includes a range of printers, including sublimation, Cricut, and heat transfer printers. Sublimation printers are among them, and they are the smallest options that can print on unique materials like polyester. In order to create a permanent print, the printing ink is heated until it is infused with the cloth. Here are some key things to consider when purchasing a sublimation printer.

Printing Technology:

It is simple to become confused between one or two solutions based on printing technology because there are so many options available on the market for DIY-based printing activities. Make sure you are purchasing a sublimation printer and not a heat transfer or a Cricut printer if you are certain that is what you require for your work. Depending on the brand, the sublimation printing technique is sometimes known as Dry Sublimation or DYE-SUB.

Connectivity Options:

If you want to use your printer at the best level of productivity possible, you should also look into the connectivity choices that are offered. You will always require a desktop computer connected to your printer if it just has convenient features like an ethernet port. Printers with a USB port or WiFi capability, on the other hand, can be used remotely with no issues. These printers can also be used directly with a smartphone.

Compatible Devices:

Your printer’s connectivity options and software are often what determine the range of devices that are compatible with it. You will be able to use the printer with your desktop computer, laptop, or even your iOS or Android smartphone if the printer app is accessible across several platforms. In order to save you time, we have listed the kinds of devices that work with the printer.

What is dye-sublimation printing, and how does it work?

It is a technique for employing heat to sublimation-friendly materials like paper, plastic, fabrics, and more to transfer computer images. With a basic dye-sub inkjet printer and the right ink, you can print transfers for custom designs on dinnerware, branded signs and flags, and personalized garments. With more expensive equipment, it is feasible to print directly into synthetic materials.

What is the underlying mechanism? Your sublimation printer first imprints your graphic onto a piece of unique, high-release “transfer” paper. A heat press is then used to transfer the dye design to your substrates, such as a t-shirt, mug, or banner. The dye penetrates the substrate by sublimating (transforming from a solid to a gas without creating a liquid), leaving a mark that won’t break or wash away. Natural materials don’t function as well as synthetic ones, although the effects are vivid and long-lasting when polyester concentration is significant.

Direct-to-fabric sublimation printers advance the procedure by omitting the transfer step and printing straight onto rolls or bolts of fabric. These larger, more expensive pieces of equipment are often preserved for commercial use. Do not confuse these printers with the even more expensive direct-to-garment devices, which use regular inkjet ink rather than dye sublimation to print on the surface of the actual garment.

Today, we’re going to look at some of the top sublimation printer alternatives on the market. These printers can be utilized for large production for art galleries and studios and for beginning your own small business. You can simply pick the choice that best fits your needs and fits within your budget because we will be providing a wide range of possibilities. Make sure to consult our Buying Guide for the best sublimation printers if you need any extra assistance.

Best Sublimation Printer of 2023

Epson Artisan 1430 Wireless Inkjet Printer
  • Eco-friendly features
  • Borderless photo printing
  • Wireless printing with Wi-Fi
  • 6-color Claria ink
  • CD/DVD printing
Epson Stylus C88+ Inkjet Printer
  • Reliable paper handling
  • Can print long banners of 44 inches
  • Number of Colors: 4
  • Parallel Port: Yes, USB: Yes, USB Standard: USB 2.0
  • Media Handling: 1 x Input Tray 120 Sheet
Canon Selphy CP1300 – Best Compact Wireless Printer
  • Sleek, portable design
  • Water-resistant photos
  • Built-in wireless
  • Prints a 4″ x 6″ photo in approximately 47 seconds
  • Resolution of up to 300 x 300 dpi
Sawgrass Virtuoso SG800 Sublimation Printer
  • Faster throughput for greater productivity and profit potential.
  • Up to 1200×1200 dpi for dazzling HD photo-quality reproduction
Mitsubishi CP-D70DW Sublimation Printer
  • Fast print speeds (4×6″ prints in 8 seconds) 
  • Built-in energy-saving mode
  • High Capacity Printing Operations
  • Dust-proof Housing Design
  • 300dpi Resolution
  • Compact, Lightweight, and Space Saving Single-deck Design
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
  • Automatic two sides 13″ wide photo printing
  • Convenient printing features
  • Professional Ultra HD Photo Quality
  • Individual 6-color Claria Photo HD
  • Ultra Compact Wide-Format A3+ Printer
  • Simple Setup and Navigation
Brother MFC-J995DW Sublimation Printer
  • Low-cost Ink
  • Automatic duplex photo printing feature
  • Max Print Speed(blk/color)(11): 12 ppm / 10 ppm
  • Display: 2.7″ Color Touchscreen
  • Duplex (2-sided) Printing
Mitsubishi CP-K60DW-S – Eco-Value Dye-Sublimation Photo Printer
  • Fast and Simple Printing operation
  • High Resolution: 300dpi
  • 96% less Standby-energy
  • Matte finishing
Epson Workforce WF-7210 Inkjet Printer
  •  2.2″ LCD screen
  •  Dual trays with 500-sheet capacity
  • Borderless prints and brilliant marketing materials up to 13″ x 19″
  • Economical
  • Versatile Paper Handling
  • Save Time with Auto 2-sided Printing
  • Easy Setup and Navigation
Epson Workforce WF-7710 Inkjet Printer
  • Waterproof and fade-resistant properties
  • Dual paper trays
  • PrecisionCore technology
  • Automatic 2-sided print speeds of 8.7 ppm
  • 4.3″ color touchscreen
  • Ultimate Wireless Printing and Networking

Epson Artisan 1430 Wireless Inkjet Printer

A color inkjet printer that prints at huge sizes wirelessly is the Epson Artisan 1430. T-shirts, mugs, and other items may be printed beautifully using the Epson Artisan 1430 dye sublimation printer. The EPSON Artisan 1430 raises the bar for image printing by creating eye-catching, ultra-high-definition prints of the highest caliber.

This printer can effortlessly print documents up to 13′′ by 19′′ when printing without borders. A great method for sharing your sublimated prints with others is wireless networking.

The EPSON 1430 uses Claria Hi-Definition Ink, which can last up to four times as long as traditional photo lab prints. The best feature of this sublimation printer is that it creates photos that are resistant to water, smudges, scratches, and fading.

Now you can easily create large-format prints that are of museum-quality and professional appearance, elevating your printing to new levels.

The EPSON Artisan 1430 is the top choice among photographers, mug and t-shirt printers, and professional photographers.

Pros

  • Quickly connects to a wireless network
  • Ultra hi-def prints
  • Prints onto CDs or DVDs without the need for labels
  • Able to print and share images from a smartphone
  • Eco-friendly features
  • Borderless photo printing

Cons

  • Only accommodates paper less than 10mm thick

Epson Stylus C88+ Inkjet Printer

Another Epson product on the market, the Stylus 88+ Color Inkjet Printer, is designed for home usage and costs less than $100.

It accomplishes outstanding accomplishments and functions fairly effectively. You will be astounded by the pre-prints quality and grade, and their lifespan is really encouraging. It is printed with quick-drying DURABrite Ultra Pigment ink. This ink has the following characteristics: smudge, scratch, fade, and water resistance. Most of the time, this texture is what you want.

Automatic paper handling is smooth and error-free. It prints borderless within the range of sizes that are frame-ready at an average speed of 19 pages per minute.

The only printer that can produce 8.5-inch wide banners with lengths up to 44 inches, according to PCWorld, is Epson’s Stylus 88+.

It also works incredibly well for printing photos, albeit you will need to do so on a computer. The makers of this program also supply software for making calendars, photo albums, and other goods.

Pros

  • Can print long banners of 44 inches
  • Reliable paper handling
  • Strong, rich color dispatch with instant ink drying

Cons

  • Skin tones appear grayish
  • Speed becomes slow while printing many photos

Canon Selphy CP1300 – Best Compact Wireless Printer

No matter where you are, the Selphy CP1300 wireless small photo printer is perfect for printing on the road. The Selphy CP1300 allows you to print wirelessly using a variety of methods, including AirPrint, your camera’s memory card, or the Canon Print app, which is accessible for free on the Amazon Appstore, wherever you are, including at home, at work, or at the park.

Additionally, you may print a small selection of your best pictures using the Party Shuffle Print feature, either as strange photo booth prints or in a fun collage format.

A number of devices can wirelessly transfer images to the Selphy CP1300 printer using the Party Shuffle feature. Then you can combine them to create a collage that you can print and distribute.

Finally, all of these options are made more accessible than ever by the convenient 3.2′′ flip-up LCD color screen.

Pros

  • Sleek, portable design
  • Wireless
  • Optional battery pack for printing on the move 
  • Water-resistant photos
  • Instantly dry photos
  • Connect to your smartphone or tablet through the Canon PRINT app
  • Print directly from USB, or your camera’s memory card
  • Features 3.2″ LCD touchscreen

Cons

  • Customers having problems trying to print from the Windows Photos app
  • Canon has been known not to support printing from newer PCs

Sawgrass Virtuoso SG800 Sublimation Printer

The Sawgrass Virtuoso SG800, the first desktop sublimation machine to be fully integrated, stunned the market. These exceptional and high-quality printing devices are the only ones created specifically for digital decoration.

The Sawgrass Virtuoso SG800 is a state-of-the-art, ultra-high-quality printer that advances digital sublimation printing by enabling you to create brighter, higher-definition images.

Thanks to its faster throughput and slick, professional design, this sublimation printer are dominating the market for its brilliant resolution elevation and profit potential.

Another novelty is Sublijet Ink, which has greater yields. Customers are stunned by the vivid colors and accuracy.

Virtuoso Desktop HD Product Decorating Systems may print images on rigid polymer-coated media, aluminum panels, hardboard, tiles, mugs, glass, polyester textiles, and wood plaques.

But the attributes don’t stop there. With the speedy rate of output and high caliber of images, it improves significantly. Additionally, a Creative Studio bundle that contains an Online Designer and a Stock Design Library is included with the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG800 printer.

In addition to providing a huge number of templates and designs to choose from, it allows you to create your own designs.

There is also PowerDriver v4 Color Management software for Corel and Adobe. With a tray expansion of 13 x 19′′ and the highest definition quality, it prints masterfully created images.

An inkjet printer that has dominated the market since its release and marks a new generation!

Pros

  • No desktop graphics software and stock designs to buy – Saves a lot of money.
  • Newly formulated ink with higher yield and 26% larger color gamut.
  • The only desktop inkjet printers built specifically for digital decorating.
  • Faster throughput for greater productivity and profit potential.

Cons

  • No major cons

Mitsubishi CP-D70DW Sublimation Printer

The Mitsubishi CP-D70DW professional, lightweight, high-capacity dye-sublimation photo printer offers Super Fine Matt finish output for 46′′ photo prints in around 8 seconds.

Without changing media, printing is also available in a range of sizes, including 26″, 3.55″, 46″, 577″, 676″, and 678″, as well as in Fine (high speed), Super Fine (high resolution), or Ultra-Fine print modes.

A brand-new, potent image processing algorithm is also used by the Mitsubishi CP-D70DW to enhance image clarity and provide high-quality photo outputs.

The printer also includes a special cooling system that keeps the temperature constant, among other energy-saving and efficiency-boosting features.

Within the printer, the print head and the power supply On the other side, the energy-saving mode allows for less power usage.

Pros

  • Fast print speeds (4×6″ prints in 8 seconds) 
  • Capable of superfine matte finish prints
  • 3-year warranty with an exchange during the 1st year
  • Built-in energy-saving mode

Cons

  • No specific downsides

Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000

Setting new standards for photo printing is the Epson Expression Photo HD XP15000 InkJet printer. It is a wireless wide-format super HD ink printer that produces beautiful images on a range of materials, including paper.

Customers may create borderless, vibrant prints up to 13 x 19 inches using the powerful and compact Epson Expression Photo HD printer.

Both black-and-white and color prints with smooth gradations and high-quality color prints may be made with the Epson Expression Photo HD XP.

Sharp and detailed image printouts are produced by the Epson Expression. It is perfect for gaming because of its extremely high HD resolution of 5760 x 1440 DPI.

Given that it can print black-and-white photos at 9.2 pages per minute and color prints at 9 pages per minute, the printing speed is very amazing.

It has a simple USB access port and a 2.4-inch color LCD panel for direct printing. Additionally, the Epson Expression Photo HD printer includes wireless capabilities that let you easily print from a mobile device or distant PC.

The printer supports printing from mobile devices using Apple AirPrint, Android Print, Google Cloud Print, and Mopria Print.

The printer uses six-color HD inks and MicroPiezo technology. It permits the use of particular media in the 50-sheet back tray. The printer is RoHS-compliant, recyclable, and helpful to the environment.

Pros

  • Automatic two sides 13″ wide photo printing
  • Professional Ultra HD photo quality with the help of 6-color Claria Photo HD Ink
  • Ultimate and convenient wireless connectivity
  • Can handle material of up to 23mm thick for sublimation

Cons

  • Only Epson certified specially designed ink can be used
  • Limitation to working well on a few film surfaces

Brother MFC-J995DW Sublimation Printer

A cheap all-in-one inkjet printer that may be utilized at home or in a small business is the Brother MFC-J995DW. This indicates that it functions as a printer, scanner, and fax machine in one.

Small business owners will like the printer’s thoughtful blend of convenience and productivity capabilities, especially for printing thermal and heat press graphics.

The Brother MFC-J995DW offers an inexpensive printing alternative because of its high-capacity ink cartridges.

One of the printer’s most noteworthy characteristics is automatic two-sided printing. Printing via Ethernet or NFC connections, as well as wireless printing, are both options.

Additionally, it has a sizable 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD with straightforward settings for printing photos, vinyl, and sublimation.

You can choose the fabric or material that you wish to print on as well. Huge glossy prints with fine details, highly saturated colors, and lovely textures may be printed in about 4 minutes.

Pros

  • Low cost per page expense
  • Low-cost Ink
  • Pretty fast-speed photo printing, scanning, and copying
  • Automatic duplex photo printing feature

Cons

  • Mediocre color photo scans
  • The special media tray is limited to one sheet only
  • The automatic duplex function (ADF) doesn’t work on Copy and Scan

Mitsubishi CP-K60DW-S – Eco-Value Dye-Sublimation Photo Printer

Thermal transfer is used by the Mitsubishi CP-K60DW-S Sublimation Photo Printer, a compact color printer at an affordable price that creates stunning prints. This printer is exceptional due to its robust design and energy-saving features.

This printer is capable of printing in dazzling, high-quality colors at a resolution of 300 x 300 DPI. Additionally, it easily prints Instagram photos with a 1:1 aspect ratio.

Prints produced by digital image processing software have a glossy, laminated appearance. A 4 x 6-inch photo may be printed on the Mitsubishi CP-K60DW-Sprinter in 11.2 seconds. Additionally, it may print in broad and enormous formats based on your requirements.

Another noteworthy feature of the Mitsubishi CP-K60DW-S is the rewind function. Printing can be optimized by rolling back and rewinding the ink ribbon. In order to maximize the usage of consumables, it helps to fully utilize the printing space.

The front tray for 5 or 6-inch paper rolls and ink ribbons makes loading easier. Additionally, it has a 32 MB internal memory that may be used to store print designs.

Pros

  • Fast and Simple Printing operation
  • Prints in a variety of sizes and glossy and matte prints
  • Energy-efficient and environmentally friendly

Cons

  • Slightly bulky and heavy
  • Some features might be too technical to set up for some users

Epson Workforce WF-7210 Inkjet Printer

We offer you one of Epson’s most economical and effective printing devices. With its WiFI-Direct and Ethernet connectivity, this Epson sublimation printer can easily print from any nearby portable smartphone or another device. It can also print on a range of textiles.

Epson is the best printer for sublimation printing on our list because of its performance and builds quality. Epson has established itself as a household name in the dye-sublimation printing sector.

Pros

  • Works effortlessly with hand-held devices
  •  2.2″ LCD screen
  •  Dual trays with 500-sheet capacity
  •  Borderless printing

Cons

  • Need to replace inks for sublimation
  •  Printing on transparency film is not supported
  • Additional software installation may be required

Epson Workforce WF-7710 Inkjet Printer

Both tablet and smartphone users can print to the Epson WorkForce WF-7710 wireless and WiFi direct wide-format color inkjet printer (2-sided auto duplex), which is AirPrint compatible.

The WF-7710 was initially designed by Epson with the intention of boosting productivity in small and innovative businesses. This heat-transfer color printer with large-format inkjet technology is powered by PrecisionCore and offers “performance beyond laser.”

PrecisionCore is the name of a printing technology that makes use of immaculate printing technology and a high-density print chip. You can grade quickly thanks to its cutting-edge, high-tech print chip, which can create up to 40 million tiny dots per second with astounding accuracy.

Up to 13″ x 19″ of laser-sharp black and color text can be printed using this EPSON device. It boasts an amazing front freight capacity of up to 500 pages and a rear tray for printing on envelopes and specialty paper. You’ll be impressed by the automatic two-sided pre-print mechanism.

The WF-7710 is a convenient inkjet printer that prints on your paper using premium inks that are reasonably priced, readily available, and cost 40% less than laser prints.

The binary paper trays are far more convenient than you might think because they print continuously and quickly without any delays. Don’t overlook the 7110’s wireless capabilities.

Anywhere in the world, mobile phones, PCs, and even tablets can connect, share, and print.

The printing process is as simple as clicking a button once you’ve downloaded the app! The fact that this printer was created with environmental concerns in mind is its best feature.

Pros

  • Waterproof and fade-resistant properties
  • Dispatches high-speed prints, with accurate dots
  • Border-less coloring of large-sized papers
  • Dual paper trays

Cons

  • Reviews mention that the large size of the device is not suitable for homes
  • Not so good at detecting printing size

Sublimation printers Buying Guide:

How do you choose the Best Sublimation Printer for beginners and Small Businesses?

Remember that a sublimation printer for business needs to be quick, create high-quality prints, and have a low maintenance cost when you select the best sublimation printer for your company. There are certain things to think about before you go out and get a sublimation printer.

Check the materials it can print:

Before placing your order, double-check the materials it prints on and the ones you want to be printed.

Check how the printer prints:

Verify the printing method that was used. While some printers use heat transfer, others print directly on the surface. Consider your needs carefully before purchasing.

Know about the cartridge:

The cartridge’s operation, as well as its price and page capacity, are the most important factors to consider. Check to determine if each color’s cartridge can be used in its own location.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Sublimation Printer for beginners:

Prior to choosing the best sublimation printer for you, you should take into account the following elements.

The highest resolution the printer can print:

High-quality prints are produced by high-resolution printers. Before buying a sublimation printer, verify the highest resolution it offers. Dots per inch are used to measure the resolution of the print image.

Check for available connectivity:

Prior to purchasing a printer, make sure it has both wired and wireless connectivity choices by checking the connectivity options first. Look for USB or Wi-Fi Direct connectivity on the printer.

Maximum printing layout:

It is typically advised to look for the maximum printing layout provided by sublimation printers because the layout size of the material affects the product you want to make.

Quality of printouts:

The most important thing to think about before making your purchase is probably the caliber of the printouts that the sublimation printer offers. The printouts must be clear and have the same layouts. The prints must also be clear and not bleed into other colors. Verify the writing for greater professionalism and clarity.

Sublimation Printing vs Heat Press Printing

Heat press and sublimation are two terms that many people mix together. There are, however, a few minor inconsistencies that we feel are worth mentioning.

For instance, heat press printing uses both pressure and heat to imprint designs on t-shirts. In sublimation printing, several dyes are created on a transfer medium using a high-quality inkjet printer.

The sublimation dyes are then transferred to sublimation sheets, and finally onto the target object, using a professional heat press.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sublimation printer?

A sublimation printer is a machine that uses heat to sublimate ink from a ribbon onto a substrate, like cardboard or cloth. With this kind of printing device, you may print on t-shirts, mugs, photographs, and gradients. This printer is appropriate for all kinds of design work due to its high level of precision.

Which is Better: An Epson or a Sawgrass Sublimation Printer?

Heat transfer technology is used by sublimation printers to imprint designs on a number of materials, including ceramics, mugs, cotton, nylon, and other fabrics. Although Epson and Sawgrass are well-known companies in the sublimation printing sector, each has its own particular areas of expertise. The ideal option for you so relies on what kind of need you have.

An Epson sublimation printer may be preferred if your work is multi-dimensional because it is less expensive and versatile. Although a Sawgrass printer is fairly expensive and focuses only on sublimation printing, it is the best option if you are starting a specialist printing company or projects of this sort.

Can you use any printer for sublimation?

The most widely used sublimation printers are Sawgrass and Ricoh models. because sublimation print heads were considered when they were being designed. They can be extremely expensive, though, and most individuals find them to be out of their price range.

Fortunately, there are many Epson color inkjet printers available that may be used for sublimation printing. Because you can just buy separate sublimation ink and refillable ink cartridges, and put them in the appropriate compartments.

You now have a low-cost option for your sublimation printing needs with an Epson inkjet printer. Remember that big-size inkjet printers are ideal for the sublimation process.

What t-shirt materials are best for sublimation printing?

Can you print sublimation on a garment made entirely of cotton? Simply put, the response is no.
The most popular material for sublimation printing on t-shirts is polyester. The best results are obtained with sublimation on a shirt made entirely of polyester. The best choice for printing on cotton shirts is without a doubt heat transfer paper.

Another thing to keep in mind is that 50/50 and 65/35 shirts require the imprinting of vibrant colors. If not, the final product will be bland and the print will disappear after one or two washings.

How long does sublimation ink last?

How durable is sublimation ink? This is a question that is commonly posed.

Due to the fact that they are liquid inks, sublimation inks have a shelf life. Leaving them in the printer for a long time will result in head clogging, banding, and color shifting. However, the majority of premium sublimation inks can be utilized after their expiration date. The ink should ideally be used within six months of being placed.

What is the best wide-format printer for sublimation printing?

A number of surfaces can be printed using wide-format sublimation printers. The printer I suggest is the Epson Surecolor F570 or Epson ET15000, which can print documents up to 13″ x 19″.

Final Words:

You can trust the information in this post because it is all based on our comprehensive analysis of a number of sublimation printers for beginners and small businesses. You might think about purchasing a sublimation printer if you want to start a new business or test your skills at printing artwork on clothing or other items, but before, you need to familiarise yourself with its characteristics. The products on this page have all been bought and are widely used by millions of people. Enjoy your shopping, then!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *