Sublimation Printer of 2024: Dye-sublimation printing: Heat transfers computer pictures onto fabrics, plastic, paper, and other sublimation-friendly surfaces. With a dye-sub inkjet printer and the correct ink, you can print unique apparel, signs, flags, even dinnerware. Expensive equipment can print on synthetics.
Why? First, your sublimation printer produces your design on ‘transfer’ paper. Then you hot press the dye onto your t-shirt, mug, or banner. The sublimated dye permeates the substrate, creating a print that won’t break or wash away. Natural fibres don’t function well, while polyester gives bright, durable effects.
Direct-to-fabric sublimation printers skip the transfer step and print directly on rolls or bolts of fabric. These bigger, more costly equipment are usually designated for businesses. Don’t mistake them with direct-to-garment printers, which employ inkjet ink instead of dye sublimation.
Best Sublimation Printer of 2024:
1. Epson SureColor F170
SPECS:
- Category: Sublimation inkjet printer
- Max print resolution: 1200 x 600 dpi
- Ink capacity: 140ml x4
- Paper size: up to A4
- Weight: 17.8kg
PURPOSE OF BUYING:
- Low cost
- Simple to use
CONDITIONS TO AVOID:
- only supports A4 size
- Print resolution limitations
This dye-sublimation printer makes printing on cloth and other materials easy. Simply fill the ink tanks with the unique ink included in the package and print your design on transfer paper. This method produces dependable heat-applied transfers. You receive four 140ml T49M bottles of sublimation ink (C, M, Y, K). The printer is tiny and simple to operate with Mac and PC software, despite lacking a display.
2. HP Stitch S500
SPECS:
- Category: Sublimation inkjet printer
- Max print resolution: 1,200 x 1,200 dpi
- Print speed: 110 m²/hr
- Ink capacity: 775ml x4
- Print size: up to 1.62 m roll width
- Weight: 13kg
PURPOSE OF BUYING:
- Printed cloth or on transfer paper
- Unattended print jobs to run
CONDITIONS TO AVOID:
- Expensive
HP’s dye-sub printer uses water-based ink to print on transfer paper and fabric. The Stitch S500 is perfect for enterprises with heavy print needs since it can be programmed to run overnight without supervision. It has ample printing ink and can handle big paper or fabric rolls, and the thermal printheads are readily serviced and recycled. Small fans dry the ink before it’s rolled, and a touchscreen display simplifies operation. This dye-sub printer has all the newest features.
3. Epson SureColor F570 Pro
SPECS:
- Category: Sublimation inkjet printer
- Max print resolution: 1,200 x 1,200 dpi
- Ink capacity: 140ml x4
- Print size: up to 24-inch roll width
- Weight: 29kg
PURPOSE OF BUYING:
- dependable software support
- sleek, logical design
CONDITIONS TO AVOID:
- No choice for white ink
Epson’s dye-sub printer provides everything needed to print on cloth and hard surfaces. Large-format inkjet printer handles Letter/A4 to 24-inch wide transfer paper rolls. Built-in cutter, two 140ml ink bottles for all four colours. Pro version includes Epson Edge Print Pro. Its precisionCore MicroTFP printhead and huge colour touchscreen make dye-sub printing easier.
4. Sawgrass SG500
SPECS:
- Category: Sublimation inkjet printer
- Max print resolution: 4,800 x 1,200 dpi
- Ink capacity: 31ml x4
- Print size: up to 22 x 36 cm
- Weight: 12.3kg
PURPOSE OF BUYING:
- Good construction and design
- includes software and ink
CONDITIONS TO AVOID:
- High-priced ink refills
Sawgrass specialises in sublimation, and its entry-level model simplifies the process. It prints specially formulated inks on transfer paper up to Legal Wide (8.5 x 14 inches). Utilizing the business’s unique UHD inks, which work with polyester fabrics and polymer-coated rigid media like metal or glass, it offers high-resolution inkjet printing. It includes with 21ml of ink, 100 sheets of Sublisure A4 paper, and Sawgrass Software.
5. Mimaki TS100-1600
SPECS:
- Category: Sublimation inkjet printer
- Max print resolution: 900 dpi
- Ink capacity: 1-litre x4
- Print size: up to 1.6m roll width
- Weight: 166kg
PURPOSE OF BUYING:
- rapidity of print
- high capacity for ink
CONDITIONS TO AVOID:
- lacking a touchscreen interface
This direct-to-fabric dye-sub printer can accommodate 64-inch textile rolls, the industry standard. This version prints 753 square feet per hour in four colours. The one-liter tanks store enough sublimation ink for a lengthy print run as you create. This printer has no touchscreen, however it comes with software for computer operation. This cheap machine offers 900dpi print quality for textile startups and SMBs.
Read These Articles Too:
