Whether you’re an arts and crafts hobbyist or a professional photographer, a sublimation printer can transform your prints into showstoppers. Devices like the Epson Artisan 1430 Wireless Color Wide-Format Inkjet Printer will print your images at the highest possible caliber. With this kind of sublimation printer at your disposal, the clarity and quality of your prints will be better than ever before.
What to know before you buy a sublimation printer
Sublimation printing works best for smaller projects
For those who don’t know the difference between inkjet and sublimation printing, inkjet printing manually places ink on top of the printing material. Sublimation printing gradually spreads vaporized ink over the printing materials. This exposes ink to high temperatures creating a gas, which then penetrates the membrane of the polymer-coated paper.
Once the printer completes this process and removes the paper from the heated environment, the polymer membrane seals shut and traps the gas inside. This creates a smooth, seamless product with high resolution and clarity. Another notable advantage of sublimation printing is that these images resist water damage.
As you might imagine, this process is entirely different from inkjet printing and much more expensive. Along with the printer, you will need to purchase sublimation ink, specialized paper and polymer substrate. That said, these are great printers for producing small batches of high-quality prints. So you can make your investment go a long way if you pace yourself and keep an eye out for discounts and deals on materials.
Sublimation printing has some limitations
As mentioned earlier, any paper, fabric or other materials you want to print on must have a particular polyester coating. In addition, since sublimation works best on light or white materials, printing on black or dark materials may be a challenge.
And for those who prioritize sustainability and environmental practices within their artistic expression, sublimation printing is not an earth-friendly process. The printing involves several extra steps and materials, which creates plastic waste. It also uses transfer paper, which many recycling facilities do not accept. This is because transfer paper contains all kinds of chemicals, which do not break down easily.
There are also some physical limitations to sublimation printing. The process is significantly slower than contemporary printing methods, like inkjet. Also, products with sublimation ink cannot be in the sun for long periods since the UV rays will slowly disintegrate the image over time.
Sublimation printer features
Wi-Fi connection
Wi-Fi is a great feature to have for any printer, sublimation included. You can connect to your printer from any room without needing extra ethernet cables to use your printer. In the long run, it’s worth purchasing a printer that provides a reliable wireless connection so you can print from any connected device with a reliable internet connection.
High-capacity, individual ink cartridges
If you have a sublimation printer and all the equipment needed for printing, the last thing you want is to run out of ink mid-project. It’s a good idea to purchase a sublimation printer that comes with individual ink cartridges so you can replace colors as needed without incurring additional costs.
Capacity for larger paper sizes
Some people are content with a conventional 8-inch by 11-inch print. However, those who purchase sublimation printers typically want to be able to handle larger prints as well. If you want to print in larger sizes, it’s best to find a sublimation printer that can accommodate 13-inch by 19-inch sizes. This is one of the most popular sizes for photograph prints.
Sublimation printer cost
Pricing depends entirely on the features you want and how frequently you’ll use the printer. A sublimation printer can cost anywhere between $350-$2,650 and sometimes more.
Sublimation printer FAQ
What do I need to start using sublimation printing?
A. At the very least, you will need an equipped printer, sublimation-friendly ink and sublimation paper. If you decide to source your sublimation ink from cheaper, lesser-known manufacturers, they may use inferior materials for their products. Using these may expose you to toxic chemical fumes.
Are there items I can’t use for sublimation printing?
A. You will not see great results if you print on dark paper. You also will not get the best results if you use 100% cotton fabric. Sublimation printers cannot print gold or silver metal colors.
Which sublimation printer should I get?
Best of the best sublimation printer
Epson Artisan 1430 Wireless Color Wide-Format Inkjet Printer: available at Amazon
Our take: This top-shelf sublimation printer is capable of producing professionally sized prints in stunning quality.
What we like: Can print on cardstock and CD/DVDs. It uses six high-capacity ink cartridges and creates borderless Ultra High Definition prints.
What we dislike: This printer is extremely expensive and users reported issues with their paper and cardstock getting stuck or mangled.
Best bang for your buck sublimation printer
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Wireless Color Wide-Format Printer: available at Amazon
Our take: An extremely affordable entry point for those interested in trying out sublimation printing without committing to a massive purchase.
What we like: Offers Alexa voice command compatibility as well as two-sided document printing. It’s also very quiet, operating at only 49 decibels.
What we dislike: This printer only works with Epson ink cartridges, leading some customers to accuse the company of price gouging.
Honorable mention sublimation printer
Epson WorkForce WF-7720 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer with Copy, Scan, Fax, Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet: available at Amazon
Our take: A capable printer that can handle both regular and specialized papers alike.
What we like: The 4.3-inch touch screen makes command input a breeze, and the rear feeder avoids unnecessary jams. It can also handle up to 500-pages.
What we dislike: Customers noted the borderless printing options are rather limited depending on the type of paper used.
Daniel Martin is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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