Are you researching the best sublimation printer to buy? This comprehensive guide on how to choose the best dye sublimation printer will show you what is available and what the differences are.
Choosing the best dye sublimation printer will be easier. And you will be able to make an informed decision because you will understand what you need and what to look for.
Which Dye Sublimation Printer is Better to Buy?
The best sublimation printer is the one that meets all your criteria, what it can print, what fits your budget, and how much technical support it offers. The options are vast, and what is right for one person may not be right for you. This comprehensive guide will help you choose the one that works best for you.
Can Any Printer Do Sublimation?
The print heads are focusing on depositing ink onto the paper. It provides two primary types of print heads: thermal and piezo. The thermal print heads can’t apply to sublimation, but the piezo one can. Piezo print heads have a thin film on the head that is subjected to an electrical charge that causes it to vibrate. This vibration causes the film to flex and build up the pressure that pushes the ink out of the nozzle and onto the paper. The rapid vibration and flexing of the foil allow more precise control over how fast the ink is squeezed out.
This type of print head is compatible with water-based, oil-based, environmentally friendly solvents, solvents, and gel inks. Printers such as Epson, Saw grass, and Roland has this type of print head and can be used for sublimation. It should only be noted that there are other printer brands that have this piezo print head, but there are no sublimation inks for them.
How to Narrow Down the Range of Sublimation Printing Machines to Buy?
Before making a final decision on which printer is right for you, decide whether you want to buy one that is already made for sublimation, or a regular inkjet printer that you can convert for sublimation. You should also consider the size of sublimation prints you need, how much you want to spend, the costs of filling or replacing the sublimation ink, and how much technical support you want should you run into problems. The printer that is right for one person may be different from the printer that is right for another. So it’s a good idea to have clear expectations about what you want from your sublimation print.
Size:
Size is the important thing in this way. You may need to know what the largest print you want in order to use a sublimation that is capable of that. If you want to just print sublimated mugs, ornaments, and small things, the printer 8.5×14’’ paper is excellent for u. If u want to print a larger one like sublimated garden flags, cushions, or big-size shirts. I suppose that you may need to buy a size larger than 8.5×14’’.
Sublimation ink:
The cost of sublimation ink is also important for u to decide which sublimation printer you choose. Some printers require you to buy their branded ink when you refill the printer to avoid voiding the warranty. If you choose a “converted” printer, the warranty will be automatically voided, as these printers are not technically designed for sublimation.
Warranty
All new printers come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Most have a one (1) year warranty and some have a two (2) year warranty and unlimited technical support. If you decide to buy a sublimation printer, a warranty and technical support are in need.
If or when a problem or technical issue arises with your printer. You will be responsible for determining what the problem is and how to resolve it. These days, this is easy as there are a number of dye sublimation discussion forums ready to help you and share your knowledge.
Technical support
Most printer manufacturers offer technical support for their printers, which is helpful.
Some companies offer their own technical support in addition to that offered by the manufacturers. And they are worth their weight in gold! They are usually available on weekends and often respond more quickly than the manufacturers.
If you decide to convert your inkjet printer to dye sublimation printing. There is no technical support for this. And when you have problems with it, you have to try to solve the problem yourself.
Convert to Sublimation Printers Versus Regular Sublimation Printers
You need to decide whether to buy a printer already designed for dye-sublimation or a regular inkjet printer that you need to convert to dye-sublimation. Converting an inkjet printer has become so easy with the introduction of the new Epson Eco Tanks.
These Eco Tank printers have refillable tanks that you simply fill with the dye you want. Converting an Eco Tank is easiest at the moment, and the hardest part is deciding which sublimation ink to use. They’re also affordable, starting at $200 and going up to $1000.
Conclusion
As you can estimate, when we choose sublimation printers, we may meet a lot of questions. And about which is the best sublimation printer, that depends on everyone. What you can provide is above all about which size you decide to use, how much you cost on the printer and ink fills, and what kind of tech support you need.
