Are you looking to make a personalized gift for your friend? Maybe you are going on a trip with the family and want to make matching t-shirts? Chances are, you are going to need a sublimation printer. So, can you use any printer for sublimation? The short answer is no.
The printer you use at home or your office for printing documents or schoolwork won’t be able to cut it. This is because sublimation printing uses special sublimation ink and a laser printer won’t be able to cut it. Even if you use the special transfer paper, chances are you won’t be able to get the desired results for your project.
Printers for Sublimation
When it comes to sublimation printing, there are different types of printers that you can use. You might be surprised that you have a printer at the office that can also be used for sublimation. Here are printer types and features you can check on for sublimation printing:
Sublimation Printers
The first type of printer that can be used for sublimation printing is, of course, a sublimation printer. There are companies that produce printers that are specifically for sublimation printing. The best sublimation printer can deliver a full spectrum of vibrant colors and is easy to use. Most sublimation printers have a notably larger footprint than regular home-office printers.
Printers with Sublimation Capability
There are some types of printers that say they have sublimation compatibility. This means, you just need to interchange regular inks with special sublimation inks.
Piezo Printhead
If it doesn’t say on your printer manual if it has sublimation capability or compatibility, check your printhead type. Thermal printheads, which use heat technology, can’t be used for sublimation printing. On the other hand, if your printer has Piezo-electric printhead chances are, it can be used for sublimation printing.
Converted Printers
There are some users who convert their inkjet printers into sublimation printers. However, you’re going to need a thorough cleaning of the printhead of your old printer or you might need to purchase a new model. And if you are wondering can you use any printer for sublimation conversion, the answer is also no. Again, check the printhead or see if it is compatible with a CISS kit.
Keep in mind that sublimation printing requires a lot of ink, so it’s best to use a printer with a continuous supply or at the very least, have refillable cartridges. Also, remember that converting a regular printer into a sublimation printer can damage your unit and void its warranty. The quality of produced items of a converted printer will not be the same as the ones from a real sublimation printer.
Other Items For Sublimation Printing
Aside from the actual printer, you are going to need other items for sublimation printing. Here are the other items you will need, whether you have a sublimation printing business, hobby, or project:
Ink
This is the next most important thing for producing sublimation prints. Unlike other types of ink, the sublimation ink is special as it turns to gas and transfers to paper without becoming liquid. This is why sublimation prints are permanent and won’t smear.
Paper and Other Media
You might be wondering how sublimation prints are transferred onto shirts, ceramic mugs, and other objects. First, sublimation ink must be printed onto special transfer paper. The special paper with the print will then be used to transfer onto different objects. Back then, it can only be transferred onto polyester, but thanks to printing technology advancement, it can be directly transferred to other types of fabrics and surfaces.
It is also possible to print directly onto other materials, not just special transfer paper. If you have a workhorse sublimation printer, it’s possible to print directly onto fabric and clothes as well as media for signages.
Heat Press
To finish off your products, a heat press is a must for sublimation printing. With a heat press, the images or texts printed on paper can be directly transferred on a piece of cloth or even a mug. Be sure to get the appropriate heat press depending on the materials and sizes of media that you work with.
FAQ
What happens if you use sublimation ink on a regular printer?
Even if you use sublimation ink, your printer will not be able to handle it. Worse, your regular printer might be damaged beyond repair. Only use sublimation ink with a sublimation printer or sublimation-compatible unit.
What if you use regular ink on a sublimation printer to print on transfer paper?
You will just be wasting a lot of ink as it will not “stick” properly onto the paper. A lot of ink might smear right off as regular ink is liquid.
Conclusion
To finalize the question “Can you use any printer for sublimation?” the answer is a hard no. Make sure that you are using the proper equipment for sublimation printing to save you time, money, and effort. It’s a big mess to clean up any damage or error that may occur with the misuse of sublimation printers, special inks, and transfer papers.
The best printer for sublimation is still a sublimation printer as it is designed specifically for sublimation printing. You can expect high-quality images and long-lasting results with the proper sublimation printer and corresponding ink and paper.
