Sublimation Printers for Heat Transfer Amazing Prints
It is important to consider a number of factors when choosing a printer that will be able to handle heat transfers, including your budget and the cost of running the printer.
Furthermore, in the long run, you should consider sublimation printers for heat transfer that ensure the quality of your heat transfer and sublimation prints.
It’s not a problem because, in this article, we will cover the industry’s best heat transfer printers and ensure that you are aware of everything you need to know about sublimation and other heat transfer printers.
Exactly What Are Sublimation Printers for Heat Transfer?
Through the use of heat transfer paper, designs, and prints can be printed on fabrics, ceramics, and wood products. An effective heat transfer printer captures vivid, high-quality designs and prints on heat transfer paper to ensure a high-quality product.
Exactly What is Heat Transfer Paper?
It is the type of paper used in the heat transfer printing process to put prints on textiles, ceramics, and even wood. Heat transfer paper and a heat press are usually needed to transfer ink to most objects. As a reminder, heat presses are what help the design adhere to the fabric or object.
A sublimation process, on the other hand, uses sublimation paper and, unlike heat transfer printing, requires the use of sublimation ink and toner. An advantage of sublimation is that the ink does not sit on top of the fabric, but rather becomes a part of it.
Choosing the Best Printers for Heat Transfers and Sublimation
Have you been searching for the perfect printing solution for your business? The best sublimation printer for heat transfer might be just what you are looking for. To assist you in making an informed decision, we will delve deep into the world of sublimation printers in this article.
1. Epson WorkForce 1100
The Epson WorkForce 1100 is at the top of our list when it comes to printers for heat transfer prints and sublimation. With this printer, you will receive five ink cartridges, including magenta, cyan, and yellow colors, as well as two black colors.
This Epson printer uses 70% less energy than most laser printers, as well as having the capability to print on both sides. A wide format printer such as this is the right printer for large heat transfer prints that are not possible with most average printers.
But not only that, this printer can go through ink quite quickly, so that’s something you should be aware of. Overall, this best heat transfer printer is likely to be the best all-around solution for sublimation and heat transfers, as well as offering good value for the price. It’s our pick for the best printer for heat transfer paper.
- Category: Color Inkjet Printer
- Print speed: 30 ppm black / 17 ppm color
- Paper sizes: up to 13 “x 19”
- Paper capacity: 100 pages
- Weight: 26.3 lb
2. Brother HL-L2320D
This Brother HL-L2320D printer is monochrome and there are several color options available, but we have included it on the list due to its ability to handle large amounts of heat transfer paper.
At a speed of over 26 pages per minute, this heat transfer printer produces high-quality monochrome prints onto heat transfer paper.
The use of colored heat transfer paper can compensate for the lack of color in your print work. There are two key aspects of this heat transfer printer that make it stand out: its large print quality and its long-term cost-effectiveness.
- Category: Laser, Monochrome
- Print speed: 26ppm for single side and Up to 13ppm for double-sided
- Paper sizes: Up to A4
- Paper capacity: 100 pages
- Weight: 14.6 lbs
3. Epson EcoTank ET-2750
Generally, printers with larger ink tanks are preferred. It is for this reason that the Epson EcoTank ET-2750 is one of the best options available. This printer replaces traditional ink cartridges with refillable ink tanks that can store more ink and are easy to refill.
With a resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, the prints are of excellent quality. By incorporating three nozzles for efficient color details, the printer provides great color without compromising its durability. However, the printer has advanced controls over printing options despite the small LCD screen.
It features automatic two-sided printing, which saves up to 50 percent on paper consumption.
- Category: Color Inkjet Printer
- Weight: 12.10 lbs
- Functionality: Print/Copy/Scan
- Paper Capacity: 100 Sheets
4. HP Laserjet Pro M452dw
In spite of the fact that this printer is heavier in comparison to the other laser printers we have reviewed so far, the HP Laserjet Pro M452dw is one of the best laser printers for heat transfer printing. In common with most laser printers, this one is particularly strong in terms of its capacity and speed of printing. With the ability to print over 28 pages with good quality, this color laser printer can meet the needs of larger companies that have heat transfer printing requirements and need to work with limited time constraints.
HP’s Laserjet Pro M452dw is the best sublimation printer for those who desire a fast and efficient color laser printer for heat transfer printing.
- Category: Color Laser Printer
- Print speed: 28ppm
- Paper sizes: Up to 8.5 x 14″
- Paper capacity: 300 pages
- Weight: 41.7 lbs
5. Epson WorkForce WF-7110
When it comes to high-performance inkjet printers for heat transfer printing, the Epson WorkForce WF-7110 is one of the better options available. This inkjet printer is capable of printing up to 18 ISO monochrome pages per minute as well as 10 color pages per minute, making it one of the fastest inkjets on the market for heat transfer printing.
This printer is ideal for sublimation transfers and can handle prints up to 13 inches by 19 inches and larger. It has two paper trays as well as a manual paper feed. Also, it has good accessibility and is easy to set up, making it one of the best sublimation printers available. Therefore, if you are willing to spend the extra cash, the WF-7110 is an excellent option.
- Category: Color Inkjet Printer
- Print speed: 18 ISO ppm for black and 10 ISO ppm for color
- Paper sizes: Up to 13 “x 19”
- Paper capacity: 500 pages
- Weight: 40.9 lbs
6. Canon PIXMA iP8720
An auto sheet paper loader on the Canon PIXMA iP8720 printer allows the printer to load up to 150 sheets at a time. In this heat transfer printer, a total of six colors of ink are used, including gray. This allows the printer to provide good tonality and color reproduction of transfer digital images. In addition, users can expect the device to produce 600 x 600 dots per inch. It is possible to achieve a maximum resolution of 9600 x 2400 pixels. It is also capable of producing 4 x 6-inch colorful photos in 36 seconds and can print frameless printed images up to 13 x 19 inches.
You can print directly on CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs using the disc tray. Additionally, the power setting of the printer is automatically adjusted when it is not being used. As an accessory to the PIXMA iP8720, PIXMA Printing Solutions is compatible with smartphones.
- Category: Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer
- Print speed: 4×6 Color Photo:4 x 6 Borderless printing: Approx. 36 seconds
- Paper sizes: 4 x 6, 5 x 7, 8 x 10, Letter, Legal, 11 x 17, 13 x 19, U.S. #10 Envelopes
- Paper capacity: 150 sheets
- Weight: 18.6 lbs.
7. Canon PIXMA TR4520
It is a fit-in-size inkjet printer equipped with a flatbed scanner and an automatic document feeder. The printing quality of this heat transfer printer is exceptionally good since it displays images in a detailed manner while slightly banding with greyscale, as well as colors that look fantastic. The printer has the right size and features for automatic two-sided printing and an automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning and faxing.
It is difficult to open the paper when the printer jams, despite the solid design of its body. Clearing the print head requires the removal of the back panel while the printer is running. Color documents have a low page yield and a slow printing speed. The cartridges are inexpensive, but you’ll have to replace them frequently, which makes it expensive.
It works great in small offices and homes because of its compact size. The Canon PRINT App can be downloaded and you just have to click the Wireless Connect button to get started.
- Category: Wireless Inkjet printer
- Print speed: 4″ x 6″ Photo: Approx. 70.0 Seconds
- Paper sizes: 3.5″x x3.5″, 4″ x 4″ Square, 4″ x 6″ and 5″ x 5″ Square only
- Paper capacity: 100 Sheets; ADF: 20 Sheets
- Weight: 13.0 lb
8. Canon MX492 Black Wireless Sublimation Printer
In terms of heat transfer printing, the Canon Pixma MX492 printer is a wonderful choice for printing bold, readable text pages, however, it is not a suitable choice for printing photographs. This is a cost-effective wireless printer with low operating costs. The installation process for the heat transfer printer is very simple as long as you read the instructions carefully and follow the instructions according to how you will be using the device. Those who are seeking something compact, easy, and quick may find this to be a good choice.
The Canon MX492 comes with two ink cartridges – a black ink cartridge and a tri-color ink cartridge. Each cartridge replacement costs $22.50. Therefore, if the need arises, you will find that the cartridges will only cost you $45.00 each.
A significant advantage of the Canon MX492 is its low running costs. Approximately $25 to $30 is the cost of the two basic cartridges.
- Category: Wireless Inkjet Printer
- Print speed: 8.8 pm Black/4.4 pm Color
- Paper sizes: 4″ x 6″, 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, Letter, Legal, #10 Envelopes
- Paper capacity: 100 Sheets ADF: 20 Sheets
- Weight: 13.0 lb
9. HP OfficeJet 3830
One of the most notable HP printers among heat transfer printers is the HP OfficeJet 3830. As one of the most popular series of home printers with ink-jet capabilities, this model is quite popular among consumers. There are several important features of an HP printer, including copying, scanning, and standard printing, but it does not have automatic duplex printing capabilities.
One of the benefits of this printer is its performance. In terms of printing text documents, it produces nearly 11 pages per minute, which is well above average for a printer in this price range. A color print takes 4ppm for text and graphics combined, but a photo print takes 60 seconds, which is acceptable for periodic color print jobs.
When purchasing printers, the general rule is that the less you pay for the printer, the more you pay for the ink cartridges, and this is also the case with this HP printer. If you do not agree with the idea of purchasing the ink on a subscription basis, then the operating cost will increase. It is the cheapest budget printer on the market if you are able to afford the subscription.
- Category: Inkjet printer
- Print speed: 8.5 ppm Black / 6 ppm Color
- Paper sizes: 4 x 6 inch; 5 x 7 inch; 8 x 10 inch; No 10 envelopes
- Paper capacity: 60-sheet input and 25-sheet output capacity
- Weight: 12.37 lbs
10. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
For those who are looking for easy heat transfers for their shirts and clothes, the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 printer, which prints vibrant heat transfers, may be the right choice. The Epson Genuine Cartridges, which include six Claria Photo HD Inks, are the only ones that are compatible with this printer.
This printer is the best color printer for heat transfers due to the six ink cartridges it includes. Further, with their high-definition red and gray ink cartridges, they are able to offer a range of colors that is not available with other printers.
This printer supports a wide range of paper sizes, including wide format. A notable feature of this heat transfer printer is its printhead, which can create droplets as small as 1.5 picoliters, or one trillionth of a liter. There are some ink-jet printers that use this printer’s ink, but they are less efficient than this printer, which offers an ink-saving mode you can activate during sublimation printing.
- Category: Color Inkjet Printer
- Print speed: 9.2 ISO ppm
- Paper sizes: up to 13″ x 19″
- Paper capacity: 200 pages
- Weight: 8.4kg
11. Canon TS6120
With its compact design, the Canon TS6120 is an excellent choice for users looking for high-quality prints. Thanks to its five-ink cartridge system, the printer is capable of producing vibrant and effective colors.
The printer features 4,000 nozzles and produces vibrant prints with a resolution of 4800 x 1200 dots per inch. The Canon TS6120 is suitable for small projects since it is capable of handling print transfers. This printer is suitable for printing both photographs and documents. Additionally, the printer is compact and lightweight in comparison with other models.
With this printer, you can print smudge-resistant prints both on Windows and Mac computers. With the help of photo editing software, you can create calendars and photo books.
- Category: Color Inkjet Printer
- Print speed: 5
- Paper sizes: up to 4” x 6
- Weight: 2 pounds
12. Epson Workforce WF-2860
In order to maximize print quality, Epson printers and their printing systems are designed to use genuine Epson cartridges for color printing. There is a risk of damage to the printer if non-genuine ink is used. This is not covered by the printer’s warranty if non-genuine ink is used. In addition to its space-saving and compact design, this printer offers a number of unique features.
The device has a 2.4-inch color touchscreen that allows users to easily print, copy, scan, and fax documents. An auto document feeder for copying and scanning documents and a 150-sheet paper capacity will increase your productivity. The printer provides you with everything you need to print at the touch of a button.
- Category: Inkjet
- Print speed: 14 ISO ppm (black) and 7.5 ISO ppm color.
- Paper sizes: 8 X 11
- Paper capacity: 150 pages
- Weight: 14.1 pounds
13. HP DeskJet 3755
The most compact printer for heat transfers on our list is small and wireless, but it provides ease of use and portability. Your creations can be scanned, copied, and printed on a variety of media, whether at home or on the go.
The dimensions of this digital heat transfer printer are 15.86 x 6.97 x 5.55 inches, making it a compact device that you can carry with you without sacrificing printing quality. Due to the AirPrint capability of this printer, I can print designs seamlessly from either my iOS device or my computer. A replacement cartridge can also be obtained and installed in the comfort of your own home via HP’s Instant Ink service.
The manufacturer of this inexpensive printer has taken great care to ensure that the user experience is as enjoyable as possible by including a seven-segment LCD display. In spite of its small size, this printer performs well.
- Type of Printer: Regular Inkjet printer
- Heat transfer Paper Size: 3 x 5 up to 8.5 x 14 inches, manual adjustment
- Printing Speed: 8ppm monochrome, 5.5ppm color – 5/10
- Wireless Connectivity: Supported
The Difference Between Heat Transfer and Sublimation Printing
While the process of heat transfer printing and the process of sublimation is quite similar, there are significant differences between them. Sublimation printing utilizes a different type of toner or ink in order to sublimate the ink, making it part of the material, while heat transfer printing uses a two-step process using heat transfer paper and a heat press.
It should be noted that heat transfer printing transfers the print to the surface of the material, whereas sublimation involves turning the ink into a gas, which becomes a permanent part of the clothing or fabric upon cooling.
Color
As for printing, the rules remain generally the same: inkjet printers produce more vivid images in both cases. In spite of this, laser printers continue to produce excellent prints. Prints on heat transfer fabrics can be printed on any colored fabric, but due to the process of sublimation, sublimation can only be applied to light-colored fabric or fabrics that have been coated with vinyl.
Quality and Printability
Due to the fact that heat transfer printers print on the surface of the fabric or object, they may appear as if they are printed and will remain on the garment only for a limited period of time (which depends entirely on the quality of the printer/ink). On the other hand, they can print on any color fabric and alternate surfaces such as wood or ceramic.
As far as sublimation prints are concerned, the material itself is dyed in a way that makes it appear to be more natural. Despite its durability, this type of printing is only suitable for fabrics that are light-colored and made from polyester or a polyester blend. It should be noted, however, that they can also be applied to most items coated with vinyl, regardless of the color shade.
If you wish to use a printer for sublimation, you will need to use separate inks, but heat transfer printing uses your normal printer inkjet ink and requires no special installation.
The Cost of a Heat Transfer Printer
Choosing a printer is an important decision, as with anything else. But fortunately, when it comes to both heat transfer printing and sublimation printing, you have a number of affordable options to choose from. As time goes on, it may be a good idea to invest in an industrial heat transfer machine if you wish to print on a large scale.
To transfer the print onto the fabric, most heat transfer printers and sublimation printers require a heat press. Our recommendation is to invest in a heat press if you intend to do this on a regular basis, which usually ranges from $300 to $3000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does heat transfer printing require a different type of ink?
Definitely not! During the transfer process, you must use heat-transferring paper and a hot press to ensure that the image is transferred correctly onto the fabric. Sublimation, even though it involves a similar process, requires that you use special ink for the process.
When it comes to heat transfers, is it an inkjet or laser printer better?
It is possible to print heat transfers using both inkjet and laser printers. Although, as is the case with most printers, inkjets typically display more vivid and accurate colors, whereas laser printers tend to offer a faster print speed. In general, the cost of running inkjet printers with regular inkjet ink for shirts is slightly higher.
Is heat transfer printing or sublimation printing better?
Using a DYE sublimation printer makes the fabric look seamless and keeps the print intact for a longer period of time because the dyes are imbued into the material. Unfortunately, sublimation printing is only compatible with lighter shades and polyester blend fabrics. A heat transfer print, on the other hand, is available for all colors and surfaces, although it may not last as long as a sublimation print.
Heat transfer paper: what is it?
It is heat transfer paper that is used for printing so that the design can be transferred onto fabric or other objects. A heat transfer paper may be used with any type of ink, whereas a sublimation paper may only be used with sublimation ink compatible.
Does sublimation cost less than vinyl?
Compared to heat transfer vinyl, sublimation printing has a higher start-up cost. Sublimation printing requires a sublimation printer, sublimation paper, a heat machine, and a blank shirt to transfer the design.
Is it possible to use a regular printer for heat transfer paper?
A regular printer works great for heat transfer papers. Using a higher-quality printer might make the image on the shirt look crisper.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to sublimation printers for heat transfer and sublimation printers, there are a few things to remember. It takes special paper and ink to use sublimation printers and paper, but it creates a more substantial image since it’s embedded in the material; while prints from sublimation printers for heat transfer are more versatile, allowing print transfer to more things with fewer restrictions.
Since we covered everything from heat sublimation transfer to sublimation print, inks, and papers, you now know what to look for in the best heat transfer printer or sublimation printer. You’re way more likely to make the right decision now, even if picking a heat transfer printer seems daunting.
