Exploring the Print Magic of Canon Sublimation Printers
There has been an increase in the popularity of Canon sublimation printers in the printing industry, especially for those looking for high-quality and long-lasting prints. Our article contains all the necessary information about Canon sublimation printers in order for you to make the right choice, including their features, benefits, and the most popular models that can be found in the market today.
What are Sublimation Printers and Sublimation Printing?
Using sublimation printers, ink is transferred onto a specific material, typically paper, plastic, or fabric, through the use of heat. Solid ink is converted into a gas by heat, where it permeates the material and solidifies again. The process produces prints that are high-quality and have vibrant colors that last longer than traditional printing methods.
The sublimation printing process is a modern technique for transferring images onto a variety of materials.
There are many items that can be printed using sublimation printers, such as mugs, t-shirts, phone cases, mousepads, puzzles, and more. A common question people ask when considering sublimation printing is, “Can you use a Canon printer for sublimation? ”
Can Canon Printers be Used for Sublimation?
Canon easily answers this question. It is not possible to convert Canon printers to be used for sublimation. This would negatively impact sublimation ink since they use thermal printers printing.
However, what about the Canon Sublimation printer? It is no secret that most people are confused because Canon makes a dye sublimation printer.
Despite the fact that the Canon Dye Sublimation Selphy Printers are the coolest little desktop printers on the market, they are not sublimation printers. The photos are sublimated on clear film by using sublimation ink and a built-in heater. It is not possible to insert paper into the printer and print out sublimation prints.
Conclusion: Canon printers cannot be used for sublimation, and do not be confused with Canon’s sublimation desktop photo printer.
Which Canon Printers Are Suitable for Sublimation Printing?
While Canon produces all-in-one printers for multiple purposes, some of the most qualified Canon all-in-one printers are:
- Canon PIXMA TS9521C
- Canon PIXMA TS9120
- Canon PIXMA Pro-100
- Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000
- Canon PIXMA TS8320
Due to their capabilities, these printers are different than a simple model, however, keeping the price in mind, they may not be suitable for everyone. This is where the conversion process comes into play!
1. Canon Pixma TS9521C Wireless Printer
This is the first consumer-grade photo/arts and crafts all-in-one printer that we have tested that has smart home capabilities. This is a crafters’ version of the Editors’ Choice Pixma TS9520. It features a variety of crafting features, including support for 12 by 12-inch scrapbooking paper, a wide variety of patterns and templates built-in, and hands-free “smart” printing support.
Also, like most other Pixmas from the TS series, it prints exceptionally well. All things considered, the Canon Pixma TS9521C is a standout printer for scrapbookers and hobbyists due to its new crafting features, smart home functionality, high-quality output, and more.
Excellent print quality
Comparing the output of this group of printers is much like comparing top-of-the-line luxury cars, with the exception of the Tango X, which has only four ink tanks. The print quality of all of them is very good, despite some slight differences here and there.
In addition to what I like about the TS9521C’s print quality, which is pretty good, the one thing I didn’t like was how it couldn’t print out a PowerPoint handout that had a dark green-to-black gradient background without noticeable but not garish banding. Several of the printers we’ve tested had the same problem when printing this handout. The text, graphics, and photos all looked great.
Summary of Findings
A great wide-format AIO printer for crafters, the Canon Pixma TS9521C boasts outstanding five-ink photo and graphics output, smart home voice support, and a host of scrapbooking-friendly features.
2. Canon Pixma TS9120 Wireless Inkjet
Canon Pixma TS9120 Wireless Inkjet All-in-One is the flagship model of its Pixma TS-series consumer-grade photo all-in-one inkjet printers, replacing the Pixma TS9020 we reviewed previously. A six-ink printer, the Canon TS9120 is similar to its sibling, the Pixma TS8020, which is also a top pick, and is designed primarily for printing photographs, which it does quite well.
Besides printing and copying well, it performs sluggishly compared to its business-oriented counterparts, and it does not include an automatic document feeder (ADF). For only $20 more than the Canon TS8020, it is well-deserving our Editors’ Choice as a consumer-grade photo and occasional document printer for home and family use.
A result that is worth the wait
Despite the fact that the TS9120 is a bit slow, it prints and copies a good quality product, especially photos. Let us begin with the text. It was extremely easy to read characters down to about 6 points or so, and even some of the decorative fonts we tested were well-shaped and more attractive than what was found with most other inkjet machines.
Additionally, our business graphics and PowerPoint handouts looked great, with accurate, bright colors, and hairlines (1 point or less) were well defined. One of our Excel charts had a noticeable banding in the solid-black background.
My experience was similar when I reviewed Canon’s five-ink Pixma TR8520, the flagship of the company’s TR-series home office printers. However, the TR8520 was able to print our test photos and other documents at comparable speeds and quality despite the absence of photo-blue ink.
Canon’s six-ink photo printers offer impeccably detailed, vibrant, and accurately colored photographs, which are comparable to those produced by other competitors. The overall image quality itself hasn’t changed much over the past few years (even with the introduction of the new photo-blue ink), which is probably good since quality could only go down.
Summary of Findings
Despite not having an automatic document feeder, the Canon Pixma TS9120 Wireless Inkjet All-in-One printer prints great text, graphics, and photos.
3. Canon Pixma PRO-100
Despite being a junior photo inkjet printer in Canon’s professional line, the Canon Pixma PRO-100 still prints gallery-quality pictures up to 13 by 19 inches. If you’re thinking about taking your hobby more seriously, this is a great choice.
In terms of size and weight, it’s slightly bigger than its Epson printer counterpart, the Editors’ Choice Epson Stylus Photo R2000. As with the R2000, it doesn’t have an LCD; instructions and data like ink levels are displayed on your computer’s screen. Connectivity options include WiFi, Ethernet, and USB.
The PRO-100 uses eight dye-based ink tanks: black, gray, light gray, yellow, magenta, photo magenta, cyan, and photo cyan. With 13 ml of ink in each tank, it costs $1.31 per ml, compared with an even dollar per ml for the PRO-1, which has 36 ml of tanks. Compared to the Editors’ Choice Epson Stylus Photo R2000, the PRO-100 costs slightly more per ml for ink.
There are two paper trays on the PRO-100: One for fine art papers and glossy photos, and one for thicker media. You can also print on CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs.
Summary of Findings
In spite of being at the lower end of near-dedicated photo printers, Canon Pixma PRO-100 still prints pictures you’d be proud to hang on the wall.
4. Canon imagePrograf PRO-1000
With the Canon imagePrograf PRO-1000, Canon introduces a new near-dedicated photo printer that was well worth the wait. As a professional plotter with a maximum size of 17 by 22 inches, this printer has graduated from Canon’s Pixma Pro printer family – which produced three excellent prosumer models: the Pixma PRO-1, the Pixma PRO-10, and the Pixma PRO-100.
These types of machines are designed to produce exceptionally good results, and the PRO-1000 does not disappoint. The printer prints well enough to earn it an Editors’ Choice award for professional photo printers with a C-size (17-inch paper width).
As a C-size professional-class photo printer that can print greyscale images of up to 17 by 22 inches, the Canon imagePrograf PRO-1000 earns our Editor’s Choice award. It is strongly recommended that you use Epson’s SureColor product if you intend to print on rolls, and we will soon learn how the PRO-1000 compares to the Epson P800.
There is one thing that is certain, however, as long as you start with high-quality, high-resolution images (and use premium paper), you will be able to produce stunning results with the PRO-1000.
Summary of Findings
As a 17″ wide-format photo printer, Canon imagePrograf PRO-1000 produces stunning images with deep blacks and vibrant colors. There is only one thing we would like to see it support: roll paper.
5. Canon Pixma TS8320 Wireless Inkjet All-In-One Printer
Designed for moderate use in a home environment, the Canon Pixma TS8320 Wireless Inkjet All-In-One Printer is a consumer-grade all-in-one (AIO) photo printer. This machine prints high-quality photos, laser-quality text, and detailed, accurate business graphics with its six inks. Despite the absence of an auto-duplexing automatic document feeder, this printer is an ideal companion for any home office.
The importance of quality
You will be satisfied with the output of the Pixma TS8320 if you are looking for a high-quality, all-in-one device for your home office printer. Despite the fact that it is not cheap to use, it produces high-quality documents and photographs at a reasonable rate. When it comes to quality output, the TS8320 is an excellent option if you are willing to pay a higher price in the long run.
Summary of Findings
With its excellent six-ink photo and graphics output and a long list of productivity and convenience features, the Canon Pixma TS8320 is an ideal all-in-one for the home and the office.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Canon Sublimation Printer
A Canon sublimation printer should be chosen after considering several factors, including the following:
Print Size
It is important to consider the size of the prints you will be making and choose a printer that can handle those measurements.
Ink System
It is important to note that the type of ink system used by the printer will have an effect on the print quality. When choosing a printer, it is important to take into account the number and quality of ink colors.
Connectivity
Check to see what type of connectivity options are available, such as Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet.
The Price
It is also important to consider the price of the printer and the cost of replacement ink cartridges.
The Maintenance of Canon Sublimation Printers
In order to ensure that your Canon sublimation printer remains in good working condition and produces high-quality prints, you should follow these tips for maintenance:
- Keep your printer and its components clean on a regular basis, including the print head and ink tanks.
- To achieve the best results, use sublimation ink cartridges that are specifically designed for this application.
- To avoid damage to the ink and other components of the printer, keep it in a cool and dry location.
Differences Between Canon, Epson, HP, Brother, and Sawgrass Sublimation Printers
In terms of features, print quality, and overall performance, Canon, Epson, HP, Brother, and Sawgrass are all reputable brands that offer sublimation printers.
- Canon: Known for its vibrant colors and exceptional print quality. User-friendly interfaces and advanced connectivity options make them great.
- Epson Printers: Known for its durability and versatility. Using PrecisionCore printhead technology, they print consistently and precisely. Compatible with a wide range of media. With Piezo print technology, every Epson printer is capable of being easily converted to sublimation inkjet printers. Printers that use sublimation use thermal processing or piezo technology. Piezo printers can use sublimation ink because they use pressure instead of heat, whereas thermal printers can’t.
- HP Printers: They’re known for their speed and efficiency. Most HP printers use thermal inkjet technology and have features like wireless printing and automatic double-sided printing.
- Brother Printers: Compact, affordable, and easy to use. It’s perfect for small businesses or individuals who have limited space. Most Brother printers are easy to set up and offer decent print quality. Since Brother printers use Piezo technology, there aren’t any printing profiles available for them. You probably haven’t thought about printing profiles until you need to create something that looks good on paper.
- Sawgrass: A leading manufacturer of sublimation printing equipment. The printer provides excellent color accuracy and sharpness, as well as specialized features, such as advanced ink control.
It is important to take into consideration your specific requirements and budget when choosing a sublimation printer from these brands.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Canon sublimation printers offer a versatile and efficient solution for printing high-quality documents. Thanks to their advanced technology and precision engineering, these printers are able to deliver vivid and detailed prints on a variety of substrates.
Canon printers offer long-lasting and fade-resistant results thanks to the sublimation process, making them a popular choice for professionals in a variety of fields, including photography, graphic design, and textile printing.
As well as offering a seamless printing experience, Canon’s commitment to innovation ensures a high level of quality and a seamless user experience. You can enhance your printing projects to new heights whether you are a small business owner or a creative enthusiast using Canon sublimation printers.
