We are aware of how perplexing it might be when a printer’s feature states that it “uses sublimation technology” or “can be used for heat transfer,” but different enthusiasts will interpret these claims differently. Let’s be clear about which printers can be used for sublimation printing and which cannot. plus WHY.
Definition Of Sublimation Printing
In sublimation printing, heat is used to fuse ink into paper or fabric. The pattern is first printed on special sublimation paper. When the ink is heated, it will be converted into gas and then combined with the cloth to form a permanent printing effect.
Because the ink is embedded on the paper or the backing paper, rather than just on it like ordinary printed matter, the effect is long-lasting and not easy to fade. Heat makes the pores on the fabric expand, and when the ink cools, it becomes solid again through the applied pressure. The final product is a full-color, permanent picture that will not peel, crack, or scour the surface.
This method can help the ink change from a solid state to a gas state instead of a liquid state, which is similar to the working principle of dry ice. The heat from the printer begins to convert and is then adjusted by pressure. For small batch orders and designs that rely on complex details, this fast and accurate digital printing process is becoming more and more popular.
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Can You Realize Sublimation With Any Printer?
Is there sublimation paper for use with any printer? Those are generally undesirable and hazardous. The matching of the ink to the paper must be suitable for a printer to be able to connect to the sublimation ink using this technique. If the printer isn’t compatible, it won’t work.
How About Using Brother Printers For Sublimation
The majority of Brother printers have Piezo, a pressure-printing technology. This indicates that technically speaking, sublimation printing can be done with Brother printers. The fact that no one manufactures sublimation ink or interchangeable cartridges for Brother’s printers, however, is the bigger problem.
When it comes to sublimation printing, you don’t want the printing quality to decrease because you can’t set up ink profiles.
How About Using Hp Printers For Sublimation
Unfortunately, you cannot turn your HP home or office printer into a sublimation printer since the majority of HP printers now on the market spread ink onto the paper using a thermal heat mechanism, which precludes the use of the specific ink for sublimation. Despite the fact that you can’t turn your home HP into a sublimation printer
There is a model line from HP that works with UV ink and sublimation. These machines, however, are large, pricey industrial printers created specifically for the task.
How About Using A Regular Printer For Sublimation
When it comes to printing technology, whether a printer can offer sublimation transfers through heat press applications is often the deciding factor. In sublimation printers, thermal processing or piezo technologies are employed. Thermal printers cannot use sublimation ink, but piezo printers can since they employ pressure rather than heat. Can normal printers use sublimation ink? The short answer is no; read our other article for more information.
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If I Use Epson Printers For Sublimation
Every Epson printer uses piezo print technology, making it simple to convert them. Since Epson already manufactures printers tailored specifically for sublimation, they do not promote their standard office printer as a sublimation printer. As a result, if you choose to utilize sublimation ink with your Epson standard printer, you will not be eligible for any software support or warranty.
If I Use Canon Printers For Sublimation
Office Additionally, Canon printers cannot be made into sublimation printers. They use heat to print, which sublimation ink cannot, just like HP printers.
However, Canon makes a number of printers with built-in sublimation heaters that can transfer images on translucent film. You cannot insert paper and produce sublimation prints.
Summary
So you can choose the right sublimation printer by following our instructions. We outline sublimation printing’s differences from other types of printing. Additionally, we suggest a Canon sublimation printer for you.
