Which cheap sublimation printer is the best?
If you’re an artist, graphic designer, or just want to make your own t-shirts and mugs, a sublimation printer can be a great tool to add to your creative arsenal.
There’s no denying that the best quality sublimation printers can be a big investment, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. There are some quality budget templates out there if you know where to look. The first choice is the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000.
What to know before buying a cheap sublimation printer
What is sublimation printing?
Sublimation printing allows you to print an image onto paper to transfer to another item, such as a T-shirt.
Unlike typical inkjet printing, sublimation printing uses vapor ink, which has been heated until it turns into a gas, so it can better penetrate the sublimation paper. You can then use this paper to transfer the image onto various items you are trying to print using a hot press.
The paper ultimately traps the ink inside the paper to create high resolution images that are sharp, clear and even resistant to water damage. The key thing to remember about any type of sublimation printing is that you are printing into the liner, not the item.
This process is more expensive as it requires a sublimation printer and compatible ink and paper.
Which products can be printed by sublimation?
Many different items can work with sublimation, including fabric, mugs, and ornaments. These items can also be made from different materials. Yet the problem is that each specific item must be explicitly made for sublimation as they require the same polyester coating.
What to Look for in a Cheap Sublimation Printer
paper size
If you plan to use your dye sublimation printer for a specific project, be sure to check the capacity for the paper size. Some of the cheaper models can only support 8-inch by 11-inch prints, which may not be compatible with what you need.
Ink supply
Since you need specialized ink and sublimation printing can require more ink than a regular inkjet printer, you want to make sure you have enough ink on hand. Some printers come with backup ink and a supply that will last a considerable amount of time.
Some printers use ink cartridges and some use large capacity ink tanks so you can refill each color manually as needed.
WiFi technology
If you want to get rid of cables, look for a dye-sublimation printer with a Wi-Fi connection so you can print from multiple computers and in different locations. All you need is a reliable wireless connection.
How much can you expect to spend on a cheap sublimation printer?
For the best of the best, you can spend upwards of $2,500 on a quality sublimation printer, but affordable models are available for under $300. The trade-off is that they don’t have as many features, so make sure the sublimation printer you buy is capable of what you need.
Cheap Sublimation Printer FAQs
What is the best color material for sublimation printing?
A. Sublimation printing tends to work better when printing on white or light materials versus black or dark materials, which can show through in the design. For example, if you try to print a yellow image on a black shirt, some of the black may show through and slightly change the color of the yellow.
Can I use a sublimation printer and sublimation ink to print on plain paper?
A. Technically yes, but it won’t look good because it’s not being used for what it was designed for. It is best to use sublimation paper and ink specifically for sublimation printing only.
What is the best cheap sublimation printer to buy?
Top cheap sublimation printer
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
What do you want to know: Create brilliant, bright prints with this printer in professional HD photo quality. Operating at just 49 decibels, it’s also extremely quiet.
What you will love: It’s smaller and more compact than other printers, so it should easily fit on your desk. It supports two-sided document printing and comes with a 200-sheet front tray and a 50-sheet rear tray for specialty media. Don’t worry about keeping an eye on your ink levels, because if you enable Dashboard Override, it will keep track of your ink levels and order you more when you run low.
What you should consider: Keep in mind that this only works with Epson ink cartridges.
Or buy: Sold by Amazon
Top cheap sublimation printer for the money
What do you want to know: It’s an affordable wireless printer that you can control from an app on your smartphone.
What you will love: It comes with AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, an integrated automatic document feeder and automatic document feeder capabilities. It’s also compatible with Alexa and can print everything up to legal-sized documents in vibrant color, so color copies come out looking great.
What you should consider: This printer comes with Dash Replenishment, which automatically detects when ink cartridges are low. Still, some customers feel that the ink gauge is not always accurate and reads low even after a refill.
Or buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What do you want to know: This versatile printer with an integrated scanner is fast, affordable and easy to navigate, making it ideal for home use.
What you will love: Say goodbye to ink cartridges as they use large capacity ink tanks that are easy to refill. It comes with a two-year ink supply. Heatless Micro Piezo technology lets you print vibrant color photos and graphics on just about any type of paper.
What you should consider: Some customers have reported issues with Wi-Fi capability.
Or buy: Sold by Amazon
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ryan dempsey written for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their buying decisions, saving them time and money.
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