Our choice for the Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners, most cheap and affordable options included.
Sublimation printing is a relatively new process that has rapidly become popular due to its ability to produce professional results on-demand at a low cost.
Compared with more traditional methods of producing printed items such as offset lithography or screen printing, sublimation enables users to create products in-house without buying extra equipment. As a result, it’s the perfect way to create custom gifts and apparel, from clothing to mugs to mousepads.
To use a sublimation printer, you first need to create a digital file containing the images and text that you want to be printed. Must do this at a high resolution, so if you’re using images from your computer’s desktop, it’s best to resize them before printing.
Next, print the design onto specially formulated paper using an inkjet printer. However, because the dye used for this process is not water-soluble, you can’t simply use an ordinary inkjet printer. You will instead need to buy specially formulated paper designed for sublimation printing.
Once you’ve printed your design onto the special paper, prepare it by fusing it with a heat press or iron using a thin piece of cloth as a buffer between the paper and the press.
Once you’re done with this, set it aside to cool down, then cut out your design and apply it to whatever item you want to use for printing T-shirts, mugs, or even bags.
Lastly, place the printed object into a sublimation printer and have it print your design. If you don’t have a sublimation printer, you can order prints online or submit your designs to printing services that include the service in their list of customizations.
How do you get started with sublimation printing?
The first thing you need to do is make sure you have everything necessary to get started. This means having a printer, specially formulated paper for sublimation printing, and an inkjet printer if you want to make your designs or print your images at home.
You should also know that most colors are not very intense when printed using this method, so it’s best to calibrate your printers for this process if you want to print images with very vibrant colors.
List of Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners
- Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless Color
- Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer
- WorkForce WF-7710 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer
- Epson WorkForce WF-7720 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer
- Sawgrass Virtuoso SG400 Complete sublimation Printer
- Sawgrass Virtuoso SG1000 Sublimation Printer
1- Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless Color
The Epson EcoTank ET-2720 is the perfect printer for any beginner, whether you’re printing images or text. This printer stands out among other models in its range because it does not require ink cartridges; instead, the EcoTank system stores ink in large-capacity bottles, which are easily accessible by removing the front cover.
The ink in these bottles can last for up to two years, even if you print regularly. As a bonus, the ET-2720 also supports wireless printer, which allows you to connect it directly to your computer or mobile device without having to worry about wires or cables. All of this, combined with some of the lowest running costs, makes the EcoTank ET-2720 one of the best sublimation printers on the market today.
It has a standard 27 inches printing size, with the ability to print on media rolls measuring up to 12 inches wide with ease, thanks to its expandable paper tray. For added convenience, the ET-2720 uses an LCD screen for image preview and comes equipped with an automatic cutter. With all these features packed into one unit, the EcoTank ET-2720 is hands down one of the best sublimation printers you can get today.
Fast, low-cost, and simple-to-use printers are needed by several families. That’s why we created the EcoTank ET-2720 – a capable cartridge-free design with high-capacity readily refillable ink tanks, so you’ll be less concerned about running out of ink.
so you’ll worry less about running out of ink or having access to expensive replacement supplies1 The machine features genuine Epson printer quality, a flatbed scanner on top for scanning documents as well color display which makes it ideal in any home setting.
2- Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer
The SG500 is a complete sublimation printer designed for any business or individual looking to leap sublimation printing. It includes everything you need to get started and can print on large media rolls up to 13 inches across.
The SG500 comes with a standard 50 x 70 cm (19.7 x 27.6 inches) printing capacity, but it is expandable up to 52 x 91 cm (20.5 x 36 inches). This allows you to print virtually any size media you can get your hands on, making the SG500 an extremely versatile printer for its relatively low price tag.
However, the downside is that this printer is still quite large and bulky compared to other models in its class or even printers with similar features, so if you have limited space at home or work, then this may not be the best sublimation printer for you.
It uses special dye-transfer technology for rich, vibrant colors and supports Windows and Mac operating systems. In addition, the SG500 comes equipped with an LCD screen for inspecting your images before printing them.
It also features an automatic cutter for trimming paper of different sizes easily; all these features combined make this unit one of Sawgrass’ best sublimation printers yet.
This sublimation printer is a steal! It prints up to UHD quality and comes with starter kit ink cartridges. In addition, the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 has been designed from the ground up for photo-realistic graphics.
Still, it can also be used as an everyday professional standard modeler if you’re not planning on printing too large of images or using any special effects like glow in dark features –
which makes this device perfect whether your needs are simple things such as printing business cards at home without having to spend big money on equipment.
3- WorkForce WF-7710 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer
The WorkForce WF-7710 is a wide-format color inkjet printer equipped with wireless connectivity and the ability to print directly from mobile devices like tablets and smartphones.
It can produce up to 13 x 19 inches (33 x 48 cm) prints and has an impressive input tray capacity of 125 sheets, so you don’t have to worry about constantly reloading paper during large print jobs.
The unit also uses four separate ink cartridges, which are easily accessible by opening the front cover, making it easy to install or replace new ones at any time without having to disassemble the entire unit first completely.
This makes it one of the most affordable sublimation printers on this list, but it certainly doesn’t skimp on quality or convenience either.
The WorkForce WF-7710 features the ability to print directly from mobile devices, which is extremely convenient for people who need to quickly print out images whenever they are out and about with no access to a computer.
The unit also has automatic duplex printing capabilities, which means you can print on both sides of the paper without manually flipping it over yourself after every page.
This saves you time and money compared to printers that don’t have this feature available since you only have to load one side of the paper at a time instead of two. All in all, if you’re looking for an affordable sublimation printer that’s easy to use, then this product is definitely up your alley.
The WorkForce WF-7710 is also compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, making it simple to set up, customize, and utilize.
In addition, it uses special DURABrite Ultra pigment ink for high-quality prints that won’t fade or smudge even after long periods.
4- Epson WorkForce WF-7720 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer
The WorkForce WF-7720 is another superior wide-format color inkjet printer from Epson that features an impressive input tray capacity of 250 sheets at once, making it perfect for large print jobs.
Like other printers on this list, the WorkForce WF-7720 comes with wireless connectivity. It supports mobile printing, too, allowing you to quickly print images directly from tablet or smartphone devices whenever you are out and about.
Printing large images is a breeze on this machine, thanks to the automatic duplex printing feature that lets you print on both sides of the paper without having to swap it over manually like other models.
It also comes equipped with the ability to receive faxes and scan documents while using low-maintenance DURABrite Ultra pigment inks, which provide beautiful image quality and color vibrancy that lasts for decades without fading or smudging.
It features a maximum print resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, ensuring that your photographs are correctly and clearly printed each time. It also uses special DURABrite Ultra pigment ink for vivid colors that won’t fade after long periods, just like before.
This printer ranks high on the list of Epson sublimation printers because it is equipped with an LCD screen that can be used to easily preview your images before printing them and automatic cutter functionality for trimming paper of different sizes quickly effortlessly.
To get the most out of your printer, Epson recommends that you use genuine Epson inks When using third-party or nongenuine ink on equipment that is not covered by warranty, it might cause harm to the equipment.
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5- Sawgrass Virtuoso SG400 Complete sublimation Printer
The Virtuoso SG400 is a complete sublimation printer package that comes with everything you need to start printing your custom apparel and other items almost immediately after unboxing.
It uses special low-heat thermal sublimation inks and techniques which allow you to print directly onto the polyester fabric, paper, plastic, ceramic, and other materials without damaging them in any way.
The Virtuoso SG400 also comes equipped with special automatic cutter functionality, which trims paper or polyester fabric to size in one simple step, making it extremely easy to use by beginners and professionals alike.
The printer itself can output professional-quality images at up to 1440 x 720 dpi resolution, which means that using this printer will allow you to produce extremely high-resolution images for your custom apparel.
The Virtuoso SG400 also comes equipped with an LCD screen that allows you to preview the image before it is printed to be sure there are no mistakes. Because it uses low-heat sublimation inks, you don’t have to worry about your product warping or otherwise getting damaged at all.
The compact printer is ideal for users who want to print inexpensive, small items like stickers. It comes complete in a beautiful gift box and includes 100 sheets of high-quality sublimation paper.
This machine is equipped with a sleek touchscreen that can be used to preview images before printing them and edit and trim existing images in progress. In addition, the Virtuoso SG400 uses special dye sublimation inks,
which are fade-resistant for 175 years when printed using the correct settings. It also comes with its software and complete design templates, which you can quickly and easily create your custom designs with precision.
6- Sawgrass Virtuoso SG1000 Sublimation Printer
The Virtuoso SG1000 is a high-quality sublimation printer that makes it easy to create stunning and professional-looking images and designs with crisp detail and vivid colors.
It uses special dye sublimation inks, which help you make the most out of your paper, plastic, polyester fabrics, and other printable media by producing durable, long-lasting images that won’t fade or smudge after extended periods.
It has a maximum print resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi meaning your pictures will be reproduced accurately and with superb clarity every time. In addition, the Virtuoso SG1000 can be used both indoors and outdoors, making it perfect for all sorts of commercial printing jobs such as creating large signs, billboards, retail displays, vehicle wraps, and many others.
The cutting mechanism is motorized and capable of trimming paper or polyester fabric to size in just one simple step, making it extremely easy to use by beginners and professionals alike. It also comes with its software and complete design templates, which you can quickly and easily create your custom designs with precision.
The Virtuoso SG1000 comes with a sleek touchscreen for previewing and editing large batches of images before printing them, as well as special support for automatic cutter functionality,
which allows you to trim paper or fabric to size in one simple step. It is also compatible with standard photo editing software so that you can edit, preview, and print images in progress.
The warranty period starts from the purchase date of your system and covers any hardware defects preventing its good working.
Excluded from this 2-YEARS worth is accidental damage or misuse and converted ink conversions caused by using nongenuine Sawgrass products such as a cartridge.
Best Sublimation Printers Buying Guide:
The best sublimation printers should produce crisp details, vivid colors, and smooth gradients. In addition, they must be simple to use even if you’re a beginner looking for your first printer because the process can seem complicated at first;
not to mention they must be compatible with different types of media so you can work with virtually any type of printable material, including paper, plastic, polyester fabric, and others.
Performance:
The best sublimation printers should have a resolution of at least 720 dpi. This allows your images to be reproduced accurately and with great detail, producing stunning results when printed onto paper or any other media type.
You will find hundreds of cheap printers on the market with resolutions as low as 300dpi, but these are much too low for producing high-quality sublimation photos.
Operating Systems:
This is an important consideration because it dictates whether the printer will work with your device or not. Some printers are compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X, while others may only be compatible with Windows,
so make sure you double-check this before purchasing. Unfortunately, if you only have a Mac, you won’t find any useful information here.
Quality of Prints:
The best sublimation printers will have the ability to produce deep blacks and well-saturated colors, along with smooth gradients. Look for professional print quality in this area if you want your prints to look stunning every time without color banding or tonal shifts.
Some people may value portability more than anything else. In contrast, others may wish to have the best possible print quality, so consider what’s most important to you before making a purchase.
Connectivity:
Some sublimation printers will provide Wi-Fi connectivity while others will not, so if you want to print photos directly from your mobile device, the printer must include this feature.
Any additional media slots for loading paper or other materials are also extremely useful because they will allow you to work uninterrupted for longer periods.
You may also wish to consider how easy it is to load paper or fabric when deciding because some printers may be challenging in this regard.
Size of the Printer:
Before purchasing, you should consider the size of any printer to ensure it will fit comfortably in your workspace without consuming too much room.
While larger printers may print more photos at once, they are less practical to carry around with you when traveling or moving between locations. If portability is important, look for very small models that can fit your pocket.