Can you use a regular printer for sublimation? Sublimation printing is a method popular for its vibrant and long-lasting results. It is often associated with dedicated dye sublimation printers. However, many users are interested in whether their existing regular printers can be used for sublimation printing. In this blog, we will take you through the world of dye-sublimation printing and discuss the compatibility of regular printers with sublimation.
Whether you can use a regular printer for sublimation depends on the type of printer. Sublimation printing requires a dye sublimation printer. If you can successfully convert your regular printer to a sublimation printer, you will be able to print with sublimation. It's worth noting that some regular printers (usually Epson inkjet printers) can be successfully converted to sublimation printing.
In comparison, most regular HP, Canon, Dell, and Lexmark printers are not suitable for sublimation conversion. Before attempting any modifications, it is recommended to confirm your printer's sublimation compatibility with the manufacturer to avoid damage.
Sublimation printing is a process that uses heat to transfer dye to a material and create a permanent bond. Unlike traditional printing methods where the ink remains on the surface, sublimation ink converts to gas and penetrates the material, producing vivid, durable prints. For dye-sublimation printing, you will need a matching sublimation printer and dye sublimation ink.
Dye-sublimation is popular for creating personalized items such as key chains, mugs, and phone cases. Besides, its exceptional ability to produce colorful, high-resolution images makes it ideal for a variety of product designs. Consider its specific applications in some areas:
Decorative patterns on home furnishings such as blankets, pillows, and curtains;
Graphic styles on fashionable clothing, such as T-shirts, pants, and hats made of at least 60% polyester fabrics;
Custom-designed technology accessories such as mouse pads and tablet cases.
Before talking about this issue, let’s make it clear first, what is a sublimation printer? A sublimation printer is a special type of inkjet printer that uses dye sublimation ink. It has a Micro Piezo print head to handle the delivery of gaseous dye.
The dye sublimation printer applies controlled heat to the dye sublimation ink through this printhead, converting it into a gas. The gas is then absorbed by the material, forming a permanent full-color image.
Unlike a sublimation printer, a regular inkjet printer uses regular ink cartridges and a thermal print head. This print head heats the regular inkjet ink, causing it to form small droplets. These droplets are then ejected from the print head onto the print material to create the desired results.
To sum up, the compatibility issues between regular printers and sublimation printers mainly originate from the differences in print heads and printer inks.
Most regular inkjet printers use thermal printheads instead of Micro Piezo printheads. This can be difficult to meet the requirements of sublimation ink. If you print with sublimation ink, it may cause clogging and other problems.
Therefore, except for some printers that use Micro Piezo printheads such as Epson printers, most inkjet printers cannot perform sublimation projects.
Yes, some regular printers are capable of converting to sublimation printers, especially certain Epson inkjet printers. Common examples include Epson Artisan 1430, Epson EcoTank ET-2720, Epson EcoTank ET-2760, Epson EcoTank ET-2800, Epson EcoTank ET-2850, Epson WorkForce WF-3640, Epson WorkForce WF-7710, etc.
It is worth noting that the warranty of the printer will be invalid after modification. Please consider carefully before taking action and confirm printer sublimation compatibility.
Want to know how to sublimation print? This involves Epson printer settings for sublimation and sublimation transfer printing. By the way, you’ll also need other preparations, such as a heat press and heat-resistant tape.
Click on the video below to learn more about sublimation for beginners.
You seem to be wondering the question "Can you use sublimation ink on regular paper?" Our answer is no, we do not recommend using sublimation ink in regular printers with thermal print heads. These printers are not compatible with sublimation ink. Ink can bleed into printer paper and look dull, causing clogs and even potential damage.
The main difference lies in the composition and behavior of the ink. Sublimation ink is a water-soluble ink that contains solid color dye powder. The ink changes from solid to gas when heated, allowing it to penetrate materials for long-lasting prints.
Regular ink, on the other hand, is made from solvents, colorants, resins, additives, etc. It adheres to the surface to create a high quality print and may not withstand the heat required for sublimation.
Yes, the special Sublimation Paper is critical to the success of sublimation printing. This sublimation paper is designed to handle sublimation inks and facilitate the transfer process. Using regular paper may not produce the desired results or have superior print quality as it may not absorb the sublimation ink properly.
We have listed some printers for sublimation. Professional dye sublimation printers offer small businesses huge business advantages. Their excellent print quality and efficiency increase productivity. However, for DIY enthusiasts and small sublimation projects, a convertible printer with dye-sublimation compatibility will suffice. While it may not be professional grade, it provides satisfactory results for amateurs and smaller events.
These professional dye sublimation printers above are made specifically for sublimation transfer printing. They work right out of the box without any modifications.
Any Epson EcoTank printer can be easily converted to a dye-sublimation printer. Simply open the lid of the printer’s ink tank, fill it with sublimation ink, and start printing.
Certain Epson WorkForce printers can also complete the conversion. But we don’t recommend it because you need to buy new refillable ink cartridges and fill them with sublimation printer ink.
Epson is also actively working on printer firmware updates, which may block third-party cartridges and inks.
Printer Series
Printer Model
Epson EcoTank Printers for Sublimation
Epson EcoTank ET-2400
Epson Expression ET-2700 EcoTank
Epson EcoTank ET-2720
Epson Expression ET-2750 EcoTank
Epson EcoTank ET-2760
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
Epson EcoTank ET-2803
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Epson EcoTank ET-3710
Epson EcoTank ET-3760
Epson EcoTank ET-3830
Epson EcoTank ET-3843
Epson EcoTank ET-3850
Epson EcoTank ET-4700
Epson EcoTank ET-4760
Epson EcoTank ET-4800
Epson EcoTank ET-4850
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5880
Epson Expression Premium ET-7700 EcoTank
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
Epson EcoTank ET-15000
Epson WorkForce ET-16500 EcoTank
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650
Epson WorkForce Printers for Sublimation
Epson WorkForce WF-2850
Epson WorkForce WF-2960
Epson WorkForce WF-3620
Epson WorkForce WF-3640
Epson WorkForce WF-7210
Epson WorkForce WF-7710
Epson WorkForce WF-7720
Epson WorkForce WF-7610
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4820
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7820
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7840
Want more information on heat transfer paper? Click the link below to contact us.