Sublimation Printers: The Ultimate Guide 

Sublimation printers are a great way to create permanent and vibrant designs on a variety of materials such as paper, plastic, and fabric. Not only are they fun to use, but they are also great for businesses, schools, and homes alike.  They are also a great way to make your own personalized teacher gifts!

In this blog post, we’ll explore the different types of sublimation printers, which ones work best for different projects, which brands are the best, what accessories you should consider, and how you can use them in the classroom or at home. 

At the very bottom of the page you can see some of the sublimation printers, paper, inks, blanks and more supplies for your projects.

What is A Sublimation Printer?

A sublimation printer is a specialized printing device that utilizes a unique printing technique called sublimation. Unlike traditional printers that use liquid ink, sublimation printers use heat to transfer dye onto various surfaces, such as fabric, ceramics, metals, or other specially coated materials. The process involves printing the desired image onto a transfer paper using sublimation ink, which is a type of ink that transforms into a gas when exposed to heat.

Once the image is printed on the transfer paper, it is placed onto the target material and subjected to heat and pressure using a heat press machine. Under the heat and pressure, the sublimation ink on the transfer paper undergoes a phase transition from a solid to a gas without becoming a liquid. The high temperature causes the ink particles to penetrate the surface of the material, bonding with its molecules and becoming a permanent part of the substrate.

The result is a vibrant, high-quality, and durable print that seamlessly integrates with the material, offering excellent color reproduction and sharpness. Sublimation printing is particularly popular for creating custom apparel, promotional items, personalized gifts, and decorative products.

Sublimation printers are specifically designed for this printing process, featuring special printheads and ink systems that can handle the sublimation ink effectively. They offer precise color control, allowing for accurate reproduction of intricate designs and gradients. These printers often have larger ink cartridges or continuous ink supply systems to accommodate the higher ink consumption associated with sublimation printing.

With their ability to produce vivid, long-lasting prints on a wide range of materials, sublimation printers have gained popularity in various industries, including fashion, home decor, sports apparel, and personalized merchandise. They provide a versatile and professional printing solution, enabling businesses and individuals to unleash their creativity and produce unique, customized products with exceptional quality and durability.

Types of Sublimation Printers 

Sublimation printers come in a variety of models and sizes, from desktop units to large industrial machines. The most popular types of sublimation printers are ink-jet, laser, and dye-sublimation printers. Ink-jet sublimation printers are the most common type and work by using an ink cartridge that contains sublimation dye. 

The dye is heated and vaporized by the printer, and then transferred onto the material. Laser sublimation printers use a laser to heat and vaporize the dye, while dye-sublimation printers use a thermal transfer process to create a permanent and vibrant design. 

Best Project Use Ideas + Tips

Sublimation printers work best on light-colored or white materials, such as paper, plastic, and fabric. They are often used to create custom clothing, mugs, keychains, and other decorative items. However, they can also be used to transfer images onto wood, glass, and metal.

What NOT to Use A Sublimation Printer For

Since sublimation has a tricky science behind it, there are factors that can alter your results. 

• White Pigments: Using a sublimation printer on white products will distort the color or just not adhere correctly. 
• Polyester-Free Fabrics: Your finished project should contain polyester fibers. Most products and accessories that are specifically for sublimation printing you won’t have to worry about. Usually a polyester coating can be added or grab yourself a polyester spray that will give you the ability to use other fabrics such as cotton. Take into consideration that fabrics without polyester , less that 75%, even with a spray treatment, will dull any vibrant colors
• Heat Sensitive Products: In order to achieve a successful product, this product needs to be durable enough to curate in up to 400 degrees fahrenheit. 

Bonus Tip: Try not to let the ink in your sublimation printer sit idle for too long. Many experts recommend firing it up once every 2 weeks to get the best outcome.

Which Brands Have the Best Sublimation Printer?

The best brands of sublimation printers are Epson, HP and Sawgrass. These brands offer high-quality printing with a wide range of features, such as high-resolution printing, high-speed printing, and large formats. These printers are also compatible with a wide range of sublimation inks and transfer papers.

The Epson Sublimation Printers seems to be one of the most widely known and one of the easiest to use, so if you are just getting started it is probably your best bet. Of course there are multiple levels of printers you can get from just Epson in the lower range and higher price ranges.

Required Accessories

Most printer brands come equipped with the basic essentials needed to start creating designs. These essentials are:

Ink 

Sublimation printer ink is a specialized dye-based ink designed for use with sublimation printers. There are various types of sublimation inks available, including dye-sublimation, solvent-based, pigment-based, and dual-cartridge inks, each with its own unique properties and uses.

Dye-sublimation inks produce vivid and sharp prints on polyester fabrics and ceramic mugs, while solvent-based inks are best for deep and rich colors. Pigment-based inks are great for creating photo-quality prints, and dual-cartridge inks offer the benefits of both dye-sublimation and pigment-based inks.

Paper 

When heated, sublimation paper absorbs the dye and then releases it. Because sublimation demands extreme heat, the paper is designed to withstand them. When printed, the transfer appears faded, but when pressed, it becomes really vivid. Some sublimation papers may have special coatings or finishes that can enhance the overall quality of your prints

Consider several key factors like the weight and size of the paper, the type of material it’s designed to work with, and its compatibility with your specific sublimation printer. Some sublimation papers are designed for use with specific types of materials, such as t-shirts or ceramic mugs, while others may be more versatile and can be used with a wider range of materials.

Heat Press 

The heat press works by applying heat and pressure to the transfer paper, causing the sublimation ink to vaporize and penetrate the fibers of the material, resulting in a long-lasting and vibrant print. A sublimation heat press is typically used in conjunction with a sublimation printer, which is used to print the image onto the transfer paper. 

The transfer paper is then placed between the material and the heat press, where the heat and pressure are applied to complete the transfer process. In this way, a sublimation heat press and sublimation printer work together to produce high-quality sublimation prints.

There are flat heat presses of course, but they now also make round cup presses for things like tumblers.

Blanks

Sublimation printer blanks are pre-coated or pre-treated items, such as ceramic mugs, phone cases, t-shirts, and other items, that are specifically designed for use with sublimation printing. These items have a special coating that allows the sublimation ink to penetrate the fibers and create a long-lasting and vibrant print.

MEGA LIST OF BLANKS

We gathered up pretty much every possible blank you can design with your sublimation printer, check it out:

1. Ceramic Mugs
2. Phone Cases
3. T-Shirts
4. Mouse Pads
5. Keychains
6. Pillows
7. Tote Bags
8. Aprons
9. License Plates
10. Metal Ornaments
11. Canvas Tote Bags
12. Ceramic Tiles
13. Coasters
14. Picture Frames
15. Notebooks
16. Water Bottles
17. MDF Photo Panels
18. Sublimation Rocks
19. Jigsaw Puzzles
20. Ornaments
21. Ceramic Plates
22. Ceramic Tile Coasters
23. Sublimation Stones
24. Glass Cutting Boards
25. Sublimation Cookies
26. Ceramic Photo Tiles
27. Key Rings
28. Name Tags
29. Headbands/Ribbons
30. Pendants
31. Jewelry

How You Can Use Them in the Classroom or at Home

Sublimation printers are a great way to add a personal touch to your projects and can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom or at home. 

• For Teachers: Schools, churches, and daycares can be brought to life, floor to ceiling with the designs from a sublimation printer. Use them to print out custom designs for students’ projects or even customize items for each student. Get into the school spirit with decals, posters, and field trip T-shirts.

• For Your Home: Every family indulges in crafty projects! We all have to favor the projects that create the least amount of mess which is thankfully achievable with a sublimation printer. They are easy to use and simple to learn the process, perfect for the kids to get more hands on with these projects! Create custom t-shirts, mugs, and pins, or to create personalized gifts for friends and family. You can even use these printers to create your Teacher Appreciation Day gifts, or teacher gifts throughout the year!

These are also a great way to add a unique and professional touch to any project and can help make the end result stand out. Also be sure to check out the post on Cricut machines as they might be more of your creative jam!

Sublimation Printers & Accessories