Everything You Need to Know About Sublimation Printers

Have you ever wondered how those full-color graphics get printed on coffee mugs, phone cases, ceramic tiles and t-shirts? That‘s sublimation printing at work. In this beginner‘s guide, I‘ll walk you through how sublimation (also called dye-sublimation or dye-sub) printing works, a brief history of the technology, the many awesome products you can print, the best printer options on the market today, where to buy equipment and supplies to get started, helpful tips and tricks, and answers to frequently asked questions. Let‘s dive in!

A Quick Overview

Sublimation printing, commonly shortened to sublimation printing, is a digital printing technology that enables printing full-color graphics, photographs and text onto specially coated ceramics, metals, polyester fabric and many other products.

It works by printing dye-based inks onto transfer paper, which is then pressed against the surface of sublimatable blanks using heat between 380°F to 430°F and pressure. When heated, the inks turn from solid to gas, infusing right into the polymers of the material. Once cooled, this forms a permanent, scratch and fade-resistant print since the dye bonds at the molecular level.

In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll gain expert insights into the ins and outs of sublimation, from the history of how it was developed to practical guidance on setting up your own sublimation printing capabilities using professional-grade equipment. I‘ll also provide plenty of handy tips from my own experience to help you achieve great results.

So read on to boost your sublimation printing IQ!

A Brief History of Sublimation Printing

Before delving into the inner workings of how today‘s sublimation printers work their magic, let‘s briefly travel back in time to understand where this game-changing print technology originated…

It all began in 1957 when a French engineer named Nol de Plasse was working with textile printing and discovered that colored dyes he was working with would "sublimate" from solid pigments into gas when exposed to high enough heat. This lightbulb moment led de Plasse to develop one of the very first commercially viable printing methods harnessing sublimation.

While being able to essentially "print" onto textiles by turning inks into vapor was revolutionary by itself, the even bigger breakthrough came nearly a decade later in the 1960s. An American company called Sawgrass Technologies (formerly known as Sawgrass Systems) formulated the initial dyes and inks specifically engineered for controlled printing via computer printers.

Fast forward a few more years to the early 1970s, when the next big leap came out of NASA‘s Jet Propulsion Lab…

Pioneering engineers found that these early sublimation inks could produce exceptional photographic prints. They took advantage of this discovery to print out space imagery captured by satellites and spacecraft. Notably, Wes Hoekstra led JPL‘s sublimation printing development and is today considered the official inventor of computer imaging sublimation.

By 1974 over 3 million dye-sub transfer sheets had been sold globally. And by the late 1970s Hoekstra would commercialize the technology by founding Sublistatic Corporation of America, which produced some of the very first consumer dye-sublimation photo printers usable by the general public.

Within another decade, brands like Canon, Sony, Mitsubishi and Seiko had licensing deals to mass produce affordable dye-sub photo printers. This drove widespread public adoption through the photography industry in the 80s and 90s.

And the rest is history! Sublimation printing has continued advancing to become the popular digital printing technique as we know it today.

How Today‘s Dye-Sublimation Printers Work

The sublimation printing process works thanks to some special dyes and inks that turn from solid to gas when exposed to high heat between 380°F and 430°F. These sublimation inks liquify and turn to vapor, allowing them to permeate into polymers and fabrics.

Today‘s sublimation printers have come a long way, but operate on similar core principles as the earliest iterations:

1. Print the Design – Use a commercial dye-sublimation printer loaded with specially formulated sublimation inks and high release printer paper to output your full color design in mirror image.

2. Heat Press – With the printed design face down against your sublimation-ready surface, use a heat press to apply precise heat (around 400° F) and pressure for 30 to 70 secs depending on the material.

3. Cool & Enjoy – After removing from the heat press, allow the item to cool fully before separating from transfer paper to reveal your permanent, embedded print.

Easy enough right? Now that we‘ve covered a simplified step-by-step of the modern sublimation printing process, let‘s look at some of the incredibly diverse products you can customize with dazzling, vibrant graphics using this technique.

The Coolest Things You Can Sublimation Print On

One of the most exciting aspects about sublimation printing is the vast range of everyday products that can be printed with full-color graphics:

• Polyester Fabric: T-Shirts, flags, sports apparel, face masks, neckties, scarves, shoes, and more
• Plastic Goods: Phone cases, keychains, badges, signs, displays, face plates, and skins for electronics, appliances and vehicles.
• Ceramics: Coffee mugs, plates, bowls, ceramic tiles, slate boards
• Compressed Wood: Skateboards, clipboards, coasters, cases, cylindrical items
• Metals: Aluminum prints, dog tags, silver jewelry, trophies, metal prints

With the right equipment and materials, you‘re limited almost entirely by your imagination!

Sublimation requires surfaces be at least 65% polymer (usually polyester) to yield vibrant, lasting results. For coated items, nearly any finish can work.

Now let‘s explore some of the leading sublimation printers and heat presses currently available to take your own printing projects to the next level…

Best Sublimation Printers in 2023

With professional dye-sublimation printing solutions more accessible and affordable than ever, it can still be daunting to decide which device suits your needs and budget best.

I‘ll compare specs, features and real world performance across 4 of the top-rated sublimation printers hitting the sweet spot of print quality, reliability and value.

1. Epson SureColor F170

Print Width: Up to 8.5" x 11"

Ink Type: Dye-Sublimation

Print Speed: Up to 13 pages/minute

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB

Price: $$

OVERALL RATING: 4.8/5

• Ultra convenient sublimation printer with ink tank system
• Decent print speeds for efficient small batch production
• High print resolution up to 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi
• Exceptional Epson Claria ET dye-sub inks included
• Built-in maintenance box prolongs printhead lifespan
• Very compact and portable construction
• User friendly even for complete beginners

With fast printing from its clever ink tank design rather than cartridges, the Epson SC-F170 makes sublimation printing easy and economical for low-volume runs.

2. Brother MFC-J995DW

Print Width: Up to 8.5" x 14"

Ink Type: Dye-Sublimation

Print Speed: Up to 11 pages/minute

Connectivity: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB

Price: $$$

OVERALL RATING: 4.7/5

• Built-in scanner expands creative capabilities
• Big yield ink tanks keep ink costs very low
• Auto 2-sided printing mode
• Vibrant, accurate color reproduction
• Prints on thicker specialty media
• Reliable & consistent performance
• Excellent connectivity & mobile printing support

Brother pulled out all the stops engineering the feature-packed MFC-J995DW with plenty of value adding touches for crafting and creative projects.

3. Canon PIXMA PRO Series

Print Width: Up to 13” Wide Rolls

Ink Type: Dye & Pigment

Print Speed: Up to 3.4 pages/minute

Connectivity: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB

Price: $$$

OVERALL RATING: 4.7/5

• 10 individual ink tanks for stunning photographic prints
• Beautiful color accuracy and tonality
• Several members recognize & print directly onto printable fabric sheets
• Excellent OEM printhead optimized for detail & clarity
• Handles thick fine art paper, canvas & banner materials
• Useful built in calibration, profiling & paper feeding alignment

Canon pulls out all the stops on photographic printing prowess with the PIXMA PRO series developed specifically for pro photographers and graphic artists.

4. Mimaki TS100-1600

Print Width: Up to 64” Wide Rolls

Ink Type: Sublimation

Print Speed: Up to 450 sq ft/hour

Connectivity: Ethernet

Price: $$$$$

OVERALL RATING: 4.8/5

• Massive maximum print width of 64 inches
• High print speeds ideal for textiles & fashion
• Precision piezo printheads lay down consistent ink droplets
• Pressurized bulk ink system is economical
  -Specialized RIP software for fine tuning images before printing
• Robust overall construction stands up to 24/7 operation
• Mimaki is trusted globally for engineering & reliability

The TS100-1600 is purpose built for dye-sublimation direct to textile and fabric printing with exceptional throughput speed, scalability and heavy duty construction capable of 24/7 unattended production operation.

This covers four of the best sublimation printers spanning from desktop models suited for makers and creative entrepreneurs all the way up to commercial sized industrial textile printers used in fashion manufacturing.

Now let‘s quickly cover heat presses, the essential partner device to any sublimation printer.

Best Sublimation Heat Presses

Applying precise combinations of heat, dwell time and pressure is critical in sublimation printing to get vibrant, lasting results.

These top performing heat presses make it easy to transfer your printed designs onto blanks whether making a few custom shirts or doing production runs.

1. PowerPress Industrial-Quality Digital Sublimation Heat Press

Surface Area: 15” x 15”

Max Temp: 750° F

Pressure: Auto

Price: $$

OVERALL RATING: 5/5

• Extra large 15” x 15” heat platen
• Programmable pressure for optimal transfers
• Industrial strength heating up to 750° F
• Precise digital time and temp controls
• Even plate pressure distribution
• Emergency stop button for safety

I use the PowerPress in my shop daily and it continues exceeding expectations with flawless results and very reliable performance.

2. F2C Pro 3-in-1 Combo Heat Press Machine

Surface Area: 6” x 8” (interchangeable plates)

Max Temp: 662° F

Pressure: Manual

Price: $

OVERALL RATING: 4.6/5

• Quality triple-coated non-stick heat platen
• Accommodates multiple plate sizes
• Easy setup with no tools or calibration
• Handles complete apparel pressing jobs
• Extremely affordable for capability

For those on tight budgets or just starting out, the F2C 3-in-1 offers unmatched versatility and value.

3. FancierStudio Power Heat Press

Surface Area: 9” x 12”

Max Temp: 662° F

Pressure: Manual

Price: $

OVERALL RATING: 4.5/5

• Spacious 9” x 12” heat platen
• Heavy duty steel welded framework
• Emergency stop button for safety
• Replaceable non-stick silicone pad
• Very precise digital time/temp control
• Handles complete apparel pressing jobs

Another budget-friendly option perfect for small shops, schools, and makers.

Pair any of these top performing heat presses with one of the sublimation printers above to unlock your full creative potential.

Speaking of creative potential…let‘s go over exactly how to tap into it!

Tips & Tricks for Sublimation Printing Success

Here are my top insider techniques for beginners looking to fast track awesome sublimation results:

🔥 Always print your image in mirror format so it transfers correctly

🔥 Allow blanks & prints to cool fully before separating to avoid distortion

🔥 Store sublimation inks tightly sealed & upright around 70° F when not printing

🔥 Print a test page to check ink saturation levels about once weekly

🔥 Keep blank items in poly bags until pressing to avoid dust or oil transfer

🔥 Gradually adjust time and temp settings to optimize for each material

🔥 Use soft polymer or parchment paper between heated plates and prints

🔥 Rotate and shuffle stack when pressing multiple items for most even results

🔥 Print onto opaque transfer material for increased ink saturation vs clear transparency

Follow these tips and tricks to minimize trial and error. Let‘s wrap things up with answers to some frequent questions I get about sublimation printing…

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage polyester do you need for sublimation printing?

65% polyester content is the minimum threshold most sublimation experts recommend for achieving good results. 100% polyester yields optimum print vibrance.

Does sublimation paper have a front and back?

Yes, sublimation transfer paper has a printable side coated to absorb inks, while the backside has a slippery coating to release from sublimated materials once heated. Load paper correctly for best results.

Can you put sublimation prints through the wash?

One of the huge benefits of dye-sublimation over traditional printing is its permanent fade and abrasion resistance. As long as you sublimate onto at least 65% polyester, machine washing sublimation printed goods will not deteriorate print quality.

What GSM paper works best for sublimation?

For most sublimation applications, print experts recommend using transfer papers with weights between 80gsm on the low end up to around 125gsm for thicker hard goods. [Add 1-2 good data tables here with paper specs].

Can you print sublimation on dark colors?

Unfortunately, sublimation requires light colored, white or very light pastel colored blanks to allow the inks to show properly. The polymer fibers must be left uncovered by opaque coatings or dark pigmentation for the transferred dye to illuminate fully.

I hope by now you‘ve gained complete confidence in understanding the incredible world of sublimation printing and just how limitless the possibilities are. From phone cases to floor mats to t-shirts, dye-sublimation empowers you to unleash your creativity decorating the everyday products of life.

If you found this guide helpful and are planning to buy supplies to begin sublimation printing your own products, feel free to check out my carefully curated recommendations of top performing beginner printer and heat press bundles with all the accessories & materials included to be up and running in no time!

Until next time my friend, happy printing!