There are a variety of printers in this category like heat transfer printers, Cricut printers, and sublimation printers. Out of which, sublimation printers are the most compact options that can print on special materials like polyester. In this printing method, the printing ink is heated until it is infused with the material of the fabric for a permanent print. Here are some important factors that you should know before buying a sublimation printer.
Printing Technology: As there are a lot of options available in the market for DIY-based printing tasks, it is easy to get confused between one or 2 options based on printing technology. If you’re sure that a sublimation printer is what you need for your work, you should make sure that you are buying the one and not a heat transfer or a Cricut printer. The sublimation printing technology is also called Dry Sublimation or DYE-SUB, based on the brand.
Connectivity Options: You should also check the connectivity options available on a printer if you want to be at the highest productivity level with your printer. If your printer only offers traditional options like an ethernet port, you will need a desktop computer connected to your printer at all times. On the other hand, printers that offer a USB port or WiFi support can be used remotely without any problem. You can also use these printers directly with your smartphone. Compatible Devices: The range of devices compatible with your printer usually depends upon the connectivity options and the software used on the printer. If the printer app is available for multiple platforms, you will be able to use the printer with your desktop computer, laptop, or even your iOS or Android smartphone. We have specified the types of devices suitable for the printer so you won’t have to think too much about it.
Today, we are going to take a look at some of the best options available in the market for sublimation printers. These printers can be used for starting your own little business, or even for mass production for creative shops and studios. As we will be offering a wide range of options, you can find the most suitable option under your budget easily. For any additional help, make sure you refer to our Buying Guide for the best sublimation printers.
Best Sublimation Printer 2023: List
Best Sublimation Printer Reviews
1. Canon® SELPHY Wireless Compact Photo Printer
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Since we are talking about photo printers, we are going to introduce the photo printer designed by Canon first since this brand specifically deals with digital cameras and their development. It’s a highly portable photo printer that you can use outdoors. At the 1st position, we have the Canon® SELPHY™ CP1300 compact photo printer. Even though this printer is made by a renowned brand, it is the cheapest option we have for our list of the best sublimation printers. This is a wireless photo printer that makes it possible to create physical photo prints anywhere. The Canon® SELPHY™ CP1300 can print images up to 4 x 6 inches in size, which you can adjust as per your preference. You can also adjust the borders around the image, or remove it completely based on the type of photo. A standard 4 x 6 inches photo takes approximately 47 seconds on the Canon® SELPHY™ CP1300 whereas a smaller card-size photo can be printed within 39 seconds. This is not bad considering it offers 300 x 300 DPI printing resolution. Best Features
It works on Dye Sublimation printing technology It has USB connectivity option Suitable for Smartphones, PC, Laptops
Pros
Prints an image within 47 seconds Supports up to 4 x 6 inches image size Offers 300 x 300 DPI resolution
Cons
Not a great option for repetitive printing
2. Liene Photo Printer
Liene has also produced a highly affordable as well as portable photo printer that you can use for sublimation printing. Due to its budget range, it is quite popular amongst other options. Our 2nd choice for the best sublimation printer is the Liene Photo Printer. This is also a wireless photo printer that is available with a compact and portable form factor, which is ideal for a photo printer. It allows professional cameramen to carry the printer with them and generate a hardcopy of their work instantly. This printer can also print up to 4 x 6 inches images which is suitable for most users. You will also get support for a dedicated smartphone application called Liene app that will allow you to use the printer easily. The package also includes 20 Liene photo printer papers along with the printer so that you can test out the printer right after unboxing it. This is a universally compatible device that can work with iOS, Android, laptop, desktop computer, or other devices that have WiFi connectivity. You can connect up to 5 devices to the Liene photo printer at once for faster input. Best Features
It works on Dye Sublimation printing technology It has WiFi connectivity option Suitable for Smartphones, PC, Laptops Supports 5 simultaneous connections
Pros
Prints 4 x 6 inches images Ships with 20 photo papers Compatible with many devices
Cons
Not a great option for repetitive printing
3. Canon SELPHY Photo Printer
Canon has managed to land yet another photo printer on our list of the best sublimation printers. The following option belongs to the Selphy series from Canon which includes many high-quality photo printers. The Canon SELPHY CP1300 is yet another great option designed by Canon. Similar to our last pick from Canon, this is also a compact wireless printer made by Canon for outdoor usage. It also has special features like Airprint and Mopria support along with WiFi connectivity to allow much better control via smartphones. The Dye-Sub printing technology on this photo printer will instantly dry your prints almost instantly so that you can store them right away. Apart from that, you also get support for the dedicated Canon Print app to allow control of the printer from anywhere, as long as it is connected to the WiFi. And if you have the printing document on your USB drive or memory card, you will also find slots for the same on the . Canon SELPHY CP1300. On top of everything else, the Canon SELPHY CP1300 ships with a dedicated 12 inches hard case to keep the printer safe while traveling. Best Features
It works on DYE-SUB printing technology It has WiFi,USB connectivity option Suitable for Smartphones, PC, Laptops Ships with a 12 inches case
Pros
Canon KP-108IN color ink paper set included Allows printing from USB and memory cards Great option for the price
Cons
It is not designed for mass printing
4. Fargo DTC1250e Single Sided ID Card Printer
So far, we have looked at portable options that are designed for basic photo printing. If you are interested in a professional photo printing kit, the following option from Fargo might be right for your needs. The Fargo DTC1250e is one of the premium choices we have for our list of the best sublimation printers. This is more of a photo printing set that includes almost everything you need for a professional photo and ID printing job. This set includes the photo printer along with 300 PVC cards, Bodno printing software, color ribbon, and even a compact id camera for quick capture. Despite its high-end specifications, the Fargo DTC1250e is pretty easy to use. Once you get used to the functioning of the printer, you will be able to print out ID cards within just a few minutes. The included app on the other hand will walk you through the basic setup, features, and printing steps for the printer. The Fargo DTC1250e is backed by a 3-year long warranty period to assure long-lasting quality. Best Features
It works on Dye Sublimation, Thermal printing technology It has USB connectivity option Suitable for PC It has 3 years of warranty
Pros
300 PVC cards included A compact ID camera included Long warranty period
Cons
It cannot print double sided ID cards
5. Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer
Sawgrass is also a well-known brand when it comes to special purpose printers and accessories. Here, we have a great sublimation printer coming from Sawgrass on our list. The Sawgrass SG500 might just be the perfect product you need to start your own sublimation printing business. It is comparatively cheaper than other professional printers, and still offers many desirable features suitable for similar applications. The Sawgrass SG500 works with the Sawgrass print manager as well as CreativeStudio Online Designer apps to let you create and manage your printing documents with ease. The Sawgrass SG500 also ensures the lowest per image cost compared to the image quality you will get. You will be able to print up to 51 inches long with this printer, which is outstanding considering its compact size. Just like other Sawgrass printers, the Sawgrass SG500 also has an automated maintenance cycle to keep the unit in the right shape. You will get a 2-year warranty period on the Sawgrass SG500 printer which is great at this price point. Best Features
It works on Dye Sublimation printing technology It has WiFi connectivity option Suitable for Smartphones, PC, Laptops It has 2 years warranty period
Pros
Allows printing of up to 51 inches long media It has WiFi connectivity Automated maintenance cycle
Cons
Not as portable as other options
6. Magicard 300 Dual Sided ID Card Printer
Magicard is also bringing a premium range card printer that is suitable for professional applications. This printer is also a reliable choice for long-term printing applications. The Magicard 300 is also a premium-range ID card printer that we have selected for our list of the best sublimation printers. Just like our last couple of options, this is more of an ID printing kit since it’s package consists of many additional accessories. With the Magicard 300 printer, you will receive the popular Bodno software, 300 PVC cards, ID camera, and a MC300YMCKO color ribbon. Therefore, your printer will be ready to use right after you open it. You will also find the Magicard 300 printer pretty easy to use and you will be able to print out ID cards within a couple of minutes. There are pre-made templates and drag-and-drop functionality available with the Bodno software which makes the printer the best option, even for a beginner. Since it is also a premium ID card printer, you will get a 3-year long warranty period on this unit. Best Features
It works on Dye Sublimation printing technology It has USB, Ethernet connectivity option Suitable for PC It has 3-year warranty
Pros
Includes many accessories Easy to use software 300 PVC cards included
Cons
WiFi connectivity is not provided
7. Evolis Classic Zenius Transfer Printer
In the end, we are bringing yet another high-capacity sublimation printer on our list. This sublimation printer is made by Evolis, a brand known for offering a variety of special purpose printers. The Evolis Classic Zenius is also a great alternative for a dye sublimation printer. With the Evolis Classic Zenius, you will be able to print a wide range of products like badges, cards, passes, and many other similar wearables. This printer is backed by the Evolis Premium Suite software. It basically delivers a printing configuration system which can be easily understood by the user. You will be able to operate the printer right from the app itself. It will also alert you about the printing status as well as ribbon availability. As for the prints, you will notice shard results with the Evolis Classic Zenius as it generates prints at 300 DPI resolution. It is capable of creating about 2 million colors, ensuring the right color spectrum for each of your prints. And with 16 GB of RAM, the Evolis Classic Zenius is capable of printing about 120 cards every hour. Best Features
It works on Dye Sublimation printing technology It has USB connectivity option Suitable for PC 120 cards can be printed every hours
Pros
Best option for mass printing applications Printing speed is great Capable of creating about 2 million colors
Cons
Not as reliable as other sublimation printers
Buying Guide For The Best Sublimation Printer
From printing on a simple sheet of paper to printing custom-made designs on fabrics or even ceramics, printers have come a long way in terms of technological advancement. One such type of printer is the sublimation printer which will surely offer you the results you need with your designs. On this list, we have offered you a selection of the best sublimation printer you can buy right now. As we have provided all the necessary information along with a list of best features, you can make a decision right from your home. But if this is your first time getting a sublimation printer, you should stop and take a look at our buying guide for the best sublimation printer before making your decision. In this buying guide, you will find detailed information about the important qualities of a sublimation printer and how you can select the one that suffices your needs completely.
1. Printing Speed and Resolution
If you are buying a printer, you need to make sure that it is going to offer you the output quality you need, when you need it. For that, you will have to check the printing speed of the printer as well as its printing resolution. The printing speed basically refers to the number of outputs a printer can generate every minute. For standard printers, the printing speed is represented in PPM or pages per minute rating. If you are planning to use the sublimation printer for professional applications or a business, you need to carefully check the printing speed if you want to create a higher number of products in a day. As for the quality of the prints, it depends upon the printing technology and the printing resolution of the unit. The printing resolution is provided in DPI or dots per inch. As you can imagine, the print quality will increase along with the increase in DPI.
2. Size and Form Factor
Even though sublimation printers are already pretty compact, not all options will be the right fit for your application. If your office or studio is already cramped with multiple types of printers, desktop computers, and laptops, you should pick a compact sublimation printer that can be easily placed in a little spot. Compact options are also suitable for portability and outdoor usage. And since many printers these days support an external battery pack, compact options are becoming all the more useful. But with that being said, you should also consider the fact that smaller printers will be slower in comparison and offer lower printing resolution. Due to their compact size, manufacturers are unable to implement high-end components inside the printer. Thus, the performance of a compact printer usually does not meet the requirements of a mass production-based application.
3. Connectivity Options
Whether you are buying a printer for professional use, or as a simple DIY printer for your home, you should check the connectivity options available on the unit. The connectivity options usually include a USB port and an Ethernet port for wired connections. But since all devices are getting smarter, you will find wireless connectivity options like Bluetooth and WiFi. Since these options are also available with almost all laptops and smartphones, it allows you to connect your printer wirelessly to most smart devices for ease of access. And you should prefer an option with wireless connectivity as it makes the printer even more useful. You can quickly draft a design on your laptop by following a template on the internet and printing it right away, without needing to connect your printer with a wire or needing to transfer the data to a thumb drive.
4. Control Options
While you are at it, you should also take a look at the control options available on the unit. There is no point in getting a wireless printer if you have to press the button on the printer to get the printer. Thus, you should prefer an option that operates on a dedicated application or web-based platform for printing instruction. With a dedicated app, you can also change the printing parameters such as printing resolution, print color, etc. Some applications also allow you to make small changes to your design on the go so that you don’t have to waste extra time on edits before printing it. It also helps if the sublimation printer you are buying features a compact display that can show you the preview of your prints. If you spot an error in the print, you can fix it before it’s imprinted on a material. Thus, saving a lot of time and effort as well as the cost of raw materials in the long run. Q. What is a sublimation printer? A sublimation printer is a special type of printer that works on sublimation printing technology to generate prints on various materials. This technique is quite similar to heat transfer printing as it allows full-color images and designs to be printed on a variety of materials via the application of heat. For that, you will also need a special type of ink called “Sublimation Ink” that infuses with the material once it is heated up to the right temperature. As you can imagine, this is a special type of printing technology and not all printers are designed to offer that. Q. What types of printers can be used as sublimation printers? As we mentioned earlier, sublimation printing is a unique printing technology which is not available with all options. Therefore, you will need a special type of printer for these applications. For sublimation printing, the printer should offer support for dye-sublimation technology which requires a handful of special components and a special type of ink. Fortunately, there are a handful of options available on the market made by popular printer brands. Q. What types of materials can I use with a sublimation printer? With a decent sublimation printer, you can use almost any material that is used for posters, banners, and even clothing items. Generally, the most commonly used materials for sublimation printing are used to make mugs, Tshirts, mouse pads, smartphone cases, and even apparels like bags and purses. As you can imagine, there is a wide selection of materials available for you since you will be able to create a lot of custom-made objects.
Conclusion
Sublimation printers are something a lot of users aren’t familiar with since these printers are designed for regular printing. Instead, these printers are designed for special purpose applications which include printing a variety of different materials to make custom-made objects like caps, bags, mugs, etc. If you also want to try out your designs or start a small business, you have come to the right place. In this guide, we have been talking about the best sublimation printers available in the market and how you can choose the best option for yourself. You will find all the necessary information right here, making it simpler for you to make decisions right from your home. We will also offer some of our favorite picks from this list to make the decision even simpler for you. If you simply want to try out a sublimation printer and check out your custom designs, you should go with a cheaper option like the Canon® SELPHY™ CP1300. This is basically a photo printer designed to work with Canon digital cameras for instant photo prints. But, it is an ideal candidate for our list since it works on sublimation printing technology. With this printer, you can create photos of size 4 x 6 inches, offering up to 300 x 300 dpi resolution. On the other side of the spectrum, we will recommend the Magicard 300 Dual Sided ID Card Printer for professional applications and businesses. This is more of a package available at a premium price point that includes a standard sublimation printer, full access to the supportive Bodno software, 300 PVC cards, an ID camera, and even the MC300YMCKO color ribbon. You will also get 3 years of warranty with the Magicard 300 Dual Sided ID Card Printer. The Fargo DTC1250e is also a great option for a premium range professional sublimation printer. This is a single-sided ID card and photo printer that also supports Bodno software for printing and editing. It is pretty easy to use and you won’t even need any prior experience to handle this printer. This is also a set of products that include an ID camera, 300 PVC cards, and Fargo DTC1000 YMCKO Ribbon Cartridge along with the printer. Comment * Name * Email * Website
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