What to look for when purchasing a sublimation printer?

Sublimation Printers


Sublimation printers offer a great appeal for many reasons; after all they facilitate the printing on a wide array of materials and surfaces (clothes, mugs and glasses), using designs from a computer or camera. And the list is really long. In fact, given how technology advances at an alarming rate, it will mostly depend on your own requirements and budget, when choosing between any number of models available on the market today. We've put together this guide to help you pick a sublimation printer that suits your needs.

Here are some points you should keep in mind while shopping for a Sublimation Printer:

1. DPI: Every printer has a native resolution i.e. dots per inch. This determines the smallest size ink dot that the printer can print. Printers with higher DPI can produce better quality images, especially those that require fine detail. A DPI of 600 is the minimum that you should consider.

2. Printing Speed: The speed at which a sublimation printer can print a single A4 sheet is called its print speed. The time it takes to print 100 A4 sheets is called its print speed and is measured in PPM (pages per minute). The typical speeds are in the range of 20-35 PPM. This parameter is important to consider if you need to print a high volume of sublimation prints. 

3. Print head: The print head is the crucial component in the sublimation printing process. It is made up of thousands of tiny nozzles which release the ink during the sublimation process. The print heads are made up of four separate heads, one for each color. Piezo print heads are available in the market for commercial printers . While thermal print heads are being used in most of the low cost printers. 

4. Print width: Sublimation printers are available with print widths of 2 inches to 5 inches. The print width determines the maximum size of product that can be printed. For most applications, a print width of 4 inches is ideal. Printers with a wider width are also available and are helpful if you need to print large signs. 

5. Connectivity: The connectivity of a sublimation printer ensures that you can print directly from a USB drive. This portable media allows you to transport data from one place to another. It facilitates easy printing and eliminates the dependency on a PC. 

7. For the cost of the printer. Take into consideration the operational cost, the type of ink the printer uses (dye or pigment) and the cost of cartridges. Another major cost is electricity. You need to calculate the operating cost of the printer and compare it with other models in the market.

8. Warranty: Most printers offer a 1 year warranty on the machine and a 6 month warranty on print heads. 

9. Maintenance: Sublimation printers (like many other printers) require a certain level of maintenance. This would include cleaning of the print heads and unclogging of the print head nozzles. However, most printers provide a maintenance tank with which the print heads can be cleaned whenever required. 

10. Ease of use: This is a crucial aspect. A user-friendly printer ensures that you can easily install the printer, load the paper and ink, and start printing. Most printers come with an LCD which makes the entire process easier

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