When it comes to dye sublimation, printing quality is the name of the game. Any imperfection is easily noticed in photo prints. Issues may be ran into with your printer, and even with the heat press you use to cure your sublimation prints. Also, most products printed with dye-sublimation printers are more expensive as blanks than t-shirts and other products. So an error in a print is more costly to your business than a misprinted shirt. Choosing the right equipment for your business is essential to your success.
When it comes to printers, quality is not the only factor to consider when you are investigating your options. Buying the smallest printer than can handle your largest print is key. There is no point in having a printer capable of printing a 44 inch width print if your largest product is only 13 inches wide. Desktop printers can handle prints up to 19x13, which is large enough for the majority of items most sublimation shops will print. These desktop printers can run anywhere from $100-$2,000, though most are in the $500 - $1,000 range. However, there are larger options available at widths of 24, 36, and as previously mentioned, 44 inches that can go for upwards of $25,000. So, unless you are searching for a large format dye sublimation printer, the most expensive piece of equipment you will purchase will be your heat press. If you purchase a sublimation printer, then it is important to use the printer regularly and not let it sit without being used for extended periods of time. If the printer sits, then the ink lines and print heads become clogged, which will cost you time and money.
Heat presses are essential to most printing processes, but they are especially crucial for sublimation printing. Having the exact time, temperature, and pressure are necessary to ensure the best possible print and finish. If you cannot trust your press to produce the same variables with consistency, then do not expect your prints to be consistent either. There are several types of presses, and you may need multiple presses depending on what kinds of products you intend to offer.
The traditional rectangular press is used for printing flat products like coasters, photo panels, mugs, etc. It is highly suggested that a pneumatic press be used over a manual one, as the pressure typically required to sublimate a product is 80 psi or more. Mugs require a special mug press for printing due to their cylindrical shape. There are two other common types of heat presses: vacuum presses and ovens. Vacuum presses use the pressure of a vacuum inside combined with heat to print on many different surfaces. Vacuum presses are great for printing irregular surfaces like plates and mugs. Ovens are also good for irregular surfaces as there is no pressure involved, just heat. However, because ovens do not use pressure, products take much longer to cure in them in order to ensure that the design is completely cured. The type of press you use to create the finished product will dictate the print time. Sublimation printing is not like a screen print transfer that takes only a handful of seconds to be pressed onto the fabric. Most sublimated products take several minutes to be properly printed.
When you start out on your sublimation journey, it is important to test every step of the process multiple times. It is better to get the trial and error out of the way early so that you can iron out the kinks without the pressure of deadlines. If you take one thing away from this article, then remember the equipment quality in sublimation printing is crucial. With the right equipment, and a commitment to learning how to best utilize it, you should be able to master a new method of creating custom products that your customers will love.
