What to Consider First

Congratulations! You’ve decided to take the plunge into the exciting world of full-color personalization with a new sublimation printer. It’s a great way to start or grow any business, but it can be a little overwhelming to find the right printer for you.

There are really two main factors to consider when setting out to buy a sublimation printer:

• What do you want to make
• What amount of space do you have available

What items you want to customize can have a big impact on the printer you choose. If you’re just looking to do smaller items like keychains and drinkware, then a desktop version might be the right choice for you. But if you’re looking to do larger, home décor style signs or t-shirts and other garments you might want to look at a printer with a bigger transfer output.

Small Format, Big Results

If you’re just getting started in sublimation, or you have limited space for your equipment, desktop sublimation printers that can get you personalizing items in no time. Desktop sublimation printers are great for customizing small to mid-sized items, creating transfers for shirts up to size XL, and a wide range of drinkware including mugs and tumblers.

The Best of Both Worlds

If you’re looking to customize items or create larger transfers for sports jerseys or signs or are ready to grow your sublimation business, the Epson SureColor F570 is the printer for you. This printer has a bigger footprint than its desktop counterparts but offers more versatility in the form of larger prints and the ability to use roll-fed sheet stock as standard equipment. It also features Epson’s mess-free refillable inks, which eliminates the need for continuously throwing away empty ink cartridges. While this printer will still fit on larger countertops or work tables, there is an optional stand available to help free up your workspace.

The F570 is an extremely capable printer, offering customers the ability to print to cut sheets as well as roll-fed media up to 24” wide. The printer also has a built-in cutter that will cut roll-fed paper at a desired length. This maximizes paper usage and eliminates large areas of wasted paper. If you only need to print three 6” round transfers, the printer will print and cut the sheet to length.

Larger Format Workhorses

Sublimation is an extremely versatile way to personalize items and offers unique customization options, such as the ability to create full-bleed (edge-to-edge) prints. Full-bleed prints are great for one-of-a-kind “print to sew” sports jerseys, full image blankets and throws, and large format signs and banners. If those are items you’re looking to create for your customers, then you should consider a large format printer to handle that workload.

Not only do large format printers create transfers that are, well, larger in size than their small to mid-sized counterparts, but they typically print faster and offer a wider color range than small format printers. If you’re looking to do large volume orders like dozens of mugs at a time, then a large format printer would help ramp up your productivity.

If you’re looking at strictly doing drinkware, a dedicated convection oven and mug press can help save space in your home office or shop. Both of those items are “counter friendly” and can get you started personalizing items right away. You can always add a traditional press as your business grows.

Whether you’re in a home office or larger production workshop, where you’ll put the printer and how easy it is to access is something to keep in mind. Modern sublimation printers have come a long way as far as maintenance is concerned, but you’ll still want to be able to get to the back of your printer if needed.

Regardless of your experience level and office setup, if you’re looking to get into full-color personalization, there’s a sublimation printer that will work for you. We have a team of experts available to help you choose the right model for you. They’ll help you get your printer set up and installed at no additional cost.

Johnson Plastics Plus has everything you need get started with your sublimation business, including replacement inks for all of the printers we sell, sublimation paper, and thousands of blanks that have been tested to work with sublimation.

We’re committed to helping you make the best decision possible for your business. If you’re looking for more information, be sure to check out our blog for additional articles on sublimation, visit our library of webinars featuring hands-on demonstrations with our product and equipment experts, and explore our YouTube channel for how-to and informational videos.