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We’ve all been there. Sublimation Paper? Check. Sublimation Printer? Check. Sub Ink? Check. Heat Press? Negative!
With everything but the heat press, it’s only natural that you want to start sublimating, something…anything, just to get the first press under your belt. And without an official heat press, it doesn’t take long for you to wonder which home appliance can serve as a heat press just so you can “practice” sublimating.
After a few minutes, a couple of things come to mind. Can you use the panini press? No, too small. And pretty soon, it dawns on you: how about the household Iron? If this is you, you’re in good company!
So, Can You Use an Iron for sublimation transfers?
No. The sublimation transfer process requires firm, flat pressure for at least 60 seconds and it has to stay perfectly still during the entire process to avoid blurry results. Even if you can manage to keep perfectly still on a small item, the recessed steam divots in a household iron will give you horrible results, with maybe one exception.
Has Anyone Ever Tried Using an Iron for Sublimation?
Yes! I have tried using an iron for sublimation and frankly, just about everyone I know has tried using a household iron at one point or another. Most attempt this out of pure excitement as a total newbie but others have tried a household iron in an emergency order situation, when their heat press suddenly quits and they have an order due.
Simply put… the iron doesn’t work. Nothing quality will come of it. UNLESS you are doing something really really tiny. And that leads us to our next section….
What Can Be Sublimated by Using a Regular Iron?
Of course there is an exception for nearly everything in life. In general, using an iron is a really bad idea for sublimation because nearly every single time, you’ll just be wasting a blank.
However, if you have to sublimate something really, really small and you MUST get your item subbed and out the door, then you might just get away with a household iron.
The item has to be small enough to fit in the part of the iron that has no uneven spaces. Most irons have a very small section of just plain, flat steel as pictured below:
Household Iron Sweet Spot
You might get “okay” results if your item is small enough the fit inside the sweet spot of a household iron, where there are no uneven surfaces.
Items like little round bracelet inserts, pop socket inserts, earrings, dog tags etc., might be okay with a regular iron. For the most part though, the proper equipment is the right way to do sublimation. Which leads us to…
What is the Best Heat Press for Home Use?
There are 2 things to consider when selecting a heat press for home use. Plate Size and Volts Required.
For Plate Size – most people soon outgrow anything smaller than 15×15.
Voltage – identify the outlet it’s going into before purchasing. Most home outlets are set up for 110 volts. Whatever you do, make sure the heat press you buy, matches the capability of your desired outlet whether it’s 110 or 220. We dedicated an entire article to heat press watts/outlets, amps etc., here: link to article
If the one thing missing in your sublimation business is a heat press, it’s time to make the investment.
The Most Basic Home Heat Press for Sublimation and Crafters
Amazon has decent heat press offerings and many people have a flourishing business with a generic, budget friendly heat press.
The Fancierstudio pictured below is in hundreds, if not thousands of home based business. You can press substrates up to size 15 x15 and at the time of this writing, this entry level heat press requires 110v outlet. You can check it out with this link (affiliate link to product), or by clicking the image.
Higher End Entry Level Heat Press
If budget allows, starting off with an upgraded heat press will definitely feel good and, yes, a better press with tech support is worth the money…if you’ve got it.
If you fall into this category and want to upgrade your press now, instead of later, we recommend taking a look at Heat Press Nation’s entire line of “Home Use Heat Presses” (Link to Home Use Heat Press Section)
Heat Press Nation is a great company to buy from and they are unique in that they offer interesting financing terms, which could be helpful in the beginning stages of starting a home-based business.
In Conclusion
To wrap this all up, you WILL need a heat press if you plan on sublimating anything larger than a dog tag. An iron might work on a tiny substrate, but it’s not safe and it’s definitely not its intended use.
Get yourself a heat press as soon as you are able. It doesn’t have to break the bank and thousands of beginners start with an inexpensive press on amazon. (link to heat press)
If budget allows, upgrade to a Heat Press Nation (link) heat press and check out their site regularly as they often run promotions.
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Of all the questions received, we estimate that nearly half are related to printers and people asking our crew to specifically compare two models side by side. Lately, visitors have been asking what is the difference between the entry level Epson 15000 and the newer Epson 16500. And, ultimately, is the difference worth spending more money?
Before we get into the major difference and our opinion as to whether or not it is worth it, let’s familiarize ourselves with the ET 15000 and why it’s so popular for people who design and sell sublimated custom products.
Why Choose the Epson EcoTank 15000 for Sublimation?
First let’s have a friendly reminder that even though thousands of sublimators use Epson Eco Tank printers for sublimation, the printers are not made for that purpose…and Epson doesn’t offer the same support and warranty once we pour sub ink in the tanks.
That said, the most common for sublimation is probably the mighty little EcoTank 2720. It is a regular format printer capable of printing up to 8.5×14 inches. Below is a picture of the ET 2720 (great for sublimation) and you can click it to check pricing on amazon.
As for the Epson 15000, it is the basic, entry level, wide-format (13×19) “Eco Tank” that actually works as a sublimation printer. All you have to do is pour sublimation ink (purchased separately) into the big plastic tanks, instead of the pigment ink they provide when you buy the printer.
This is in stark contrast to other Epson wide format models 7710, 7720 etc., that also print 13×19, but require you to buy knock off empty cartridges, fill them with small amounts of sublimation ink and cross your fingers there are no chip reading issues or clogged lines.
So the reason sublimators love the ET 15000 is:
The beauty of the Epson EcoTank line is: NO MORE CARTRIDGES!!!!
The beauty if the Eco Tank 15000 is: 13X19 PRINTS!!!!
What is the Difference Between Epson ET 15000 and Epson ET 16500?
The 16500 has a larger touchpad screen and it has two paper trays instead of one. The biggest difference when it comes to sublimation is that 13×19 paper can fit inside the top paper tray of the 16500 but cannot fit inside the paper tray of the 15000. The 16500 also has simpler access to the ink tanks, but it’s not a huge factor.
There are other differences such as copy capabilities and scan capabilities, but really, when it comes to sublimation use, the biggest reason you might be swayed into paying more money for the 16500 is because you don’t want to print 13×19 paper one at a time via a rear paper feed.
If You Want 13 x 19 Paper to Fit Inside a Paper Tray then Choose Epson ET 16500
Is there anything more annoying than seeing blue specs after you sublimate your final image on a $12 baby blanket? Probably not.
One of the benefits of storing your sublimation paper inside an actual paper tray is that you will significantly reduce your chances of lint and dust destroying your finished product.
Both the ET 15000 and the ET 16500 allow you to print with 13 x 19 paper, but the ET 16500 makes it easier…not to mention, cleaner.
Filling ET 16500 Paper Trays with 13 x 19 Sublimation Paper
The Epson EcoTank 16500 will allow you to store and print 13 x 19 right from one of the two included paper trays, referred to as
Cassette 1 (top tray)
Cassette 2 (bottom tray)
Since most sublimators like to use the paper setting “Premium Presentation Matte” this optimal paper setting is only found in Cassette 1 which happens to allow 13×19 paper (called A3+)
Cassette 2 does can be reserved for plain paper for test prints and nozzle checks.
Cassette 1 – Sublimation Paper up to 13×19
Cassette 2 – Plain Paper up to 11×17
Paper Tray Sizing for ET 15000
The Maximum Paper Size you can insert/store into an ET 15000 paper tray is Legal (8.5 × 14 inches [216 × 356 mm]). That means 11×17 or 13×19 printing is done one sheet at a time in the rear paper feed.
Is having 13 x 19 Paper Tray Worth it for Sublimation?
Well yes, it is worth it, but is it worth a few hundred dollars more? The average ET 15000 is around $600 and the average ET 16500 is around $800. These are just estimates of course and prices fluctuate.
In our opinion, it’s worth it you can afford it. And it’s worth it if you are established, profitable, and have a solid stream of income and looking to score some deductions. Of course that’s only if you regularly use 13×19 sublimation paper. If you do not, then it’s definitely not worth it and you should consider a lower model Eco Tank like 2720-4700 etc.,
If you’re stretching dollars or you are brand new to sublimation, those few hundred dollars can go further elsewhere.
Conclusion
So folks, that is the major difference between the Epson ET 15000 and the Epson ET16500 when it comes to sublimation. Sure there are other differences like copy and scan features, but most of the differences have nothing to do with sublimation.
Also consider this: many times the Epson website has higher models for the same price as lower models. They are certified refurbished. It is very likely that you could score an Epson ET 16500 for the same cost of an Epson ET 15000 if you don’t mind a certified refurbished printer.
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We know how confusing it can be to see a printer feature that says: “uses sublimation technology” or “can be used for heat transfer” but these statements mean different things to different hobbyists. Let’s clear the air when it comes to what printers can and cannot be used as a sublimation printer…and WHY.
For the most part, whether or not a printer will be capable of producing sublimation transfers for a heat press application comes down to the printing technology. Printers use either thermal (heat) technology or what’s called Piezo (pressure) technology.
In short, thermal printers will NOT work with sublimation ink, but Piezo printers WILL work for sublimation.
Easiest Printers to Convert to Sublimation
Some of the easiest models of Piezo Printers capable of sublimation are the Epson EcoTank Series. You can use any of these Epson Printers for Sublimation: EcoTank 2700, 2800, 3750, 4700, 15000, 16000, etc. and anything in between as they are inkjet printers, capable of sublimating.
Be sure to check the table below for print size and pros and cons of each model.
Best Places to Get Inkjet Printers for Sublimation Use
If you can find a Sublimation capable inkjet printer in the aisles of Costco or Walmart, grab it. But we’ve noticed supply is not keeping up with demand and so we normally buy online.
But there is more to learn, especially about all the different Epson printers and we put it in a nice table for you below…so let’s dive in….
Can I Use my HP Printer for Sublimation?
If you have a HP home or office printer you will not be able to convert it for sublimation. That’s because most HP printers disperse ink onto paper using the thermal heat process.
This makes nearly all HP printers incapable of printing a clear image using sublimation ink because the ink would essentially bake onto the paper or gas out of the cartridges during the printing process.
What About HP Actual Sublimation Printers?
HP does have a line of printers that CAN and DO support sublimation ink, and UV ink. This special line of printers can print onto sublimation paper or directly onto fabric. They are huge, expensive, industrial printers made for the job.
How much are these printers? HP’s entry level industrial sublimation printer is about $7,000 USD, and that doesn’t include inks. As you can see, these are not for hobby sublimators.
Conclusion: HP Printers Cannot Be Used for Sublimation
Can I Use a Brother Printer for Sublimation?
Some people have successfully used Brother printers for sublimation. Most Brother printers do use piezo printing technology. But the bigger problem with Brother printers is that no one is making sublimation ink for them and no one is making “replaceable” cartridges for them.
This means print quality suffers tremendously because you cannot setup an ink profile. When you do sublimation, you need your end products to look sharp and vivid. For this reason, Brother printers are not ideal unless you are a hobby only sublimator. Still, you may soon get annoyed with untrue colors and fuzzy designs.
Bad results are often the reason people quit sublimating, and you can read more on our home page.
There are some forums where people talk extensively about using Brother printers for sublimation. Just google it, or here is one link to a rather extensive review (link to reviews).
Conclusion: Brother printers can work for sublimation with Sub-Par Results – Fingers Crossed for Improvement!
Are Canon Printers Good for Sublimation?
Canon makes answering this question easy. No, Canon printers cannot be used for sublimation or converted to be used for sublimation. They use thermal printing technology which would negatively impact sublimation ink.
But what about the Canon Sublimation printer? I know, I know,…most people have heard that Canon makes a dye sublimation printer and it confuses people for obvious reasons.
The Canon Dye Sublimation Selphy Printers (link to check product) are the coolest little desktop printers but they are not sublimation printers. Rather, they use sublimation ink and a built-in heater to sublimate your photos onto clear film. They do not allow you to insert paper and print out sublimation prints.
Conclusion: You Cannot use Canon printers for Sublimation and don’t be confused by Canon’s sublimation desktop photo printer.
Which brings us to ……
Can All Epson Printers Be Used for Sublimation?
All Epson Printers use Piezo print technology which is exactly why so many people turn them into sublimation ink printers. Let’s break it down into ACTUAL sublimation printers and “CAPABLE” sublimation printers.
Epson ACTUAL Sublimation Printers
Epson does make a line of actual sublimation printers, and they come complete with incredible quality, sublimation ink and warranty for sublimation purposes.
At the time of this writing, the demand for these epson sublimation printers far outweighs supply, making them rather hard to score.
Here are some links to the model numbers and you can check on pricing and supply on Esty, which is the only place I’ve seen them on a regular basis:
Given the short supply and higher price tags of these actual sublimation printers, many people end up using regular Epson printers, intended for home and office. .
Epson CAPABLE Sublimation Printers
Even though Epson does not sell these regular office printers as sublimation printers, if you use sublimation ink instead of the ink they come with, they will work for sublimation. The trade-off is… expect no tech support and no warranty once you pour sublimation ink into and Epson printer
Still, the cost to get up and running with an Epson printer CAPABLE of sublimation, is reasonable and makes it easy to accept the risks associated with voiding any warranties. And as for support, there are videos and facebook groups abound and you should have all the help you need.
Even though there will be plenty of help online, having a basic understanding of Epson’s Piezo technology can actually help you understand the basics. In short detail, the technology applies your printout to the paper using pulses or vibration. This means “no heat” which is good news for sublimation ink, because it activates when it’s heated.
What Epson printers can be used for sublimation printing?
All of the Below models are what most people are using for sublimation when they use an Epson printer. Please note that no matter which printer you select, you must buy Sublimation Ink because, remember…with the exception of the F-150, F-570 and F10070H are NOT sublimation printers. They will come with regular ink so you need to buy sublimation dye ink. (link to sublimation ink).
It’s worth noting that Epson regularly retires model numbers and creates new ones. If you have an opportunity to buy a discontinued model, do not be afraid. There is plenty of support in the sublimation community.
This table includes affiliate links to amazon. If you see a blue link, you can click it to check pricing and availability on amazon marketplace.
24″ Wide Prints Fast Print Speed Low Profile & Fillable Tanks
Price
Epson Models
Pros
Cons
Prices can vary, but these are the entry level models for printers capable of sublimation
Don’t forget, you can also buy right on Epson.com. Sometimes they are out of stock, but when they are in stock, you will pay just the MSRP and that’s good news. You can click the link or banner below to check pricing and stock on Epson.com actual website:
Epson 8550 for Sublimation plus 7700 , 7750, 8500 are ALL Five (5) Ink Tank Printers capable of Sublimation
The Epson ET 7700 and 7750, slowly being replaced by the 8500 (at epson website) and 8550 can also be used for sublimation. A bonus for the 7750 (link to price check) is that it can print 11 x 17 and the 8550 can print 13×19. That’s great news for those of you looking for something bigger than 8.5″ Wide restrictions. Just know that the 7700, 7750, 8500 and 8550 have 5 ink tanks as follows:
2 tanks for black sublimation ink
1 for Cyan
1 for Magenta
1 for Yellow
When it comes to pouring in the black sublimation ink, we recommend using the same brand of black sublimation ink for each tank and pour enough into each black labeled reservoir that takes black ink.
Can Refurbished Epson Printers Be Converted to Sublimation?
Yes! We have successfully converted refurbished Epson printers to sublimation printers. We highly recommend staying inside the Epson family of certified resellers and make sure that the refurbished printer comes with a warranty.
The Epson store at amazon.com does have a refurbished section. You can check that out here: Epson Refurbished Section
Frankly, regardless of model, we cannot say enough great things about using Epson EcoTanks for sublimation. In my fun sub group people say:
Epson et-15000 it’s so easy to setup. You just pour sublimation ink in. It prints like a dream and can print 13X19 and the ink is cheaper than Sawgrass refills.
We have a handful of sublimation printers and our most recent purchase was the Epson ET 2720. You can watch a bunch of videos about it on our youtube channel –
Conclusion
Most home printers that have been sitting around cannot be turned into a sublimation printer. In order to have a chance at working the printer must be functioning properly and it must use Piezo Print Technology.
This means HP, Canon printers cannot be used in the art of sublimation since they do not use Piezo print technology.
Brother printers use Piezo technology but they have not gained popularity with the ink makers which means no printing profiles. You never think about printing profiles until you need to design something and have it look good on paper. Without printing profiles, results are fuzzy and off color.
Epson printers are the go-to printer for sublimators. This is because they use Piezo print technology and plenty of ink makers have created inks with good color profiles. This means beautiful results. Just remember printer warranties will likely be void because they are not sold as sublimation printers.
Regardless of which printer you choose, you must buy sublimation ink. None of the above printers come with sublimation ink. They usually come with pigment ink and that is useless in the art of sublimation.
Happy Sublimating!
For more info about starting your sublimation journey visit our introduction page
Content may include affiliate links to online retailer that qualify us for earnings. If we can find multiple retailers, we may include links to different retailers so you may compare prices.
The best sublimation paper for Epson printer users is one that is labeled fast-drying and made for sublimation ink. As for weight, Epson printers can handle 105g through 125g and your design should be the deciding factor.
Coming up, we’ll introduce you to the different weights of our favorite sublimation paper: A-Sub Sublimation (link to product pricing) and how to choose between 105g, 120g and 125g.
First, let’s go over some other things to look for when trying to buy the perfect sublimation paper for your Epson printer.
What kind of paper do you use for sublimation printing?
Paper made specifically for sublimation has a special coating on one side. This special, sublimation-coated paper has three jobs:
Accept the sublimation ink from the Epson printer
Carry the ink from printer to heat press
Transfer ink from the paper to the product
If your sublimation paper fails to perform in any of these areas, your end results will be compromised; usually observed as blurry, shadowy, ghosting, or inability to get deeply saturated color.
If the sublimation paper you choose for your Epson fails in all three areas, you’ll probably just give up before you even get started.
That’s why it’s so important to use paper that is made for sublimation vs. regular copy paper.
Using Regular Copy Paper for Sublimation
Can you use regular copy paper for sublimation? Some crafters do….until they begin ruining expensive blanks. Using regular copy paper for sublimation leads to inconsistent results and your designs often turn out less crisp or even smudgy.
Choosing regular copy paper over sublimation paper can be compared to using a cheap sponge over a good sponge. Let’s take a look:
Good Sponge vs. bad sponge
If you had to sponge up a water spill, would you want a sponge that accepts the water, carries it to a bucket without dripping, and then releases the water when you squeeze it? Or…
Would you choose a cheap sponge that; instead of taking up water, slides it around, and picks up so little of the spill that you cannot even wring it out?
Like a good sponge; sublimation paper performs its job.
Regular copy paper for sublimation is the equivalent of a bad, annoying sponge. We use it only for purging, testing etc., but it’s not worth a wasted blank if or when it doesn’t work. Now let’s move onto paper weights.
120g Sublimation Paper (vs) 125g and When to Use 105g sublimation paper
The numbers 105g, 120g and 125g, reflect the weight (in grams) per square meter of paper (before cutting to size). So that means that 1 square meter of 105g actually weights 105 grams. One square meter of 120g paper weighs 120 grams and so on.
After it’s cut to size for retail packaging…for instance: 8.5 x 11 size piece of paper, the difference between the three options of 105g, 120g and 125g …..is weight. And since the sizes are exactly the same, the difference is in the paper’s thickness.
105g is the thinnest
120g is thicker than 105g
125g is the thickest of all
What causes it to be thicker? The change in thickness has to do with both the paper itself and the amount of sublimation coating. And that coating, usually clay or resin based serves a purpose to you.
A thicker coated, more saturated, sublimation paper can handle heavy ink saturation more efficiently. While a thinner sublimation paper is ideal for your light ink saturation needs.
What do we mean by ink saturation needs?
Well, 2 things: the saturation of your design and the blank you are using.
To see a design saturation difference, look at the identical designs below. They are two people facing each other. One design will saturate the paper heavily and the other will saturate the paper very lightly.
Heavy Ink Saturation Design vs. Light
High Sublimation Ink Saturation 120g or 125g
Low Sublimation Ink Saturation 105g
This is why it’s a good idea to keep stock in both a lighter paper like 105g and a heavier paper like 120g or 125g.
Absorbent blank vs. rigid blank
When it comes to the blank you are using: A polyester t-shirt is capable of penetrating all the way through to the other side (which is why we use blowout paper inside). However, an aluminum licence plate is not going to allow ink all the way through the plate…no matter how hard you press.
So what does it all mean? Well if you use high gram weight when designing licence plates, it’s perfectly fine, but don’t be surprised if you see more ink left behind on the paper. The ink simply has nowhere to go…and so it stays on the paper. We’ll talk more about finding the balance later…
How Much Does Sublimation Paper Cost?
Sublimation paper prices are all over the board and we love A Sub. Luckily, it just so happens to be one of the cheapest sublimation papers on the market.
Below are links to the A-Sub paper sold on amazon which is exactly where we buy ours.
A-Sub 105g – best for designs that have light to medium ink saturation.
A-Sub 120g – best for medium to slightly heavy-saturated ink designs
A-Sub 125g – best for when you print designs that have very heavy ink saturation.
How to Tell If You’re Using the Correct Sublimation Paper.
If things are going well for you and your designs are crisp, then surely you have the right paper. But, if any of the following issues are happening, try changing paper as follows:
My Paper Always Curls – Try going up in gram weight. If you are using 105g go up to 120g and if you are using 120g, bump up to 125g.
Contant Blue Speckles on Finished Product – If you are using regular paper, understand it is not made to be “lint free.” If you are using sublimation coated paper, make sure you are storing it covered. Blue specks are lint or dust that made it all the way to your heat press.
My Paper Always has Wheel Marks – go in the opposite direction. If you’re using 105, bump up to 120g and if you’re using 120 or 125g, switch to 105g. If the problem continues, perform a thorough cleaning of your printer.
Variable Saturation Designs – If you are often printing designs that include both light ink saturation and heavy ink saturation, stay in middle at 120g. If you use 105g, the heavy parts of the design may travel, bleed or ghost.
My Hard/Rigid Blanks are ghosting – the ink has nowhere to go and there may be too much to handle. Go to the lowest gram weight.
My T-shirts look faded, but all the ink transferred – Go up in gram weight because it accepts more ink
Is Sublimation Paper the Same as Heat Transfer Paper?
Not necessarily. Some heat transfer paper is made for pigment ink and it can be very confusing for an Epson user to distinguish between the two types of paper.
That’s why you always want to look for the words “sublimation paper for sublimation ink.”
Let’s Summarize
Whether you are a hobby sublimator or looking to make money with your sublimated merchandise, you’ll want real sublimation paper going through your Epson.
Real sublimation paper does its job. It accepts the ink, carries the ink and then lets go of the ink better than regular paper. Copy paper is made for holding onto ink and it has not been engineered to allow transfer.
To make sure you are using real sublimation paper make sure your package says: “sublimation paper” or “for heat press transfer using sublimation ink.”
Then, look for the words “quick-dry” or “fast-drying” and read reviews.
Finally, unless you plan to sublimate just one design, stock up on both a lightweight sublimation paper and a heavy weight sublimation paper. Use the light weight paper when your design requires light saturation. Use the heavier sublimation paper when your design requires heavy saturation.
Here are links one last time to the paper that we love.
A-Sub 105g – best for designs that have light to medium ink saturation.
A-Sub 120g – best for medium to slightly heavy-saturated ink designs
A-Sub 125g – best for when you print designs that have very heavy ink saturation.
If you found this guide useful, please consider sharing! We really appreciate your support!
For more info about starting your sublimation journey visit our introduction page
Content may include affiliate links to online retailer that qualify us for earnings. If we can find multiple retailers, we may include links to different retailers so you may compare prices.
While this list is not all inclusive, it’s enough to give you an idea of what people sublimate onto for the purpose of making gifts or as a side business for making money.
coffee mugs
travel cups
earrings
wallets
lunch bags
wine totes
purses
canteens
business cards
flip-flops
hats
wine tumblers
blankets
pillow cases
sheets
bibs
bags
dog collars
flags
bookmarks
bracelets
ornaments
keychains
phone grips
phone cases
puzzles
totes
slate decor
air fresh.
coasters
shirts
socks
towels
If you are new to sublimation, you may benefit greatly by purchasing low cost designs that look absolutely stunning!. We love DesignBundles.net as it’s a great way to get started for very little cost – Plus, the designs are endless. You can click here to see some of our favorites, or click the below picture.
As for cotton and sublimation; read our article here for best results. But we’ll talk more about cotton in just a moment.
And to help you with pricing all of your hard work, we invite you to use our totally FREE calculator to see what you should be charging for your completed designs.
Polymers
Aside from fabric material, you can sublimate onto polymers and polymer coated items that are made for sublimation. Polymers include plastic bookmarks, business cards, notebooks, specially coated license plates, special MDF, etc.,
Sawgrass Users
If you have a Sawgrass, you can do all of the above with regular sublimation paper. On top of that, Sawgrass users can insert special Heat Transfer Paper into their Sawgrass printers for the purpose of sublimating onto cotton or dark colors. Nice!
Can You Sublimate on Wood
People have been known to paint a piece of wood with “polymer” paint, let it cure and then sublimate onto it. It works! The secret is to apply about 3 coats and let it cure an entire day before trying to sublimate on top.
Sublimating onto Cotton or Dark Colors – Epson Users
Sublimation ink adheres to polymers and cotton is not a polymer. Therefore, in order to sublimate onto a cotton t-shirt (or dark fabric), you have to think outside the box.
Most people who want to sublimate a design onto a cotton t-shirt will sublimate their image onto what’s known as White Glitter Vinyl. The white glitter vinyl contains polymers and takes the sublimation ink just like a polyester shirt would.
After they sublimate their image onto a piece of white glitter vinyl, they cut around it and then use their heat press to press the white glitter vinyl onto the cotton shirt.
Can You Sublimate on Dollar Tree Mugs?
Here is the thing…every once in a blue moon, a certain Dollar Tree will buy a closeout of mugs that are actually good for sublimation. When this happens, word gets out, people race to the Dollar Tree, buy all the mugs, put them in their mug press, and …..nothing.
Please know that most of the time the Dollar Tree mugs are NOT good for sublimation. So if you want to take the chance, make sure you save the receipt and double check you can return them all.
For our complete troubleshooting guide click here.
Content may include affiliate links to online retailer that qualify us for earnings. If we can find multiple retailers, we may include links to different retailers so you may compare prices.
If you are looking to get into sublimation for the least amount of money (like money is your #1 concern); this is our startup recommendation. The $500 startup includes a printer, heat press, paper, ink, and some supplies.
All product recommendations link to online marketplace where you can check current pricing and availability.
While prices may fluctuate, we have found this to be an extremely popular set of equipment for beginners. It will allow you to try sublimation with very good equipment while staying around $500.
Let’s get started.
How To Start Sublimating Merchandise for The Cheapest Price Possible…and Still Get Good Results.
In the $500 price range, you’ll need to do what thousands of others do and that is: swap out inks in a very particular Epson Printer.
No, it cannot be any old printer. It has to have special capabilities and the Epson printer below has them. Also, since you’ll be “swapping” ink cartridges, you’ll likely void any warranty. So you have to be okay with that. If not, save money until you have over $1,000 and you can then get into a setup that has Sawgrass printers (link to Sawgrass Pricing).
Epson Sublimation Printer Bundle
Unfortunately, it’s not really sold in a bundle (that would be too easy). But, we’ve included all the products below. Simply click our affiliate link and a new window will open. Most are sold on amazon. After reading the details and verifying the prices, add them to your cart and come back here to the next item.
Five products are available on amazon, but the ink is not. Is there sublimation ink on amazon? Yes, but of all the items above, the biggest “difference maker” will be the ink.
What’s the Big Deal with Ink?
You can have the best equipment that money can buy, but if you select an inferior ink, you’ll pull your hair out wondering why colors look bad or faded.
That is why we recommend Cosmos Ink and they have their own website for purchase (link to Cosmos Ink). Cosmos Ink kit comes with everything you need: cartridges, ink, syringes AND video demonstration which allows you to perform the process at your own pace.
If you’re budget is super tight, we’ve used Hiipoo and can agree it’s pretty decent.
Which Blanks to Buy When Beginning Sublimation
To keep within your $500 budget, the cheapest practice blanks you’ll find will be located in your own closet, or a dollar store.
Dollar Tree Sublimation Blanks
Most dollar stores sell polyester microfiber towels in the car aisle. They are amazing to practice on!
In addition, look for white or light colored, at least 65% polyester (no high rayon):
shower curtains
napkins
hair bands
scarves
socks
t-shirts
We encourage you to do at least 20 practice items (that turn out good) before spending money on sublimation blanks. This will really help you save money because you will not be wasting costly blanks.
Tips for Beginners New to Sublimation
While waiting for your sublimation equipment and supplies to arrive, watch youtube videos and consider joining facebook groups that are geared toward sublimation for beginners. It might take a few days for you to be approved into these groups so do it sooner rather than later.
These communities will be an amazing resource for you to fire off questions, day and night, to hundreds of people using the same exact equipment. You should also ready our home page that goes over the basic concepts of sublimation.
Summary
Sublimation doesn’t have to be out of the question. You really can get into the art with as little as $500 and turn out professional looking merchandise.
