Sublimation printing is one of the best ways to bring your creative designs to life. New creatives often overlook the differences between sublimation printers vs regular printers, but there are significant things to consider, including thermal settings, paper, and ink.
Can you use sublimation ink in any printer? And what printers can be used for sublimation, anyways?
Many forms of ink for sublimation printers are specialized. If you aren’t using a machine built for sublimation, you might have a leftover hoard of unusable ink.
In this guide, we’ll explore which inks and printers you can use for sublimation, including what happens if you use ink in the wrong printer, how piezo and thermal printers compare, and more.
What is Sublimation Printing?
Before we discuss what distinguishes ink for sublimation printers from other types of printer ink, we need to start with the basics.
Sublimation printing is a unique method that permanently transforms a surface with a heat-transferred design at a molecular level. This directly contrasts traditional methods like laser, which only place the ink on a surface.
The process begins with printing your design onto a specialized transfer paper. You then take that paper and use a heat press to place it onto your object. Generally, this is done with items like t-shirts, mugs, mousepads, or keychains.
As the heat is applied to the object, the design bonds into the substrate.
There’s no contest regarding design quality when comparing sublimation printers vs regular printers. Sublimation creates popping colors that won’t fade after just a few uses.
However, this process requires specialized equipment. What printers can be used for sublimation, and can you use sublimation ink in any printer?
You’ll need specific printers that are compatible with transfer paper. Usually, this requires purpose-built printers, though you may be able to convert some inkjet printers with enough know-how.
You’ll also need a specific type of ink that works on transfer paper, or you won’t be able to achieve those amazing results.
Can You Use Sublimation Ink in Any Printer?
Whether you just added t-shirts to your brand’s merchandise or decided to take up sublimation as a hobby, you’ll likely have a stockpile of ink and other supplies.
Can you use sublimation ink in any printer to save money on regular ink?
The answer is no. The ink for sublimation printers vs regular printers is entirely different, and using the wrong one will lead to poor results or even outright damage to your machines.
What Printers Can Be Used for Sublimation?
Sublimation works with one specific type of paper—sheets known as “transfer paper.” As such, only one specific class of machine is capable of producing sublimation designs.
Many commercial-quality brands sell sublimation-specific printers, including Sawgrass, Epson, Mimaki, HP, Brother, and more. We highly recommend investing in one of these machines if you’re looking into sublimation for your business, including creating customizable products.
However, there’s another option. You can use the ink for sublimation printers in a standard inkjet printer, but only after several modifications.
You can convert models from several brands into sublimation printers. We recommend choosing machines that use ink tanks rather than cartridges, as it is easier to make sublimation ink work.
Converting a machine is a cumbersome process, and should only be done by those with experience. Once a printer runs on sublimation ink, it can’t be changed back to inkjet, so it is often more cost-efficient to own two different models rather than converting your only one.
What Happens If You Use Sublimation Ink in the Wrong Printer?
You’re not alone if you’ve ever been to an office supply store and found yourself perplexed in the printing supplies aisle. You think to yourself, What ink does my printer use, anyway, and then you give it your best guess and hope it works.
However, this is a massive disaster waiting to happen. Using the wrong ink in any printer is already a bad idea that can lead to damage.
But can you use sublimation ink in any printer if it’s the same brand as your inkjet model?
The answer is no. Sublimation ink is not a replacement for standard ink. When you fill your printer with incompatible ink and press start, your print head will get clogged.
Ink for sublimation printers has a different texture and viscosity than standard ink, which causes it to solidify faster and cause permanent blockages.
If that isn’t enough of an issue, using the wrong ink can also corrode internal components in your lines, and cause your metal to corrode.
As you may imagine, this is a financial nightmare. You’ll likely need to replace your printer entirely. To make matters worse, using non-standard ink can void your warranty, meaning you’ll have to foot the bill yourself.
You’ll also have to replace the sublimation ink, which is often 2 to 5 times more expensive than regular ink. Even if you somehow avoid damaging your machine, you’ll still be left with poor-quality printing results.
Alternatives If You Can’t Use Sublimation Ink in Your Current Printer
If you have already purchased more sublimation ink than you can use, you’re not entirely out of luck.
There are several options if you want to know what to do with unused printer ink cartridges.
Firstly, you can sell your unused ink. Many companies pay competitive prices for unopened cartridges, often close to the retail value.
You could donate unused ink cartridges or send them to a recycling facility, but given the upfront purchase cost, it’s usually a better idea to recoup your money.
If you don’t own a sublimation printer and accidentally purchased the wrong ink, you have a few choices. You can invest in a new one or convert your current model.
Both have drawbacks, financial costs for the former and a knowledge gap for the latter, but they give you creative flexibility in the long run.
You can also buy heat-press related technologies to bring designs to life that don’t involve sublimation, like heat transfer vinyl, laser transfer paper, or water slide decals. Of course, you’ll still need to figure out what to do with your extra ink.
We don’t recommend learning how to transfer ink from one cartridge to another. Putting sublimation ink into a laser cartridge or vice versa will not enable you to overcome the mechanical limitations.
Key Factors to Consider Before Switching to Sublimation Ink
Can you use sublimation ink in any printer? The answer is a resounding no.
If you plan to switch to sublimation printing, there’s much to consider. These factors will help you determine whether to convert your current setup, buy a new one, or scrap the idea.
Printer type (Piezo vs Thermal)
There are two general types of laser printer heads: piezoelectric and thermal.
Piezo can work with sublimation ink. They use electrical charges to control the flow of ink without using heat. This lets the heat press finish the sublimation process, locking in the design at a molecular level.
A printer head using thermal technology is not compatible with sublimation. These models already use heat to create their designs. The ink begins to sublimate due to the heat before it ever touches the paper, meaning it’s being etched into the air instead.
When using sublimation ink, thermal printers lead to incorrect colors, faded transfers, and even damaged components.
Ink System (Cartridge vs Tank)
How your ink is distributed also affects the viability of a potential conversion.
Tank-based models are your best bet for sublimation. They are larger, which is ideal for continuous flow during sublimation projects. Filling tanks with ink is also easier than messing around with cartridges.
Cartridge printers can work with sublimation, but it is far more complex. Many of these printers have chips to verify the type of ink you’re using, and will shut down when using off-brand cartridges.
For more tips on changing out ink tanks and cartridges, check out our guides on how to change ink in an Epson printer and how to change ink in an HP printer.
New vs Used Printer
Sublimation printing is a complex process. If you’re converting a machine, a used model is best.
That way, if you mess things up, you won’t invalidate a warranty or waste an immediate purchase.
On the other hand, if you need a new printer, you can save time and energy by buying a sublimation-specific machine outright.
Experience With Printer Conversion or Sublimation
Converting a printer isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. There are plenty of moving parts, and getting it wrong can damage your machine.
If you aren’t experienced and don’t have the time to sit through tutorial videos, you’re better off buying a new machine. It may take several weeks and hundreds of dollars to get it right.
Tips for Getting Started with Sublimation the Right Way
Rather than fussing around with DIY projects, there’s an easier way to begin sublimation printing.
Choose the Right Printer from the Start
Find a high-quality, commercial-grade sublimation printer. It will be an upfront investment, but you won’t need to worry about conversions, jammed parts, or voided warranties.
Look for machines with piezo technology, a minimum of 1200×1200 DPI, and high-capacity ink systems. If you can find a model with auto-maintenance, that will also save you stress in the long term.
Use High-Quality Sublimation Ink and Paper
If you don’t know what printer ink is made of, you’re already starting on the back foot.
For sublimation printing, you’ll want premium inks with color accuracy above 95%. That creates consistent, vibrant designs that pop on custom products. The same applies to your transfer paper–choosing a budget option with poor-quality materials will only harm your final design.
Pair Your Prints with the Right Blanks
Blanks are the material you’re printing your designs onto. The truth is that not every material is compatible with sublimation.
Polyester and Polymer-based products are ideal. For clothing, ensure your products contain at least 70% polyester, but the more the better. Polymer substrates like ceramic, metal, glass, and poly-coated wood will also work wonderfully.
However, natural materials like cotton, wool, untreated wood, or leather don’t work well with sublimation.
Get the Right Heat Press for Your Application
Several heat press options can work depending on your product.
For general sublimation, clamshell or swing-away presses are ideal. They each let you tackle t-shirts, towels, and other flat items. Swing-away is preferred for thicker material, while clamshell is excellent for limited space.
Specialty items like hats or mugs have specialized heat presses to accommodate the rounded shapes. While you can still use clamshell or swing-away designs, your best results will come with those niche heat presses.
Master Time, Temperature, and Pressure Settings
The settings you choose will make a difference in your sublimation process.
Polyester fabrics should be pressed around 380-400°F with medium pressure for 45 to 60 seconds. Ceramics require 400-420°F with medium to firm pressure. Mugs need about 3 minutes, while flat ceramics can be completed in 60 to 90 seconds.
If you’re working with metals, set the temperature around 380-400°F and firm the pressure for about 75 seconds.
We recommend doing test runs, trying different settings on your samples, and evaluating the results after 24 hours.
Use ICC Profiles for Accurate Color Output
ICC profiles are like a dictionary for colors. Your printer should use these values; otherwise, your blues may look green, your reds orange, and your yellows dull and faded. ICC profiles are the only way to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Final Words on Sublimation Ink for Printer
Sublimation is an exciting technology that can bring your creative designs to life. However, not every printer can use the ink. You may need to convert your current printer or buy a new one to get those results you’re looking for.
If you’re sitting on a stockpile of unwanted ink–whether that be laserjet ink you can’t use or sublimation ink your current setup isn’t compatible with—there’s a reliable way to recoup some money: visit us at SellToner.com!
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If you have any questions, please talk to our team. There’s always a real person behind the phone, rather than a chatbot you can’t negotiate with. Visit us for a free quote on your unwanted ink today!
