Impressions - January 2017 - 46

think.
Sublimation

make.

Like this article? Read more sublimation articles
at impressionsmag.com/digitaldecorating.

do.

Choosing a
Sublimation Printer
Consider these variables when making an equipment purchase.
By Jimmy Lamb, Contributing Writer

ing, commercial-grade units print onto
rolls of paper ranging from 24-44 inches
wide.They are ideal for growing businesses
that need to generate larger images or
higher-volume production.
Wide Format: These freestanding,
industrial-grade units print onto rolls
of paper measuring 44-104 inches wide.
They are ideal for production facilities with
specialized needs such as textile printing,
trade-show banners, allover garments, etc.
Print-Field Size Tips

Think of the markets you want to pursue
and the products you will need to deliver to
be successful when determining the correct
sublimation printer for your shop.

Choosing the correct sublimation printer
requires first determining what you want
to produce.
Are you printing large designs on
apparel? Smaller items, such as coasters,
cellphone covers, flip flops, bag tags and
plaques? Full-color graphics? High-definition photography? The answers to these
questions will have a significant impact
on your choice.
Other key factors to consider when
choosing a sublimation printer are
printing-field size, number of ink colors,
and printing speed and cost.
Sublimation printers can be divided into
P.46

the following categories based on media
size and printing sophistication. Note that
most printers do not print to the edge of
the paper, thus the true printing field is
slightly smaller than the media size.
Desktop Format: These are officestyle units that print on individual sheets
of paper and fit easily on any desk or
table surface. They are ideal for startup
operations due to their cost and ease of use.
Paper sizes range from 8.5" x 11" to 13"
x 19" (See "Desktop Format Media Sizes"
for a full list of media sizes that can be used
with this format.).
Narrow Format: These freestand-

The general rule of thumb is to buy the
smallest printer that can produce the largest
image you need. For example, 12" x 18"
designs are common with finished apparel;
thus, a 13" x 19" printer would be ideal.
A 24-inch freestanding printer also could
work, but it wouldn't be ideal if you didn't
routinely print designs up to 24 inches.
It's safe to assume a ½-inch margin will
be left on all sides of the media after printing.Thus, a 13" x 19" sheet probably has a
maximum print field of 12" x 18".
The printer size also should be compatible with the heat-press size.To maximize
production, the heat press should be slightly
larger than the true maximum image-field
size, typically 1-2 inches - at a minimum
- on all four sides.
Another factor is printing multiple images simultaneously. Typically, six
cellphone-cover images can fit on a single
sheet of 8.5" x 14" paper. That number
increases to 12 on a sheet of 13" x 19" paper.
Larger images take longer to print. In
the production cycle, pressing typically is

i m p r e s s i o n s m a g . c o m JANUARY 2017

46-49_IMP_0117_TMD_Sublimation.indd 46

12/15/16 2:03 PM
http://www.impressionsmag.com/digitaldecorating http://www.impressionsmag.com
Impressions - January 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - January 2017
