What do you need for sublimation shirts?

If you are just starting out in sublimation the main equipment you will need is a good heat press, a sublimation printer, and a computer or tablet for designing. If you plan to add mugs and hats to your business, you will also need a mug press and a hat press.

Can any printer be used for sublimation?

Can You Use Any Printer for Sublimation? (Epson, HP, Brother, Canon…) In short, thermal printers will NOT work with sublimation ink. Piezo printers WILL work with sublimation ink. The easiest model of Piezo Printers capable of sublimation are the Epson EcoTank Series – Link to check supply of EcoTanks on amazon.

What do you need for sublimation?

In order to get started you‘ll need the following items: a designated sublimation printer, Sawgrass sublimation ink, sublimation paper, sublimation blanks and a heat press appropriate for the sublimation blank you are working with. You can learn more about heat presses in our Heat Press 101 Tutorial.

What machine do you need to make sublimation shirts?

The first (and most important) piece of equipment you need is a sublimation printer. For most folks just starting out, we recommend the Sawgrass SG500 and the SG1000 sublimation printers. The Sawgrass systems are the most intuitive and user-friendly printers for beginners, and you can get up and running in no time.

Do I need a sublimation printer for shirts?

If you need to work with cotton fabrics or dark colors, then the heat transfer method will be the better choice. However, if you want to produce large batches at a relatively low investment and can compromise with the type of fabrics you use, then sublimation printing is the obvious choice for you.

Is sublimation business profitable?

Sublimation is a rewarding and profitable business. Thousands of individuals and small companies are making money with dye sublimation to create amazing personalized items for family members, local community groups, online platforms (like Etsy, eBay, and Facebook) and local paying customers.

How much is sublimation printing?

While dye sublimation printers are made for household as well as professional use, they can cost around $300 for a small home one and can go up to $600 for a more high-end product. For larger printers for mass production, they can cost up to $10,000.

How much should I charge for sublimation?

If you could print and press 30 items per hour, then each one costs $1.00 to produce – regardless of cost of ink, paper, substrates or shipping. If you could make only two units per hour, then the cost per unit is $15.00.

How do I get started with sublimation?

What is the difference between sublimation and heat press?

With sublimation, you’re more limited in the types of fabrics you can decorate compared to heat transfer paper. First, sublimation only works with polyester fabrics. On the other hand, with heat transfer paper, you can decorate on light and dark-colored cotton, polyester and cotton-poly blends.

Can you sublimate on Dollar Tree mugs?

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. To see our favorite inks and paper click here.

How do I print sublimation at home?

Can you sublimate 100% cotton?

Sublimation onto cotton, light and dark, is now possible. Take this chance to expand your portfolio with our high-quality Subli (No-Cut) products. So you can check the quality for yourself, we have put together affordable basic and premium sample packages.

How do I make sublimation prints?

An image is created digitally, using something like Photoshop, and printed onto a chemically coated piece of paper with specialized sublimation ink. This digital print is then placed on the transfer material. Once heat and pressure are applied, the image will transfer onto the polymers in the transfer materials.

Is a sublimation printer worth it?

Sublimation is one of the most effective and fast ways to print fabrics. Many market segments have welcomed sublimation because of its low production costs and rapid results but I don’t think it is a good solution in the long term. In those early stages, digital printers could not hold and transport fabric.

Is sublimation better than DTG?

While: DTG printing with inkjet also produces colorful images, it can’t match the smooth tones of sublimation. Another advantage of sublimation printing is the longevity of the print. Also, the benefit of being able to offer high-quality prints at low print runs is cost-effective for both you and your customers.

Is vinyl or sublimation better?

HTV gives you more options when it comes to garments as it works on any color, unlike sublimation which can only be done on white or light colored fabrics. But if you are personalizing phone cases, mugs, frames, etc., sublimation is a more simplified process that gives you more options.

How long do Sublimation shirts last?

A high-quality dye sublimation printer should have a lifespan of 10 years. Q: How long with my dye sublimated item last? A: Since the sublimation process involves the inks being chemically bonded to a material, decorated items permanent and washable.

Can sublimation be done on cotton?

Sublimation chemically bonds to polyester and polymers, not cotton; however, that doesn’t mean you can‘t apply it to cotton. In the true sublimation-production process, the dye bonds at a molecular level with polymers.

Can you sublimate on aluminum?

Sublimation on aluminum, hardboard, MDF, glass and fiberboard. Sublimation can be applied to various materials as long as there is only a polyester coating. In addition to aluminium, we also sublimate on MDF, hardboard, fiberboard and glass. These materials are ideal for sublimation.