Fortunately, with a little money, you can enjoy the same fluid sublimation printing performance and ease of use that you would with a normal printer. To do this work, you must know how to convert HP printer to sublimation printer.
Many elite design professionals choose to favor sublimation as their preferred product decorating process for the simple reason that the product decorating technique meets all of the necessary criteria in terms of quality and long-lasting heat transfers.
This method produces designs that are sharp and colorful to the point where they nearly leap out at you. The designs will withstand fading, washing, and cracking, and will last for years and years.
In spite of this, sublimation is not without its drawbacks. The high level of quality and out-of-this-world images for which it is recognized is not affordable.
Up to $10,000 can be spent on a new, high-quality sublimation printer, which is more expensive than a new car. As much as we all admire this new technology, our wallets may not always agree with our opinions.
What Exactly Are Sublimation Printers?
Sublimation is the process of immediately transforming a solid to a gaseous phase, and sublimation printers are the same. Quality sublimation printing necessitates the use of expensive sublimation paper.
Sublimation printers print on socks, light-colored t-shirts, and other items using paper as a substrate for sublimation printing.
Sublimation printers infuse colors deeply into materials, which then absorb the color.
Printers make use of two distinct forms of technology: thermal transfer and pressure transfer. Each printer type is designed for a specific group of enthusiasts, and customers select their printers based on their vocations and requirements.
Is Sublimation Possible With Any Printer?
No, sublimation paper is not supported by all printers, and the fact for this is solely because of the paper’s structure.
In addition, many printers are missing printheads and ink cartridges that are compatible with sublimation printers, which is one of the main reasons.
In order to be effective like a sublimation primer, not just any printer but one that supports sublimation ink and sublimation paper must be utilized as a sublimation primer.
How to Convert HP Printer to Sublimation Printer?
Because the vast majority of HP printers use heat transfer processes and are therefore incompatible with printing with sublimation inks, it is not easy to convert an HP home or business printer into a sublimation printer.
Sublimation ink will bake throughout the printing process if you’re an HP printer user with sublimation ink in conjunction with it.
In addition, there are a number of HP printers that can print with UV and sublimation ink, so that it is able to print on paper that is sublimation. It’s important to keep in mind that these HP printers are expensive, huge, industrial printers. This HP line can print directly on fabric.
DISCUSSION POINT: HP printers aren’t all made for sublimation; some low-cost industrial HP sublimation printers are available, but they aren’t appropriate for home sublimation projects.
These printers are adaptable likewise require nothing more than sublimation paper and sublimation ink to print on T-shirts, and ceramic mugs; you may make use of these printers on garments that are entirely composed of polyester, fortunately, it also works on garments made entirely of cotton.
Let’s move on now that we’ve figured out how to convert an HP printer to a sublimation printer.
Take the following steps:
1. Purchase a new HP printer to get started
In order to successfully convert your HP printer into a sublimation printer, you must first guarantee that your HP printer has never been used before converting it.
If you want to achieve the optimal sublimation effects, it has to be at prime condition. Otherwise, the sublimation ink will become indistinguishable from the regular ink and will lose its vigilance.
2. Get the Ink Tanks Filled
It is necessary to remove the ink tanks from the printer and fill them with sublimation ink as the following step. This is the point at which you understand that HP printers that use ink cartridges can’t be converted to sublimation printers since appropriate ink cartridges packed with sublimation ink are impossible to come by. The ink tanks can be removed and refilled without difficulty.
3. Choose the image you want and save it
The next step is to locate the ideal image that you wish to sublimate into a sublimation medium. Create a new project by opening it in the Silhouette Studio app. You don’t have to pay to use or download this software. After you’ve opened the image in this program, you’ll need to alter the size and dimensions of the image. This implies that you can have your preferred image sublimated onto a t-shirt in the size of your choice. In addition, for best effects, you should change the page size to letter size. The app’s settings allow you to switch the app’s orientation from portrait to landscape as well.
4. Continue To Print
After you have finished altering the image’s size and orientation, you will need to print the image onto paper. You do not require any specific paper for this purpose. It’ll be enough if you use standard letter-sized paper. There is a drop-down menu when you click on “Files”. Select Print from there. A new print window will pop up as a result of this. Next to the printer selection, you’ll notice a drop-down arrow. From the drop-down menu, choose the sublimation printer. Afterward, go to the bottom and click print.
5. Inspect The Printed Image
The printed picture should be thoroughly inspected after it is removed from the printer to verify that there are no lines or gaps in the printed image. Otherwise, discard the image and print it again until you have a crisp image with no gaps or lines between the colors. However, if the coloration of the picture appears to be a little light, don’t be concerned because the sublimation ink produces a more vibrant coloration when heat is applied to the cloth.
6. The Fabric Should Be Ironed
On the t-shirt that you are just about to sublimate, you must first straighten out the creased lines that have formed. Due to the fact that it impacts the appearance of the final image, this is a notably crucial stage that you should not skip. The resulting image will almost certainly have lines in it if the fabric has not been pressed properly before it is printed. As a result, you have to iron your t-shirt while proceeding to ensure a nice and clean output.
7. Use a heat press
When you have dried your t-shirt, you will be able to heat press the design onto it at this point. Make use of a piece of butter paper and insert this under the t-shirt directly underneath the region where you want the image sublimated. This will ensure that the dies don’t transfer to the opposite side of the shirt when you wash it. Once the printed sheet has been reversed, it should be taped to the shirt. Place another sheet of butter paper on top of the page and tape it down as well. After that, iron the image using a hot iron until it is wrinkle-free. The heat from the iron will cause the dyes on the paper to melt and transfer to the t-shirt surface.
8. Maintain a sixty-second hold
Once you have put in the time and effort, you don’t want to rush to see the complete outcome. Give it your best shot and iron the entire thing for at least 60 minutes. Then, after another sixty minutes, press the iron against the picture for yet another sixty seconds to complete the process. Then let it cool for a few minutes to allow the colors to settle into their proper positions before peeling the picture away. Now you may wear the t-shirt that you made yourself!
Assuming you’ve read this post thoroughly, you now know how to turn your HP printer into a sublimation printer. Because a sublimation printer is quite expensive, it is preferable to acquire a conventional printer and convert it to function like a sublimation printer.
However, you must be very careful while buying a printer because not every printer has the tendency to be converted into a sublimation printer. Furthermore, the most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing a sublimation printer is that it must be equipped with Piezo print technology in order to be effective.
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Is it possible to use a different printer for sublimation?
It is said that sublimation printers “make use of sublimation technology,” that they are “used for heat transfer,” and that they “look good on sublimation paper” because they provide sharp and vibrant results.
If anybody wants to boost the pleasure and worth of their apparel, they should invest in a sublimation printing machine. We have determined that only a small number of HP printers can be utilized as sublimation printers based on the discussion above.
Consider whether other brands can be converted into sublimation printers and how they differ from one another.
1. Converting a Brand-New Inkjet Printer to Sublimation Printer
If you plan to convert your brand new inkjet printer which has never been printed before into something like a sublimation printer, it is best to look for printers that have a continuous ink supply system, also known as a CISS system.
External ink supply components are built to the ink cartridges in order to increase the amount of ink that is delivered to your computer through the printer.
Please keep in mind that, due to a large amount of ink required for sublimation printing, the use of refillable cartridges could cause the frustration of having to stop frequently to refill the ink supply.
Additionally, check the description of the inkjet printers to ensure that they are compatible with sublimation printing.
Tools and supplies that are required
- Inkjet printer that is brand new.
- A needle and an injection syringe
- Ink for sublimation printing
- Cartridge that can be refilled
- A pair of disposable plastic gloves
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Firstly, we’ll look at what needs to be done.
It will be necessary for you to verify that your printer is operating properly. As a result, begin by configuring the inkjet printer as you would normally do so, following the manufacturer’s provided set of instructions. Install the cartridges that came with the printer, which are made by the manufacturer.
- Step number two
Check the nozzle by printing on a blank sheet of paper to see if it is working properly. To ensure consistent, sharp, and vivid images without any broken lines, check the nozzle’s print quality. If the image is fuzzy and out of color, try adjusting the settings according to the user guides that have been provided.
It’s important to remember that installing sublimation ink will void the printer’s warranty. As a result, you must identify any issues with your new printer prior to conversion in order to seek assistance if necessary.
- Step number three
Fill the set of refillable cartridges with sublimation ink using the injection syringe and needle that came with the set. Keep in mind to follow the instructions that came with your ink cartridges.
If your cartridges came pre-filled with sublimation ink, you can skip this step. Otherwise, follow the instructions above. In order to avoid color problems and ensure that the colors come out perfectly, those who will be purchasing their sublimation ink separately are advised to choose ink from manufacturers who use an appropriate ICC profile.
- Step number four
Lift the lid of the printer and pull the ink cartridge holder lever to the top of the printer. Remove the inkjet printer cartridges that came with it and replace them with the refillable cartridges that came with it. Check to see that the cartridges are properly installed and secured before continuing. When you are installing them, you should hear a clicking sound. After that, you can close the ink cartridge lever and close the lid of the printer.
Ensure that the original cartridges that came with the top printer are stored safely, as you may experience problems with your refillable cartridges in the future when using them.
- Step number five
Because you have just installed a new cartridge containing specialty ink, you must first completely remove all of the old ink from the print head and lines before you can begin printing with the new ink. Run at least 5 print head cleanings once more to ensure that all of the old ink has been removed completely before you begin printing.
- It’s the sixth step
Following that, perform a nozzle check to determine whether the lines are straight and accurate. If there are any broken lines, repeat the process as many times as necessary until you have perfectly straight lines.
2)Converting a Used Inkjet Printer to Sublimation Printer
You can also convert an ordinary inkjet printer, such as an Epson large format printer, into a dedicated sublimation printer by using special sublimation ink.
Given that the inkjet printer previously used other types of ink, thorough cleaning is required to make sure that now the specialized ink somehow doesn’t make contact with any of the other types of printer ink that were previously used on the printer.
This means flushing out the old ink and its entire contents from the print head and lines, then replacing it with new ink will be necessary. Using a cleaning cartridge if you have one available, or filling a refillable cartridge with purge fluid to completely remove all traces of the old ink from the ink system to ensure that all traces of the old ink are removed, is highly recommended.
Tools and supplies that are required
- Inkjet printer that is brand new.
- Cartridge that can be refilled
- Ink for sublimation printing
- A needle and an injection syringe
- A pair of disposable plastic gloves
- Cartridge cleaning fluid/purge fluid (Optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Firstly, we’ll look at what needs to be done.
Put on your gloves and, just as we did before, begin by configuring your inkjet printer as you would normally. Nozzle checks the lines on a blank piece of paper to ensure that they are perfect and that the printer is operating properly before printing.
- Step number two
Lift the lid of the printer and pull the ink cartridge holder lever to the top of the printer. Take out the cartridges that have been filled with old ink.
- Step number three
Configure the set of refillable cartridges that have been filled with purge fluid from a bottle. If you have a set of cleaning cartridges, put them in the dishwasher. Don’t forget to check that the cartridges are properly installed and secured before continuing. When you are installing them, make sure there is a clicking sound. After that, close the ink cartridge lever and the lid of your printer.
Make sure to store the cartridges with the old ink in a safe place in case you run into problems with your refillable cartridges later on.
- Step number four
The old ink will need to be flushed out repeatedly with the cleaning cartridges or purge fluid, which will require numerous power cleanings. Following a second or third cleaning of the print head, you will need to unplug the printer for at least an hour.
You should proceed to the next step if you do not have the cleaning cartridge or purge fluid on hand.
- Step number five
Fill the set of refillable cartridges with the sublimation ink by injecting it into them with an injection syringe and needle. Follow the installation instructions that came with your ink cartridges. Move on to the next step if your cartridges have already been pre-filled with sublimation ink.
- Step number six
Lift the lid of the printer and pull the ink cartridge holder lever to the top of the printer. Remove the cleaning cartridges or the cartridges containing the cleaning fluid from the machine.
- Step number seven
Install the sublimation ink cartridges into the cartridges.
- The eighth step
Clean the print head at least five times before you start printing to ensure that all of the old ink is removed. Additionally, it is necessary to purge and push all of the ancient ink down to the print head.
3. After Converting the Printer
After you have finished transforming your inkjet printer, whether it is used or new, you may believe that you are ready to print. However, taking the precautions listed below will help.
- Check the Nozzle for Blockage and Clean the Print Heads
Because you have just installed a new cartridge containing specialty ink, you must first completely remove all of the old ink from the print head and lines before you can begin printing with the new ink. Run at least 5 print head cleanings once more to ensure that all of the old ink has been removed completely before you begin printing.
Run a nozzle check afterward to ensure that the lines are accurate and consistent throughout the process. Run as many print head cleanings as necessary until you have a clean nozzle check with perfectly straight lines, in case there are any broken lines. If the problem persists, you should wait 24 hours before performing any additional head cleanings because performing additional head cleanings may cause the print head to break.
- Prompts for Acknowledgement
Unless you have ever printed with an ink cartridge from a different manufacturer before, it will come as no surprise if your printer prompts you to acknowledge on the screen that you have used third-party ink cartridges. Assuming that’s the case, simply click “Ok.” You may also be informed that you have voided your warranty by another screen if this happens. Do not be afraid to press the ‘Proceed’ button before selecting ‘Yes.’
- Troubleshooting
If your printer refuses to acknowledge your cartridges, remove the cartridges from the printer and wait 10 – 20 mins before reinstalling them. If you are unable to complete this procedure after three attempts, you will be required to reinstall the original cartridges which came with the printer and begin again.
- Printing a test Print
Printing a test image onto such a transfer paper designed specifically for sublimation is a good starting point. Proceed to transfer the artwork onto a test sublimation blank using an appropriately-sized heat press and inspect the quality of the final graphics before proceeding with the production.
Inspect to see if the ink company provides the profile files. Installing Printer Profiles is required if the ink requires them and you use design software that supports color management, such as Adobe Photoshop or Corel.
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FAQ
☞ Is it possible to convert an established inkjet printer to a sublimation printer?
There aren’t just any. You’ll need to have an Inkjet printer that’s compatible with sublimation to complete this project. Inkjet printers are divided into two categories: thermal technology printers, which use HEAT to disperse or ‘boil’ the ink onto paper, and ‘cold’ Piezo technology printers (patented by Epson), which print by applying PRESSURE to the inkjet head.
Heat activates sublimation inks, which are heat sensitive and activated by heat. In this case, using sublimation transfer paper and sublimation ink in thermal printers could cause the ink to ‘bake’ and smear all over the sublimation transfer paper.
As a result, piezo printers are the most effective for sublimation printing. There is a small crystal attached to the print head in this case, which vibrates when an electrical charge is applied to it. The ink is forced out of the print head nozzles onto the paper as a result of the vibrations.
☞ Can any Epson printer be converted into a sublimation printer?
The majority of modern Epson printers, as well as a few Sawgrass printers, employ Piezo technology, as opposed to other brands such as HP, which employ thermal technology. In order to achieve this effect, most designers prefer to convert EPSON printers into sublimation printers.
Although you will need to pour in sublimation ink into your Epson printer before learning how to set up an Epson printer for sublimation, you should be aware of this requirement before proceeding. The best part is that Epson printers are compatible with a wide range of sublimation ink brands that have excellent color profiles.
Despite this, the printers are not available from the manufacturer as sublimation printers. As a result, if you convert an Epson printer to a sublimation printer, you will not be eligible for technical support or a warranty.
☞ Is it possible to print with both regular and sublimation inks on the same printer?
Using the same printer with both regular and sublimation inks on a regular basis is strongly discouraged by industry experts in the field. Due to the high risk of contamination associated with not properly flushing out all of the ink every time, this is the case in this instance. As a result, the print head becomes clogged, and the design quality suffers as a result.
Also probable is that switching between inks will result in a tremendous amount of ink being needed for purging and cleaning, resulting in stratospheric expenditures for the printing company.
After several conversions, you will find that you are spending far more money than you would have spent on a second printer. Additionally, frequent flushing shortens the service life of the ink pads, which has a knock-on effect on the printing machine’s overall performance and functionality.
☞ What is the best way to clean a printer before using it for sublimation?
It is absolutely necessary that you clean your best printer in order to keep it in perfect working order. Insufficient cleaning after a period of time results in messes during print runs, as well as clogged heads that can cause streaks, blemishes, and blurs on the printed image.
However, a significant amount of ink is required for machine cleaning. For those who print on a regular basis, simply allowing ink to flow freely through the nozzle-heads will suffice to keep the print heads in good condition.
The print head may choke if the sublimation ink in the nozzle-heads has dried, which may occur if the printer has been idle for a few days. In this case, simple head cleaning cycles may not be sufficient to completely clear the print head.
In this case, it is necessary to remove the entire ink system and replace it with new cartridges. Make sure to check the nozzle to see if the problem has been resolved.
Furthermore, while some advanced systems will automatically perform the head check when the printer is turned on without your command in order to keep your ink flowing smoothly, the majority of printers require that you manually run the print head cleaning process.
It is possible to run up to five power cleanings on a printer before using it for sublimation to flush out the old ink. However, with printers such as the Epson Stylus Pro Printers, you only need to perform an initial fill, which saves you time.
The initial fill procedure only necessitates that you restart the computer in “Self Testing Mode” by pressing and holding down the PAUSE, RIGHT, and DOWN buttons simultaneously when the computer is turned on. To start the print head cleaning cycles, press the MENU button and select the CLEANING and INIT FILL options from the drop-down menu.
In other cases, you will need to connect to a computer that is running an adjustment program, run the program in the “Individual Adjustment” mode, and then select the “Ink Charge” option from the drop-down menu.
☞ Is it necessary to use special ink for sublimation?
Yes, special ink is required for sublimation printing. The reason for this is that sublimation is more or less a dyeing process, and the ink dye used in the process is supposed to have bonding properties compatible with the fabric being dyed. In order for the ink to adhere to the fabric when it comes into contact with it. These inks are both water- and wear-resistant, which means that you can wash these clothes as many times as you want without the dye fading away or becoming unusable.
☞ When using an inkjet printer, how do you add sublimation ink?
When it comes to adding sublimation ink to your inkjet printer, the owner’s manual should be your go-to source of information. While refilling it, you should exercise extreme caution to ensure that no impurities find their way into the lines. Dust particles, for example, will not only result in poor print quality, but they will also clog and damage the printing system.
Additionally, ensure that no air bubbles are introduced into the ink by shaking it to eliminate any voids or bubbles and then filling it with little amounts of ink. Furthermore, because of the messy nature of this procedure, we recommend that you carry it out on a porous surface.
To begin, put on your gloves to protect your hands from ink spills that could harm your delicate skin and nails.
Fill the sublimation ink bottle only halfway with the amount of ink you’ll need. Pulling the top of the syringe gently will allow the sublimation ink to be sucked in. In order to avoid problems when filling, make sure there are no bubbles in the syringe.
The fill hole and the vent hole are the two holes that are found on the majority of cartridges. Incorporate the syringe into the fill hole with care. Take care not to puncture the thin plastic lining that surrounds the cartridge’s internal mechanism.
Fill the cartridge by slowly pushing the top of the syringe down into the cartridge. Allow for some wiggle room by not completely filling the cartridge; instead, fill it to 7/8th capacity.
If you plan on refilling mixed color inks, handle them one at a time to avoid mixing inks that are different colors of the same color. After you’ve added the sublimation ink, double-check to make sure that the printer is operating properly.
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