Our best Brother printer for Sublimation is a guide to getting the perfect product. Read through the article to get the best sublimation printer for your needs.
There are so many printer types intended for different purposes. Inkjet printers and laser desktop printers are the most common type. Sublimation printers are less common, mainly because they aren’t for regular office use.
Inkjet sublimation printers use special dye sublimation ink to create text and patterns and transfer photos onto special paper.
The sublimation paper then gets transferred onto polyester fabric. Paper and fabric get pressed together. The heat transfer is enough to fuse the sublimation paper onto polyester.
Ordinary sublimation printers are huge and very expensive. You can archive sublimation prints using an inkjet sublimation printer and other laser desktop printers.
Types Of Inkjet Sublimation Printers (Piezo Inkjet Printers)
1. Calm press industrial printers
The calm press is the most popular type of dye sublimation printer. It uses a clamp and steam to impose prints onto fabric. It is commonly used for sports attire like football kits and t shirts.
2. Electric
It is a calendar press printer. It is ideal for small shops and businesses. It heats the sublimation paper and cools it faster to achieve quick prints. It is an affordable sublimation printer.
3. Oil drum
It is a calendar press printer that works slower. The machine is ideal for penetrative and higher-quality prints. These machines get used when producing vibrant color prints that other printers can’t.
4. Vacuum
It is a specialized type of sublimation printer that prints around the edges. The printer works fast and is highly effective in etching 3D items onto fabric.
It also works great for irregular shapes. They use piezo technology. They offer great and consistent print quality.
5. Pneumatic (industrial printers)
These are industrial-grade sublimation printers ideal for large-scale and heavy-duty production. They are highly automated and require technical experience to operate. They get used in factories for projects. They allow for wide format prints.
6. Manual
Manual printers are ideal for jobs that require detailed specifications. These are unique printers that don’t follow a preset template.
The individual characters get input onto the machine. They are not ideal for large-scale print jobs. Depending on the model, you get medium to decent print quality.
7. Single press (Simple Printer)
A single press sublimation printer is the ideal machine for DIY tasks like printing t shirts. These are tiny sublimation printers.
They work just like calm press printers, but they are smaller and less powerful. They are not wide format printers. They are printers capable of minor print jobs.
What Is The Best Brother Printer For Sublimation?
Of all the printers Brother offers, one printer stands out. The Brother HL-L8360CDW printer. It’s a superb dye sublimation printer for large-scale sublimation printing. It’s ideal if you seek a wonderful machine that can do everything.
The printer is well-suited to printing fine details. It delivers clean and sharp photo printing results because of the processing technique.
The machine’s color accuracy is unrivaled thanks to interpolated up to 19200 x 19200 dpi. The 10-bit color spectrum produces vibrant and lively colors.
Remote sublimation printing offers convenience and versatility. With the sublimation printer’s mobile remote sublimation printing feature, you may print from anywhere.
You can connect your device by ethernet, wi-fi, or USB, which is convenient. You can use the printer for a variety of functions in addition to sublimation printing. It’s great for photos as well as standard documents. As a result, it is particularly well suited to large businesses.
The Best (Brother Printer For Sublimation) You Can Buy Today
1. Brother HL-L8360CDW printer
(Best sublimation printer for intricate prints)
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Brand: Brother
Product Dimensions: 19.1 x 17.4 x 12.3 inches Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, wi-fi, NFC Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
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It’s a fantastic dye sublimation printer that’s ideal for huge prints. It’s great if you are looking for a fantastic all-around machine.
The printer is ideal for printing delicate details. Thanks to the processing technique, it produces crisp and sharp photos.
The machine’s color accuracy is second to none, thanks to interpolated up to 19200 x 19200 dpi. Colors in the 10-bit range are vivid and dynamic, giving you an incredible print range.
Experience the ease and flexibility of remote sublimation printing. Using the sublimation printer’s mobile remote printing feature, you may print from anywhere.
You may connect your device by ethernet, wi-fi, or USB, which is a nice feature. Aside from sublimation printing, the printer has a lot of other uses.
It’s ideal for photographs as well as conventional documents. As a result, it is ideal for a small business.
Alexa is compatible with the printer. It allows you to print using voice commands. You same more ink with the printer.
2. Brother MFC-J995DW
(Best for Brother Printer for Wide format)
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Brand: Brother
Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 7.7 x 17.1 inches Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, wi-fi Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
| TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View on Amazon |
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| REASONS TO AVOID | It’s a loud printer |
The Brother MFC-J995DW is one of the best sublimation printers in the market. The robust machine makes print jobs easy and efficient.
The printer shows compatibility with several sublimation ink cartridges, including LC3033: LC3033BK, LC3033C, LC3033M, LC3033Y, LC3035: LC3035BK, and LC3035C models.
The smart printer can print through voice activation, thanks to Alexa. You also have other smart print options, including Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPrint.
The connectivity options are quite diverse. You get an Ethernet cable connection, wi-fi, which is convenient over long distances, and USB.
You will love the efficiency of the prints. The machine is a high-yield printer. It means that it is optimized to use sublimation ink well, making it cheap to run.
You get many useful features that conveniently help you run the sublimation printer. The Auto duplexing option lets you get two-way sublimation prints without flipping the print surface.
3. Brother DCP-T520W
(Best Low-budget Sublimation Printer)
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Brand: Brother
Product Dimensions: 43.5 x 38 x 15.9 cm Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, wi-fi Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
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| REASONS TO AVOID | Prone to jams |
If you are on a budget and looking for a good brother sublimation printer, then the DCP-T520W is ideal. The powerful machine is budget-friendly and packs many premium features.
You have compatibility with the BTD60BK and BT5000CMY cartridge models for the model. It gives you flexibility where buying options are a concern.
The print resolution is superior to what you would get with most inkjet printers. It provides 6000 × 1200 DPI, which results in crisp sublimation prints.
The printer works well with smooth texture prints like polyester fabrics. The resolution allows you to get details in photos and text.
There is no shortage of connectivity options. You can use a wired ethernet connection. Other connection options include wi-fi and direct USB.
The user interface is simple and intuitive. The layout is user-friendly, making it an ideal sublimation printer for beginners and learners. Its high print yield makes it ideal and economical to run.
4. Brother DCP-T420W
(Best sublimation printer for fast printing)
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Brand: Brother
Product Dimensions: 43.5 x 35.9 x 15.9 cm Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, wi-fi Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
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A criticism of many sublimation printers is that they are often slow and clunky. It is not the case with the DCP-T420W model.
The sublimation printer can do about 28 Prints per minute in monochrome. It uses black sublimation ink.
You get flexibility with the cartridge options. For the model, you can use BTD60BK and BT5000CMY, which are common in the market. These cartridges are available in most retail stores.
What sets the printer apart? The color accuracy is incredible. It has great color processing technology and can replicate rich and dynamic color patterns onto fabric like t shirts. The results are a vibrant and crisp print job. It works great for color and monochrome prints.
You have remote printing options with the model. You can connect to the printer using the direct print for mobile. It offers a convenient and hands-free printing experience.
Other connectivity options include wi-fi, which is convenient for large offices, ethernet, and USB.
5. Brother MFCL2710 DW
(Best Low-Budget Monochrome Sublimation Printer)
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Brand: Brother
Product Dimensions: 16.1 x 15.7 x 12.5 inches Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, wi-fi Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
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If you are looking for a great monochrome printer, the MFCL2710DW is the right machine for you. The robust printer is ideal for single-color print jobs and is suitable for logos, emblems, trademarks, etc.
The printer is compatible with windows and IOS. The connection is seamless, and you don’t need to worry about drivers.
If your computer lacks the drivers, you can use the generic settings. The printer also works wirelessly with your mobile devices through an ethernet option.
The printer is really fast. It can output 32 pages every minute, making it a great choice for heavy-duty jobs.
The wide format printer is ideal for large pieces of fabric. You can get consistent and detailed prints regardless of the printing surface size.
The laser printer naturally has a higher yield than inkjet printers. It is, therefore, more efficient and cost-effective to run. The user interface is easy to learn and use.
6. Brother MCF- J4535 DW
(Best sublimation printer for small prints)
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Brand: Brother Product
Dimensions: 16.1 x 15.7 x 12.5 inches Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, wi-fi Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
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It is a brilliant sublimation printer that is ideal for small prints. It is ideal if you don’t require a massive printer for your office or small business.
The printer is great for fine detail sublimation printing. It provides clear and sharp images, thanks to the processing technology.
The color management of the machine is second to none. You have as much as 19200 × 19200 dpi interpolated. The 10-bit color is vibrant and dynamic.
Experience the flexibility and convenience of remote printing. The sublimation printer has a mobile remote printing option that allows you to print from anywhere.
The connection options are great, as you can link your device through ethernet, wi-fi, and USB. The printer offers great utility beyond sublimation printing. It can also be used for photos and regular documents.
The sublimation printer has Alexa compatibility. It allows you to use voice commands to print your documents.
7. Brother Monochrome DCPL2550DW
(Best overall monochrome sublimation printer)
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Brand: Brother
Product Dimensions: 16.1 x 15.7 x 12.5 inches Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, wi-fi Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
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| REASONS TO AVOID | · – Monochrome only |
It doesn’t get better than the DCPL2550 DW model as far as monochrome sublimation printers go. It is a wonderful printer that gives you true flexibility and usability.
The sublimation printer is fantastic in terms of cost-efficiency. It is a cheap printer to run, thanks to the toner use.
You get a high yield machine that outlasts most sublimation printers on the market. Thanks to its efficiency, you don’t have to replace the toner cartridges frequently.
If you need to do fast prints, this is the printer for you. The process is fast, no matter what fabric you are using. What’s more, you consistently get good print quality with each use.
The Brother Monochrome DCPL2550DW has one of the easiest user interfaces to use. Beginners should have an easy time learning the controls.
You get several options to connect your printer to your devices. Use ethernet for a direct-wired connection. Wi-fi is ideal for a space with many users.
8. Brother MFC L3770CDW
(Best Smart Sublimation Printer)
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Brand: Brother
Product Dimensions: 20 x 16.15 x 16.2 inches Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, wi-fi, NFC Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
| TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View on Amazon |
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One of the greatest sublimation printers on the market is the Brother L3770CDW. Printing projects are simple and quick with this sturdy equipment.
Several sublimation ink cartridges, including those from the LC3033: LC3033BK, LC3033C, LC3033M, LC3033Y, LC3035: LC3035BK, and LC3035C models, are compatible with the printer.
Alexa allows the smart printer to print using voice commands. Additional smart print alternatives such as Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPrint.
There are a lot of different ways to connect. You can connect by Ethernet cable, wi-fi (which is useful over long distances), and USB.
The efficiency of prints will impress you. The printer is a high-yield model. It indicates that it is well-suited to ink usage, making it cost-effective to operate.
You get a lot of useful features that make it easier to use the sublimation printer. With the Auto duplexing option, you may get two-sided sublimation prints without having to flip the print surface.
9. Brother DCP-T220
(Best for mid-range budget prints)
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Brand: Brother
Product Dimensions: 43.5 x 35.9 x 15.9 cm Connectivity: USB Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
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The DCP-T220 is a great option if you’re on a budget and want a good brother sublimation printer. The powerful machine is cost-effective and comes with a slew of high-end capabilities.
The BTD60BK and BT5000CMY cartridge models are compatible with the model. It allows you to be more flexible when it comes to purchasing selections.
The print resolution is far higher than that of typical inkjet printers. It has a 6000 x 1200 DPI resolution, resulting in crisp prints.
Smooth texture prints, such as polyester materials, work nicely with the printer. The print quality enables you to see fine details in photographs and text.
The user interface is easy to use. Its user-friendly interface makes it an excellent sublimation printer for beginners and learners. Its high print yield makes it ideal and cost-effective to use.
Unfortunately, the printer lacks wireless print options. It, however, makes it secure.
10. Brother DCP-T310
(Best Mid-range color sublimation printer)
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Brand: Brother
Product Dimensions: 43.5 x 35.9 x 15.9 cm Connectivity: USB Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
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Many sublimation printers have been criticized for being slow and clumsy. With the DCP-T310 model, this is not the case. In monochrome, the sublimation printer can print roughly 28 prints per minute.
With the cartridge options, you have a lot of alternatives. For the model, you can utilize BTD60BK and BT5000CMY, which are very widespread on the market. You can find these cartridges in most retail outlets.
The color fidelity is astonishing. It has excellent color processing capabilities and can reproduce rich, dynamic color patterns on fabric.
The end effect is a print job that is vivid and clean. It’s suitable for both color and monochrome prints.
The lack of a wireless print option makes it secure. You can use a storage device for your input. The printer has the typical input buttons that most Brother printers have. The layout is simple, and it makes them the easiest printers to use.
11. Brother HL-L2365dw
(Best monochrome sublimation printer for a small office)
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Brand: Brother
Product Dimensions: 14.7 x 7.2 x 14 inches Connectivity: USB, ethernet, wi-fi Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
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If you’re looking for a high-quality monochrome printer, the HL-L2360DW is excellent. The sturdy printer is great for single-color print jobs such as logos, insignia, and trademarks.
Windows and iOS are both supported by the printer. You won’t have to worry about drivers because the connection is smooth.
If your machine doesn’t have the drivers, you can use the generic settings. The printer can also work wirelessly with your mobile devices through an Ethernet connection.
Large fabric pieces are ideal for the wide format printer. You can produce consistent and detailed prints regardless of the sublimation printing surface size.
The yield of a laser printer is naturally higher than that of an inkjet printer. As a result, it is more efficient and cost-effective to operate. The user interface is simple to understand and operate.
The light nature of the printer makes it convenient to move about. It is portable.
12. Brother Monochrome Laser Printers HL-L5200DWT
(Best for Monochrome Color Prints)
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Brand: BrotherProduct Dimensions: 14.7 x 7.2 x 14 inches
Connectivity: USB, ethernet, wi-fi Functions: Fax, Copy, Scan, Print |
| TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View on Amazon |
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People looking for a solid single-color solution would like the Brother laser printers. It’s a rapid printer that can print at 42 pages per minute. Because it prints faster than most machines in its price range, it is ideal for large printing jobs.
The printer’s ability to use third-party ink cartridges is a significant plus. The printer accepts a variety of cartridges, making it suitable for a wide range of enterprises.
You don’t have to manually flip the print surface to create a two-sided print using the auto-duplexing feature. The machine provides a fantastic hands-free experience for consumers.
It is one of the most user-friendly printers. The user interface is quite simple and intuitive. The security of printed files is ensured via document locking.
The ability to print wirelessly is fantastic. Using wi-fi or ethernet, you can connect multiple devices to the printer.
What Do You Do If My Sublimation Printer Is Clogged?
When using a sublimation printer, the last thing you want to experience is a clog. Clogs are common, especially when the inkjet printer is idle for long periods. How can you solve the issue?
Clean the sublimation ink stack
If you ever have trouble with the inkjet printer, ensure that you clean the ink stack. Printer sublimation ink has fine particles.
It might get contaminated by dust and debris. When it happens, drain the sublimation ink from the stack and clean the nozzle thoroughly.
Once the stack is clean, replace the old sublimation ink with new ink. It should fix the problem. Have a schedule to clean the printer regularly to prevent clogs.
Replace the sublimation ink stack
If the clogging persists, it could be time for a new ink stack. The sublimation ink stack in your sublimation printer might be faulty. Faulty stacks tend to cause clogs, especially in old sublimation printers.
Performing maintenance on your printer could solve the issue. Contact your manufacturer for replacement parts. Drain the ink and clean the empty cartridges if possible.
Clean the damper
A sublimation ink damper is responsible for filtering out dirt and debris. The dampers ensure that the sublimation ink remains pure.
If the dampers don’t get cleaned regularly, they will get clogged. Thankfully, dampers are easy to extract in most printer models, and you can clean them yourself.
Change the operating environment.
Inkjet printer sublimation ink is thermally sensitive. Its density increases as the temperature drops.
You get clumps on your sublimation ink cartridge when the ink is too cold. Place your printer in a heat-controlled environment to avoid clumps.
Replace the print head
You might have to replace your print head. Print heads are only useful if they allow ink to pass through them.
If you often have jams, you should get a new head. Thermal printers and wide format printers have easily accessible replacement parts.
How To Pick The Best Brother Printer For Sublimation?
Connectivity options
You should look at the connectivity options available. An ideal printer should accommodate both wired and wireless options.
Ethernet is great because it is secure. Wi-fi is convenient and allows many people to access the printer.
Media tray
The media tray holds the printing paper before it gets transferred to the fabric. Most sublimation printers have standard media trays.
However, some don’t. The ideal media tray should hold at least 250 pieces. Dual trays are better than single tray printers.
Colored or monochrome?
The choice between colored and monochrome comes down to the type of print jobs you do. A monochrome printer is ideal if you do simple designs in black and white.
If you make colored designs, buy yellow, cyan, and magenta inkjet printers. Most printers come in the color option.
Sublimation ink or toner
Dye sublimation ink and toner have their merits and disadvantages. Sublimation Ink is great, particularly for images.
You can get high-resolution and color-accurate prints with sublimation ink. Toner gives you a higher yield and is perfect for the text. It is cheaper to run a toner printer than a sublimation inkjet printer.
Resolution
Resolution matters a lot because it determines the overall print clarity. We measure resolution in dots per inch.
A sublimation printer with a high DPI produces clearer and sharper images and text. The best sublimation printers have high DPIs. They allow you to transfer photos of high print quality.
Cartridge compatibility
One of the greatest headaches you can have is searching for proprietary cartridges. You should, therefore, pick a reputable model that has cartridge support. The best printers have good cartridge compatibility.
Duty cycle
A high-duty cycle indicates that the printer can perform heavy-duty print jobs. A lower duty cycle means it is ideal for light and casual printing. The best sublimation printers have a high duty cycle.
Pater type
Some printers accept specific paper types. Sublimation paper differs from regular plain paper. You should consider the paper requirements. A decent printer accepts good quality paper. Poor paper texture and density are likely to cause paper jams.
Bottom Line
Our review on the best Brother printer for sublimation provides insight into the leading products. There are numerous printer kinds available, each with its features. The most prevalent types of Brother printers are inkjet and laser printers.
Sublimation printers are less common because they are not intended for office use. Inkjet sublimation printers need a specific dye sublimation ink to make text, patterns, and transfer photographs onto special paper.
After that, the paper gets transferred to polyester fabric. The fabric and the paper get squeezed together. The heat transfer is sufficient to fuse the paper and polyester.
