You need to know how to get the best sublimation printer for mugs if you are to run a successful business printing mugs.
There are numerous products on the market with different features and drawbacks. You might have a hard time getting the best printer.
A shorter list with the best products will be more helpful to a buyer. Getting the right sublimation printer is crucial, especially for a business.
The sublimation printing industry is growing, and you must keep up with the competition. Let us get into the details and see how;
What Is The Best Sublimation Printer For Mugs?
It might be challenging to recommend one specific product since the experience depends on use. The materials are different, and printers perform differently on each material. The Epson Artisan 1430 stands out from the competition, putting all these into account.
This printer has high compatibility with devices and numerous connectivity options. You can use USB and wireless options to print. This setup allows you to print directly from phones and tablets without using a computer.
The printer works on many surfaces, and you can buy it for all your needs. It will give high-quality print resolutions.
The Printed images will be scratch-proof and water-resistant; therefore, you can wash the cups without worry.
It can print up to 13 by 19 inches, making it versatile. You could get images of different sizes, all in Ultra-High Definition that looks amazing. This will be the best dye sublimation printer for professionals.
The Best Sublimation Printer For Mugs You Can Buy Today
1. Epson Artisan 1430
(Ideal for UHD Print Resolution professionals)
SPECIFICATIONS
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Brand: Epson
Connectivity: Wireless, USB, Mobile Printing Technology: Inkjet Compatible devices: Smartphones, laptops, PC, and Tablets |
TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View on Amazon |
REASONS TO BUY | + It offers high-quality print resolutions
+ It is flexible and works on many surfaces + The printout is water and smudge resistant |
REASONS TO AVOID | – No matte finishing |
This Epson printer is a wireless wide color inkjet printer. This is a high print quality printer that will give you an edge in the sublimating printing industry. This photo printer takes printing to the next level, and it offers brilliant Ultra high definition printouts.
This printer can easily print up to 13 inches by 19 inches, giving you all the freedom with mugs. Additionally, it offers borderless printing, which gives creative freedom. This printer is wireless; thus, you can network it with others and share prints.
Epson 1430 uses high-definition sublimation ink. This ink lasts up to 4 times longer than regular inks.
This printer creates smudge, fade, scratch, and water-resistant photos. This makes it a great choice for mug printing since mugs could get scratches.
With this printer, you can easily create professional-looking, high-quality prints. This is the best sublimation printer for professionals. You can use it for mug printing, but it has flexibility for t-shirts and other materials.
2. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
(For professionals and business printing)
SPECIFICATIONS
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Brand: Epson
Connectivity: Wireless, Ethernet Printing Technology: Inkjet Compatible devices: PC |
TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View on Amazon
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REASONS TO BUY | + It produces High definition printouts+ It is flexible in use, and the materials it prints on
+ It does borderless printing |
REASONS TO AVOID | – It uses more power than other printers |
The Epson expression is one of the best sublimation printers in the market. This printer has an outstanding design that will make your mug printing quite fun and stress-free. This printer produces HD print resolution that looks outstanding on any surface.
It is multi-functional; thus, you can use it on anything. You could print on plastic, melamine, and other materials like cotton and polyester fabric.
It has six color ranges which it mixes professionally. It does borderless printing to give the perfect images.
Apart from mugs, this printer can work on normal paper to print images and text. This might be a waste of sublimation ink, but you can switch out the cartridge. It might be slower than most printers, but it is worth the wait.
3. HP OfficeJet 9025
(Users that need remote printing features)
SPECIFICATIONS
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+ Brand: HP
+ Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet + Printing Technology: Inkjet + Compatible devices: Smartphones, PC, Laptops |
TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View at Walmart |
REASONS TO BUY | + It has a 2 sided auto document feeder
+ It is network-ready + High compatibility with other devices |
REASONS TO AVOID | – It is rather expensive |
This printer is the best choice for your sublimating printing industry. This is the best sublimation printer for a user that works remotely but needs to print their work. You can create content on a mobile device and use the cloud to send it to this printer.
It connects to a Wi-Fi link, and you can share data with it from anywhere. This makes it convenient for business printing mugs as customers don’t have to come to you. It has a sturdy tray that offers a great transfer medium for sublimation paper.
This model has a Wi-Fi security setup that ensures your data is safe from any other people. It also has features that make it print the projects you certify. This is a great feature to save in since sublimation ink is expensive.
It also features a document feeder for a more pleasant experience while printing. All these features make it a great choice for any user. This inkjet printer offers high-quality output thanks to its high-precision printing mechanisms.
4. Sawgrass Virtuoso SG100
SPECIFICATIONS
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Brand: Sawgrass
Connectivity: Wi-Fi Printing Technology: Dye Sublimation Compatible Devices: Smartphones, PC, laptops |
TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View at eBay |
REASONS TO BUY | + It has state of the art color management software
+ It can print bulky projects for a business + It is energy efficient |
REASONS TO AVOID | – It is rather expensive |
This is one of the best sublimation printers, and you can be sure it will improve your sublimating printing industry.
This printer uses thermal transfer to create stunning printed images. It might be a little big, but it won’t take up too much space, and it is worth it.
This printer can generate vibrant and high-quality printers of high quality. It produces such hi9gh quality images while saving your electrical expenses. This printer’s power efficiency sets it apart from the competition.
The digital image processing feature creates glossy and smooth laminated prints. Its color management software will help edit images and generate better printouts. It is overly easy to use and an amazing choice for a dye sublimation business.
It can generate one printed image of a 4 by 6-inch photo. It can also print in wide and small formats depending on your needs. This flexibility makes it a great choice for varying print sizes in mug printing.
This Sawgrass printer comes with dye transfer paper to give your business a jumpstart. It is compatible with all PCs, tablets, and laptops that run Windows 8.1 or macOS 10.14 or later.
5. Canon Selphy CP1300
(For beginners or professionals with small working spaces)
SPECIFICATIONS
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Brand: Canon
Connectivity: USB Printing Technology: Dye Sublimation, Thermal Compatible devices: PC, laptops, smartphones |
TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View on Amazon
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REASONS TO BUY | + Printout is high quality
+ It has numerous ways of connecting devices + It saves on printing expenses |
REASONS TO AVOID | – It doesn’t come with a USB cord |
Customize your mug with this product from a company that specializes in images. This printer is the ultimate choice for connectivity, mobility, and print quality. This printer is small and easy to carry or install in any room.
It uses high-end thermal sublimating technology. This tech allows the printer to produce printed images with amazing colors in under a minute. You can use it as a regular photo printer to print passports and IDs.
Canon Selphy CP1300 allows for connection with Smartphones for quick printing. Both iOS and Android users can use Mopria Print Services with ease. This printer comes with a 12-month warranty as assurance for its high-quality build.
It also offers borderless and bordered printing depending on user needs. You can add dates to images and then print them to make them more memorable. The print quality is outstanding and waterproof to keep the mug looking amazing.
This is one of the few printers that allow you to edit a photo before printing it. You can adjust basic image properties like color, contrast, and brightness.
6. Epson WorkForce WF-7210
(Best for professionals with a lot of experience)
SPECIFICATIONS
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Brand: Epson
Connectivity: Wi-Fi Printing Technology: Inkjet Compatible devices: PC |
TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View on Amazon
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REASONS TO BUY | + It is power efficient
+ It uses precision core technology + Borderless printing |
REASONS TO AVOID | – It only works with Epson cartridges |
This is yet another superb printer from a reputable company, Epson. The Epson WorkForce WF-7210 is a prequel to the 7710, but it is not inferior. This printer will give you a top-notch and premium printing experience.
This package comes with genuine Epson inks and cartridges. It is best to use the manufacturer’s inks and parts.
This helps you avoid third-party products that might compromise the printer. This printer also runs on a precision core format.
This technology ensures it produces printouts of the best quality without smudges. It works well with graphics and text in different sizes.
It has borderless prints that make it much better to use. It is an economical product that will save your ink and money.
It has power conservation features that are much better than any other printer. Color printing consumes more power than black, but this printer cuts that difference. The Epson WorkForce 7210 is an amazing product that every professional should consider.
7. Brother MFC-J995DW
(Professional and beginner use)
SPECIFICATIONS
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Brand: Brother
Connectivity: Wi-Fi Printing Technology: Inkjet Compatible Devices: PC |
TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View on Amazon
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REASONS TO BUY | + It comes with a year’s worth of sublimation ink.
+ It offers several connectivity options. + It can hold more ink than most printers. |
REASONS TO AVOID | – It is a bit bulky |
This printer has come with some impressive advancements in the sublimating printing industry. It prints graphics and text with laser precision to give a replica printout. It has borderless printing that allows you to cover your mug with amazing graphics.
This is a good choice financially since it has low running costs. The printer comes with ink that you could use for one year, for starters.
It runs on the innovative InKvestment cartridge system. This uses a design that allows the printer to hold more ink for longer use.
They have a premium and intelligent page gauge feature. This calculates how much ink you use and how much you have left.
It allows enough time to prepare for a refill. It has USB connectivity to use directly with your phone or tablet.
Additionally, you have wireless options that make printing more convenient. It supports network protocols, and you can send data and graphics to it over Wi-Fi.
The printer is a bit bulky, which can help you work on big items. This large size, however, makes the printer heavy.
8. Epson Stylus C88+
(Small DIY home use printer)
SPECIFICATIONS
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Brand: Epson
Connectivity: USB Printing Technology: Inkjet Compatible Devices: PC |
TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View on Amazon
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REASONS TO BUY | + It offers borderless printing
+ It produces smudge, stain, and water-resistant printouts + It comes at an affordable price |
REASONS TO AVOID | – It gets noisy when printing |
This Epson printer is another inkjet printer that comes at an attractively reasonable price. You can get this printer for fewer than 100 dollars, yet it works very efficiently. It is one of the best sublimation printers you will find on the market for its price.
The printed images’ quality, grade, and durability will stun you. It uses the revolutionary Dura-bright ultra-pigment sublimation ink, which dries instantly. This ink is smudge, fade, scratch, and water-resistant; thus, the print resolution won’t fade.
Paper handling in this printer is automatic and reliable; thus, you can use it as a photo printer. You, however, need a computer to use this printer on regular photo paper. It has a fast printing speed of 19 pages per minute of borderless printing.
It comes with a program to create calends, soft books, etc. The printer allows for different print sizes. Thus you have creative freedom.
9. Epson WorkForce WF-7710
(Office spaces with diverse needs and users)
SPECIFICATIONS
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+ Brand: Epson
+ Connectivity: USB + Printing Technology: Inkjet + Compatible Devices: PC, laptops |
TODAY’S TOP DEAL | View on Amazon
|
REASONS TO BUY | + It produces a high-quality print resolution
+ Has cutting edge precision core technology + It offers a fast printing speed |
REASONS TO AVOID | – It’s a little slow |
This incredible inkjet printer is another option from Epson on this list. The WorkForce is a wide-format color, auto duplex printing option that will work well for you.
This printer is a wireless and Wi-Fi direct printer that offers a lot of convenience through mobile printing.
You will have an easier time moving graphics to the printer for your mugs. It can print from smartphones and tablets, and it is air print compatible. Epson made this printer to improve small businesses’ productivity.
This small heat transfer color printer offers performance better than any laser printer. It uses a precision core that brings all its features together.
This is a new printing technology that uses a high-density print chip. This chip is cutting-edge dye sublimation technology.
With staggering accuracy, this print chip generates up to 40 million print point dots per second. This offers a high printing speed that saves your time. It can print up to 13 inches by 19 inches which is enough for mug printing.
Why You Need The Best Sublimation Printer For Mugs
Sublimation printing is an art, and you must get the best dye sublimation printers. This idea is clear to everyone, but it might not be so clear why.
Let us look at some reasons that might make you spend a few extra bucks to get the best sublimation printer.
The best sublimation printer will have a high speed. This speed will be a helpful factor whether you use the printer at home or in a business.
For a business, you will work faster and serve more customers. This increase in speed will increase your profits and give you better prospects.
The best sublimation printer for mugs will also give you high-quality printouts. Most people appreciate quality, and they will not accept anything less.
So a good printer will produce glossy and durable mugs. You can wash and use the mugs without removing the printed images.
User-friendliness is crucial in any product. The best dye sublimation printers are easy to use. Even beginners can get a few minutes with the printer and figure out how it works. Such a printer makes life much smoother for its users.
Buying Guide: Tips for Purchasing the Best Sublimation Printer for Mugs Printing
There are countless options for sublimation printers, and you might get lost in a frenzy. You need to know what to look for in a printer. This will allow you to fine-tune and get the product that fits your requirements.
Most sublimation printers are converted inkjet printers. Inkjet printers can support how sublimation works; thus, they are the best option. Let us look at some important factors you should keep in mind when getting a printer;
Size of the print
The size is a crucial consideration when choosing a printer. The size will depend on how you plan to use the printer. If it is for a business printing mugs, you should consider a bigger printer.
Such a printer will help you go through the work a little faster. The size will also determine what you can print on and the size of the printed images. The size will also determine how flexible the printer is.
Generally, larger printers are more adaptable and will be more beneficial. You can use them for mugs, vases, jugs, and even clothing. This diversity will be advantageous for a business as you can serve more people with one printer.
Quality of the print
Whether you are printing the mug as a gift or selling it, the quality is one of the most important things.
If you are running a business, customers need to know that they get the best services. Printers vary in technology, make, and price, affecting printout quality.
You want a high print resolution printer, so the mug gets a bright, clean, eye-catching image. The printer should be accurate enough to print out images and letters without blurring them.
Mugs might be easy to replace, but customers expect reliability. You shouldn’t get spillovers on the art or names.
Ensure the printer you choose has the best dye sublimation technology. This technology will mix the colors and give you the result you expect.
The Printer’s printing speed
Speed is also crucial for any photo printer, and the best printers have high printing speeds. Speedy prints save time at the printer, which opens the chance to make more money. A business with fast printers will serve more customers.
Additionally, customers will have to wait for less for their mugs and other items to be ready. Eventually, most people go with the stores that are convenient for them.
You can compromise on speed if you want the printer for domestic use. You can use dye sublimation inks that dry up faster to make the whole process efficient.
Printing method
This refers to how a printer works to put the ink on the object. Sublimation printers have different technologies, and each is better in some situations. Some printers will directly put the ink on the printing surface, while others use heat transfer.
Heat transfer is the most reliable option, and it works for most surfaces. It will be the choice if you print photos, but direct prints work for names and letters. Heat transfer has more advanced technology, and it will produce more accurate images.
Material Compatibility
Another important factor to think about is the material you can print on. Printers work differently, and some don’t work with given materials like plastic or melamine. Printer compatibility affects the images you can print and how they will come out.
The best sublimation printers will be compatible with several materials. You should be able to print on plastic, melamine, and polyester fabrics using the same printer. Getting several printers for specific materials will be expensive in maintenance, purchase, and use.
Ink Cartridge and Quality
You need to consider the printer’s cartridge separately when buying a printer. You must account for the cartridge’s price and longevity. You must account for how much ink the cartridge uses and when you will need to replace them.
Sublimation inks are much more expensive than regular ink. You need to see how long you will use the dye sublimation ink and the cost you incur to refill it. If you are running a business, you can’t afford to spend more money than you make.
Get an option that is safe for your business financially without compromising quality. The ink quality directly affects how good and durable your work will be. This is especially important for mugs since they go in the dishwasher nearly every day.
You must make sure the ink is water-resistant so it doesn’t wash off when cleaning the mug. It should not get smudges or scratches when rubbed. Ask an attendant or read up on the product to ensure it meets the standards before buying.
Connectivity
Connectivity increases communication which makes everything work faster. You need to consider how you will get your designs to the printer and onto a mug. Some printers need a computer physically connected to them for them to print.
These might work if you have a few projects or work in a shop. Some printers have wireless connectivity options for mobile printing. You can connect multiple devices to it and serve more people with ease.
The latest generations of printers have cloud connectivity. You can connect the printer to a Wi-Fi network and send designs from anywhere. This would be the best choice for large businesses as you can work with several people remotely.
What Supplies Do You Need For Sublimation Printing For Mugs?
You need to figure out everything you need before starting sublimation printing. Sublimation is a permanent process, so you must be sure of it.
This preparation is more important for a business owner. Let us break down some of the important supplies you need to start;
Sublimation printer and heat source
The most important thing is a sublimation printer. These special printers can print using sublimation ink instead of regular ink.
You can use a converted inkjet printer if you have the tech skills. Consider what you want to make and get the right printer for it.
You will need a heat source like a mug press or tumbler press. The heat sour heats the sublimation ink, which transfers to the sublimation blank.
The best heat source will depend on the materials you intend to work with. The best sublimation printers have internal heat sources.
Sublimation ink
Sublimation ink is a special ink that turns into a gas when hot. Its properties allow it to adhere to sublimation blanks. Regular ink will not work, so you must double-check it to ensure you have the correct ink.
Some brands have sublimation inks for their products. Printers from Epson and Sawgrass might not work with third-party sublimation inks.
Poor quality ink will affect your work and printer longevity. Spend a few extra bucks to get high-quality ink that creates printed images that will last long.
Sublimation blanks
Sublimation blanks are the canvas for your sublimating art. There are many options to explore, but the list is shorter for mugs.
Mugs to print on might be metal, ceramic, melamine, or plastic. You need to know how to work with all these options if you have a business.
You could find other blanks at local stores for as low as $1 or as high as $20. You can get pillowcases, mugs, tote bags, boards, blankets, etc. Many materials can work with sublimation, depending on what you want.
Sublimation software and designs
Designs are important since they go on whatever object you want to sublimate. You can create designs on a phone, tablet, or PC and print them. You could also buy ready designs from one of the many websites that offer the service.
Make sure an image does not have copyright if you get it from the internet. Most clients will come with the designs they want you to print for businesses. Sublimation software will help create and print the designs.
Sublimation paper
This is a special type of paper that is crucial for sublimation. This paper has sublimation ink on it, and the ink will come off when it is hot.
There are many options for sublimation papers depending on your budget and the materials you sublimate.
You should also look for some miscellaneous objects that might be helpful, especially for beginners. Things like oven thermometers could be useful if you use an external heat source.
These items should be enough to finish most sublimating tasks. Eventually, as you get more skills and tasks, you will need more supplies and drop some.
Sublimation Printing Beginner FAQs (Everything You Need To Know)
What is sublimation printing?
Sublimation printing is when a printer transfers writing or graphics onto fabric or an object using ink and heat.
Is sublimation better than screen printing?
Sublimating is much better than screen printing, but it is more expensive. It will produce more photo-realistic images, and you have more options for printing surfaces.
What is the difference between regular printing and sublimation printing?
Both techniques print an image using heat and ink, but sublimation fuses the printed image into the print surface.
Is sublimation better than vinyl?
Sublimation is more expensive than vinyl, but it will be worth it with a better final product.
What are some limitations of sublimation printing?
Sublimation only works on white surfaces. You can’t use it on black or colored surfaces; thus, it limits the items you can sublimate.
Bottom Line
A great way to create amazing art is by using the best sublimation printer for mugs. You can use sublimation printers to draw on most surfaces with modern technology. There are numerous sublimation printers in the market, and you might get the wrong one.
Consider the size of images you want to create, the type of materials, and print quality. You must deliver top quality if you want a sublimation business to work. Get the right printer and ink, and you should be well on your way.