In this article, we are going to see some astounding best dye sublimation printer that are available. But before that, we are going to exploit a fraction of this article to give you a few key points before buying a dye-sublimation printer. Dye sublimation printers and inkjet printers look the same but differ in their printing method. Inkjet printers print tiny dots (pixels) on the paper, which makes the images or texts. If you zoom close enough, you can find these tiny dots existing at equal distances from each other.
Product | Features |
 | Kodak Dock Plus Portable Printer
 |
 | Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer
|
 | Canon SELPHY CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer
|
But the best dye sublimation printer eliminates this extra space between each dot or extremely tiny line. To understand a dye sublimation printer’s printing technology, you can imagine a painter painting an art. The paint colors are perfectly melded with each other. Dye sublimation printer prints images and texts by melding these colors with each other using a heat transfer mechanism. Mostly, people like to buy sublimation printers for sublimating, printing photos, etc., for commercial uses. It is uncommon for people to buy these printers for office or normal printing uses. We have included the key points that will help you buy the best dye sublimation printer.
Best Dye Sublimation Printer – Buying Guide
Usage: You should buy the best dye sublimation printer that meets your specific needs. There are some sublimation printers that can print only on materials like paper, cloth, and glossy paper. It is not because of their incapability to print on other surfaces but because of their small printing space. Some printers can accommodate large materials like mugs or coffee cups. Check whether the printer can accommodate small to large objects which you intend to print on.
Auto Duplex: If you want to print both sides of the paper, fabric, or id card, you will need to buy an auto-duplex dye sublimation printer. The auto duplex mechanism prints both sides of the material at the same time. This eliminates the need for manual assistance to the printer. It also saves a lot of time.
Best Dye Sublimation Printer Reviews
1. Kodak Dock Plus Portable Printer
Description
- Brand: Kodak
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Compatible Devices: Smartphones and tablets
- Printer Color: White
- Printer Output: Color
Performance:
Kodak Dock Plus Portable Printer is an ultra-lightweight and highly efficient sublimation printer. The printer uses a dye sublimation mechanism combined with heat transfer, making it the best home dye sublimation printer. It is one of the highly efficient sublimation printers, but it is portable. You can carry this printer in your backpack and start printing wherever you like.
Comparison:
One of the things making it the best dye sublimation printer is its affordability. It is a cost-effective choice compared to other typical dye sublimation printers. But its quality of printing can’t be rivaled by expensive printers. It uses multiple layers to print sharp and crisp images with exact colors. You won’t be able to spot the difference between the printed image and the same image on your mobile device.
Usage:
Using this printer is much easier than using other best dye sublimation printer. You can dock your phone to the USB connector in the printer and start printing instantly. The printer can also be accessed using a Bluetooth connection.
Pros
- Superior photo quality
- Low photo cost
- Portable
- Wireless connectivity available
Cons
- Can’t print on large materials
- Smaller cartridge
What’s New?
You can forget setting up large printers near your computer, connecting wires, and installing countless software just to print. With Kodak Dock Portable Printer, you can take prints of photos from anywhere.
Why Should You Buy It?
This is the best dye sublimation printer for heat transfer, so you don’t want a heat press to complete your sublimated prints. You can print on glossy papers to utilize the printer’s full efficiency.
2. Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer
Description
- Brand: Sawgrass
- Connectivity: Wi-fi, USB
- Compatible Devices: Pcs, Laptops, and Smartphones
- Printer Color: White
- Printer Output:Color
Performance:
If you are looking for heavy-duty printers and don’t care about the price, Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer is the best choice for you. If we exclude its cost, Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer is the best dye sublimation printer without a doubt. It can print from normal papers to ceramic mugs.
Comparison:
The printer is more expensive than most other best dye sublimation printers. But its performance can be compared with no other printers. It can print on top of a wide variety of materials. It can even print on metal, ceramics, coffee mugs, etc., making it the best dye sublimation printer for mugs.
Usage:
You can use this printer to print your favorite images or texts on top of any materials, including fabrics and ceramics. This can be equipped for commercial purposes as it is a heavy-duty and high-efficiency sublimation printer.
Pros
- Heavy Duty
- High efficiency
- Auto Duplex
- Detailed Printing
Cons
- Expensive product
- Costly ink
What’s New?
The printer uses auto duplex technology to print both sides of the paper at the same time. Also, you can print on id cards, clothes, jerseys, socks, clipboards, etc., making it the best dye sublimation printer for t shirts.
Why Should You Buy It?
The printer comes with one year warranty to cover any malfunction caused by manufacturing defects. Also, it has a wide range of uses that can be used for both house and commercial purposes.
3. Canon SELPHY CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer
Description
- Brand: Canon
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Compatible Devices: Pcs, Laptops, and Smartphones
- Printer Color: Black
- Printer Output: Color
Performance:
Canon SELPHY CP1300 is basically a compact printer designed for its superior portability. It has many connectivity options, including wifi and Bluetooth connections. It is one of the best dye sublimation printer because of its unique printing technology, which uses the heat transfer method. Unlike inkjet printers, this printer actually melds each color with one another to give a classy look.
Comparison:
Compared to other dye sublimation printers, this printer can print in an astoundingly short time. It takes only 50 seconds to print a 4 x 6 inches size photo. It adds multiple layers of inks to the printing material to give an authentic look. You don’t even have to be near the printer to operate it. Its built-in wireless connection makes it possible to be operated from a distance of up to 8 meters.
Usage:
This printer is designed specifically for printing out pictures taken on mobile phones. But it can also support pictures that have been taken from a camera too. It also has a touch screen making it extremely user-friendly. The printer allows you to print with or without borders. The ink dries almost instantly, and you can touch it as soon as it comes out of the printer.
Pros
- Affordable
- Smaller size
- Long-lasting print
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Can’t print on bigger objects
- Expensive cartridge
What’s New?
The printed images or texts dry up so quickly and can last more than 100 years. Not only do they last longer, but they are also waterproof.
Why Should You Buy It?
If you are looking to print high-definition images that last for decades, Canon SELPHY CP1300 is the best choice for you. The printing speed of this printer is surprisingly high. It also adds a fade-proof layer making it indestructible for a hundred years.
FAQs
1. Is sublimation printing permanent on fabrics?
Yes, the images or texts printed on the fabric are permanent. Also, the printing won’t wear off on top of any surfaces, including ceramics, glossy papers, and metal.
2. How does a dye-sublimation printer works?
The dye sublimation printer just heats the ink that it becomes vapor. Then this vaporized ink or melded with other colors to print the desired output. Due to its heat transfer system, the printed images or texts are permanent and can’t be faded away easily.
3. Can I print an image on my coffee mug?
Yes, with a dye sublimation printer, you can print on almost any glossy surface. You can print on your coffee mug any other ceramic or plastic materials. But you have to check the accommodation size of the printer because some printers can print in coffee mugs but don’t have the necessary space to accommodate the materials.
I’m Susan Rockett, I am dedicated to providing effective solutions for all your printing needs. From troubleshooting common printer issues to recommending the best printers for your specific requirements, our website offers valuable insights and resources.