The printing process of dye sublimation is used for printing on synthetic fabrics or polyester. This is used for printing on things like flags, sportswear, ID cards, table covers, banners, t-shirts, etc. It is a technology of digital printing that uses the method of heat transfer for applying an image to an intended substrate. So, if you are interested to know about the best portable dye sublimation printer for your business or other purposes, there are tons of models from different companies for you to choose from.
Product | Features |
 | Portable dye sublimation printer – Liene Photo Printer
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 | Portable sublimation printer - Kodak 4x6” Photo Printer
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 | Cheapest dye sublimation printer – Canon G2260 supertank printer
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 | Most inexpensive sublimation printer – KODAK Mini Printer
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 | Best Portable Dye Sublimation Printer – Canon CP1300
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But before that, you need to look up the important factors that are essential to consider before you set up your mind to buy a particular model from a specific company. Here, you can go through a proper buying guide that may help you choose the perfect model according to your preferences.
Best portable dye sublimation printer – Buying guide
While shopping for dye sublimation printers, try considering the kind of media that the machine uses.
Factors to consider while buying the best portable dye sublimation printer
- Dye-Sub – This is a kind of inkjet Technology. In this, it sprays inks that are water-based on paper. Typically, as compared to laser toner, it offers more vibrant colors. However, this kind of printer requires special papers for use and operation.
- Heat presses –For heat presses, it is regarded as a very important consideration because the working area of the printers is often untouchable. Heat presses require paper that is special and will withstand the amount of heat that comes from the press &transfer ink to the substrates such as mugs or t-shirts.
- Laser toner – The laser toner Technology got introduced first by Ricoh in the early 70s. It was done under the brand name ‘Raster image processor ‘. The laser toner printers need a special paper that can cope with the heat that comes from a unit of fuser.
- Cold sublimation – The cold sublimation keeps taking advantage of a different process – where a transfer that is heatless is done. The cold sublimation printers include a heating element that is flat instead of hot presses. They are comparatively cheaper & for that, less powerful than their counterparts of them. There are disadvantages like a very long time for warming up or a smaller working area.
Best Portable Dye Sublimation Printer – reviews
1. Portable dye sublimation printer–Liene Photo Printer
• Description:
- Brand: Liene
- Color: White
- Print Technology: Dye Sublimation
- Recommended usage for the product: travel
- Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi
• Performance: This Portable dye sublimation printer from Liene company has numerous amazing features. With this, you do not need to hang out for taking photo IDs anymore. You will just need to click the mode simply that you need for getting it printed out with the help of your iPhone printer of yours. Lienealways encourages users to integrate their elements into pictures. For this, a multifunctional app has been created for better assistance.
• Comparison: Multiple frame styles are available on the application of Liene. They include no crop, Polaroid, bordered, borderless, etc. After the iPhone prints out whatever you need with the help of the photo printer, you can tell for yourself how the frame is effective for the whole photo.
• Usage: sometimes editing matters a lot. The Liene company provides users with many creative effects and filters for helping them get more fun as they indulge in the printing process. They can even pick out their favorite ones included in the application, use this instant photo printer associated with iPhone & impress everyone around them!
• Pros:
- Creative Effects and filters
- Compact size for placement
- Compatible with numerous devices
- Wonderful photo quality
- User-friendly design
- Stable and easy connection
• Cons:
- Not applicable
• What’s new?
Another benefit is the size of this instant photo printer which is 4 * 6. It will not take up a huge amount of space. The machine contains a cartridge and photo printer paper from Liene. The upper side of this printer is magnetic. After the photo printer prints the photos of yours, you can keep the remaining photo paper over the Top cassette. You can take it out at a party and of course, can place it almost wherever you want at home.
• Why should you buy it?
This photo printer from Liene is designed for every user. So, it is made compatible with PC, laptops, Android, and IOS. The connection of Wi-Fi allows up to 5 devices for connecting to this compact printer simultaneously. You will find A detailed manual of the user inside the package and it can also be given as a gift to your near and their ones.
2. Portable sublimation printer – Kodak4x6” Photo Printer
• Description:
- Brand: Kodak
- Print Technology: Dye Sublimation
- Color: Black or White
- Recommended usage for the product: home, office
- Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi
• Performance: With this portable sublimation printer named Dock PD-450 by the Kodak company, the users can create beautiful prints of 4*6 with a simple press of one button. The innovative dock is one printer and A charger in one which lets the users power their various devices of them while bringing each snapshot to vivid and bold life.
• Comparison: The technology of easy print means that the users will not have to transfer their files to a memory card or a computer. They will just have to plug in their Android phones via the dock of 5-pin. If you have An iOS device and keep it up with your lightning charger, then press one touch & watch the Kodak application launch & print something of a standard size in an instant.
• Usage: This smart device is also compatible fully with your other devices of yours via the network of built-in Wi-Fi. It also lets you print directly from your digital camera of yours with the technology of PictBridge. You will also like adorning your pictures of you with the application that has free editing features like card templates, stickers, tons of filters, and beyond. Your camera roll will be fun with this compact and cool printing!
• Pros:
- One-touch printing
- High-quality photos
• Cons:
- No slots for SD card
- The cartridge may jam up
• What’s new?
This printer model has the technology of d2t2 thermal transfer that keeps it from bleeding or fading. The dock features a USB host as the users print from a USB memory stick, digital camera, iPad, or iPhone. It is recommended to use this printer only with particular supplied powered adapters.
• Why should you buy it?
It is also compatible with AirPrint for iOS devices. A cartridge replacement policy is included. The simple cartridge refills will be effortless to replace and remove. The user will need to pull with 2 fingers for ejecting. Then they will need to insert a new cartridge to restart printing.
3. Cheapest dye sublimation printer – Canon G2260 supertank printer
• Description:
- Brand: Canon
- Colour: black
- Printing Technology: inkjet
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Special Feature: Refillable
• Performance: This printer model from Canon has integrated ink tanks that can print up to 7k color pages and 6k bw pages. It delivers low-cost and high-volume scanning, copying, and printing. Still, cost-effectiveness is not the only highlight. This model is surprisingly versatile too.
• Comparison: It can print borderless photos, documents, and many more on various types and sizes of media with hybrid inks to get vivid colors and crisp blacks. The users can print less or more with this printer according to their preferences. They can enjoy ink savings of almost 1180 US dollars with an included set of ink bottles& also get two bonus ink bottles of black.
• Usage: This printer comes under the category of cheapest dye sublimation printer and is cheaper than most other models of this and other companies. It has integrated ink tanks that are easy to fill & they let the users see how much of the ink is left. It is easier than ever for filling & refilling with ink bottles that are newly designed and specific for every color.
• Pros:
- High-volume printing
- InkSavings
• Cons:
- Printing quality is not very good
- Panel is hard to read
• What’s new?
Although not primarily a dye sublimation printer, this Printer can be converted into one as it has the refill system of tank style for ink. You will simply need to buy the liquid ink for sublimation &refill the tank with that. It has a two-line LCD that allows for a user interface experience that is easy and has greater usability. The users can simply print through USB connections that are high speed.
• Why should you buy it?
With its all-in-one functionality, the users can perform any task including scanning, copying, and printing. Enjoy high printing speeds for plain paper, 6.0 IPM for color, and 10.8 IPM for black. The hybrid ink system helps develop dye-based colors for vibrant pictures and Sharp pigmented black text. The technical support and customer service teams are always ready to help you with the product.
4. Most inexpensive sublimation printer –KODAK Mini Printer
• Description:
- Brand: Zink
- Color: White
- Printing technology: Zink
- Special feature: Portable
- Connectivity Technology: NFC, Bluetooth
• Performance: With this model, the users can print up to 4 images on one single photo using the collage mode of the application named Kodak step. The app not only provides rotation options and the standard crop, but the users can also get print that is picture-perfect by adjusting blur settings, cold temperatures, brightness, and more. Momentous photo montages and collages will be a moment away with it.
• Comparison: Try playing with your pics of yours by adding fun frames, filters, and stickers to them. You can even draw directly upon your photos of yours from the application called Kodak step prints. You can pack the printer easily in your pocket &you will be ready to print anything you like or want wherever you go! This Kodak printer can be easily connected wirelessly with Bluetooth. Hence no computers are needed.
• Usage: The photos of the Kodak step are sticky-backed. As a result, users can post them easily on laptops, notebooks, and more. It has got a powerful battery that is built-in & it supports up to almost 25 Prints on one-time charging. The zero-ink technology from zinkdoes not require any cumbersome cartridges. You need to follow 4 easy steps to start creating prints of vibrant colors. First, insert the photo paper into the open paper tray. At the bottom, ensure that the sheet of blue calibration is there. Press & hold the power button to make the light turn on. The device will be on. Download the app of Kodak step prints from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Lastly, use the app for personalizing photos. Tap the button for printing.
• Pros:
- On-the-go photography
- Rechargeable battery
• Cons:
- Pairing directions are vague
- The picture quality is not very great
• What’s new?
The sticky-backed photo paper of Every sheet of 2*3” is treated carefully with a protective layer. This layer shields the paper from smudges, water damage, and Tears. Nothing including cartridges, toner, or ink is needed. All the users need is Zink paper. This is because each of the sheets is embedded with colorful crystals. They activate automatically every time the users take pictures.
• Why should you buy it?
This printer model is categorized as the most inexpensive sublimation printer and it has value for money. It is affordable with lots of interesting and necessary features. The zink manufacturing and development facility is in North Carolina. The sheets of paper are carefully created there to let you enjoy full-color instant vibrant photos that are Minutely detailed.
5. Best Portable Dye Sublimation Printer – Canon CP1300
• Description:
- Brand: Canon
- Colour: black
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Recommended usage for the product: home
- Printer output: color
• Performance: With this amazing printer model, your photos will not only be instantly dry. Along with that, they will also be looking amazing for up to almost 100 years & they are even resistant to water. Enjoy the simple process of connecting the tablet and smartphone of yours with is with the help of an application named canon print. The users can even try printing directly from the memory card of their camera or USB.
• Comparison: The portable and sleek design of the printer lets the users bring it with them anywhere they want. There is also an optional battery back with which the users can share their memories after printing them wherever They wish. It is easy to print, edit and choose your favorite photos of you with that tilting LCD screen of 3.2 inches. The wireless performance of the printer can vary based on the distance and terrain between the wireless network clients and the printer.
• Usage: You can use both your SELPHY CP1300 printer camera together at the next party for making a photo booth. You can take Fun shots & print Them in the mode of the photo booth. It lets you print out 2 strips of 4 images each on paper 4*6. Cut Them in half for making photo strips & give them to the guests! The packaging box of the printer includes the printer itself, a paper cassette of the size of a postcard, sample paper or ink for a postcard size of 5 sheets, and a compact power adapter. Also requires an internet connection at the time of software installation. The program’s warranty is subject to specific restrictions and conditions.
• Pros:
- Beautiful photo quality
- Diverse connectivity
• Cons:
- Frequent errors of communication between wireless devices and printer
- Requires more time and work for operating
• What’s new?
With square photo labels(2.1” * 2.1”), print the best square images of yours &stick them anywhere and everywhere you like! All of your friends of yours can send pictures from their smartphones of them to the Printer with a party shuffle. The printer will make a collage out of them so that they can be printed out and shared. Provide A copy to everyone who wants!
• Why should you buy it?
The printer can print a photo of 4” * 6” in almost 47 seconds. A Card-size photo can be printed in approximately thirty-nine seconds. The DPI resolution of the printer is up to 300 * 300 which helps the users create clear and sharp images. It is compatible with AirPrint functionality that requires iPhone, iPod, or iPad. For PCs, it works with operating systems like windows 7 SP1, windows 8.1, windows 10, etc. The other compatible connections include PictBridge, USB flash memory, mopria device printing, etc.
FAQs
1. What kind of printers are needed for sublimation?
For sublimation, the users will need a special sublimation printer or a converted inkjet printer that will have sublimation transfer paper and special ink. The users cannot sublimate with regular paper or inkjet printing ink that is used for other printers. That is why special paper and special ink are a must.
2. What is meant by dye-sublimation photo printers?
A dye-sublimation printer refers to a printer that operates by heating ink & then depositing the ink on a surface. This term arises from a common misconception. It is that the ink gets transformed to gas from solid without ever going through any liquid phase, what you may call sublimation. The dye-sublimation printers can be used for printing designs and photos on solid.
3. Are sublimation printers worth the money?
Sublimation printing is amazing for details and fine lines. It is arguably 1 of the nicest methods for all-over printing. This is also great for small tasks with comparatively low cost of setup. The Printing is very close to permanent & thus it is pretty much unbeatable. So, if you want a sublimation printer, do not hesitate to buy one after considering all the necessary factors.
4. Which one is better: inkjet or dye sublimation?
The inkjet printers use only that much amount of ink that is needed for producing a printed page or an image. The ink that remains from 1 print batch can be used on the subsequent ones. In the case of ink, the process of dye sublimation is a little less efficient. Here the printers transfer only a part of every 3 primary color panels of the ribbon to the page.
5. Can I turn any printers into sublimation printers?
Inkpot allows users to operate sublimation printing affordably by enabling them to convert any printer model from the Epson company into one sublimation printer. The dye sublimation ink of them is manufactured in the US and is competitively priced. The Ink cartridges of dye sublimation can be also used for getting maximum convenience.
6. How long can the sublimation ink last?
The sublimation inks of the printers contain a shelf life. If the users leave them inside the printer for too long, it may cause issues like head banding and clogs, color shifting, etc. Many people agree with the statement that users can continue with the print past the date of use-by without any issues. Although, a good thumb rule will be to use all the cartridges within 6 months of installation.
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.