Sublimation printing is quite similar to regular printing but yet better. It involves a process through which the image is transferred onto the concerned surface with the help of heat and a specialized paper. Sublimation printing enables the surface to not lose or fade the printed image for a good number of years. The flexibility of a sublimation printer with which it can be used to print on any surface is incomparable.
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Being one of the top-selling products in the printer section both online and offline, many subpar products are brought into the market, making it further difficult for the customers to pick the best wide format sublimation printer. It is on this behalf that an understanding of the positives and nuances of sublimation printers and the best possible options available currently in the market becomes necessary.
Best wide format sublimation printer – Buying Guide
Factors To Consider While Buying A Best wide format Sublimation Printer
- Large images: Unlike the other regular printers or even the other models of sublimation printers, the large format sublimation printer can create larger images with top quality. When other printers can provide images that have a maximum size of regular paper, the large format dye sublimation printer can print the surfaces which no other printers can accommodate.
- Faster production: One of the greatest advantages of owning one of the best wide format sublimation printers is that they scan and print the images within seconds. Conventional printers take quite a long time to print and dry the image, whereas both printing and drying are done within a matter of minutes for wide format printers.
- Reduce wastage: Unlike their counterparts, the wide format sublimation printers are keen on reducing waste production, especially cartridge waste. Most products available under the wide format printers use large ink tanks instead of cartridges.
Best wide format sublimation printer Reviews
1. WorkForce Wide Format Wireless Printer WF-7210
Description:
- Brand: Epson
- Printing technology:Inkjet
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Model: WF 7210
- Color: Black
Performance:
The WF 7210 model from the Epson brand claims to function at a speed of 10 ppm on color prints and 18 ppm on a monochrome print. The precision core feature present in the device produces laser printer-like high-quality images.
Comparison:
When compared to products like color laser printers, this product consumes only a very small amount of energy during its operation. It is estimated that the WF 7210 needs only 80% less power than what is required for a normal laser color printer.
Usage:
The user can use the machine accordingly by inserting the original ink cartridges of the machine. It has to be remembered that non-original ink cartridges do not work with the machine. The machine comes with an in-built ink tracker, which traces the quantity of ink left after every use and is displayed on the screen for the convenience of the customer.
Pros:
- Voice-printing available
- Compatible with Alexa
- Affordable and economical
- Comes with an in-built ink tracker
Cons:
- Does not have a built-in scanner or copier
What’s new?
The use of genuine cartridges in the machine is a relatively newer feature. Using the original Epson ink cartridges lets the images be sharp and deep. Once the ink cartridges run out of ink, the user is expected to buy the same again instead of using unoriginal cartridges.
Why you should buy it?
Despite the consumption of less power than most of its counterparts, the WF 7210 model from the Epson brand ensures the quality and longevity of the printed images and thus, can be called the best Epson wide format printer for sublimation hands down.
2. Epson WF-7720 WorkForceWireless Color Inkjet Printer Wide-format
Description:
- Brand: Epson
- Printing technology: Inkjet
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Model: WF 7720
- Color: Black
Performance:
The WF 7720 is one of the best wide format sublimation printers available in the market today due to its high performance of 18 ppm print speed in monochrome prints. It performs well with genuine Epson ink cartridges and can produce sharp and deep images on multiple surfaces. Its performance is boosted by the Precision Core technology used in it.
Comparison:
When compared to another popular criterion of color laser printers, the WF 7720 is observed to be better at picture quality, precision, and consistency. In terms of power consumption also, Wide format sublimation printers score better than color laser printers. It uses only 80 percent less power than a color laser printer.
Usage:
The WF 7720 printer is extremely easy to use and handle. The user is supposed to fill the machine with the original ink cartridges from Epson and can use them right away. The dual paper feed trays have a capacity of 500 pages at a time which spares the user from being manually fed paper every time to the machine.
Pros:
- Voice-printing
- Compatible with Alexa
- Auto duplex printing
Cons:
- Can only use the Epson ink cartridges
What’s new?
Auto duplex printing is recently added to this model. Unlike many of its counterparts, it can print automatically on both sides of the page, making it one of the best wide format dye sublimation printers.
Why you should buy it?
The color inkjet printer from Epson comes with wireless connectivity and a wide format for higher convenience. It can copy and scan also along with printing images. The affordable price range is an added plus point to the device.
3. Epson ProEcoTank ET-16650 Wide-Format WirelessColor Printer
Description:
- Brand: Epson
- Printing technology: Inkjet
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Model: ET 16650
- Color: White
Performance:
The ET 16650 model sublimation printer from Epson comes with a wireless feature and a printing speed of 25 ppm for both color prints and monochrome prints.
Comparison:
Unlike the color laser printers and their cartridges, the ET 16650 model saves about 80% ink from wastage. This happens because this device uses ink bottles instead of replaceable cartridges and the latter is known to be responsible for ink wastage.
Usage:
As the ET 16650 model make use of ink bottles that can be refilled as and when required, the usage of the machine is quite simple. The ink bottle is expected to be refilled once it runs out of ink and the user can store a bulk amount of inks without the worry of them being corrupted anyways.
Pros:
- High printing speed
- Fast scanning feature available
- Heat-free technology
- Replacement ink bottles are available
Cons:
- Use of dye inks is not supported
What’s new?
The heat-free technology along with the precision core feature adds to the image quality and longevity of the printing process.
Why you should buy it?
If you are looking for an authentic, affordable, reliable, and user-friendly product with wireless technology and high printing speed, the ET 16650 model will be your ideal choice.
4. Epson Pro WF-7310 Workforce Wireless Printer, Wide-Format
Description:
- Brand: Epson
- Printing technology: Inkjet
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
- Model: WF 7310
- Color: Black
Performance:
The WF 7310 is considered one of the best large format sublimation printers for its high printing speed. It can print at 12 ppm for color prints and 20 ppm for monochrome prints. The wireless feature and the high performance make it extremely convenient to be used around multiple locations.
Comparison:
When compared with similarly priced products in the section, the fast printing exhibited by the WF 7310 model is incomparable. The precision core technology and the printing with the heat-free technology provide high-quality images in way less time than what is normally required.
Usage:
The usage of this machine is quite simple and the users are only expected to fill the ink accordingly and connect it to any of your devices and feed the images to be printed remotely. The users are expected to download the Epson Smart Panel Application to control the printer through their smart gadgets.
Pros:
- Heat-free technology
- Compatible with smart devices
- High-speed printing
- Fast-dry inks
Cons:
- Can only use Epson ink cartridges
What’s new?
Unlike many other products and even the previous versions of this same product, the composition of the pigments used has significantly improved. The pigments are equipped with an instant dry technology, which enables the users to handle and use the printed surface immediately after the printing process. The smearing of the pigment does not happen like in the other devices.
Why you should buy it?
The WF 7310 model is ideal if you need a reliable, powerful, and highly durable wide-format sublimation printer. It supports high-speed printing and the input of images is extremely simple to be done through your smart gadgets.
5. Epson HD XP-15000 Expression Photo Wireless Wide-Format Color Printer
Description:
- Brand: Epson
- Printing technology: Inkjet
- Connectivity: Ethernet, Wireless
- Model: XP 15000
- Color: Black
Performance:
The highlight of the XP 15000 model sublimation printer from the brand Epson is its high printing speed. It features a printing speed of 20 ppm for both color prints and monochrome prints. It provides ultra-HD images on multiple printing surfaces.
Comparison:
The picture quality of this product is the best among the lot. It consists of red and grey colors which are generally quite difficult to feature in their full zest in a printer. This extra addition of colors and the depth that it offers to the black and white images are noteworthy.
Usage:
The design of this machine is extremely user-friendly. It comes with a rear tray that can contain 50 sheets at a time and can accommodate numerous printing sizes.
Pros:
- Voice-printing supported
- Compatible with Alexa
- Auto-duplex printing available
- Compact design
Cons:
- Can only be used with Epson’s exclusive ink cartridges
What’s new?
The auto duplex feature was recently added to this version. This enables the user to carry out the two-sided automatic printing without any hassle.
Why you should buy it?
The XP 15000 model is undoubtedly the best wide format sublimation printer, if you are looking for a portable, compactly designed, voice-printing supported, wide format sublimation printer.
6. HP DesignJet T210 Large Format 24-inch Plotter Printer
Description:
- Brand: HP
- Printing technology: Thermal Inkjet
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet
- Model: T210
- Color: Black
Performance:
The T210 model sublimation printer from the brand HP comes with a printing speed of 1.3 ppm for both color prints and monochrome prints. The advanced technology used in it makes it the ideal choice for printing documents that demand accuracy like maps, technical drawings, blueprints, etc.
Comparison:
Unlike most of the other products of the section that are popular among regular people, the T210 model is in demand among architects, engineers, etc. The accuracy maintained by this device in the printing of technically high-end documents is the major reason for this specific popularity. It also requires much less maintenance than the other products.
Usage:
The users are not expected to manually assist the machine in every step. Rather than that, the user is supposed to connect the media source to the printer, and then the functions will be automatically managed by this printer.
Pros:
- Climate-pledge friendly
- Cost effective
- Multiple smart assistance features
- Multi-size printing surfaces are supported
- Automatic sheet feeder
- Low maintenance required
Cons:
- Can only use cartridges that contain an original HP chip
What’s new?
Multiple software updates have been added to the machine recently. The HP Smart App, HP Support Assistant, HP Easy Start, HP Print Preview for Windows, etc. are some of the additional smart features added to the machine along with the software update.
Why you should buy it?
You can buy this machine for the sheer convenience that it offers. With the smart applications and features associated with the machine, you can control and navigate your printer from anywhere in the world and can even start printing with a single click.
7. HP Pro 7740 Office Jet Wide Format Printer All-in-One Wireless Printing
Description:
- Brand: HP
- Printing technology: Inkjet
- Connectivity: Cloud Printing, Ethernet
- Model: Pro 7740
- Color: White or Black
Performance:
It can print about 34 ppm for both color prints and monochrome prints.
Comparison:
When compared to the color laser printers, this device costs around 50% less for printing each paper.
Usage:
The HP Smart App that can be used to connect your smart device to the printer makes it extremely easy to use.
Pros:
- Climate-pledge friendly
- Cloud printing possible
Cons:
- Supporting paper sizes are limited
What’s new?
The input capacity of the machine is raised to 500 sheets by adding two 250-sheet paper trays.
Why you should buy it?
It enables you to print high-quality materials with limited manual intervention and less power consumption.
FAQs
1. Which wide format printer is best for sublimation printing?
Numerous wide format sublimation printers are available in the market. Every year new additions in the market are happening and the features encompassed in the printers are getting more and more advanced. Some of the most prominent sellers of wide format sublimation printers are Epson and HP. Both these manufacturers possess a collection of wide format printers that span a wide range of prices and features.
2. What is a wide-format printer used for?
Wide format printers are generally used to print larger documents or images. The regular sublimation printers only support the printing of documents that have a similar size to office paper. The wide-format printers come in numerous sizes and weights and can support different printing sizes. Most wide-format sublimation printers are used to print bigger documents, marketing materials, etc. Some of the bigger range of wide format printers can be used to print even larger surfaces.
3. Do you need a wide-format printer for sublimation?
A user doesn’t need to have a wide format printer for sublimation. Sublimation is just the process of printing an image using the heat transfer method and a specialized printing paper. It can be carried out in any proper sublimation printer. The wide format sublimation printers are specifically made for those who need to create larger documents or materials. If your needs for sublimation are basic and regular, you can depend on a normal sublimation printer for the purpose.
4. What is the difference between a wide format printer and a plotter?
The major difference between a wide format printer and a plotter is that the latter uses the vector format to carry out its function whereas the other uses the raster format for the same. Vector format means the use of lines to represent an image and raster format is the representation of images using pixel grids.
5. What are the advantages of wide format sublimation printing?
The wide format sublimation printing offers numerous advantages to the user. Some of the major benefits are less wastage, high efficiency, the possibility of printing larger surfaces, high flexibility in the size of the printing surfaces, less time consumption, remote operation, wireless connectivity, high accuracy, attention to detail, and many more.
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.