How To Convert A Canon Printer To Sublimation? Converting a Canon printer to sublimation involves replacing the standard ink cartridges with sublimation ink cartridges and using sublimation paper. Additionally, it may require modifying the printer settings for optimal sublimation printing.
There is a lot of false information about sublimation printers in circulation. Some people may claim that you require a unique sublimation printer, but this is untrue. As long as it works with sublimation inks, any inkjet printer can be used for sublimation.
Even your old desktop printer can be converted to sublimation by simply replacing the ink cartridges with sublimation ink cartridges. You can therefore use the printer you already own to start sublimation printing instead of going out and purchasing a new one.
In this article, you will learn how to convert a Canon printer to sublimation with ease on your own. So I invite you to stick around until the end and welcome to Batik Institute.
What is the difference between an inkjet and a sublimation printer?
While sublimation printers penetrate the material with ink vapors, inkjet printers print liquid ink on top of the paper.
Graphics printed on plastic substrates work best with sublimation printing. The best printing method for documents is inkjet.
If exposed to moisture, inkjet printed pictures or documents will bleed unless laminated or coated. Graphics printed by sublimation are resistant to water damage.
| Inkjet technology | Dye sublimation technology |
|---|---|
| Inkjet printers use cartridges containing liquid ink in various colors. A cartridge carriage is used to move these cartridges across a page. An electrical impulse is passed through the ink cartridge’s circuitry, heating the ink and causing a gas bubble to form. An ink droplet is drawn by this bubble into the print head, where it is sprayed onto a specific area of the paper by a nozzle. The tiny ink droplets combine in this manner repeatedly to create text and images. | Instead of using liquid ink, dye sublimation printers use a cellophane ribbon that is the width of the largest printable page size. The print ribbon typically has four sections, each of which has a different colored dye. The cellophane is heated as the print head moves over the ribbon, turning it into a gas that transfers the dye from the ribbon to the printed page. |
How does sublimation printing work?
In a chemical process called sublimation, a substance is heated to a point where it immediately changes from a liquid to a gas. The pigments’ ability to penetrate the material is a benefit of their gaseous state. For instance, the dyes coat a fabric evenly and are likely to stay in place within the fibers.
The pigments in a sublimation printer undergo precisely this shift. The design is printed on transfer paper by a sublimation printer instead of directly onto the fabric itself, where the ink is kept solid.
The fabric material you have selected is then aligned with the transfer paper before being heated together. The solid ink is transformed into a gas by the roller using a combination of heat and pressure.
Now that the inks have penetrated the fabric, the design will be transferred to your fabric. The heat is turned off by the machine, which returns the ink to its solid state. Since the fabric has been dyed, the design won’t likely fade over time like it would with conventional printing.
Best Sublimation Printer For Beginners In 2023.
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Can you use a regular printer for sublimation?
Depending on the printer, yes. Only Epson inkjet printers are frequently converted to sublimation printing.
Dye-sublimation ink, which contains heat-activated pigments, is the secret to sublimation. When heat-pressed, these pigments transform from solid to gas and adhere to polyester- or poly-coated substrates, such as a T-shirt, mug, or tumbler.
Can sublimation ink be used in a regular printer?
Because sublimation ink is activated when heated, a printer with printheads that don’t use heat to deposit ink is needed in order to create sublimation heat transfers.
You’ve probably noticed how warm freshly printed pages can be because thermal printheads, which use heat to bubble and spray the ink, are used by the majority of well-known inkjet printer brands. Sublimation ink will sublimate in the printhead if you attempt to use a regular inkjet printer with it, discoloring and/or releasing the ink instead of properly transferring it to paper.
How To Convert A Canon Printer To Sublimation? How To Convert A Canon Printer To Sublimation
A typical inkjet printer cannot usually be converted into a sublimation printer. Because sublimation printing employs a completely different mechanism, there is a conflict. Piezo technology is the method employed by sublimation printers; however, not all printers can perform sublimation printing.
Converting a Canon printer for sublimation printing.
You must buy a sublimation ink kit and install it into a Canon printer in order to convert it to a sublimation printer. To make sure the colors are printing correctly after installing the ink kit, calibrate the printer’s settings.
Does sublimation printing work with Canon printers? In contrast to liquid transformation, which is the process of turning liquids into gases, sublimation is the process of turning substances into gases. It can typically be used in small batches and is typically the most economical method for creating high-quality images. Parallel printing employs a completely different printing procedure.
Contrary to some other brands, Canon printers employ inkjet technology rather than sublimation. You should think about using a Canon PIXMA series printer for this kind of printing, especially if it will be used to print on fabric. It is more difficult to print on fabric with a Canon printer than it is to print on other types of media.
Can you sublimate using a brother printer? How To Convert A Canon Printer To Sublimation
The majority of Brother printers feature Piezo, a pressure-printing technology. This indicates that technically speaking, sublimation printing can be done using Brother printers.
The fact that no one manufactures sublimation ink or interchangeable cartridges for Brother’s printers, however, is the bigger problem.
When it comes to sublimation printing, you don’t want the printing quality to suffer because you can’t set up ink profiles.
What are the best inkjet printers for sublimation?
Dye-Sublimation Printers are currently a hot industry topic. Selecting the ideal printer for sublimation is a very challenging process. But do not fret. If you are a novice and you want to purchase the best sublimation printer for printing, I will assist you in doing so. The top printers for sublimation are listed below.
- Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800 – Best Supertank Printer
- Epson eco tank ET-4760 – Economical Sublimation Printer
- Epson EcoTank ET-4700 – best for t-Shirts
- Epson ET 2760 – Cartridge Free Printer
- Epson EcoTank ET-2720 – All-in-one Printer
What to consider before choosing a printer for sublimation?
- Printing speed
- Print size
- Printer technology
- All-in-one scan, fax, and copying functionality
- Duplex printing facility
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Which is better sublimation or inkjet?
Graphics printed on plastic substrates work best with sublimation printing. The best printing method for documents is inkjet. If exposed to moisture, inkjet printed pictures or documents will bleed unless laminated or coated. Graphics printed by sublimation are resistant to water damage.
What is the best fabric to sublimate?
Polyester. One of the best materials to use for sublimation is polyester. When heated, the polymers in this kind of fabric expand. Heat causes the ink dye to change into its gaseous state, which allows it to easily pass through the pores of fabric and bond with other materials once the fabric has cooled.
What paper do you use for sublimation?
Heat transfer paper is used with inks such as solvent ink, pigment ink, and sublimation ink. Media: Sublimation paper can be used to transfer images onto hard surfaces like ceramic, aluminum, polyester, mousepads, and banners. However, heat transfer paper is typically applied to cotton.
Conclusion: How To Convert A Canon Printer To Sublimation
In conclusion, converting a Canon printer to sublimation is a feasible way to expand its capabilities for heat transfer printing. By following the appropriate steps and precautions, you can transform your printer into a versatile tool for creating vibrant and durable sublimation prints.
