Do you want to boost your business by adopting new ways and techniques? Dye sublimation has been one of the most popular creative techniques for earning a passive income. Many hobbyists are turning to this style of artwork as a way of boosting their income. Generally, most people associate sublimation only with plastic, ceramic, or polyester (like t-shirts, clothes and cushions, coffee mugs, and bag designs), But nowadays, sublimation printing on metal or aluminum is trending due to their elegance and long-lasting design.
Metal/ Aluminum is an excellent material to work with to provide your consumers a unique appearance and feel with durability and longevity.
In this article, we will help you select the best sublimation printer for metal, and you will find out everything you need to know about sublimation printing on metal or aluminum sheets.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
- Top Pick
- Comparison Table
- Top 4 Sublimation Printer For Metal in 2023
- Reviews Of Best Sublimation Printer For Metal
- What will be the procedure while Dye Sublimation is used on Aluminum?
- How to choose the best sublimation printer for metal (Comprehensive Buying Guide)
- Faqs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Verdict
Top Pick
Sawgrass SG 500- Best Sublimation Printer For Metal
Specifications:
- Print Resolution: 4800*1200 dpi
- Printer Volumn: 11″*17″
- Printing Speed: 240 pph
- Warrenty: 2 years
the best among the best from Sawgrassseries, SG 500, the only printer by Sawgrass specially designed for sublimation printing. Sawgrass has successfully launched their newest SG500 printer, the upgraded version of SG400.
Comparison Table
- Print Resolution: 4800*1200 dpi
- Printing Speed: 240 prints per hour
- Printer Volumn: 11″*17″
- Copy/Scan/Fax: No
- Print Resolution: 5760*1440 dpi
- Printing Speed: Black: 9.2 ISO ppm. Color: 9.0 ISO ppm
- Copy/Scan/Fax: Yes
- Print Resolution: 1200 × 6000 dpi
- Printing Speed: Black: 12 ppm Color: 10 ppm
- Copy/Scan/Fax: yes
Top 4 Sublimation Printer For Metal in 2023
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawgrass SG 500
| 4.0
| Check on Amazon Check on Ebay |
|
| Epson Expression HD XP- 15000
| 4.2
| Check on Amazon Check on Ebay |
|
| Brother MFC-J995DW
| 4.4
| Check on Amazon Check on Ebay |
 | Canon Selphy CP1300
| 4.7
| Check on Amazon Check on Ebay |
Reviews Of Best Sublimation Printer For Metal
We have done comprehensive research and picked out the 4 best sublimation printers that are ideal to sublimate for metal printing.
1- SawgrassSG 500- Best Sublimation Printer For Metal
Here comes the Editor’s Choice, the best among the best from Sawgrassseries, SG 500, the only printer by Sawgrass specially designed for sublimation printing. Sawgrass has successfully launched its newest SG500 printer, the upgraded version of SG400. With its modulated dot technology, it provides affordable printing at a high level of quality.
Thanks to the cheap startup and operating expenses, the Sawgrass SG 500 printer is an excellent way to get your business off to a great start! Quickly and simply, you’ll be able to sublimate your personalized metal crafts with bright HD pictures.
No doubt! The Sawgrass SG 500 excels for what it does best: printing.
Printing up to 8.5 inches by 14 inches is the default setting for the Sawgrass SG500, making it ideal for sublimation printing for mugs, pillowcases, shirts, and metal. As for even wider prints, You can go for Sawgrass 800 or Sawgrass 1000 which features the additional bypass tray and lets you handle 13 inches by19 inches or longer.
SG 500 has really been completely overhauled from the ground up but retains the pro-level print quality and flexible size of its forerunner, the SG 400. Along with the design enhancements, it also has multiple connectivity options, both wired and WiFi connectivity is now supported by SG 500, which allows you to print anywhere and everywhere.
Every Sawgrass SG500 includes CreativeStudio (free license software) which is the only in-house design tool specifically built for sublimation printing. Using CreativeStudio is easy thanks to its ready-to-use templates and designs.
Moreover, printing will be uninterrupted as the SG 500 has its own automated maintenance cycle, just like all other Sawgrass sublimation printers. In addition to a 2-year guarantee, the SG 500 comes with unlimited tech support for the life of the equipment.
- Connectivity through WiFi
- Introducing the Next Generation of Processors
- Self-maintenance mode
- Optimized Image Output using Modulated Dot Technology
- A bit expensive for the ones having a tight budget
2-Epson Expression HD XP-15000- Best Epson Wide Format Sublimation Printer For Metal
A wide-format inkjet printer from Epson’s XP-15000 series is the dream of every professional, as it prints high-quality images flawlessly in the blink of an eye.
Epson HD XP-15000 is bigger and heavier than its sibling, Epson Stylus C88+, but delivers excellent photo printing resolution. Professional photographers consider the printer a smart investment.
XP-15000, a custom-designed sublimation printer, utilizes an Epson ink cartridge. It features an automated ink-checking mechanism that will replenish if the ink runs low.
We also tested its printing speed and paper feeder capacity; The Epson did not disappoint in this regard. When printing a 4 by 6 inches color photo, it takes approximately 36 sec, which is well below the test score. In addition, it can store up to 50 copies of photographic paper. Epson Photo+ is an end-user print software that may be loaded during the initial set-up of your printer.
With regards to connectivity, Epson XP-15000 offers three options: Ethernet, WiFi, and USB Host. Google Cloud Print and Mopria are just a few of the third-party connection options available. The XP-15000 only prints, it does not require a lot of control panel functionality. Instead, you’ll be presented with an LCD screen measuring a little over two inches in diameter, along with buttons for accessing menus, productivity software, and profiles.
With its best quality results in printing photographs, we highly recommend Epson XP-15000 for sublimating metals.
You might also like:
Best Dye-Sublimation Printer for T-shirts Printing Business
Kodak Dock PD450W Photo Printer Review, Specs, Pros and Cons
- Excellent print resolution
- Borderless printing from 4 ” * 6 ” to 13″ *19″ can be printed
- Despite its size, this printer is surprisingly compact and lightweight
- The operating costs are a little expensive
- The printing speed is slower than that of the competition
3- Brother MFC-J995DW- Best All in one Sublimation Printer For Metal
If you are on a tight budget and want to save your money, Brother MFC-J995DW is the right choice for you. MFC-J995DW, from the Brother series, is an entry-level office-oriented all-in-one (AIO) sublimation printer with excellent print quality. It’s a bulk-ink printer that is considerably less expensive to operate than almost all of its competitors. It is packed with all of the features small businesses need to begin.
For a novice, It’s simple to set up the printer. The printer’s manual is relatively sparse. If you need additional information, a QR code is provided in the manual that will direct you towards online files, but everything was effortless and uncomplicated in my experience.
It comes with a Smart meter to indicate the level of ink that helps you to check the quantity of ink after each usage. Moreover, There are a variety of inks that may be used with this printer as well.
In addition, you can get dual-side printing as well. It produces high-quality images and documents quickly. It includes a Two paper feeder, i.e., the manual paper feeder at the back of the printer, and a conventional paper feeder at the front that enables you to feed a set of documents. The printer also has a scanner tray on top, but you may place papers and photographs directly on the scanning bed.
Wireless printing will be a comfort as it supports multiple connectivity options such as Wifi, Google Cloud App, and AirPrint.
- Savings of a lifetime
- Uninterrupted printing
- Smart Meter indicates ink level
- Multiple connectivity options
- High-quality dual side Printing
- Printing black-only papers take a long time
- The input and output capabilities are both limited
- ADF does not support auto-duplexing
- It’s a little sluggish
4-Canon Selphy CP1300- Best Photo Dye-Sub Printer For Metal Keychains
When it comes to ease of use, and you need a user-friendly model of sublimation printer, Canon Selphy CP1300 is ready to serve you with all its unique features. Its compact and sleek design lets you take Canon Selphy CP1300 with you and allows you to print and share your memories regardless of where you are. Moreover, it comes with an additional battery back that lets you print anywhere.
CP-1300 is excellent wireless and portable printer. Canon’s super-efficient printer delivers the utmost user convenience. Using the Canon app3, you can easily add artistic elements to your pictures such as stickers, filters and effects, borders, frames, typography, overlays patterns, and layouts. It allows you to link it with your mobile device or print directly from a USB drive or micro sd card.
You may quickly and easily sublimate your metal crafts with instant and amazingly printed photographs utilizing various layouts and shuffling choices. You’ll be able to print photographs that are completely dry in seconds; Even if they are impervious to water. The pictures will remain unchanged for the next 10 decades.
With 256 shades of each color and 8.4 million colors in all, Cp-1300 provides premium quality printing. Moreover, Photos may be selected, edited, and printed with ease using its 3.2 ” tilting LCD touch screen.
- With dye-sublimation technology, prints will endure 100 years without fading
- Multiple connectivity options
- iPhone and iPad users can print directly from AirPrint
- Sleek. compact and portable design
- Various printing sizes
- Tilting 3.2 inches LCD
- OPTIONAL BATTERY PACK
- Type-B cable is not supported
- Printing problems with Microsoft’s Windows App
What will be the procedure while Dye Sublimation is used on Aluminum?
- Start by peeling the protective layer from the aluminum sheet.
- Using sublimation paper and a sublimation printer, print off your design.
Tips: It’s important to remember that the ink won’t soak into the paper. Therefore it has to be managed with extreme caution.
- Applying heat-resistant tape, align the printing with the metal.
Tips: You should be aware that metal is a substance that warms up more quickly than most other materials. Duration, intensity, and temperature must be adequately controlled for an excellent sublimation print.
- Check your finished design when the sublimation process is complete. Avoid getting burnt by metal because it retains heat longer than any of the other materials.
How to choose the best sublimation printer for metal (Comprehensive Buying Guide)
To avoid wasting your hard-earned money, you need to follow specific basic requirements prior to purchasing a dye-sublimation printer.
For quality metal printing, you’ll need the best dye-sublimation printer. The ideal dye-sub printer should include all of the key components of a professional printer.
What is the best one for you? How can you decide?
You’ll be able to make an informed decision after looking over the features below to help you pick the best dye-sublimation printer.
High-Resolution Printer
To start with, I check the printer resolution. It is measured in dots per inch (dpi) and I prefer a printer with a high resolution. A high-resolution print appears vivid and detailed.
Print media sizes
The sublimation printing industry is experiencing an unprecedented growth spurt at the moment. As a result, clients are demanding more services. To handle this new generation of dye-sub printing, printers need to be able to print on a variety of media.
Connections
It is important to ensure the printer you choose has more than just two connectivity options, allowing both wired and wireless printing.
Functionality
Additionally, it’s important to make sure that the system is flexible and well-functioning. To determine if a printer is compatible with many devices, check out its reviews.
Maintenance
Dye-sublimation printers are well known to last for a long time, but to keep them working for as long as possible, they must be well maintained. You should wipe it clean a few times a week and keep it updated with all the latest upgrades. The printers with an automated maintenance cycle are the best option if you want to avoid manual maintenance.
Faqs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Verdict
Sawgrass SG 500, and The Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Wireless Wide-Format Printer are both geared toward homeowners, but these printers are also a wise choice for beginners and aspiring professionals. As Sawgrass has specially designed their printers for sublimation, output quality is parallel to that of considerably more expensive professional models. Comparing both printers, we have selected SG 500 is now our Editors’ Choice.