Things You Need To Start Sublimation Printing

Meta Title: Things you need to start sublimation printing

Meta Description: Sublimation printing requires a capable computer, a high-resolution screen with accurate color reproduction, sublimation ink, blank, and other essential supplies. 

Today, we have decided to curate a complete list of the supplies you will need to kickstart your sublimation printing business successfully. Whether you want to gift a beautiful mug to someone special or start your side hustle, this blog will help you achieve it. You will find everything on our list from reputable sellers and online stores. Other than that, all you must look into is your creativity, passion, and skills to make beautiful sublimated products.

Like everything else, sublimation printing has a learning curve, but nothing a few short guides can help you with, and this one will help you pick the best things to start with.

List of Necessary Equipment For Sublimation Printing

Using the art of sublimation printing, you can create custom gifts or decorations for your home, family, or friends. You can also start your own business. However, to get the best results, you will need the right tools, equipment, and software. So, here is a list of all the necessary equipment for sublimation printing. 

• A Capable Computer

You will first need a computer capable enough to run the design softwares. It can be a laptop or a desktop, whichever suits you best, but it must have good specifications and hardware. 

If you are going for a laptop, an Apple Macbook M3, M2, or even M1 will work well. Most sublimation printing design software is simple and will work well on most systems. If you are not an Apple fan, you have various Windows laptop options as below:

• Asus Zenbook 14 OLED
• Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
• Dell XPS 15
• HP EliteBook 840 G10
• Acer Swift X 14
• MSI Creator 15 OLED

All these laptops are great, and you can choose one based on your demands and budget. 

• A High-Resolution Screen

The following essential thing is a high-resolution screen. If you want to dish out accurate colors that look good on products, you must have an ideal screen to make them. If your screen does not have accurate colors, appropriate pixel density, and optimum resolution, you may end up with blurry, faulty, or below-average printed designs. 

Most professionals consider 300 DPI to be perfect for sublimation printing. However, it also depends on the material’s texture and ink absorption capability. Still, it must have at least a 1080p resolution with good vibrancy, color gamut, and accuracy. Some of the best options include the following. 

• Acer Nitro XV275K
• Dell G2724D
• Dell U2723QE
• Dell Alienware AW3225QF
• ViewSonic XG2431

These monitors will not break the bank and prove worth taking your sublimation designs to the next level. 

• Printer

Next up on the list is a printer. These special printers use special ink to print your design onto the paper. Some printers are specially for sublimation printing work, while there are some that you can convert for sublimation. 

On average, sublimation printers start at $500, while the printers you can convert into sublimation printers start at around $200 (prices may vary and fluctuate). These printers can print on regular-sized papers and a wide format or larger product that can support up to a 13 x 19 inches design. Some notable printer options are as follows:

• Brother Sublimation Printer
• Sawgrass SG500
• Sawgrass SG1000
• Epson EcoTank ET-15000

Our recommendation is to go for a printer that can print on both a small and a large scale. It will help prepare for the long term if you want to start a business out of it.

• Sublimation Ink

Of course, if you want to print something using a printer, you must first fill it with the right ink. Unlike regular inkjet ink, sublimation ink is special as it converts into gas on heating, which helps it stick better to your sublimation blank. 

With most true sublimation printers like Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000, you get the correct ink included in the package. However, you can purchase one separately if you haven’t gotten any. The sublimation ink starts at $25 per color for Epson or $77 for Sawgrass ink. Other than this, some of the excellent sublimation ink options are below:

• A-Sub 600 ml Autofill premium
• Hiipoo SUblimation Ink 100 ml with syringes
• Hiipo Sublimation Ink with extra black for Ecotank Printers
• Printer Jack 400 ml with syringes
• Printers Jack Anti-UV sublimation ink
• Koala Black sublimation ink

If you convert a printer for sublimation printing, you can get third-party ink from different sellers or look it up on Amazon or BestBuy. Make sure to check for the appropriate model support and the ink quality. 

• Heat Source

To transfer the design and sublimation ink onto your sublimation blank, you will need a proper heat source. This can be a Heat Press, Mug Press, Tumbler Press, or Convection Oven. You can also use an iron, but we don’t recommend it. 

To successfully transfer your sublimation design, you will need 350 degrees Fahrenheit or more of heat. This will convert the sublimation ink into gas and properly stick to your sublimation blank. The choice of the heat source is entirely yours based on your prints and products and also on your budget. 

• Sublimation Blanks

When it comes to the sublimation blanks, you have hundreds of options to choose from or switch between. Some examples include paper, shirts, mugs, canvas, flags, can coolers, aprons, glass, crystal blanks, flip-flops, ornaments, gloves, mouse pads, puzzles, socks, etc. However, the most popular one is the T-shirt, which most people go for because of its high demand. 

Sublimation printing blanks are not expensive either. You can find some for as low as $1, and some may cost around $20 a piece or more. It is entirely up to you. You can find sublimation blanks at several retailers and stores, including Walmart, Dollar Store, Amazon, BestBuy, etc. 

• Sublimation Design

When it comes to sublimation designs, you also have plenty of options. You can either start from scratch, think of a good design (maybe a memory), or design it independently. You can also go for pre-made designs or buy elements and add them to a design. 

You can find several design sources, but make sure to go with a trusted, reputable, and free option. If you think you can just grab a good design from Google and print it on your sublimation blank, you cannot. There are copyright and trademark rules that prohibit such actions, and it is not good to steal. So, it is better to get inspiration from the internet and design on your own. It will also give it a unique look.

• Graphic Design Software or Tool

You will need design software, tools, or a platform to create your design. There are many beginner-friendly options and some for professional creators. Still, you can use any software if you are willing to learn and improve. 

Some good options include Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Affinity Designer, Photopea, Printful, Inkscape, Placeit, and the most popular one, Canva. All these tools are easy to use, and you can start designing with just a handful of tutorials and guides. After that, you can learn as you go. 

• Sublimation Paper

Unlike regular paper or copies, sublimation paper is unique. It is purposefully made for sublimation so it can hold the ink on top of it until the heater heats it and transfers it onto the blank. You can choose one based on your needs, demands, and budget. 

Sublimation paper is not expensive or complicated to find either. Some good options include the A-Sub sublimation paper, the Koala sublimation paper, and the Printer’s Jack paper. You can see detailed reviews and feedback from people who have used the paper and finalize your decision considering those points. 

• Other Important Supplies

What we are about to discuss are not essential tools or equipment, but they are important in one way or another. Here is a list of optional but good basic supplies.

• Butcher paper.
• Heat tape or adhesive spray
• Heat resistant gloves
• Thermometer
• Silicone Wrap or Shrinkwrap. 

These supplies will come in handy during your sublimation printing work. You can buy them at the start or at a later time. 

Conclusion

We hope we have answered all your questions and made it easy for you to start and flourish your sublimation printing business with our list of equipment and supplies. The part that may seem challenging is choosing between models and equipment options. However, don’t worry; you can always check the reviews and people’s feedback on the product. Finally, see your budget and choose the best fit for your needs, demands, and wallet. 

One thing to remember, though, is to make sure to purchase equipment that will last a long time, comes with a warranty, and has good customer support in case you need it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the common questions that cross many people’s minds.

What are the necessary tools and equipment for sublimation printing?

To successfully start your sublimation printing work, you will need a capable computer, a high-resolution screen with accurate color reproduction, a sublimation printer, sublimation ink, sublimation paper, sublimation software, sublimation blanks, and heat press. These all are essential. Other important items include gloves, heat tape, and butcher paper. 

Is a high-resolution display with accurate color reproduction crucial for sublimation printing?

Absolutely. A high-resolution display will help you create good designs with accurate colors, brightness, vibrancy, and pixel density. It also helps you work with intricate details, accurate color gradients, and smooth typography. High-resolution displays with precise color reproduction enable great and accurate visualization of designs and ensure the end results appear as you want them to. 

What supplies are essential for sublimation printing?

Once you have purchased a sublimation printer and ink and decided on sublimation software, you will need some additional supplies. These include sublimation paper, blanks, butcher paper, adhesive spray or heat tape, and heat-resistant gloves. 

Will a regular iron do the job?

Sublimation printing requires a heat source that provides 350 degrees Fahrenheit or more heat with optimum pressure. A regular home iron may not be able to provide the necessary temperature or pressure to transfer your sublimation design onto the blank.

Can I start a sublimation printing business with a basic setup?

Of course, you can. You don’t need to buy fancy items right from the start. Even a simple setup with a capable computer, printer, ink, and blank will be enough to kickstart your business. Later, as you start making profits, you can gradually upgrade your setup.