There are many components that affect whether a printer can take sublimation ink, including the printhead, ink delivery system, firmware, and the design of the printer. Some printers are designed to use a specific type of ink. Many of the inks used in inkjet printers can be swapped, but some printers are designed for dye sublimation printing and cannot have their ink changed.
Winnerjet separates their sublimation ink offerings by printer family for a reason. Each system is designed with many components in mind. Winnerjet has sublimation ink for Epson, Mimaki and Sawgrass systems.
Can You Use Sublimation Ink in Any Printer?
Just because a printer is an inkjet and has refillable tanks, does not mean it can use sublimation ink.
Epson’s EcoTanks and other similar models are popular inswimming pools for sublimation printing, along with other printers designed specifically for sublimation. If you are considering changing the ink on your printer, check the manufacturer’s website for information about sublimation ink.
What Makes a Printer Compatible With Sublimation Ink?
Winnerjet sells sublimation ink for Epson EcoTanks and several other models. They also sell sublimation ink for the Sawgrass SG500/SG1000 and several models of Mimaki printers.
Along with the ink, all of the components of the printer must also be designed for sublimation printing. Printhead technology is also a factor.
Printhead Technology and Ink-Jetting Method
There are many different components of sublimation printing, and printheads are one of the more important components. Most liquid sublimation inks utilize a type of print head called a piezoelectric printhead. These printheads utilize an electric charge to force the ink through a nozzle, as opposed to other styles of printheads that implement heat to vaporize the ink.
Just having an appropriate print head does not determine the suitability of the sublimation ink. The chemistry of the ink must be appropriate for the printing system as well.
Sublimation Ink Formulation
The Winnerjet product line offers sublimation inks for various printer systems, and, therefore, gives the consumer ink options that are appropriate for their printer rather than requiring the consumer to purchase a one-size-fits-all product.
Different chemistries of sublimation ink impact not only the output color, but also the viscosity and flow of the ink as well as the reliability of the printhead.
Ink Delivery System and Printer Design
Fine printheads require very even and stable ink flow. There are several trade-offs that occur within the ink delivery system of a printer.
Winnerjet takes an approach to sublimation printing similar to Epson in that they create sublimation products for various printers rather than assuming all printers are compatible.
Purpose-Built Sublimation Printer vs. Converted Inkjet Printer
There are many reasons that a printer manufacturer may create sublimation printers rather than convert inkjet printers, but one major reason is that a sublimation printer is created to work specifically with a sublimation ink system.
Winnerjet organizes its inks by the families of printer models for which they are designed, and for users interested in third party inks, this model may facilitate choice.
Which Regular Inkjet Printers Can Be Converted for Sublimation?
Not all inkjet models can be converted to sublimation. The design of a printer’s printhead and the path the ink takes must be compatible with the sublimation ink.
Among the models converted to sublimation, Epson printers are the most prevalent. However, within Epson, models can vary in their compatibility with sublimation cartridges.
Why Epson EcoTank Printers Are Commonly Used for Sublimation Conversion
Currently, Winnerjet offers Epson EcoTank and Epson WorkForce sublimation ink.
Due to the refillable ink tank of the Epson EcoTank models, they have gained popularity in beginning sublimation print business, especially because of the ease of ink conversion.
Not every Epson EcoTank model can be converted to sublimation. The manufacturer of the sublimation ink must be consulted for compatibility with the model.
Can Epson Printers Use Sublimation Ink?
Winnerjet offers sublimation ink for conversion of various Epson printer models. Yes, this ink is specifically for Epson models. Winnerjet has a line of sublimation ink specifically for Epson EcoTank models.
Can Epson Ink Be Used for Sublimation?
Epson dye and pigment inks are not sublimation inks. They are designed for one-of-a-kind, or mass production, digital printing processes.
To achieve sublimation printing, use a sublimation ink set that is compatible with your printer. Winnerjet offers a series of sublimation ink sets for a variety of Epson printer models.
Can HP Printers Use Sublimation Ink?
Sublimation inks are often confused with the ink sets used in standard HP deskjet printers. Not all HP Deskjet printers use the same ink system. To determine if your HP printer is compatible with a particular sublimation ink set, you must do some research.
Prior research must be done for third party sublimation inks as well.
What About HP Stitch Dye-Sublimation Printers?
HP offers a line of printers that are designed for dye sublimation.
Not all Canon desk top ink jet printers are compatible with third party liquid sublimation inks. The research must be done on an individual model basis.
Can Canon Printers Use Sublimation Ink?
If you are interested in converting a Canon ink jet printer to sublimation printing, research must be done on the model, print head technology and manufacturing specifications.
The Winnerjet sublimation ink sets are designed for printer families including Epson, Mimaki, Sawgrass and Ricoh/Sawgrass.
Are Canon SELPHY Printers Sublimation Printers?
While Canon’s SELPHY printers use a dye-sublimation process like some liquid inkjet systems, the two are not the same.
SELPHY printer models are designed to only work with their closed systems of media and consumables. Therefore, the ability to sublimate dyes does not permit use of a given brand of liquid sublimation ink.
Why Printer Brand Alone Does Not Determine Sublimation Compatibility
When examining sublimation ink, the brand of the printer is only an approximate starting point. The model of the printer, the printhead, and the formulation and path of the ink within the printer are of more importance.
Winnerjet, in its sublimation ink offerings, has taken this approach, identifying specific printer models for each of its ink formulations.
What Happens if You Put Sublimation Ink in an Incompatible Printer?
For the reasons above, it is more appropriate to ask “What sublimation ink can I use in my printer?” rather than “Can a brand make sublimation ink?”
When sublimation ink is of the wrong formulation for a printer, it can cause various issues such as poor ink flow and uniformity, missing ink jet merities, and color shifts. It can also cause issues such as residue and contamination.
Can You Switch a Printer From Regular Ink to Sublimation Ink?
Formulations specific to a printer model can help alleviate these concerns. Again, this is the case with Winnerjet’s offerings.
Although a model of printer can be switched to use sublimation ink, formulations specific to that model of printer, it should not be assumed that this would be a simple or unfettered change.
Can You Mix Regular Ink and Sublimation Ink?
It’s usually not recommended to mix different ink systems. Different ink systems can have different chemical and physical properties. Mixing different ink systems can impact color and the way the ink flows. It can also impact the performance of the printhead. When changing to Winnerjet sublimation ink, users must choose the ink system which is appropriate for their printer, and follow the ink conversion and cleanliness procedures.
How to Check Whether Your Printer Can Use Sublimation Ink
It is always safe to check with the ink system provider to see if their ink systems are compatible with your printer.
Check the Exact Printer Model and Printing Technology
When checking compatibility, always check with the ink system provider.
Check the Printer Manufacturer’s Ink Specifications
It is safe to assume that sublimation printers will use sublimation inks, however, it is best to check with the sublimation ink system provider to verify the appropriate ink system for the printer.
Check the Sublimation Ink Manufacturer’s Compatibility Information
Winnerjet provides a range of sublimation inks. Their website also provides compatibility lists for several printer systems, including Epson, Mimaki, and Ricoh/Sawgrass printer systems. It is best to verify with Winnerjet to see if their sublimation inks are compatible with your printer system, prior to purchase.
Check Warranty and Support Implications Before Conversion
Depending on the printer, using after-market toner or converting a printer to use a different toner may impact your relationship with the printer manufacturer, specifically support and warranty.
Which Printers Work With Winnerjet Sublimation Ink?
Winnerjet sells different varieties of sublimation inks. Some of the inks are made for Epson, Mimaki, Sawgrass, and Ricoh/Sawgrass printers.
Some of the sublimation inks made by Winnerjet are for the Epson EcoTank and WorkForce models, as well as various Mimaki printers and the Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 printers. Winnerjet also sells sublimation ink in bulk and offers larger packaging for commercial and re-seller purposes.
Choose Sublimation Ink by Printer Model and Printhead Compatibility
Winnerjet offers private label and OEM services. This allows companies to create product and ink packaged under their brand.
Typically, the best way to determine what sublimation ink to purchase is to decide which printer you want to use first.
Use a Purpose-Built Sublimation Printer or Convert a Compatible Inkjet?
Knowing your printer model and print head allows you to determine which ink to purchase. Winnerjet sells a variety of inks, but each ink is made for a specific printer.
Using a system designed by the printer manufacturer is always going to be best.
The Bottom Line: Not Every Printer Can Use Sublimation Ink
Not all inkjet printers are equipped to work with sublimation inks. Having refillable ink tanks or belonging to a particular manufacturer does not affect a printer’s ability to work with sublimation inks.
In order to determine compatibility with sublimation inks, the model of the printer, printhead, and ink system must be analyzed.
Winnerjet manufactures Epson and Mimaki system-compatible sublimation inks, as well as other systems upon request. They offer bulk sales, as well as private-label and original equipment manufacturing (OEM) services.
