Printer platforms 2014 pl

Selecting The Right Sublimation Printer

Sublimation Printer Platforms

Technology has made it easy to add sublimation to your business. All you need is graphics software, a printer, inks, paper, and a heat press.

Though all the components of a production system are important, the printer and ink pretty much dictates what you will be capable of in terms of images and products.

Sublimation Printer Platforms

Sublimation dyes have certain requirements and therefore the printer technology must be compatible with the ink chemistry. Thus there are a limited number of printers that can be utilized for sublimation production.

(Note Sawgrass does not manufacture or sell printers.)

Sublimation Printer Platforms

The key features to consider when selecting your sublimation printer platform are as follows:

• Size of printing field.

• Number of ink colors

• Open VS Closed Systems

• Service & Support

• Ink Costs

Size Of Printing Field

Size Of Printing Field

Sublimation printers utilize either individual sheets of paper up to 13” x 19 OR rolls of paper in 24”, 36” or 44” widths. Thus you must determine how large of an image you need to create on a routine basis as larger print fields have larger price tags.

Most inkjet printers cannot print all the way to the edges of the paper such that you typically lose about ½” in all directions. As a result an 13” x 19” sheet of paper typically has a maximum image size of 12” x 18”. With roll paper, a 24” wide roll may only produce a maximum image width of 23”.

Size Of Printing Field

Size Of Printing Field

You must also plan your heat press purchase based on your printer size as it needs to be slightly larger than the largest image you can print. (At least ½” larger in all four directions.)

For example, if you were to buy a desktop sublimation printer with maximum media size of 13” x 19” you would need a heat press that is at least 14” x 20”.

Printing Field Size

If you have a need for multiple piece production it may be cheaper and more effective to buy two smaller printers rather than one wide format unit.

Rule Of Thumb – Buy the smallest printer that will produce the largest image you need on a routine basis.

Number Of Ink Colors

4 Color Systems

The printing color is created on-demand at the printer by mixing together base-line colors using a recipe generated by the graphics software.

Most systems have 4 base inks: CMYK

Cyan / Magenta / Yellow / Black

4 Color Systems

Modern 4 color sublimation systems equipped with Sawgrass sublimation inks can produce stunning graphics, and high definition photos on a variety of high margin products.

8 Color Systems

If you are producing fine art and/or photographic work where subtle shades of color make a big difference, then you may want to consider an eight color printer.

Printing Speed

Printing Speed

Of course everyone wants the fastest printer they can get, the concept being more pieces per hour equals more profits. Staging and planning your work properly will usually generate greater savings in terms of productivity than printer speed alone.

Printing Speed

Pressing time is truly the “gating” aspect of production, since it typically takes longer than printing. No matter how fast the printer is, the pressing time doesn’t change.

Open VS Closed Systems

Sealed Ink Cartridges are one-time use containers that are designed to be professionally filled, used and discarded.

Sealed systems are designed to prevent air or contaminants from entering the ink. This will ensure consistency of ink delivery as well as superior quality printing.

Sealed Cartridges

Benefits Of A Closed System VS Open

Closed Systems have many advantages over Open systems:

•Eliminates the down time, hassle and mess associated with refilling.• Reduces the possibility of micro-bubbles or outside containments from entering the ink delivery system.•Eliminates the down time and cost of maintenance associated with contaminants.• Ink volume is better aligned with usage – fresh ink runs better.• Image cost difference is negligible.

Refilling of Open systems typically brings production to a halt, which means the incursion of downtime. The process can be slow and “messy”.

With Closed Systems its only a matter of switching out a cartridge.

Eliminates Downtime of Refilling

Air is necessary to allow ink to flow in and out of a cartridge. However that air does not get absorbed by the ink.

The real concern over air, is that when you pour ink into a container it creates micro-bubbles in the ink and it takes these micro bubbles time to dissipate. 

Closed systems are designed to prevent micro-bubbles from being an issue.

Air & Micro Bubbles

Sealed systems provide vital protection against contamination which can damage print heads and ink delivery systems. Replacing a print head (or entire printer) can easily result in several lost days of production as well as the cost of parts and labor.

Eliminates Downtime Due To Maintenance

Fresh ink performs better in terms of quality and flow. Its vital that users constantly cycle ink through their systems in order to maintain peak performance. Sealed systems have lower volume which is better aligned with the usage of those printers.

Ink Volume Better Aligned With Usage

The difference in ink costs between closed and open systems is negligible. And when equipment costs are taken into account, Desktop Printers with sealed carts can be more economical than Wide Format Printers with open systems.

Negligible Difference In Image Cost

Ricoh 7100 Mutoh RJ900X Epson F6070

System Cost $1100 $7561 $8495

Mug – Ink $0.09 $0.02 $0.02

Mug – Paper $0.08 $0.07 $0.07

Mug – Total Materials $0.17 $0.09 $0.09

Equip Amortization $0.34 $0.86 $0.97

Image/Solution Cost $0.51 $0.95 $1.06

Service & Support

Partner Plus

Benefits• Real-Time Product and Software Support

• Full Product Performance Warranty

• Full Warranty for Ink Delivery System for Printers Under OEM Warranty

• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Real-time Product Support, including

telephone, web and fax-based technical and

usage support.

Sophisticated Color Management Software support and application

tips.

Full Product Warranty against any Sawgrass

ink cartridge performance issues or

defects.

Technical Phone Support for Supported Printers that are Under Original OEM Warranty

and being used with the approved Sawgrass

inks.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee for all

Sawgrass Customers.

Partner Plus – IDS Warranty

Partner Plus includes full solution support including printer, ink and software as well as full Ink Delivery System (IDS) warranty within the original OEM warranty period.

In the event that Sawgrass determines that IDS repair is necessary within the original OEM warranty, Sawgrass will make the necessary arrangements to provide service and will cover the related expenses.

Ricoh and Epson are responsible for non-IDS support and service for printers both in and out of OEM warranty.

Sawgrass Printer Lineup (CD)

Sublimation Printing Costs

This 8” x 10” graphic was used in our tests for imaging speed and cost.

It will be referenced for each printer and ink set.

Ricoh SG 7100DN

• 4 Color System• Largest Paper Size - 13” x 19”• Prints / Hr – 69• PowerDriver, MAC Profile• Printing Cost - $0.43• MSRP – $1299

Target: Apparel Sublimation, High Volume Production

Ricoh SG 7100DN

Largest Paper Size – 13” x 19”

Suggested Heat Press – 16” x 20”

Epson 7890 / 9890

• 8 Color System• Largest Paper Size – 24” / 44” roll

feed• Prints / Hr – 109• PowerDriver*, Win Profile, Mac Profile• Printing Cost - $0.32• MSRP – $2995 / $4995Target: All-Over T-Shirt Printing, Photo Gift Fulfillment, High Volume Production

Sealed & Pressurized Cartridges

The Epson E-Professional units –7890 and 9890 – feature sealed and pressurized high capacity ink cartridges. This eliminates the introduction of air and/or contaminants into the ink delivery system, while at the same time maintaining consistent ink flow into the heads.

Epson 7890

Largest Paper Size – 24”

Suggested Heat Press – 24” x 24”

Epson 9890

Largest Paper Size – 44” Roll

Suggested Heat Press – 60” x 40”

Epson SCT Series – 3000 / 5000 / 7000

• 4 Color System• Largest Paper Size – 24” / 36” / 44” roll

feed• Prints / Hr – 109• Win Profile, Mac Profile• Printing Cost - $0.32• MSRP – $2995 / $3995 / $4995

Learn More About Sublimation

Management@PrintLAT.com

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