We bought an EPSON 4800 printer originally to print onto Heat Transfer Material to make T-Shirts with. The process did not seem to be very robust, so we switched back to Vinyl (Thermoflex).
Can I set up the printer to use Dye Sub? If so, does anyone have any experience with using their EPSON 4800 to do the Dye Sub process and how do you like it?
We bought an EPSON 4800 printer originally to print onto Heat Transfer Material to make T-Shirts with. The process did not seem to be very robust, so we switched back to Vinyl (Thermoflex).
Can I set up the printer to use Dye Sub? If so, does anyone have any experience with using their EPSON 4800 to do the Dye Sub process and how do you like it?
I have my 4800 split into a dual system. I use sub-dye in one side and multink (heat transfer) in the other. You need multi-rip software to split the printer if you go with this method. Dye sub works great in the 4800. I rarely have any problems.
I also have the 4880 Hybrid but with dye Sub and Chromablast. Most places will send you the software drivers when you purchase the ink from them. Don't be hesitant to ask when you call.
I use the 4800 for sublimation printing. Using the 17" sublimation roll paper, I have set up several page sizes based on the products I will be creating, (17 x 6 for mugs, 17 x 9 for mouse pads, 17 x 11 for shirts and aprons, etc). With corel draw, I create the same custom pages sizes and create templates for each product.
You will have to get sublimation cartridges, (get the big ones) and flush the original ink from the system. While you are ordering the cartridges, also order a chip resetter so you can empty and reset the maintenance tank. Flushing will use considerable ink, but once complete, you will be fine. When I go a couple of days without printing, I usually run a nozzle check to insure that all jets are working, (not clogged). Only increase the cleaning level if a couple of nozzle cycles doesn't clear the problem. By the way, keep some standard 8.5 x 11 paper in the tray to use during the nozzle check, so you don't waste the 17" wide paper. Lay out your graphics short and wide and fill additional page space with multiple business logos. Use a good paper cutter or sissors to cut out you graphics, then print away. You can order the cartridges and Sublijet driver as a kit and save some money.
I have epson 4000 and 4800,and and old 7600,waiting to print with sublimation inks.I just found out from you that i can use in hybrid,but I can get no rip soft for that,we are a little bit far from U (Romania) and here are very few who even know about sublimation.Knows anyone where I can get software and how to flush old chrome ink from printer?
thanks
Most of the distributors have access to getting cleaning fluid cartridges that you can use to flush the existing Ulta Chrome inks out of the printer. Depending on how long the ink has sat in the printer, you might have to replace the print head, lines and dampers if the ink has locked up inside the printer. You can also try to get refillable cartridges and use distilled water if the printers have not sit that long. You still might need to use cleaning fluid though. Once the lines become pretty clear, then you can load the sublimation ink and you should be fine. You might need to either replace or reset the waste tank.
I sent you a PM regarding the software question. Please feel free to ask additional questions about the software. Thanks.
I took my Epson 9600 that had sat for about a year and changed it over to dye sub after I bought my 9880. I use refillable catridges and we replaced the dampers during the change over. They are only about $8-9 a piece.
I run the hybrid also and the prints are very vibrant. Just bought Conde's Ricoh printer to see how it compares with prints. I've very disappointed with it and probably won't use it at all. Attached is a comparison of a test file Conde sent me because I complained about a lack of "life" to the Ricoh printer. The one on the right is the epson 4800. I realize these use two different inks, but with this kind of print, the Ricoh is useless to me.
Last edited by imeccentric; April 22nd, 2010 at 06:41 AM.
UPDATE!!!!! Just got off the phone with David. You have to be a rocket scientist to go through this stuff. We had to go in and totally change profiles and a few other things. The difference is terrific. I just reprinted the test and the Ricoh is actually better than the Epson now. I've commented before that I've always had good support from David, and this is one more example of buying from someone who does care. It's just a shame the setups on these things can't be simplified to where WE can understand them. I already dread buying a new computer and going through this again. I've used nothing but Artainium in the epson, but now this gel ink looks promising.
Well, I'd love to give you a new comparison(I threw away the first one), but it seems that the new settings for the Ricoh, also changed the settings for the 4800. Will have to see what it will take to get the settings back for my rip.
Epson 4800 sublimation 
