So here I am, bringing to back to life a 5 year old post. I have a 1400 and would like to know more about using it for sublimation, and how sublimation works. Will I need special ink and paper, a special heat press? What all is sublimation done on?
Hello fellow Houstonian! If you're just using regular OEM cartridges, you can just replace them with Sublimation cartridges. CISS kit is preferred if you're going to be doing heavy printing. If you currently use a CISS, then change out the system completely! Tanks, lines, cartridges, etc... You will also need a good name brand heat press like Geo Knight or Stahls Fusion and at least a 16x20 size. Also sublimation paper will be needed. Look around online for sublimation equipment, supplies, etc... The sources are growing.
Sublimation inks only work with polyester or polymer substrates. It will not bond to anything else like cotton or uncoated substrates. You can't just go buy a ceramic tile at home depot and press it. It has to be coated with a special polymer coating so the inks bond to it.
I would suggest researching videos on youtube. That's what I did and watched them over and over for over 6 weeks before I started, until I was comfortable. Literally watched hundreds of videos. By the time I received and put together my setup, I was experienced right out the gate before even pressing anything and my first item was a success!
I never reached out to any forums if I hit a snag because there are just too many variables in people's opinions, experiences, equipment, materials, etc... The few times that happened to me was due to lack of sleep because I was always finding something to press! Doing it until 3am! LOL Woke up the next morning and was like Ohhh yea, I forgot to do this or press this long or use this much pressure! LOL
PM me on your location in Houston! I may need to outsource some local DTG work your way!
