[JBuchanan]

I have been lurking here for sometime browsing through posts and I have a few questions.

1st The Epson 9880, is it suitable and capable of being used for sublimation printing?

2nd From whom is the best vendor to get the sublimation inks?

3rd Is it best to run a bulk system with this printer or simply use refillable cartridges?

I am looking to start making full coverage sublimated T-shirts and have almost gone blind while looking at all the various printers and equipment specs. Also like many others in this tough economic time I have strict budget limitations and am only looking to do a few one offs in he beginning. Any help or insight is appreciated!

 

[Riderz Ready]

Welcome to the world of sublimation. Keep in mind that if your intention is to do full coverage shirts you will need a MaxiPress or like for a press. Once you get to the 30"x40" plus presses you may be in for a bit of sticker shock. Once in a while you can find one used on the web. They are pretty bullet proof and the replacement parts are very resonable even if you do have something go wrong with it. With that said the Epson 98XX is a great printer for dye sublimation. They to are pretty bullet proof. You will want refillalbe cartridges. For ink most vendors will suggest Sublim ink which does not clog anywhere near as much as Artainium ink. If you are starting off in dye sublimation the most critical thing is to find a vendor that is heavily involved in wide format printing as you will need them to hold you hand through out process. The ones most active on this forum are Conde and Johnson Plastics. I am sure there are others but these two have top notch resources to help people just starting out. By going wide format the possibilities are endless. best of luck

 

[Conde_David]

Mark has good advice.

Ink wise the Sublim is excellent.
Refill carts are the only way available.

You can use the epson driver or a rip.

We provide profiles for both.

What substrates will you be using?
That will determine the paper.

 

[JBuchanan]

Have been looking at the Vapor line as well as just looking at any and all 100% polyester lines.

 

[Conde_David]

I would suggest texprint paper.

Unless the you already own the printer,
I think you should consider the RJ900.

It us twice as fast as the epson and
much simpler to maintain.
Perfect for soft substrates.