sublimation printer

The printers aren't expensive, it's the ink that will set you back.

You can pick up an Epson C88+ for $75-100, a set of refillable cartridges for about $50 and then check out ebay for the bulk Artanium. You can try the inexpensive non-brand name dye sub inks, but if you are a beginner, I wouldn't suggest that.

would an epson stylus photo 2200 work? can i change ink over on that machine to dye(sublimation) ink. if so do i have to buy special paper if so where do you recommend to buy it. thanks for the help

wouldnt the print area be small for c88 printer i currently use vinyl heat transfer and my images are usually 11 by 11. or is there another way to do it..

I have an epson 1400. I think they run about $300 and then have the bulk ink system quick connect that is about $150. The inks are what is the killer! They have the individual cartridges for about $90 bucks but they don't last long. With the quick connect they have 2 different size bulk bag refills but they are pricey. I have the larger size and they run $240 each....so that can drive the start up costs through the roof in a hurry.

could you just buy the printer and the dye cart. and print or do i need the bulk ink system and quick connects.

could i use a workforce 1100 with the dye cart. thanks for the help i will be looking into different printers i just have and epson stylus 2200

You don't have to have a quick connect system. There are individual cartridges but if you are going Ro be doing a significant amount of printing it is worth it to get the quick connect and buy the larger bulk bags. Not really familiar with any other printers so unfortunately I can't be much help with that. The one I have is a large format printer and allows me to do larger prints.

OK, the 2200 should work as you can purchase the refillable cartridges for it. I don't know how hard it would be to buy the 7 colors for dye sub for it. You'd be better sticking with a 4-6 color machine such as the 1100 or 1400. Don't fuss with the prefilled cartridges or the bulk bags, that's way to expensive.
You can buy the 125ml bottles on ebay such as this one ArTainium® UV+ Sublimation Ink - 125mil - MAGENTA (Very new ink - Expire Jan 13) | eBay

So, for the 7 color machine, that's going to get VERY pricy...

There's someone in the forums selling a 1100 http://www.t-shirtforums.com/tf-classifieds/t183656.html

Fatkatz just posted one for $300 in the TSF classified section.

I don't think you could use the 2200 properly. In bulk ink the matte black I don't believe is available and if regular black is used there would be too much black. You would need a proper profile or some type of rip to make this work properly. That WF 1100 in the classifieds is a sweet deal. I would have bought it had I not decided to go to ISS in Columbus next month.

The problem with the WF just put in the Classifieds is that it's using Cobra High Temp. Isn't that the one Cobra took off the market?

If that's the case, if someone buys it, they have to change the ink to something else onces it runs out.

selanac said:

The problem with the WF just put in the Classifieds is that it's using Cobra High Temp. Isn't that the one Cobra took off the market?

If that's the case, if someone buys it, they have to change the ink to something else onces it runs out.

Click to expand...

You are correct the cobra high temp inks were removed. But with that amount of ink you could make your money back and enough to buy a new CISS. I wouldn't try to clean out the old one to but new inks in it, too risky.

Has the C88 been updated to work from Windows 7 or even Vista? I had to keep a Windows 98 system running for a long time to support the C88 for sublimation. I would love to have the portability of the C88 again. I now have a larger Ricoh.

In win7 you can run the c88 in win XP compatibility mode.

Thank you! Great to know! Glad I didn't throw out the printers yet!

selanac said:

The problem with the WF just put in the Classifieds is that it's using Cobra High Temp. Isn't that the one Cobra took off the market?

Click to expand...

Yes, it been taken off the market but research to find an alternative has been proven to be successful.

No worries on running out of ink..

do you have to print on polyester shirts? Most people usually buy cotton shirts dont they? Would i be able to print on flex fit hats, can ******* with the workforce 1100 sublimation printer. If you have to print on polyester what type of price do you charge for a full back and small chest logo? Where can i buy the shirts from reasonably priced.? Thanks for the help very close to buying the printer

Cainer, Yes you have to print on Polyester.

What ever my price is for the t-shirts I pass it on to the customer.

Personally, I wouldn't use Sublimation or Transfers for businesses. I screen print or use DTG. We use in most cases, Sublimation for full artwork on t-shirts and mugs.

Sublimation and transfers are just fine for a starting business. Heat press vinyl is also about economical way to start.

Bulk orders and full color dark shirts would be ideal to outsource DTG and screen print. Unless you are comfortable with your prints on white

Find someone local to team up with because screen printers don't like one off and some DTG don't care for one color low qty.

Also offering sublimation services
is a great way to network with people around you.