[mystyg]

I'm new to the sublimation world and I'm trying to decide which printer to purchase for tshirts and other substrates such as mugs etc. Previously i was making vinyl tshirts. I like how sawgrass has the virtuoso sg400 with the creative studio software but the ink cartridge sets are $340. How useful is creativestudio? I like how cpbra has ink cartridge sets for $79, That's a huuuuge difference. I'm looking at either the artisan 1430 or the workforce wf7710. Neither of these come with a designing software. I just want a machine with excellent quality prints for a variety of products that is easy to set up and use, that the ink cost isn't going to run me out of business. Any thoughts? Other machines to consider?

 

[Amw]

I'm new to the sublimation world and I'm trying to decide which printer to purchase for tshirts and other substrates such as mugs etc. Previously i was making vinyl tshirts. I like how sawgrass has the virtuoso sg400 with the creative studio software but the ink cartridge sets are $340. How useful is creativestudio? I like how cpbra has ink cartridge sets for $79, That's a huuuuge difference. I'm looking at either the artisan 1430 or the workforce wf7710. Neither of these come with a designing software. I just want a machine with excellent quality prints for a variety of products that is easy to set up and use, that the ink cost isn't going to run me out of business. Any thoughts? Other machines to consider?

The ink doesn't cost YOU money...you pass that cost on to the customer.
But having said that...in this case I am a fan of using cobra ink for desktop dye sublimation. The cartridges are even cheaper when you figure in that they are easy to refill.

Both those printers are great. The 1430 is discontinued...so keep that in mind. You should use Photoshop to design, maybe the consumer version (PS Elements) can handle the icc profile...IDK.

 

[mystyg]

Can the virtuoso sg400 take cobra inks?

 

[NoXid]

I think you are better off with CorelDraw or an Adobe product than something only made and supported by a hardware supplier who only wants you to use their hardware and ink. Better to stay flexible and have options. But perhaps others will have a different opinion and reasons for that.

 

[webtrekker]

It's just basically a Ricoh 3110, so buy one of them instead, to further reduce your costs.

My setup is Ricoh 3110, with refillable inks and paper from City Ink Express (in the UK) and the results on all substrates are excellent.

I use Photoshop CS5 for designing and printing. It handles colour well by allowing use of ICC profiles. Not all graphics software does this.

 

[malkram]

If you are looking for print quality you must go for the 1430 (or any other Epson fine art printer such as the SureColor or Stylus Pro series)

 

[lalove]

I agree with the 7610 been using it and cobra inks for a long time
with no problem at all. When you buy just remember to follow the instructions so you dont have printhead problems.

Corel draw or adobe are designing software of choice