Introduction
One of the best ways to transfer imagery onto an object is by using a heat printer. Transferring the imagery is not only fun, but it is also a creative way through which you can make money on a small or large scale. Even though there are a couple of printers not dedicated to heat printing that you can choose from, it’s essential that you select the right printer; otherwise, you are not only setting yourself up for failure, but one is bound to have constant headaches as a result of the poor performance. The wrong printer will deliver poor image quality, weak color saturation, and prints that are not durable. There are numerous dye-sublimation, laser, and inkjet heat printers available in the market that you can select from depending on what fits your needs. Each of the printer types mentioned delivers different outcomes of print and uses different ink types. As with any other electronic that you intend to or have purchased before, it is essential that you conduct a comprehensive research onto what suits your needs and calibrate your purchase to your intended use. Following an extensive investigation, below are some of the best heat printers you can find in the market
Epson Artisan 1430 Wireless Color Wide-Format Inkjet Printer
Intro
If you’re looking for one that will take your photo printing to the next level, then the Epson Artisan 1430 is the way to go. With a resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, this printer delivers brilliant Ultra Hi-Definition prints. Albeit it is a wide format printer capable of handling wide-format pictures (13? x 19?) it can also print standard size prints.
Pros
- As part of the Artisan series, the 1430 comes with a one-year warranty.
- The printer has six cartridges, which is excellent since if your ink runs low on the one you do not have to replace them all.
- The wireless functionality allows you to print from anywhere
Cons
- The Artisan 1430 is bulky and takes up a lot more space than its predecessors.
- The Artisan has one of the slowest-printing speeds I have come across. With the speed of 2.8ppm, you would need to be extremely patient when using this printer.
HP LaserJet Pro M452dw
Intro
If you are in business and are looking for a printer that can deliver volume you should consider the LaserJet Pro M452dw. This is because the printer is packed with features and trappings that will achieve reproducibility of your print as well as excellent quality. The printer boasts a 1.2 GHz processor, color touchscreen, wireless printing, duplex printing, and a resolution of 600 x 600 dpi.
Pros
- The printing speeds are outstanding as the printer can print up to 28 pages per minute.
- The print volume capacity of this printer is exceptional. In one print cycle, the Pro M452dw delivers up to 150 heat transfer prints
- Considering the volume if covers, the print quality is, in my opinion, quite decent.
- You can print wirelessly via NFC or Wi-Fi based options.
Cons
- Even though the resolution is acceptable considering the volume, there are printers with a much better resolution than this.
Epson Workforce WF-7210 Wireless Wide-Format Color Inkjet Printer
Intro
Even though the Epson Workforce WF-7210 is not a dedicated heat transfer printer, it is capable of delivering high-quality heat transfer prints. It is equipped with Versatile paper handling capabilities and can hold up to 500-sheet. It also has dual trays, plus a rear feed for specialty paper, and a 125-sheet output tray. This printer, in our opinion, delivers value for money as it can not only handle the volume, but it is equipped with great features including a USB port, 10/100 Ethernet, and a wireless connection.
Pros
- Has high-quality prints that last longer than your typical print thanks to the pigmented ink utilized by the printer. Apart from the pigmented ink, the print quality can also be attributed to the innovative Precision Core print head.
- No need to worry about the ink running out as the printer monitors the ink levels, and you can receive ink replenishment via the amazon dash program.
- It is equipped with four individual cartridges which can be refilled independently.
- You can print large print sizes of up to A3+.
Cons
- Pigmented ink is relatively expensive, and this should be a consideration you make when purchasing the Epson Workforce WF-7210.
The Mono LCD screen is rather small and inconveniencing to use.
Brother HL-L2320D Mono Laser Printer
Intro
The Brother HL-L2320D is a reliable printer that is ideal if you are looking for a printer that is both economical and capable of achieving volumes of print. Unlike other printers in our list, this one utilizes colored heat transfer paper. It is equipped with a one-line LCD readout on the top panel and can print wirelessly via Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Google Chrome Print.
Pros
- The printer is compact and has a small footprint.
- The print quality is much higher, and better than that of your regular prints even when you consider the 10,000-page monthly duty cycle volume of prints that the printer delivers.
- This printer is very economical as the inks are not only long-lasting, but they can print a lot of prints before running out.
Cons
- The Brother HL-L2320D is a monochromatic printer capable of only printing black and white prints.
- It does not have a lot of the modern-day features that you will find on other printers.
Epson Stylus C88+ Bundled with Hotzone360 Empty Ciss
Intro
The Epson C88 is a powerful device that delivers excellent performance when used together with sublimation to create prints on glasses, cups, plates, and other items of your choice. Sublimations are unique papers which are printed on with ink and applied to polyester coated items making the image to become one with the item. This printer typically does not use the original cartridges for configuration and will work with Continuous ink supply systems (CISS) Kits. Nevertheless, if you don’t intend to use the original cartridges, it is advisable that you purchase the printer bundled with Hotzone360 Empty Ciss for sublimation or pigment ink use. Utilizing the innovative DURABrite Ultra pigment ink this C88 is a powerful performer and delivers incredible results. The printer has a decent color print speed of 14 ppm and a monochrome speed of 23 ppm.
Pros
- Epson’s C88 is an extremely economical printer.
- It does not require original cartridges for configuration.
- The printer’s capability to handle volume is also outstanding.
- It is reasonably priced and extremely affordable.
Cons
- Since the tubes of the printers CISS system are usually running out of it, the printer and work area can look somewhat messy.
- The printer does not have a lot of the printing technologies that its competitors may have.
- The printer requires a dedicated workspace since moving it around is not as effortless.
- It is not easy to define the ideal color profiles that you may want to work with.
- This printer is not suitable for beginners and other inexperienced users. This is because the likelihood of experiencing tech difficulties that may result in a dead machine is pretty high.
Final thoughts
Choosing a heat printer can be relatively daunting, especially if it is your first time. There are a few elements that you should consider when selecting a heat printer. Even though we won’t go into details here is a brief look at some of those factors.
Printing medium: when selecting a heat transfer printer, the medium that you use is extremely essential. The output will vary depending on the medium that you want; however, most heat transfer printers can work with fabric, cardstock, and vinyl. So, depending on the ink that the printer utilizes it should work just fine.
Printing speed: no one wants a printer that is slow and will be a hindrance to what they are trying to achieve. The secret to checking for printing speeds is to look out for the colored printing speeds rather than the black and white speeds.
System compatibility: before purchasing the printer of your choice, ensure that it is compatible with whatever operating system you are working with. Even though most of the latest printer is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems, it never hurts to confirm.
Size of the paper/medium: intents usually vary amongst individuals. If your grand printing plan involves small prints, it beats logic to purchase a huge printer and vice versa. Therefore because of this, the size is a significant consideration for anyone intending to acquire a heat transfer printer. If you are working with varied image sizes, then choose a printer whose printing-field specs are easily changeable.
Other considerations that you can make include your budget, ease of use, as well as the ease of refilling or changing the cartridges. We hope that from our list above you can find something that suits your needs and is within your budget. Happy hunting!