This document discusses factors to consider when selecting a sublimation printer, including printing field size, number of ink colors, open vs closed ink systems, service and support options, and ink costs. It provides details on several printer models, such as the Ricoh SG 7100DN for high volume production with a 13" x 19" print field, and the Epson 7890/9890 which offer an 8 color system and large 24"-44" roll widths suitable for photo and apparel printing. Customer service and warranty coverage also vary between printer brands and models.

1. Selecting The Right Sublimation Printer

2. Sublimation Printer Platforms
Technology has made it easy to add sublimation to your business. All
you need is graphics software, a printer, inks, paper, and a heat press.
Though all the components of a production system are important, the
printer and ink pretty much dictates what you will be capable of in
terms of images and products.

3. Sublimation Printer Platforms
Sublimation dyes have certain requirements and therefore the printer
technology must be compatible with the ink chemistry. Thus there are
a limited number of printers that can be utilized for sublimation
production.
(Note Sawgrass does not manufacture or sell printers.)

4. Sublimation Printer Platforms
The key features to consider when selecting your sublimation
printer platform are as follows:
•Size of printing field.
•Number of ink colors
•Open VS Closed Systems
•Service & Support
•Ink Costs

5. Size Of Printing Field

6. Size Of Printing Field
Sublimation printers utilize either individual sheets of paper up to 13”
x 19 OR rolls of paper in 24”, 36” or 44” widths. Thus you must
determine how large of an image you need to create on a routine
basis as larger print fields have larger price tags.

7. Most inkjet printers cannot print all the way to the edges of the paper
such that you typically lose about ½” in all directions. As a result an
13” x 19” sheet of paper typically has a maximum image size of 12” x
18”. With roll paper, a 24” wide roll may only produce a maximum
image width of 23”.
Size Of Printing Field

8. Size Of Printing Field
You must also plan your heat press purchase based on your printer
size as it needs to be slightly larger than the largest image you can
print. (At least ½” larger in all four directions.)
For example, if you were to buy a desktop sublimation printer with
maximum media size of 13” x 19” you would need a heat press that is
at least 14” x 20”.

9. Printing Field Size
If you have a need for multiple piece production it may be cheaper
and more effective to buy two smaller printers rather than one wide
format unit.
Rule Of Thumb – Buy the smallest printer that will produce the largest
image you need on a routine basis.

10. Number Of Ink Colors

11. 4 Color Systems
The printing color is created on-demand at the printer by mixing
together base-line colors using a recipe generated by the graphics
software.
Most systems have 4 base inks: CMYK
Cyan / Magenta / Yellow / Black

12. 4 Color Systems
Modern 4 color sublimation systems equipped with Sawgrass
sublimation inks can produce stunning graphics, and high definition
photos on a variety of high margin products.

13. 8 Color Systems
If you are producing fine art and/or photographic work where subtle
shades of color make a big difference, then you may want to consider
an eight color printer.

14. Printing Speed

15. Printing Speed
Of course everyone wants the fastest printer they can get, the
concept being more pieces per hour equals more profits. Staging and
planning your work properly will usually generate greater savings in
terms of productivity than printer speed alone.

16. Printing Speed
Pressing time is truly the “gating” aspect of production, since it
typically takes longer than printing. No matter how fast the printer is,
the pressing time doesn’t change.

17. Open VS Closed Systems

18. Sealed Ink Cartridges are one-time use containers that are designed
to be professionally filled, used and discarded.
Sealed systems are designed to prevent air or contaminants from
entering the ink. This will ensure consistency of ink delivery as well
as superior quality printing.
Sealed Cartridges

19. Benefits Of A Closed System VS Open
Closed Systems have many advantages over Open systems:
•Eliminates the down time, hassle and mess associated with
refilling.
• Reduces the possibility of micro-bubbles or outside
containments from entering the ink delivery system.
•Eliminates the down time and cost of maintenance associated
with contaminants.
• Ink volume is better aligned with usage – fresh ink runs better.
• Image cost difference is negligible.

20. Refilling of Open systems typically brings production to a halt, which
means the incursion of downtime. The process can be slow and
“messy”.
With Closed Systems its only a matter of switching out a cartridge.
Eliminates Downtime of Refilling

21. Air is necessary to allow ink to flow in and out of a cartridge.
However that air does not get absorbed by the ink.
The real concern over air, is that when you pour ink into a container it
creates micro-bubbles in the ink and it takes these micro bubbles
time to dissipate.
Closed systems are designed to prevent micro-bubbles from being an
issue.
Air & Micro Bubbles

22. Sealed systems provide vital protection against contamination which
can damage print heads and ink delivery systems. Replacing a print
head (or entire printer) can easily result in several lost days of
production as well as the cost of parts and labor.
Eliminates Downtime Due To Maintenance

23. Fresh ink performs better in terms of quality and flow. Its vital that
users constantly cycle ink through their systems in order to maintain
peak performance. Sealed systems have lower volume which is
better aligned with the usage of those printers.
Ink Volume Better Aligned With Usage

24. The difference in ink costs between closed and open systems is
negligible. And when equipment costs are taken into account,
Desktop Printers with sealed carts can be more economical than
Wide Format Printers with open systems.
Negligible Difference In Image Cost
Ricoh 7100 Mutoh RJ900X Epson F6070
System Cost $1100 $7561 $8495
Mug – Ink $0.09 $0.02 $0.02
Mug – Paper $0.08 $0.07 $0.07
Mug – Total Materials $0.17 $0.09 $0.09
Equip Amortization $0.34 $0.86 $0.97
Image/Solution Cost $0.51 $0.95 $1.06

25. Service & Support

26. Partner Plus
Benefits
• Real-Time Product and Software Support
• Full Product Performance Warranty
• Full Warranty for Ink Delivery System for Printers Under OEM Warranty
• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Real-time Product
Support, including
telephone, web and
fax-based technical and
usage support.
Sophisticated Color
Management Software
support and application
tips.
Full Product Warranty
against any Sawgrass
ink cartridge
performance issues or
defects.
Technical Phone
Support for Supported
Printers that are Under
Original OEM
Warranty and being
used with the approved
Sawgrass inks.
100% Satisfaction
Guarantee for all
Sawgrass Customers.

27. Partner Plus – IDS Warranty
Partner Plus includes full solution support including printer, ink
and software as well as full Ink Delivery System (IDS) warranty
within the original OEM warranty period.
In the event that Sawgrass determines that IDS repair is
necessary within the original OEM warranty, Sawgrass will
make the necessary arrangements to provide service and will
cover the related expenses.
Ricoh and Epson are responsible for non-IDS support and
service for printers both in and out of OEM warranty.

28. Sawgrass Printer Lineup (CD)

29. Sublimation Printing Costs
This 8” x 10” graphic was
used in our tests for
imaging speed and cost.
It will be referenced for
each printer and ink set.

30. Ricoh SG 7100DN
• 4 Color System
• Largest Paper Size - 13” x 19”
• Prints / Hr – 69
• PowerDriver, MAC Profile
• Printing Cost - $0.43
• MSRP – $1299
Target: Apparel Sublimation, High Volume Production

31. Ricoh SG 7100DN
Largest Paper Size – 13” x 19”
Suggested Heat Press – 16” x 20”

32. Epson 7890 / 9890
• 8 Color System
• Largest Paper Size – 24” / 44” roll feed
• Prints / Hr – 109
• PowerDriver*, Win Profile, Mac Profile
• Printing Cost - $0.32
• MSRP – $2995 / $4995
Target: All-Over T-Shirt Printing, Photo Gift
Fulfillment, High Volume Production

33. Sealed & Pressurized Cartridges
The Epson E-Professional units –7890 and 9890 – feature sealed and
pressurized high capacity ink cartridges. This eliminates the
introduction of air and/or contaminants into the ink delivery system,
while at the same time maintaining consistent ink flow into the heads.

34. Epson 7890
Largest Paper Size – 24”
Suggested Heat Press – 24” x 24”

35. Epson 9890
Largest Paper Size – 44” Roll
Suggested Heat Press – 60” x 40”

36. Epson SCT Series – 3000 / 5000 / 7000
• 4 Color System
• Largest Paper Size – 24” / 36” / 44” roll feed
• Prints / Hr – 109
• Win Profile, Mac Profile
• Printing Cost - $0.32
• MSRP – $2995 / $3995 / $4995

37. Learn More About Sublimation

38. Management@PrintLAT.com
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