Best Printers for Heat Transfers in 2022 (Top Models Reviewed)

Buying Guide of Best Heat Transfer Printers

Before we proceed any further, let’s face it! How do you make a heat transfer? Heat transfer is the most assured way of transferring artwork on fabric.

It is a safe, affordable, and seamless process that can be done anywhere. If you would like to dabble in heat transfer printing, you will need the most efficient printers to make the most of your time and get the best results.

The fact is, there are tons of options when it comes to Heat Transfer Printers, and choosing the most efficient printer that gives off the best for your budget is an important task, regardless of the motive behind your purchase.

One of the cost-effective and creative steps to get the most from your purchase is to compare the difference between each specification, although this can most times be a chore. This section will make the process hassle-free by providing you with some of the most important info you need to make the right choice.

Inkjet Vs. Laser printers

Now that we have established that Laser and inkjet printers can equally and competently handle heat transfer.  We have to ease you off the dilemma of choosing between the two. They both come with their drawbacks and strong points which include:

• Laser printers generate heat, this makes them an excellent choice for heat transfer. However, you’ve to handle this device with extra care to avoid getting hot. You have to keep this in mind when using a laser printer for heat transfer.
• By comparison, not all inkjets can be used on heat transfer papers. There are certain processes required to carry out a heat transfer successfully. Most importantly, ensure the device that you’re going for is capable of heat transfer.
• Heat transfer is a delicate process, and thorough handling of your tool is important; the right device ensures the right outcomes. An incompatible printer will not give you the desired outcome and can ultimately lead to buying a new device in no time.
• The sublimation inkjet printers are unique; they don’t only print onto paper but cloth too. It is quicker, reliably, and produces better results.
• Sublimation printers, you’re printing on fabric and paper. After printing on a transfer paper, you can add the design to objects like mugs and water bottles.

The Type of Ink Used in these Printers

There are two main types of printers; these are, inkjet and laser printers. They both have their pros and cons to balance each other out.

• Inkjet Printers are the cheapest printing devices; they come with various dyes, pigment inks, and sublimation.
• Out of these three options, the dye-based inks are the most affordable, though it has its share of disadvantage. Over time, the prints fade away once they are exposed to sunlight.
• Dye-based inks are only recommended if you’re out on a tight budget.
• The sublimation inks are more resilient to sunlight and require special skill and knowledge when used.
• The best inks for inkjet printers are pigment-based inks which are more expensive, resilient, and are relatively user-friendly.
• They are the generally recommended ink for heat transfers as they are durable and water-resistant.
• On the other hand, laser printers don’t feature inks but toners. It is important to ensure the toner you’re going for is compatible with the printing device; using the wrong toner on your device might lead to damage.

Light HTP vs. Dark HTP

It is important to pay attention to the fact that some fabric transfers are labeled as either light or dark due to the process involved. Here are the major differences between these two transfers.

In dark heat transfers, the outcome is printed in blue, where you do not have to mirror your graphic image. However, the light transfers are printed in pink.

Printing on a light transfer requires that you print on the blank side, and you must flip the image before printing, or else you might have a backward print.

You can print on both papers with an old inkjet printer and with any ink. Furthermore, you can use your domestic iron or a heat press to print on your garments.

Heat Transfer vs. Sublimation Printing

Sublimation is closely similar to heat transfer. It involves making a design on a special paper and then pressing it on a garment with a heat press. The only difference is that sublimation turns into gas when ink is applied, and once it cools off, it is embedded in the fabric. The sublimation technique allows the printed design to give a blended feel between the fabric and the design; the transfer gives an additional layer of designs on the flip side. The following is a comparison of heat transfer and sublimation.

• Sublimation is relatively expensive and less compact when compared with heat transfer print.
• The sublimation produces a more rounded and blended result than heat transfer. Rather than adding another layer on top of the garment, the sublimation process injects the ink to become part of the fabric.
• There is a limit to the type of materials you can decorate when using the sublimation process.