Sublimation has been around for several years but I’ve always been afraid to get started. As it costs so much money and I am a hobby crafter. So, I wasn’t sure it was worth the investment.
But later I came to know I can convert my HP printer to a sublimation printer and it costs only a few bucks!
Yes, you heard it right and you can do it too.
Today I’m going to show you How To Convert HP Printer To Sublimation Printer along with the sublimation printing process and many more related queries. So, stick here till the end.
But first, let’s have a look at if you can use and convert an HP printer to sublimation.
Can You Use An HP Printer For Sublimation?
Yes. Of course.
But why is sublimation so attractive?
Sublimation printing! A magical process that has captured the hearts and minds of creatives everywhere. Let’s unravel the mysteries behind this fantastical technique and understand what makes it so enchanting.
What is Sublimation Printing?
In the realm of printing, sublimation printing is like a mystical sorcerer, transforming plain, ordinary objects into vivid masterpieces. This enchanting process uses heat to transfer dye onto materials such as fabric, ceramics, and even metal.
But what sets sublimation printing apart from other mundane methods is that the ink transforms from a solid to a gas without ever becoming a liquid—poof! Now that’s some serious wizardry!
How Does Sublimation Printing Work?
Just imagine you’re an alchemist with the coolest powers of sublimation printing. With your trusty heat press, you can bring your magical ink to life and make designs that would put Merlin to shame. All you gotta do is apply some heat and pressure to the sublimation paper, and boom!
And the best part? Your design won’t peel, crack, or fade away like those cheap tattoos you got in college. Your masterpiece will be as vibrant and stunning as the day you made it.
Advantages of Sublimation Printing
You may be asking why sublimation printing is the best in the printing industry at this point. Well, let me enlighten you with some of its spellbinding benefits:
- Endless possibilities: Sublimation printing allows you to unleash your inner artist on a wide range of materials, from t-shirts and mugs to phone cases and tote bags. The sky’s the limit!
- Vibrant colors: Unlike other printing methods that produce dull, lifeless images, sublimation printing creates vivid, photorealistic prints that truly mesmerize the eye.
- Long-lasting impressions: Sublimation printing isn’t just a pretty face; its designs are also durable, resistant to fading, and impervious to the perils of washing and handling.
- Eco-friendly wizardry: With water-based inks that produce minimal waste, sublimation printing is a greener option, perfect for eco-conscious creatives.
Can You Convert a Used Printer To Sublimation?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes! You can absolutely convert a used printer to sublimation. In fact, many people do this in order to save money on their printing needs.
However, it is important to note that your printer must be compatible with sublimation printing in order to produce high-quality results. Another requirement is the printer must be able to handle large printing jobs. Because sublimation printing can be slow and time-consuming.
If you are not sure whether your printer is capable of handling sublimation printing, you can check the printer’s specifications or contact the manufacturer to find out.
Lastly, to convert all you need is to purchase a Sublimation conversion Kit for HP printer. It will include all of the necessary components for converting your printer.
Now, let’s have a look at which HP printers are best for sublimation.
What HP Printers Can Be Converted To Sublimation?
There are a few different models of HP printers that can be converted to sublimation. The most common type of HP printer that can be used for this type of printing is the HP Deskjet series. It is both cost-effective and efficient for sublimation printing.
Furthermore, other HP models can also be used for sublimation printing including the HP Photosmart series, the HP Officejet series, and the HP Designjet series.
If you are looking for HP sublimation printers then check out our article on HP sublimation printers.
At this time, let’s have a look at the sublimation conversion process for HP printers.
How To Convert HP Printer To Sublimation Printer
Converting an HP printer to sublimation is a long but easy process. So, you have to be really patient in order to perfectly convert your HP printer to sublimation. Moreover, I will describe this step-by-step guideline as easily as possible so that you can easily convert.
First, let’s have a look at the required tools.
Things You Will Need:
- Sublimation conversion Kit for HP printer
- HP Deskjet sublimation ink
- Sublimation Heat Transfer Paper
- Wrench
- Dropper bottle
- Lint roller
- EZ press
Though most sublimation conversion Kit includes all of these products. However, it is suggested to buy these separately for better results.
For this conversion process, we are going to use HP DeskJet 4155e. However, you can use any compatible HP printer for this process. Here is how to convert HP printer to sublimation printer
1. Drip The Regular Ink From Ink Cartridges
Firstly, uncap the ink cartridges and then let all the regular ink drip. Remember, you can not mix sublimation ink with regular ink. It will mess up the whole process. But dripping out the ink might take really long.
So, you need to work a little bit smarter. The lid on these caps helps with filling up the ink. Now use a wrench to take off the lid from one of the bottles. Then wash it out so that none of the ink from the original bottle was on it.
2. Fill The Ink Cartridges With Sublimation Ink
After Dripping The Regular Ink dry out the cartridge. then when you fill it up you can
Now take off the lid and drop sublimation Ink into the cartridge. You can use a dropper bottle to fill it out. Because it works as a funnel and it’s a lot easier and quicker. You can also buy sublimation ink in these special dropper bottles. They are a little bit more expensive but worth the price.
However, be really patient when you fill it up. Because these inks are costly. So, it’s not wise to waste them.
3. Attach The Cartridges With the printer
After you’re done filling it up you’ll pop the cartridges off and attach them to the printer. Make sure that all the ink is drained out as much as possible so that you don’t waste any ink.
Then use a paper towel to dry off your cartridge caps. Rinse it if needed so that it doesn’t leak everywhere.
4. Turn your Printer On
Once you’re done filling up the ink power on your printer. Your printer will automatically run an initialization process for about 10 minutes. So just go ahead and wait for that process to complete.
5. Configuring the Printer Driver Settings
Brace yourself, dear adventurer, for we’ve reached the mystical realm of printer driver settings! Fear not, for with a dash of wit and a sprinkle of patience, we’ll have your HP printer configured for sublimation printing in no time. So, grab your favorite thinking cap and let’s embark on this thrilling expedition!
6. Installing the Printer Driver
First and foremost, we must ensure that the appropriate printer driver is installed. Think of the driver as your printer’s personal interpreter, decoding your computer’s commands into a language your printer can understand. To install the driver, simply visit the HP website, locate the driver for your printer model, and follow the on-screen instructions. Easy as pie, right?
7. Configuring Printer Settings
With the printer driver installed, it’s time to tweak those settings like a maestro conducting a symphony! Navigate to your printer’s settings or preferences (usually found in the “Printers & Scanners” section of your computer’s settings) and adjust the following:
- Paper type: Select the sublimation paper option, if available. If not, opt for a high-quality photo paper setting.
- Print quality: Crank it up to the highest quality setting, ensuring your prints are nothing short of fabulous.
- Color management: Choose the “ICC Profile” option, which allows for the most accurate color reproduction. Your prints will thank you!
8. Calibrating the Printer
Finally, we must calibrate the printer to ensure the colors in your prints are as vibrant and true-to-life as a technicolor dream. To calibrate your printer, simply follow the instructions provided in your printer’s user manual or consult the wise oracle (a.k.a., the internet) for guidance.
And there you have it, my fellow explorer! With the printer driver settings expertly configured, your HP printer is one step closer to sublimation stardom. As we continue our journey, remember to keep your humor at the ready and your spirits high. After all, the best adventures are those filled with laughter, learning, and a touch of whimsy!
9. Run Tests
After your printer is done initializing you need to run a series of different tests. Do these tests on regular paper.
The first test is to make sure that there are no gaps in your lines. At first, you will get some gaps. So, repeat the process until you get straight lines.
Next, you have to choose the boxes that print the best so that your printer is aligned and ready to go for printing.
This is how you Convert HP Printer To Sublimation Printer. Now it’s time to check if it’s working or not.
How to Print Sublimation On HP Printer
If you have followed the above process carefully then you are almost done printing sublimation on HP printer. Now you just need to print on sublimation heat transfer paper to find out if your printer is working or not.
Here is how to print sublimation on HP printer
- First, choose a picture you want to print and edit it according to the above instructions.
- Next feed your printer sublimation heat transfer paper.
- Then Click File> Tap on print.
- Lastly, choose the printer that you just set up under media and the printing will start.
Within a few moments, your printer will print a sublimation and your image will come out. Don’t worry if it looks a lot lighter. Because it’s kind of hard to see since we haven’t transferred it on a shirt. But if there are no lines or gaps in your image then it’s working.
You can use regular copy paper or regular multi-purpose copy paper for printing also. As heat transfer papers are quite expensive. So, for home projects, you can use it too. However, for professional projects sublimation papers are best.
Now it’s time to transfer it to your project. Follow the below instructions.
- Take a lint roller and just lint roll across the entire t-shirt.
- Make sure there are no loose fibers or threads inside.
- Then place a piece of butcher paper. If you don’t have butcher paper you can use drawing paper or even coffee paper.
- After that Take the EZ press and heat it up to 400 degrees.
- Once your EZ press is hot we’re going to place another sheet of butcher paper right on the top and then press this for about 15 seconds on your design.
- We are gonna place it facedown on our t-shirt and you can kind of see through the copy paper so you can have it nice and straight.
- Align the design properly. For kids’ shirts go about two fingers down from the neckline and then you’ll just want to make sure that it’s equal on both sides of the image.
- After placing the design use heat resistant tape to tape down your image.
- Then cover the design with butcher paper once again using your easy press.
- You have to make sure to avoid the neckline right up at the top.
- Then place your easy press over the image and press for 60 seconds. Use a little bit of pressure
- After you’re done pressing you have to peel the papers off.
If you followed the instructions properly then a nice design should be on your T-shirt. If there are any lines or gaps in the design then follow the above process again.
So, here is our custom sublimation on a regular HP printer. In this process, there is no cutting machine required
Lastly, let’s have a look at some frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use an HP Officejet for Sublimation?
Yes, you can use an HP Officejet for sublimation. The HP Officejet has a variety of features that make it a great option for sublimation printing. The printer has a high-resolution printing option that allows you to create clear, crisp images. It also has a large paper tray that can hold up to 250 sheets of paper, making it a great option for large jobs. Additionally, the printer is compatible with a variety of software programs, making it easy to create designs for sublimation printing.
2. Can You Use Sublimation Paper In An Inkjet Printer?
The short answer to this question is yes, you can use sublimation paper in an inkjet printer. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before doing so.
First, you need to make sure that your printer is capable of printing with sublimation inks. Not all inkjet printers are capable of this, so you’ll need to check your printer’s specifications before purchasing any sublimation paper.
Second, you need to make sure that the paper you are using is specifically designed for sublimation printing. Not all paper is created equal, and using the wrong kind of paper can result in poor print quality.
Finally, you need to make sure that your printer is set up to print in reverse. This is because sublimation inks are designed to be printed on the underside of the paper.
3. Can you use a Cricut for Sublimation?
Yes, but there are a few things you need to know before you get started. A Cricut can be used to create designs for sublimation, but you will need to use a special blade to cut the vinyl. The vinyl can then be used to create shirts, hats, or any other item that you want to print with a sublimated design.
Final Words
I have tried to describe how to convert HP printer to sublimation printer as simply as possible. Let me know in the comments if you try out this process.
We hope you have found it useful. At first, you may find the process a little bit tricky. But after some time, the whole process will become a piece of cake for you. There will be no point of questioning of can you use an HP printer for sublimation.
That’s all for today. Thanks for staying with us till here. Have a very nice day!
