Best Printer For Heat Transfer T-Shirts & Paper | Affordable Inkjet

You can use any inkjet printer for heat transfer t-shirts and paper printing. But how do you know which inkjet printers provide exceptional printing performance within an affordable price tag? To contribute to the current US$44.56BN t-shirt printing industry, you need the best printer for heat transfer t-shirts that provide versatility, outstanding print quality, and tremendous low cost per print.

That is why we considered 25 inkjet and 6 laser printers for heat transfer t-shirts during our testing phase and chose the 9 best inkjet printers for heat transfer paper. Therefore, we came to know that Epson ET-2850 and ET-15000 are the best when it comes to low-cost printing and convenience with high-quality results. Also Canon IP8720 for providing extremely vivid prints.

Best Printer For Heat Transfer T-shirts | Epson, Canon, HP, Brother

We’ve done extensive research when choosing these printers to provide you with the best printing experience.

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Here is the list.

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1. Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Wireless Color All-in-One

Affordable Price With Low Running Cost

The best product for the home t-shirt business, an Ecotank Epson printer has won our top pick because of the low cost per print, best print quality, and compact size. Featuring a remarkably superior construction yet compact body, I was able to adjust it on my craft table. From unboxing to setup to connecting with my operating systems including Mac and Windows took only half an hour.

Cartridge-Free Solution

The Epson ET-2850 features innovative cartridge-free ink tanks that eliminate the need to replace cartridges frequently, leading to a low cost per print. The Ecofit ink bottles with the package were super convenient and the ink tank levels can be easily determined without opening the printer preference or any app.

Adequate Paper Capacity

The paper handling capacity is 100 sheets and that is enough for printing heat transfer paper initially. The maximum print size is legal paper size so you can print wide prints too. The printing speed is not admirable however, it has a passable print speed of up to 10 ppm monochrome and 5 ppm color.

But your patience will not get dusted because the print quality will come out filled with enriched colors with deep details in every inch of the design. After testing with small-sized images, my cost per print was 0.9 cents which is a plus point.

Further, the control panel can be tilted easily for standing users but the downside is the small LCD but it has great visuality. Connectivity was traditional which is built-in wifi, and USB, while Ethernet was missing.

No matter if you’re working from a laptop, PC, mobile, or tablet, connecting your gadgets with the printer will be effortless to execute heat transfer designs. Epson’s mobile printing app adds an extra level of convenience, giving you the freedom to print on the go.

Comparing With ET-15000

When it comes to affordability then there is no comparison between ET-2850 and ET-15000. ET-2850 is compact, lightweight, and affordable too compared with the ET-15000. But ET-15000 is also our top pick because it is more convenient than ET-2850.

Because ET-2850 doesn’t support an auto document feeder scanning of the documents can be done with a flatbed scanner. And if you want to print 13×19 inches prints for more versatile t-shirts then you should get ET-15000. But if your printing designs are small then ET-2850 is to go ahead with. Also, ET-2800 has a relatively slower printing speed than ET-15000. If budget is not your primary concern then go ahead with ET-15000.

Our T-shirt Printing Experience

I started heat transfer t-shirt printing immediately after setting up and filling the ink tanks of the printer. The paper assembly for heat transfer paper as well as printable heat transfer vinyl was convenient and the results after heat pressing were awesome. From paper size to print quality, I was satisfied with this affordable printer. However, I found that printing color paper can be slower when it comes to large-sized designs.

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2. Epson EcoTank ET-15000

Reliable And Versatile

Having a reliable printer and cost-efficient printer in this fast-paced era is essential to printing various types of paper. The unmatching performance and reliability of this printer clearly left all the other heat transfer printers behind. First of all, the printer seems robust but compact too as I didn’t get much difference in height compared to the ET-2850 but yes, it is wider than the 2850.

The Ecotank system and ink filling were relatively similar to the ET-2850, and the setup was also like a blink of an eye.

Super-Tabloid Printing T-shirts

The surprising part is its auto document feeder, which is able to print 8.5×14 inches which meets the level of a handsome heat transfer business. Because you can print multiple pages simultaneously having wide designs for versatile t-shirt printing. Additionally, its rear tray can handle 13×19 inches of paper.

The Great Paper Capacity

In addition, the paper drawer was also sufficient for me as it can hold 250 sheets which is a decent amount. Moreover, I also tested the various sizes of papers effectively, so this printer got me covered with its versatility.

Professional-Grade Prints

While the Epson 15000 is also designed to meet the level of professional-grade prints. Delivering professional-grade prints with stunning clarity and precision, the ET-15000 is equipped with precision-powered technology which produces incredibly precise prints and gradients with accurate dots.

With its seamless connectivity, I connected my Macbook and PC, and printed documents from my phone and tablet. Utilized Epson’s IPrint app, Mopria, and Airprint including. Also, Ethernet was handy when I performed tests with PowerPoint for monochrome and transfer paper printing for color.

Time is of the Essence

Another bright side I got is its printing speed, you should goodbye the slow prints because the printer can print at impressive speeds up to 15 ppm black and white and 8 ppm colorful prints.

Comparing With Canon IP8720

If I compare the cost per print of both printers, ET-15000 wins to provide the low cost per print. As I printed super tabloid with both printers. But ET-15000 provided me with 6.5 cents per page which is relatively cheaper than Canon IP8720. Because ET-15000 utilizes ink reservoirs which are cartridge-free printing.

Also, the auto document feeder is a plus point here. However, the downside is the buying price but it justifies the outcome.

Our Heat Transfer T-shirt Printing Experience

I intended to print 13×19 inches large transfer paper for my husband and brother Ryan’s t-shirts so I utilized the rear paper tray. However, I cut out the borders because it can print 11×17 borderless prints.

With the same designs, I chose the different transfer papers with this printer, Ryan’s shirt was a light color and my husband’s shirt was a dark color. So both types of papers were printed effectively with stunning graphics.

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3. Canon IP8720 Wireless Printer – Best For T-Shirts

Print With More Colors

Being an avid enthusiast of t-shirt printing, I always love to print images with a particular printer that supports more than 4 ink colors. Because manufacturers always produce such versatile printers having more ink cartridges for enriched graphics. With affordable pricing, Canon IP8720 is the crafters’ pleased printer.

Space Saving Design

When unboxing the printer, the compact design caught my eye, effortlessly set up the printer, and installed cartridges. It’s not just the printer’s aesthetics that blended into my desk. However, the printer’s print quality was outstanding, producing prints with maximum resolution up to 9600 x 2400. It produced images like fine art prints, with exceptional clarity, and sharpness.

Extra-Ordinary Print Quality

The extra number of cartridges played a crucial role, cartridges’ colors include Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Pigment black, and Gray. More ink cartridge colors mean more sophisticated outputs.

The Downside

The printer’s control panel wasn’t modernized, missing the color display so ET-15000 is better in terms of control panel. But Canon IP8720 is one step ahead when it comes to borderless photo printing in 13×19 inches. The printer can support various paper finishes for versatile tasks, allowing me to print photos, scrapbooks, multi-type heat transfer papers, and textures.

Fast-Paced Printing

The Canon IP8720 only features a single paper tray that can handle 150 sheets which is good enough. With the fast-paced printing, I didn’t wait long to come out the prints because it can support around 9 ppm color documents.

Connectivity options include PictBridge which allowed me to print the images directly from my Canon camera which I always take with me to capture nature, and then printing those images using Canon IP8720 to be framed or using them for my heat transfer designs. Other connectivity options are, LAN, wireless, and USB, with various operating systems.

Compared with Epson ET-8550

As I replaced the standard cartridges with XL, the cost per print for me was 8 cents relatively higher than ET-15000 and ET-8550. However, standard cartridges provided me with 12 cents. I replaced them because standard cartridges were running out of ink quickly and determining ink levels required my laptop to check, unlike ET printers.

I admire Epson’s ET-8550 which also supports 6 color inks and super tabloid printing, and also includes the 4” touchscreen display that Canon IP8720 lacks. In Addition, ET-8550 has a lower cost per print.

Our Experience With Printing T-shirts

Whether I’m printing on light or dark fabrics, the IP8720 ensures that my designs adhere seamlessly. The wide color gamut on the large-sized paper provided accurate and vibrant prints. Due to having highly detailed graphics, I got a bit high cost per print when printing 13×19 inches, which can be a downside for a newcomer.

Additionally, I didn’t get the auto document feeder so I manually fed the papers and printed them one by one. But overall, I was satisfied with this printer thus the outcome and the running cost justify the buying price.

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4. HP OfficeJet Pro 8035 All-in-One Wireless Printer

Compact Durable Body

A rapid printing printer with a lot of handy features packed in a single body. The HP Officejet Pro 8035 is 14% more compact than its predecessors, making it a perfect choice for every type of crafter. However, I found it a bit bulkier than our top pick ET-2850, and the body material was mediocre but much more durable according to the price.

When Compared With ET Printers

The printhead alignment can be a mess if you don’t know how to do it effectively on the HP printers. Although Epson printers are straightforward. The print quality was passable with great color accuracy it brings your designs to life with stunning clarity and vibrant colors. But print quality is not greater than Canon IP8720.

Rapid Printing

Though I printed mediocre-sized images, the surprising part is I got the printed images within the blink of an eye. Because the printer’s printing speed is awesome it is around 20 ppm black, and 10 ppm color.

I found the printing speed low in most of the cheap inkjet printers, but thanks to HP which offers significantly fast printing with great color accuracy even in their cheap printers.

Versatility

Heat transfer t-shirt printing was like a piece of cake, from paper capacity which is 150 to printing via auto document feeder, The printer provides ease in executing various tasks including, printing, on cardstock, heat transfer paper, plain paper, labels, and envelopes.

The Control Panel

One of the standpoints is its control panel, it didn’t feel like I was using a cheap printer’s LCD touchscreen. Besides that, I always love how HP has designed the instant ink subscriptions which never let my cartridge out of ink even if I intend to print regularly.

Further, the auto duplex function always serves you here if you print other types of documents besides heat transfers. The all-in-one economical printer serves you functions including printing, scanning, and copying via ADF as well as using a flatbed scanner.

Connectivity and compatibility are wide as the printer supports self-healing wifi so I didn’t care about any hassle of disconnections. USB ports, Ethernet networking, and Cloudprinting were also available.

Our Heat Transfer Printing Experience

The maximum print size is legal though I used the printer to print various sizes for my transfers. The cost per print was reasonable for small images less than legal. However, legal-size printing photos can be costly and ink may run out quickly. But thanks to the HP instant ink subscription.

I managed my heat transfer printing work with this printer exceptionally. Overall, the printer is a good fit if you don’t have a handsome budget to get started with t-shirt printing.

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5. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000

An exceptional printer by Epson that supports 6 color ink cartridges similar to the Canon IP8720. When it comes to printing professional photos in super tabloid size, look no further than the Epson XP-15000. At first glance, the printer had a compact body that caught my attention. Though I found it more compact than ET-15000  but similar in shape to Canon IP8720.

Initially, I got 6 cartridges with the printer, 4 were CMYK but they were specially designed for photos. Gray and red were added to provide a wide color gamut including the more rich and true to life colors. I also got 6 color ink cartridges with Canon IP8720, but those cartridges were not Photo HD cartridges that are provided with XP-15000.

I fed the 13×19-inch paper via the rear feed the same way I fed in the ET-15000, and the printed came out as described consumer-grade. The 200 plain paper handling capacity is also sufficient and 50 upfront sheet feed. The printer can print various sizes in borderless prints from small to super tabloid.

The photo printer never disappointed me when it comes to printing speed. Using Ethernet connectivity, I tested the printer using a Microsoft Word document for monochrome that determined 7.9 ppm, and super tabloid photos at 5 ppm.

The innovative control had the tilt option and LCD display which has mediocre size but no touchscreen so you can use buttons. The connectivity options are versatile is wireless and USB, and Ethernet were all exceptional for me during the testing phase. Other third-party apps can be connected like AirPrint, Mopria, Email print, and much more.

Epson’s IPrint app can be used either with iOS or Android and all Epson’s print apps are included. In addition, the Creative Print app allows you to create greeting cards, calendars, and much more.

Compared With Canon IP8720 And ET-15000

Well, Canon IP8720 and XP-15000 have many similarities including handling super tabloid size prints, more connectivity options, exceptional and precise printing colors and results than Canon IP8720, Both can only support printing, even though their price is similar.

But I’ll give 10 out of 10 to XP-15000 and 9 out of 10 points to Canon IP8720 when it comes to providing vivid gradients. Other than that, the Canon IP8720 is cheaper but the XP-15000 is exceptional and provides a modern control panel too.

While I found XP-15000 and ET-15000 similar in super tabloid printing, ET-15000 is more convenient due to ADF, fast printing, all-in-one features, and more paper capacity. Despite that, XP-15000 is designed to provide enhanced colors than ET-15000. Overall, I recommend those 3 printers according to the needs.

Our Heat Transfer Printing Experience

To be honest, I’m a die-hard fan of this printer for heat transfer printing. I found its inkjet printhead has twice the number of traditional nozzles which means 90 but this printer has 180 nozzles which pressurize the tiny droplets precisely. Now you can have an idea therefore, I printed denser images with the better color gamut and rich hued.

But the downside is its cost per print which is significantly high due to printing detailed photos. However, I really don’t pay attention to the cost per print when a particular printer is providing me with the desired quality that I need. Color printing cost me 13.9 cents which is almost double of the ET-15000 and Canon IP8720.

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6. Canon G7020 All-in-One Printer Home Office – For Printable Vinyl

If you want an alternative to the Epson’s Ecotank series in a different brand then Canon G7020 is a great way to unleash your creativity. Because Canon G7020 is also equipped with Megatank ink reservoirs preventing the frequent replacement of ink cartridges.

An upgraded version of G6020, with having an auto document feeder difference I preferred an upgraded version. The Canon G7020 is a versatile printer capable of doing all-in-one tasks, printing, copying, scanning, and faxing.

Unlike Epson ET printers, Canon is more efficient and budget-saving, Why!! Because I always get 4 CMYK ink bottles with ET printers, whereas Canon provided me with 6 ink bottles. Out of 6, 3 were CMY and 3 were black, thanks to the Canon. Which means I got enough black ink with the printer.

During tests for printing heat transfer vinyl printing and scanning, I felt its control panel was congested with a lot of buttons and I was like it’s a decade-old control panel. A typical keypad consists of 10 keys, a start and stop button, navigational buttons, and a monochrome display.

Apart from the old-fashioned control panel, I found the printer’s performance is one step ahead whether providing the convenience of sheet feeding or making heat transfer vinyl prints for t-shirts.

The sheet feeding mechanism can handle 350 sheets but is split into parts including 250 sheets and 100 sheets. One of the rear trays and the second is upfront. However, in the upfront tray, I found an additional paper tray specially designed for snapshot-sized photos.

The print quality I got was similar to the Ecotank series printers and HP’s smart tank printers with a resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 maximum. I tested the maximum print size of heat transfer paper for my light-colored t-shirt, and it churned out to be impressive with detailed prints. However, I won’t give it priority over Canon IP8720 and Epson XP-15000 in terms of printing quality.

Printing speed was something that was a bad sight for me because the 12-page Word document churned out at 4.5 ppm but not at the default setting which is 9. Although color printing speed was much improved with the significant difference of 14 ppm at default settings.

Our Heat Transfer Printing Experience

I captured the images of my family from my Canon camera and directly printed them using Canon G7020. I also used to print via my smartphone and PC. The captured images came out exactly what I needed and I was satisfied with the color accuracy.

Apart from that, the surprising part is its cost per print which is relatively similar to the Ecotank series. Therefore, I churned out a lot of pages including color and monochrome before the refilling of ink tanks was needed.

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7. HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw Printer

If you want a laser printer to get started with heat transfer t-shirt printing then HP LaserJet Pro M454dw is here to serve you with the best printing experience. Equipped with CMYK toner cartridges, you can print on laser heat transfer paper in vivid colors. Out of the box, I felt the printer is heavy-duty packed in a durable body that can last for a decade.

The control panel was handy featuring a large size LCD touchscreen up to 2.7 inches with a tilting option. I’d only suggest this printer to you if you have strong purchase power along with handsome bucks to run a high-level business.

 Apart from that, the machine is just a piece of cake for printing a large amount of paper on a regular basis. Along with that, the monster printing speed is another functionality that I observed 28 ppm color pages, which adds value for the money.

When it comes to print quality, the color laser printer never disappoints us. Whether I’m printing t-shirts, graphs, envelopes, cardstock, labels, or glossy paper, the printer consistently prints the images with decent outputs. In addition, if you want to execute office work then you should not miss its auto duplex function.

As the body is much bulkier and heavyweight, I got a paper capacity of 300 sheets split into two parts, 50 sheet capacity is for special media and 250 can be utilized for plain paper printing. If the capacity is not enough for you then you can have an additional tray for $199 that can extend the paper capacity up to 550.

Moreover, an auto document feeder was additional to maximize the workflow when executing the office work. However, I only utilized the scan option from the ADF because I printed legal-sized heat transfer paper for t-shirts. As the printer is heavy-duty it is designed to be power efficient which helps to reduce power consumption.

Security of your device is always a concern if you’ve your private office work or customized design. Thanks to HP which has introduced a strong security layer for their equipment to take care of privacy. Robust connectivity is always crucial when it comes to printing from mobile or other devices. Although I always prefer to use Ethernet which is present in the printer.

Other than that, you can use wireless and USB connectivity to connect your gadgets including smartphones, PC, and laptops regardless of the operating system.

Our Heat Transfer Printing Experience

Somehow the running cost was also high, I got standard cartridges with the package and then I moved to XL. Though XL cartridges provide value for money a newcomer won’t be able to bear the expenses. So if you’re working on the commercial level then you should look into this printer.

As the running cost was high I cannot expect a low cost per print for heat transfer prints. I usually got 14 cents per page when I intended to print colorful paper. I found LaserJet Pro M454dw is best for monochrome printing because of having a low cost per print. But overall, the output quality satisfied me, from printing speed to paper handling, the printer is recommended.

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8. Brother MFC-J805DW

The Brother MFC-J805DW is an all-in-one multi-functional printer that is suitable for mediocre business levels. The printer is really worth the price and you won’t need to get the ink for about 6 months if you print a moderate number of color sheets. However, my testing methodology is to use Ethernet but this option is missing in the Brother MFC-J805DW.

The body weight of this printer was similar to our 4th top printer HP Officejet Pro 8035 with only 1 pound heavier than 8035. I found both printers offer similar features along with Canon’s TR8520. 

With a paper capacity of 150 sheets, the MFC-J805DW is passable for printing moderate printing tasks. The 20-sheet auto document feeder is also available with a manual duplex scan. Moreover, the printer is equipped with a flatbed scanner having high resolution.

The control panel is busy and filled with buttons and a numerical keypad which I also found in Canon’s G7020, but MFC-J805DW has a colorful display, unlike Canon’s G7020. Right after that, you’ll find multifunctional buttons for navigation and other sort of work.

Printing speed is adequate not too slow or too fast for both color and monochrome which rated 12 ppm monochrome and 6 ppm color. I didn’t get the Ethernet so I preferred USB over wireless connectivity due to having more stability.

I also tested the photo-sized prints with the maximum resolution and settings, it took more than a minute to print the snap-shot-sized image but the result of the image was worth considering. The snap-shot printing speed is much slower than Canon’s G7020 and other AIO printers in this range. So I prefer Canon G7020 if you want a bit of fast printing.

Our Heat Transfer Printing Experience

Despite being a cartridge printer, the cost per print was something that I consider the plus point of this printer. Although I rarely get cost per print under 1 cent in cartridge printers when it comes to printing monochrome or color outputs. So if you want great color accuracy with low cost per print as Canon G7020 and ET printers, but a cartridge printing system then you should opt for MFC-J805DW.

Other than a bit slow printing speed and old fashioned numeral pad on the control panel, I didn’t get any major flaw in the printer thus the printer can be efficiently used for various tasks like transfer paper printing, Excel charts, Powerpoint documents, PDF files, and much more.

What is the page yield of the ink cartridges for this printer?

The ink cartridges that come with the packages are enough to provide a significant amount of paper for even a year. As the printer is INKvestment you can expect 5,000 to 6,000 pages.

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9. Canon G3260 All-in-One Printer

An alternative to the Canon G7020 but with less number of features though has a more affordable price tag. A reliable and affordable printer, Canon G3260 is equipped with multifunctions at a passable level but best choice for home t-shirt business as well as office printing. Offering a compact design more than the G7020, the G3260 is one step down in performance compared to the G7020.

With the ink refilling and cartridge-free system I felt like I was filling in an Ecotank printer but thanks to Canon, both Megatank printers provide more ink than Epson. The ink is visible in the tanks so I don’t usually approach my smartphone for checking ink levels.

But its immense compatibility is a plus point with multiple software and apps including Mopria, Airprint, Canon print app, Mac, and Windows. The two-line monochrome LCD display is on top of the printer as it didn’t have any tilting control panel. 

The paper capacity is not designed for heavy printing tasks which are only 100 sheets the same as ET-2850 which is adequate if I keep an eye on the price. Speed is also average with only 6 ppm color but worth it. Missing an auto document feeder, the G3260 is equipped with a flatbed scanner that allows you to easily scan documents or photos.

The maximum print size is typical which is legal size with the border documents and borderless size can be printed up to 8.5 x 11 inches. I also printed the borderless images for my transfers and the results were no doubt superb. My favorite connectivity which I always utilize is Ethernet was missing so I chose USB in compulsion. 

Our Heat Transfer Printing Experience

At our creative studio, I tested with the Canon G3260 and it worked efficiently, delivering excellent print quality and sharp results. The colors appeared vibrant and true to the original design that was designed, which was essential for achieving the desired prints. We were impressed by the sharpness and details. Even after several washes, the color remained consistent.

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What Is The Best Printer For Heat Transfer T-shirts

Epson ET-15000 and ET-2850 are the best because they provide a significantly low cost per print without compromising on output quality. Featuring ink tanks, preventing the need for cartridge replacement. In addition, Canon G7020 is also the best choice to be used for heat transfer t-shirt printing, it does add value to your printing by providing a lot of ink with the package.

Also, G7020 does support mega ink tanks so it is also a viable choice for executing various tasks. If you want a printer that delivers exceptional results with crisp and saturated images then Canon’s IP8720 is the best choice to get started, because it does support 6 color ink cartridges similar to the Epson Expression Photo HD 15000. So it depends on the individual’s needs to choose the best choice. 

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What Kind Of Printer Do You Need For Heat Transfer Paper (Factors To Consider)

Whether you’re creating personalized t-shirts, custom stickers, or unique paper crafts, printing on cardstock, having the right type of printer can make a significant difference in the quality and longevity of your prints.

1. Why Inkjet Is Recommended

Inkjet printer is widely used to print heat transfer paper and is known for high-quality prints due to utilizing liquid ink type. In addition, the ink droplet spraying mechanism plays a crucial role in providing vivid and detailed prints. Inkjet printer paper is commonly used for t-shirt printing since inkjet printer is versatile and can handle various types of paper to get printed.

A regular printer is enough to handle your heat transfer printing tasks with ease. Inkjet printers are less expensive when it comes to buying but their running cost can be a bit high if you get a cartridge printer. Gone are the days when crafters used to replace the cartridges too frequently.

Thanks to the modern Era, all the well-known brands like Epson, Canon, and HP have introduced versatile reservoir printers that only need to refill the ink when they run out of ink. Without compromising on quality, an inkjet printer is a choice that adds value to your business.

Laser Printers

Unlike inkjet printers, laser printers are fast but noisy. Laser printers are capable of printing more pages and are more robust than inkjet printers. Typically, they don’t get clogged printheads like inkjet printers. But the fact is they are more expensive and heavyweight toner cartridges can be expensive too but they can yield thousands of pages before replacing toners.

2. Ink Consumptions (Continuous Ink Supply Or Cartridge Printing)

Mainly, inkjet printers are split into two types, one is an ink cartridge system and the second is a CISS or continuous ink supply system also referred to as ink tank models.

CISS ink system can also be installed on a cartridge printer via external tubes. The external ink tanks are installed in a printer via the tubes and the printer uses external ink tanks instead of ink cartridges.

This way the setup tends to provide a continuous flow of ink to the printer when you tend to print a higher number of documents. You’ll only need to fill the external ink tanks when they run out similar to the Ecotank and Megatank printer models. However, the CISS ink system requires proper maintenance and setup for flawless ink flow.

Cartridge printing is commonly used for inkjet printers and is like ink boxes with a little ink. When they run out, they are either replaced or refilled. However, individual cartridges are recommended for t-shirt printing. Some low-priced printers like under $100 $150 and $200 also have tri-color cartridges which cost more than the cheap printers when replaced.

3. What Kind Of Ink Is Best For T-shirts, Paper, and Printable Vinyl

Inkjet printers support several types of ink including Dye based and Pigment. Pigment ink is known for its tremendous durability and longevity. Above all, it is commonly used for heat transfer printing on paper and printable vinyl. The t-shirts printed with pigment ink will last up to 50 washes with proper washing care.

The regular ink that comes with the printers is typically pigment ink. Some printers may not be compatible with pigment ink printing But I suggest choosing an inkjet printer that supports pigment inks.

4. Print Speed Matters For Productivity

What if you get a cheap printer that is printing 1 page per minute? Heat transfer t-shirt printing will require congested prints with deep colors thus cheap printers will print the deep designs in minutes. So it is recommended to choose a printer that minimum prints 5 colored pages in a minute. This way your productivity and time will be consistent.

5. Printing Format Size For Large Sized Designs

Legal size or 8.5×14 inches paper format is best for large-sized designs. However, tabloids and super tabloids may be used for extra-large t-shirts or extremely large heat transfer designs. Lightweight and cheap printers are always limited when it comes to paper format and size printing. 

Therefore, it is recommended to get a printer that is able to print large formats according to an individual’s needs. Secondly, you should not get a printer that supports a low number of papers, this will lead to the frequent filling of the paper drawer.

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What Type Of Heat Press Machine Should I Use With These Printers?

A heat press is a crucial piece of equipment for transferring the design onto the t-shirts. A Cricut Easy press or a flat surface heat press is the best to use with transfer prints. Make sure the heat press has these options.

If you really want the best heat press then here are some of the suggestions.

An HTVRONT heat press is portable and can be used for versatile tasks. With even pressure, you can adjust its settings and pressure. It is relatively best for heat transfer paper, HTV, and other sorts of transfers.

If you want sight for sore eye printings then you should get an automatic HTVRONT heat press. Among all these heat presses, this heat press is my favorite because it eliminates my efforts of pushing the heat press handle. Therefore, the heat press will be pushed down automatically when you place the iron board inside and press “R”.

You won’t need to adjust the pressure because this machine will automatically adjust according to the thickness of the substrate. Lastly, it will release the heat pressing once the time is up.

A typical heat press with handle and surface area. Built with a steel frame to be sturdier. Easy to use with temperature and pressure adjustment.

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What Kind Of Heat Transfer Paper Should I Use With Heat Transfer Papers

Mainly, you can use two types of heat transfer papers. Inkjet and laser. As the name suggests inkjet paper which is tends to be used with inkjet printers and is versatile. Whereas laser printer is specialized for the particular laser printer.

Secondly, heat transfer paper is available for particular types of fabric. This means if you want to print color articles then you should use heat transfer paper which is specifically designed for light-colored garments. And if you want to print dark colors then you should the paper for dark colors.

Here are some of the suggestions for heat transfer paper and heat transfer vinyl.

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Should I Use A Cutter Or Plotter For Cutting

Cutting the edges of the heat transfer paper is a good practice because you’ll get smooth surroundings. Otherwise, the surrounding area of the heat transfer paper will also get transferred. But if you use a self-weed transfer paper then you won’t need a plotter. You’ll have two options for cutting that are.

When it comes to Printable vinyl printing then you must need to use a vinyl plotter and a mask to make the design visible.

Here are some viable choices.

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What Kind Of Iron Should I Use With Heat Transfer Paper

If you don’t have a handsome budget to get started with t-shirt printing then quitting a heat press and opting for iron, to start at a beginner level or making t-shirts for home is a viable option.

You can press the transfer paper with iron on but it might not indicate the proper pressure and time. So you can use a timer for this purpose.

But if you’re unsure about the time and pressure then you can get this mini heat press which has a relatively similar price to a household iron. Moreover, it has a decently larger press area than an Iron.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I design my own heat transfers?

To design your heat transfers, use graphic design software such as Photoshop or any other software that you’re familiar with. Create the custom design that you like or you can download it from any free resource, ensuring that it fits within the dimensions of your heat transfer paper and according to the size of the t-shirt.

Once your design is ready, print it onto the heat transfer paper using a printer that you’ve selected from the above list, heat press it, and your transfer is ready.

Can I use these printers for heat transfer printing on dark-colored fabrics?

Yes, you can use these printers for heat transfer printing on dark-colored fabrics. However, it’s important to use heat transfer paper specifically designed for them. Dark transfer paper includes a white background layer that allows the colors of the design to stand out on dark materials.

Can I use these printers for other printing tasks besides heat transfer printing?

Yes, these are the regular printers so you can use them besides the heat transfer printing. You won’t need to convert them into a heat transfer printer as the sublimation process requires. These printers can handle different tasks including, printing documents, envelopes, cardstock, and labels. Just you need to make sure the proper settings are for a particular task.

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Final Takeaways

So we’ve thoroughly described the personal experience that we got when we tested these printers. Printartisty’s testing methodology depends on analyzing every aspect of the printer or a product.

So getting these printers for your crafting journey will help you profitably grow your business. Keep in mind the important factors including the type of heat transfer paper, running costs, affordability, and print quality when getting a printer for your best business.