Sublimation vs. Inkjet: Which Printer Is Best For Artists?

Sublimation vs. Inkjet: Which Printer Is Best For Artists?

Artists today have more printing options than ever before, but choosing the right technology can impact everything, from colour gradience and detail accuracy to product durability and shelf life. Sublimation and inkjet printers each offer distinct advantages to creative professionals, along with particular disadvantages that they ought to take into consideration.

Whether you’re an artist focused on fine-art reproductions, textile design, true-to-life photocopying, or quickly rolled-out merchandise, understanding how these two methods differ and what each does best will help you invest in a printer that truly supports your creative workflow and artistic goals. Here is everything you need to know about sublimation versus inkjet printing, along with all their pros and cons.

What is Sublimation Printing?

Unlike traditional printing methods, sublimation printing uses heat and pressure to turn inks into gas, fusing with the printing medium. The design becomes one with the paper or fabric instead of lying on top of it, resulting in high-quality, vibrant prints that are significantly less prone to cracking or fading.

Dye sublimation printing requires special ink, transfer paper, a heat press, and a specialised printer. This process works best with synthetics like polyester but goes far beyond fabric, allowing customisation on metal, ceramic, and even mouse pads. The results are vibrant and long-lasting and don’t peel or fade, making them especially useful for artists. 

The Pros of Sublimation Printing

Sublimation printing is a truly impressive process that produces equally impressive results. Here are some of the benefits available to artists using a sublimation printer, either at home or in the studio.

Vibrant & Detailed

Sublimation printing can produce vibrant, detailed prints with sharp lines and unfaded colours. Depending on the surface of the material used, different effects can be achieved, thus adding an extra layer of customisation to print jobs. This makes sublimation ideal for printing on fabrics or recreating large-scale copies of detailed works.

Durable Quality

Unlike other ink cartridges, sublimation ink isn’t simply applied on top of paper. Instead, it sinks deep into the medium’s surface. This means a sublimation print won’t fade or wash off nearly as easily, lasting much longer than other types of prints.

Quick Printing!

Sublimation printing is quick! Because the printing process is mostly digital and doesn’t require a physical screen or plate, sublimation printers can quickly produce high-quality prints in shorter times that require less output and energy.

Eco-Friendly

The sublimation printing process is relatively eco-friendly. Unlike traditional printing methods that use water-based inks and solvents, sublimation printing uses dry inks that result in minimal waste and reduced environmental impact. You can also easily recycle sublimation ink cartridges with no extra steps or hassle.

The Cons of Sublimation Printing

While sublimation has its advantages, even the best sublimation printers have their own share of drawbacks. Here are a few sublimation printing cons that artists should take into consideration before buying their next printer. 

Material Limitations

Sublimation only works on specialised paper with specialised ink. This means there is not as much proprietary freedom available, so using third-party compatible cartridges may not always be an option. If you’re interested in printing on other materials like cotton, silk, or leather, sublimation won’t be the right choice for you. 

Base Colour Limitations

Sublimation can only really work well on white or blank surfaces, since sublimation inks cannot lighten a base colour. If you sublimate on a black fabric, for instance, then the dye will technically transfer, but you won’t be able to see the results. So while sublimation can produce striking prints, artists may find their base colour options limited when printing on premium paper. 

White Creasing

One well-known issue that can occur during sublimation printing is something called white creasing. White creasing sometimes happens when sublimating on a ready-made surface. The design sometimes won’t get printed properly on certain spots, leaving white streaks. Artists will want to be wary of this when working on certain projects. 

What is Inkjet Printing?

Inkjet printing is a type of printing process that uses tiny droplets of ink to create an image or text on a surface. Inkjet printers work by propelling cartridge ink through small nozzles onto the paper or canvas. They can produce high-quality prints and are widely used for both personal and professional printing applications. 

A high-quality inkjet printer allows artists to enjoy lifelike printing quality with its exceptional capacity to reproduce crisp black text and accurate tones or shading. Inkjet printers are also typically cheaper than laser printers, so you truly get more bang for your buck!

Fun fact: Most sublimation printers are actually—you guessed it—specialised inkjet printers! 

The Pros of Inkjet Printing

Inkjet printers allow for greater versatility and consistent quality output compared to other printers. Inkjet printers can produce high-quality prints with sharp and vibrant colours, from rich and deep blacks and whites to vibrant photographs. 

Here are some of the benefits available to artists who use the best inkjet printers available.

Versatility & Low Maintenance

Inkjet printers generally require less maintenance compared to other types, such as laser printers. They can also print on a wide range of materials, including paper, cardboard, canvas, and even fabric, providing many options for artists working across various mediums.

Cost-Effective

Inkjet printers are generally much more affordable than other types of printers, making them a good choice for home and small business users. There are often regular bundles and deals available that package inkjet printers with compatible cartridges, allowing many options for those printing and creating on a budget. 

Compact Size

Inkjet printers are available in many sizes, including smaller units that can fit right on someone’s desktop or dining room table. They are often more compact compared to other office printers, making them a good choice for artists with a limited workspace.

Energy Efficient

Many modern inkjet printers are designed to be energy efficient, making them a far more environmentally friendly choice. There are plenty of recycling and refurbishing programs available, and many brands offer an ink cartridge refill subscription service, too. 

The Cons of Inkjet Printing

Of course, like all printers, there are some expected disadvantages to using an inkjet for art projects. Here are some of the main cons when it comes to using an inkjet printer.

Lower Print Speed

Inkjet printers tend to have a slower print speed compared to faster printers, like sublimation and laser printers, which can be an issue if you have a large volume of printing to do.

Prone to Smudging

Inkjet prints can be prone to smudging if they get wet or are handled too soon after printing, similar to continuous ink printers. This can be an issue if you need to handle the prints shortly after printing.

Limited Lifespan

The prints produced by inkjet printers generally have a shorter lifespan compared to those produced by other printing technologies, such as laser printing. This can be an issue if you need your prints to last a long time. 

Which Printer Should An Artist Choose?

So, which type of printer should an artist choose to use? Well, it ultimately depends on many factors, such as what materials they hope to print, what mediums they want to use, and what their long-term goals are.

Choose Sublimation If You Are…

• An artist who wants to sell merchandise and print on non-paper materials.
  
  
• Focused on using colourful patterns, bold designs, or textiles.
  
  
• Interested in apparel, fabrics, stickers and labels, or other promotional products.

Choose Inkjet If You Are…

• A fine artist, illustrator, bookmaker, or photographer.
  
  
• Frequently selling high-quality art prints or detailed photographs.
  
  
• Someone who prioritises tonal accuracy and fine, close-up detail.

Choose Both If You Want to Maximise Your Art Business!

Many artists may find that using both sublimation and inkjet printing opens up the greatest number of creative and commercial possibilities. Inkjet is excellent at handling fine-art prints, photography, and book pages, whereas sublimation is far better suited to merchandise, apparel, and textile projects. 

This combination can give artists both artistic quality and commercial flexibility, especially for those who may want to grow their brand. If you’re someone who’s looking to master all aspects of artistic printing, then you may want to consider investing in both printing technologies or even an all-in-one multifunction printer. 

Buy Inkjet & Sublimation Printers Online at CartridgesDirect

Deciding between sublimation and inkjet printing ultimately comes down to the type of work you hope to create. Inkjet provides the precision, tonal depth, and versatility needed for fine-art prints, while sublimation delivers durability and vibrant colour for apparel, merchandise, and custom products. Many artists may benefit from using both, gaining the flexibility to print high-quality artworks and produce long-lasting merchandise all in the same studio setup.

Are you ready to elevate your printing setup? Explore all things sublimation and inkjet printing online at CartridgesDirect and choose the printer that matches your creative goals today.