Printer Comparison Chart

Process

CMYK color Inkjet heat applied transfer coating on top of fabric material

Investment

Letter size printer $50-$150 Wide format (13" +) $300 / $1,200 +

Experience Level

Beginner

Type of Printing

Primarily T-shirts

Inks/Toner

Liquid Inks, replacements are inexpensive

Printer Maintenance

Ink cartridges exchanges

Paper Compatibility

Typically any Inkjet transfer paper will work

Set Up

Easy

Cost per Print

Letter size - $0.42-$0.56 / sheet

Print Speed

1 sheet / 1 - 2 minutes (Depending on printer quality)

Process

CMYK Laser heat applied transfer coating on top of fabric material

Investment

Printers - purchase $400 - $2,100 Copiers - lease (36-60 months) starting around $350.00 / month with est. $0.09 / copy

Experience Level

Intermediate

Type of Printing

T-shirts, Hard Goods

Inks/Toner

Powder Toner, Fuser or Non-Fuser

Printer Maintenance

Printer -Toner cartridge, Image Drums, Fuser unit / Copier - most leases include maintenance including toner depending on contract

Paper Compatibility

Selection is important.

Set Up

Settings are specific to each paper

Cost per Print

Letter size - $0.42-$0.56 / sheet

Print Speed

4 - 7 sheets / minute

Process

CMYW Laser heat applied transfer coating on top of fabric material

Investment

Letter size printer $3,395 Tabloid size printer $7,495

Experience Level

Intermediate - Advanced

Type of Printing

T-shirts, Hard Goods

Inks/Toner

Powder Toner, Fuser or Non-Fuser

Printer Maintenance

Toner cartridge, Image Drums, Fuser unit

Paper Compatibility

Selection is important.

Set Up

Settings are specific to each paper and the art files requires prepartions

Cost per Print

Letter size - $1.50-$2.25 / sheet

Print Speed

4 - 7 sheets / minute

Process

Heat applied CMYK Sublimation ink that penetrates the polyester material

Investment

Letter size printer $550 Tabloid size printer $1,625

Experience Level

Beginner - Intermediate

Type of Printing

Hard Goods , T-Shirts

Inks/Toner

Sublimation inks

Printer Maintenance

Ink cartridges exchanges & Ink Waste bin

Paper Compatibility

At times the correct color profile is important

Set Up

Easy

Cost per Print

Letter size - $0.50-$0.75 / sheet

Print Speed

1 sheet / 1 - 2 minutes (Depending on printer quality)