Full Version: HP sublimation
From: Johnnyallaire [#1]
1 Mar 2007
To: ALL
Has anyone had experience with sublimation using the HP 4500 or 4550?
I used to do inkjet sub, but not enough to continue it, so ant suggestions about dry sub with HP?
EDITED: 2 Mar 2007 by DGL
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
2 Mar 2007
To: Johnnyallaire [#1] 7 Mar 2007
There are some, including myself who use the HP4550 for sublimation. I also use ink jet sublimation.
Depends what you want to use it for. Its (HP4550) strong point is for metal plates.
Ink jet sublimation is much more versatile.
If you comb through this folder, you'll find more discussions on the HP4550.
From: PenMan [#3]
2 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2] 2 Mar 2007
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#4]
2 Mar 2007
To: PenMan [#3] 2 Mar 2007
I do metal plates all the time with ink jet sublimation.
In the early stages of sublimation, laser toner sublimation (HP4550) was preferred for metal, due to blacker blacks and generally more opaque colors.
The new formulations of ink have shrunken that gap, to where the blacks are very credible.
I use gradients in some of my award plaque plates and ink jet, because it's a one-pass operation, (as opposed to toner being re-deposited on relatively small diameter rollers) renders smoother transitions.
It's also difficult to print onto white substares with the HP4550, because of backgrounding which is caused by a dusting of toner, across the page, which isn't evident, until after pressing.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#5]
2 Mar 2007
To: Johnnyallaire [#1] 7 Mar 2007
Johnny,
If I am not mistaken, and I very well might be, the HP uses sublimation "toners" ......which means that you cannot use the printer for any of your other general purpose day to day printing needs.
If you are looking to go the laser sublimation route, may I be so bold as to suggest OEM toners and transfer paper? That is the way I went, and I am pleased that I did.
Just my two cents. Want change?
From: Vicky (ANDERI) [#6]
2 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#5] 2 Mar 2007
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#7]
2 Mar 2007
To: Vicky (ANDERI) [#6] 2 Mar 2007
Having not used "sublimation toner" the question comes to mind is it easier to switch toner? Or paper?
Just curious.....
From: Vicky (ANDERI) [#8]
2 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#7] 2 Mar 2007
That's a good one. Some other questions that pop into my mind are:
- Which provides the better result (for the application)?
- Which weathers long periods of storage better?
- Which is less expensive overall?
I'd love to give the OEM transfer paper a try, but I don't have a colour laser printer yet, so it would seem like a waste while I still have much of my black sub cartridge left.
Having used only the toner (not the paper), I can only say that it's very easy to swap cartirdges out. Don't know if it's any more difficult than swapping paper. I think they'd be about the same, actually.
EDITED: 2 Mar 2007 by ANDERI
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#9]
2 Mar 2007
To: Vicky (ANDERI) [#8] 2 Mar 2007
Vicki, I think THAT is the topmost question, considering quality and service are the two most important factors. Great question.
If kept dry, I would think maybe the paper. But that is an assumption on my part based on my limited knowledge of toner shelf life.
I think the paper.
From: Vicky (ANDERI) [#10]
2 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#9] 2 Mar 2007
I think the paper.
Is there anyone here who's tried both? :S
EDITED: 2 Mar 2007 by ANDERI
From: Mick [#11]
2 Mar 2007
To: Vicky (ANDERI) [#10] 2 Mar 2007
From: Vicky (ANDERI) [#12]
2 Mar 2007
To: Mick [#11] 2 Mar 2007
How do they look & how durable are they on industrial (or sublimation trophy) plate?
Thanks, Mick! :-)
From: AL (SUBLIAL) [#13]
3 Mar 2007
To: Vicky (ANDERI) [#10] 4 Mar 2007
Vicki, One of the real positives of the laser sublimation toner and the OEM toners is the shelf life.
We manufacture the papers as well as the toners and both will give you excellent shelf life unless you put the papers in super hot and humid conditions that are unreasonable.
It is also easy to change out the drums and cartridges but the cost of the printers being so low now it is hardly resonable to not have both printers.
AL La Costa
www.atttransfer.com
1-866-900-2830
From: sprinter [#14]
3 Mar 2007
To: Vicky (ANDERI) [#12] 4 Mar 2007
Vicky,
I switched to OEM laser and have no regret at all, the durability is good. And did I say how much cheaper it is? You can buy a new OEM laser printer for less than the cost of a sub cartridge or a set of ink cartridges and you don't need coated material.
From: John (JOHNRMONTG) [#15]
5 Mar 2007
To: Johnnyallaire [#1] 7 Mar 2007
From: Johnnyallaire [#16]
7 Mar 2007
To: ALL