Recently, everyone is trying to convert a regular printer into a sublimation printer, so I have decided to give it a try, as well. And it was much easier than I thought and did not take much time to complete. So, let’s get started and learn how to convert an Epson Eco-tank printer into a sublimation printer.
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Supplies needed to convert an Eco-Tank into a Sublimation Printer
This is a whole new area of crafting, so all new supplies are needed.
- Epson Eco-Tank Printer – the model of the printer does not matter, so long as it is an Eco-Tank, and so long as it does not come with ink pre-filled. I have the Epson Eco-Tank ET-2850
- Sublimation ink – I use this Hiipoo sublimation ink from amazon.
- syringe
- needle for syringe
- gloves
- Space for a new printer
- About 30 minutes.
Let’s start converting our printer into a sublimation printer
Open the Epson Printer
Once you have your printer, it is time to open up the box! This is always fun!
Following the instructions for the start-up is best, as it will walk you through the proper setup and calibration of the printer heads. The only difference is that you will need to use different ink. And not the ink provided with the printer.
During setup stop at the ink installation part, and DO NOT use the ink provided!
Open up the sublimation ink package
The ink that I use, the Hiipoo Sublimation ink, comes with a set of syringes and needles to help transfer the ink from the ink bottle into the printer.
Starting with the black ink, assemble the syringe and needle, and put it into the black ink bottle. Be careful not to spill the ink. If you insert the needle far enough, it will seal the bottle, and you can flip the bottle upside down to help pull the ink into the syringe, not just air.
When the syringe is full, pull it out of the ink bottle and gently insert it into the black ink port. The needle will only go into the plastic open port. It will not go into the tank, so do not try pushing it in. Gently start to push the syringe to allow ink to flow out. Keep this at a slow pace so as not to spill ink all over. Once the syringe is empty, repeat the step until the tank is full.
You will then repeat this process for each color. You do not want to mix syringes and needles. Use a separate one for each color. If you do not, you will have a color that is not perfect.
Make sure you are paying attention to the fill level on the tank. The black ink tank is larger than the other 3, so it will take more ink. The Yellow, Cyan, and Magenta tanks will be full, but there will still be leftover ink in your bottles. If you overfill, it will spill out. So keep an eye on this.
Finish Printer Setup
Now that your tanks are full of ink, you are ready to finish the printer calibration.
That’s is! You’re done! You Now have a Sublimation Printer!
Check out my video on how to convert this eco-tank into a sublimation printer
Frequently asked questions about converting printers into sublimation printers
Can I use a sublimation printer for normal printing?
Yes, you can use normal paper and print regular print jobs. Just keep in mind that they will not be as vibrant as they would be with a normal printer. Sublimation ink is very vibrant after it has been transferred and heated.
There is no harm in using your sublimation printer to print.
Can I convert my sublimation printer back to normal afterwards?
No, you can not. Once you have converted your printer into a sublimation printer, it can only be a sublimation printer. The ink will have penetrated all of the tanks, hoses, and heads in the printer, that cannot be cleaned.
What Epson Printers can be converted to sublimation printers?
The model of the printer does not matter, so long as it is an Eco-Tank, and so long as it does not come with ink pre-filled. I have the Epson Eco-Tank ET-2850, but this will work with any Epson Eco-Tank.
What happens if my printer breaks?
Sadly, after converting your regular printer into a sublimation printer, you will not have warranty coverage on the printer any longer.
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