Printer for Transfers

[Guest]

After a very unpleasant dealing with 2 transfer makers, I have decided I would like to just print my own.

 

So with that it mind I would like to get a printer. :)

 

Can anyone recommend a printer for a reasonable price.

 

Its  sole job will be Transfers and maybe the odd address label :)

[Carlson793]

Just about any major brand printer will do, though customer reviews will be a critical factor in choice - other folks have done that research by trial and error. Just make sure there are still drivers for your OS - nothing worse than buying a refurbished printer that won't run under Windows 10.

 

It doesn't take much really - just about any printer will do, as long as you acknowledge the limitations of each. For example, no desktop printer that's both under $3,500/£2,475 and still supported will be able to print the color white.

 

I'd go for a laser printer over inkjet. Both can handle transfers well, but a laser printer will give you crisper results. Also, a color printer will give you more utility than a black/white one (cause, you know, it let's you print color decals). The main thing to watch out for when using a laser printer, however, is to only print a couple sheets at a time, allowing the printer to rest for a while - the printer needs to cool down between jobs so it doesn't melt the decal medium. 

 

As far as your decal media, remember to get the right paper for the printer you're using (inkjet vs laser) and the job you're printing (clear paper vs white). 

 

Clear paper is great for dark decals or decals going on light/white surfaces. Be aware, however, that a color decal going on a color surface will combine the two colors, so a blue decal going on a yellow surface will be green. You can get around this by putting a thin layer of white paint where the decal will lay so it retains its color (BKZero did a great tutorial on using decals for banners that demonstrates this).

 

Using white paper, you run into the issue of having to trim your decal very closely to reduce/eliminate the white of the paper around your image. The best way to get around that issue is to print your decal with a background close to the color the decal is going to lie on. After the decal's applied, use your background paint to blend the decal into the surface.

[Guest]

What do you think of this Canon i-SENSYS LBP-7010C would it be up to the task?

[Carlson793]

What do you think of this Canon i-SENSYS LBP-7010C would it be up to the task?

 

Without actually seeing it in action, I can't say. The reviews I'm seeing seem to be positive, with the only negative one I've seen relating to getting it to work with a Mac. One thing to watch out for: toner cartridges. If you buy manufacturer cartridges, it gets very expensive very quickly. If, however, you can find a reputable generic/refurb cartridge seller, you can cut that cost by 4 (important when you consider you'll be buying 4 cartridges for this, not 1). Shop around on Amazon; that's almost always the cheapest route for toner.

[old git]

Without getting into specific makes, when I have made my own transfers I took advantage of my partners office printer which was a laser printer. The resulting prints don't need varnishing or any kind of treatment.