The textile printing industry is migrating from traditional analog printing systems to newer digital printing systems, and demand for dye-sublimation inkjet printers in particular is expected to soar. In sublimation transfer printing, an image is printed on a sheet of transfer paper using sublimation ink. That image is then transferred to a polyester fabric by using heat to vaporize the ink. Since it is a digital process, no printing plates are needed. The printing process is simple and well-suited to high-mix, low volume print jobs. Inkjet sublimation printers can render high-quality output with beautiful gradations, making them a great choice for a wide range of applications, from sportswear and apparel to banners, flags, and promotional items.

At the heart of the 64-inch-wide SureColor SC-F7000 and 44-inch-wide SureColor SC-F6000 is a Micro Piezo print head, the core component in Epson's unique Micro Piezo inkjet technology. This print head is ideal for sublimation transfer printing because it does not use heat during printing and the ink is not vaporized within the head. Taking advantage of this feature of its inkjet technology, Epson launched sales of the SureColor SC-F7000 and SC-F6000 sublimation transfer printers at the end of the 2012 fiscal year. The company's aim was to address the needs of the textile printing industry as it migrates to digital printing systems and to meet expanding demand for sublimation transfer printers.

The mechanism of sublimation transfer. The sublimation transfer process is performed using a separate transfer system from the printer.

SureColor SC-F7000 and SC-F6000

Epson developed every component used in the SureColor SC-F7000 and SC-F6000. This enabled Epson to optimize the ink, print head, and ink supply system and ensure high reliability and maximum uptime

Epson printers are trusted by countless home users who rely on their Epson product to print photographs, but they have also garnered immense trust in the world of professional photography. We have succeeded in porting this same high-quality to our sublimation transfer printers, which are even being used in the sportswear and apparel industries, where faithful color reproduction and image quality are absolutely critical.

High-capacity ink tank system

It is not unusual for a textile printing firm to print in high volume, with its printers operating around the clock. That is why we equipped these SureColor printers with a convenient high-capacity ink tank system. The ink tank system not only keeps the cost of ownership down, but it also significantly improves user convenience by allowing the ink tanks to be refilled from ink packs while the printer is operating. Unlike an ordinary printer, you do not have to interrupt printing or replace ink cartridges.

Ink packs for refilling the high-capacity ink tank system

Epson is confident that the SureColor SC-F7000 and SC-F6000 are the best solution for sublimation transfer printer users.