You should probably be here thinking or dreaming of printing your own paintings or illustration on stationaries, canvas or on any other materials like glass, cloths, tumblers. Getting to know about printers can be exhausting as there are too many printers and finding the difference between each printer can be a challenge. When it comes to crafting and creating stationery, the right printer can make all the difference. Whether you’re printing custom stickers, calendars, or even printing on canvas paper, selecting the perfect printer requires understanding your needs and the available options. This guide will help you navigate through the types of printers, their features, and what to consider when making your decision.
Basic Types of Printers for Crafting
Crafting involves diverse materials and printing requirements, so knowing the types of printers available is essential:
Photo Printers
- Designed to produce high-quality images on photo paper.
- Perfect for photos, calendars,photo stickers and decorative art prints.
- Recommended Option : epson 18050(A3+ size) or epson 8180 (A4 size).
- Epson 8180 can print on thick cardstock as well using the back slot. But we have to place them one by one. So if you are planning to print on bulk quantity, then it is better to outsource them rather than sitting behind the printer and inserting them one by one.
- Negative: In both these printers there are some black lines printed in the corner of the papers. I use them regularly to avoid getting these lines but I get them very often.
Other Printers:
Disclaimer: I have not used any of the below printers to recommend. So I just give basic information about them. I am putting out these information because it was difficult for me to understand the types as there are so many types.
1. UV Printers
- Prints directly on almost any surface, including wood, glass, plastic, and metal. However these printers does not come in cheaper price
- Great for creating personalized gifts and signage.
- Maintenance cost will be very high
2. UV DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printers
- Prints designs on a film that can be transferred to various surfaces like fabrics or glass. This is just stick and peal stickers. We don’t have to use any heat.
- Ideal for custom apparel and craft items.
- These films can be printed by outsourcing them to third party as these machines are costlier.
3. DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printers
- Prints designs onto a special film that is transferred to fabric using heat.
- Works well for creating custom T-shirts, tote bags, and other fabric items.
- Unlike sublimation, it can print on both light and dark fabrics, including cotton.
4. Sublimation Printers
- Specialized for heat transfer printing on fabrics, ceramics, and metal. There are ton of products called as sublimation blanks are sold on the market on which this prints can be transferred on.
- Popular for making mugs, T-shirts, and phone cases.
- This can print only on white objects like white t-shirts, white mugs etc.
5. Cardstock Printers
- Built to handle thicker materials like cardstock, ideal for invitations and greeting cards.
- Ensure the printer supports heavy paper weights (above 200 gsm)
- I find it hard to find a good cardstock printers at low cost. But Epson L8180 and Epson 2850 can be used to print card stocks and Art papers. The negative about using this printer is it cannot stack up cards, which means you have to sit near the printer to feed the paper one by one.
7. Thermal Printers
- Primarily used for labels and receipts.
- Handy for product packaging and shipping labels.
- Available at low cost
8. Vinyl Printers
If you’re looking to create custom stickers, especially laptop stickers or any other vinyl designs, it’s important to have a printer that can handle vinyl sheets. Vinyl sticker paper is thicker, non tearable and requires a printer that supports it for optimal results. There are many printers which can print on vynyl like Roland BN 20-A
Ink Tank vs. Ink Cartridge Printers
Understanding the difference between ink systems is crucial for cost efficiency:
- Ink Cartridge Printers:
- Use replaceable cartridges for specific colors.
- Lower upfront cost but higher long-term expense due to frequent replacements.
- Ink Tank Printers:
- Feature refillable tanks with large ink reservoirs.
- More cost-efficient for high-volume printing.
- Ideal for frequent craft projects like calendars or large sticker batches.
- Recommended Option: Epson Eco-Tank ET–18050 or Epson 8180 (A4 size) (As I am using this printer)
Printers for Printing on Canvas Paper
If you’re looking to print on canvas paper for fine art or crafts, ensure your printer supports this feature:
- Recommended Options:
- Canon PIXMA Pro-200: A3 size, excellent for vibrant prints on canvas.
- Epson SureColor P700: Supports a wide range of media, including canvas.
- Tips:
- Use printers with rear feed trays to handle thicker papers like canvas.
Conclusion
Choosing the right printer for your crafting and stationery projects depends on your specific needs, budget, and materials. Whether you’re looking for high-quality photo prints, large-format posters, or specialty items like vinyl stickers, there’s a printer out there for you.
Investing in the right printer can elevate your projects and make your creative journey smoother. If you have any comments or questions, comment below 🙂
Happy Reading!