Breaking Down the Price: A Guide to Custom Sublimation Printing Service Costs

A common technique for imprinting designs on different surfaces, such as wood, paper, and fabrics made of polyester, is custom sublimation printing services. It is especially well-liked because of its capacity to create vivid, durable prints. Firms need to comprehend the expenses linked with sublimation printing to set competitive prices and sustain profitability. The main elements to take into account when figuring out how much sublimation printing will cost are explained in this article.

What Elements Go Into Sublimation Printing Prices?

Costs for labor, supplies, equipment, and other expenses make up the total cost of sublimation printing.

Costs of Equipment

Sublimation printers and heat presses are two of the most important pieces of equipment for sublimation printing. Sublimation printers: The cost of a sublimation printer can vary greatly, ranging from several hundred dollars for entry-level devices to several thousand dollars for high-end, large-format versions. Your company’s size will determine this. 

The sublimation printer is not too expensive if you run a small business. Quite the opposite—if you are operating a large-scale printing firm, you will have to spend a lot of money on the printer. Heat press machine: Prices for heat presses can range from $100 to $2,000, depending on their size and features. 

For example, a modest heat press machine (15 by 15 inches) costs about $200 for a t-shirt manufacturer. Wide-format printing will require a slightly more expensive rotary heat press machine. You must select a sublimation printer and heat press machine that fits your needs and budget while keeping costs under control for your printing needs. If you want more information about selecting the best sublimation printer, read this tutorial.

Cost of Consumables

The ongoing expenses connected with every print job are called consumables. Sublimation paper, substrates (the objects being printed on), and sublimation ink are essential commodities. The ink specifically made for sublimation printers is called sublimation ink. It does not harm the environment because it is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Depending on the printer model and ink brand, ink prices can differ significantly. Determine the price per milliliter and the approximate amount of ink used for each print.

Sublimation paper: Usually, the price is determined for each sheet of sublimation paper. The price per sheet of high-quality paper can range from $0.20 to $1.00, depending on the brand and quality.

Substrates: Depending on the kind of product, substrate costs vary. A porcelain mug, on the other hand, might cost anywhere from $1 to $4, but a T-shirt might cost $3 to $5.

Labor Charges

The time invested in the printing process should be included in the labor costs. It’s crucial to keep track of your time, even if you’re a small business owner managing the operations yourself. Using a laser printer is easy to print. It typically consists of printing, finishing, and design processes.

  • Design: This includes creating computer-generated designs. Depending on the kind and quantity of patterns you wish to create, this process could take several minutes or several hours.
  • The printing and heat pressing process is the primary step in the sublimation printing process. Patterns are printed on sublimation paper by the printer and subsequently transferred to substrates using a heat press machine.
  • Finishing: Extra actions like quality control and packaging may be included in the finishing phase.

Extra Charges

Overhead and electricity expenses are examples of additional costs. These expenses will affect how your firm is run, but they are not directly related to sublimation printing.

Cost of Power

Heat presses and printers are two examples of the electrically powered equipment used in sublimation printing. Calculate the cost and energy usage of every piece of equipment. A sublimation printer, for instance, requires 100 watts to run for one hour or 0.1 kWh. Your cost per operating hour is $0.012 if your electricity tariff is $0.12 per kWh.

Overhead Expenses

Rent, utilities, insurance, and other expenditures associated with operating a business are considered overhead.

  • Rent and Utilities: Set aside a certain amount for the printing operations’ use of rent and utilities. This will be easier if you work from a designated area.
  • Maintenance: To keep your equipment functioning properly, regular maintenance is required. Calculate a yearly maintenance budget and split it across the volume of your production.

Final Words

Sublimation printing costs are determined by taking into account several variables. You may precisely calculate your production costs and establish competitive prices that guarantee profitability by carefully weighing each aspect. This all-inclusive strategy helps in both wisely choosing how to grow your sublimation printing company and setting reasonable prices for your goods. Argus Apparel, a sublimation printing company, is the best option to work with.

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