This is a complete guide on how to choose the best convection ovens for sublimation printing and how to find the right convection oven that is best suited for the needs of your sublimation printing business. In this guide, we will brief you on all the things you need to look for when you are buying a convection oven specifically for sublimation so you can make an informed purchase. Dye-Sublimation Printing is a rapidly growing fabric and material printing technique that lets you print any design of your preference on a number of different surfaces.
You do not need expensive equipment to create unique prints on your own using the sublimation method and this has been one of the biggest reasons behind its massive popularity as hobbyists can also create their own unique products without spending a lot of money. You can even skip buying a custom heat press for different items as they can get pretty expensive, just use a cheap wrap to keep the sublimation paper in place and a convection oven to heat transfer the print over to the desired surface.
This method becomes even more economical when you realize that you can print multiple items at the same time by keeping all of them in the oven and just going through the heat transfer process once. However, you can’t just use any odd kitchen convection oven for sublimation, it needs to be able to produce enough temperature for the sublimation to take place. In addition to this, you will also need to use your own temperature gauge to independently measure the temperature for a more accurate reading, heat-resistant tape, and heavy-duty oven mitts.
What to look for in a Sublimation Oven?
Here is a list of all the things you need to look for while buying a sublimation convection oven for your business. Make sure they are equipped with the capabilities mentioned below as they are necessary to produce good results.
Temperature range of 400° Fahrenheit and above: The ink used in the dye sublimation process gets activated at high temperatures, usually above 400° F. The oven you use for sublimation must be capable of reaching higher temperatures than 400° F which is not uncommon in most convection ovens available.
Tall and wide enough: The useable volume of the oven determines what is the maximum sized items you can fit inside it. This depends on your use, if you sublimate smaller items like cups and small plates then smaller ovens will do the job. However, if you usually sublimate on larger-sized objects then you will need an oven that has enough volume to fit the object.
Has a convection fan: A convection fan lets the hot air circulate in the oven so that heat can be evenly distributed on all sides of the object getting printed. Make sure the convection fan has proven its reliability by checking reviews online.
Build quality and reliability: Give a thought to the build quality of the oven that you are buying because a well-built oven gives you the confidence of putting your expensive products inside it and you know it will produce consistent results every time. Also, check the reliability of the brand because the oven will be of no use if it requires constant untimely repairs.
A digital display: A digital display helps you accurately set the temperature of the oven so you can produce consistent results. It is especially important in business where consistency is key.
List of the Top 5 Best Convection Ovens for Sublimation
Breville Smart Oven Pro
Breville Smart Oven Pro is a great choice for sublimation printing. The printer can reach a maximum operating temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit which leaves room for even more temperature that you would need for sublimation printing. Breville Smart Oven Pro also has a high-quality fan built into it that helps in evenly spreading the heat inside the oven. Cleaning the oven is also easy because it is coated with a nonstick layer that doesn’t retain paint stains. It is also built quite well and has a strong rack.
Oster Convection Oven
If you are looking for a big oven with two doors that open horizontally then Oster Convection Oven is the best choice for you. The oven has a large size which is ideal for business owners because they can fit more items in at the same time saving money on operational costs. Oster Convection Oven is capable of reaching the high temperatures required for sublimation dye transfer. You can also put large-sized objects in the Oster Convection Oven that you would not be able to fit in any other regular-sized oven.
Cuisinart Convection Oven
Cuisinart Convection Oven is a relatively small convection oven that you can use if you want to go with an economical option. Though the oven is small in size, it is built very well. You can use the Cuisinart Convection Oven to sublimate smaller-sized items such as jewelry, a couple of mugs, or a small-sized plate. Cuisinart ovens are known for their build quality and reliability. The oven can easily reach the high temperatures required for sublimation. It has a solid rack and a digital interface that you can use to set the temperature of the oven.
Black + Decker Convection Oven
Black + Decker is a very well-known brand that makes affordable toaster ovens without compromising on build quality. The small size of the oven helps it heat up more quickly and it consumes considerably less energy to do so. If you usually sublimate smaller items like a couple of mugs, small accessories, and small-sized plates, and also if you do not sublimate many items at the same time then this is a really good option to go with. Black + Decker Convection Oven provides great value at its price point and it is one of the more affordable options that we recommend.
Hix Sublimation Oven
The Hix Sublimation Oven is an industrial-grade convection oven made specifically for sublimation printing so you can be sure that it has every feature you will need to produce high-quality results. This oven will set you back around $4,000 but it is worth every penny if you can utilize it properly. It has 3 racks which are all nickel plated to help in corrosion resistance at high temperatures. The temperature on Hix Sublimation Oven can be set digitally and it has a temperature range from 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This oven is equipped with a digital timer and a digital display which can be used to monitor the current temperature. It also has a powerful internal fan that evenly distributes the heat. Hix Sublimation Oven is designed to be used in a busy sublimation business and it justifies its high price tag when used on a large scale.
You can also sublimate on glass and socks using sublimation printers. For sublimation you need good design and for design you need a good software. So, here are the best printing softwares for sublimation.
Conclusion
This was our guide on how to choose the best convection oven for sublimation and what to look for when buying an oven for sublimation. We hope this guide has given you the information you needed about convection ovens to help you make an informed purchase for your business. Use the comment section below if you have queries regarding any section of this guide and we will get back to you.