Scaling Up: When to Upgrade to the Epson SureColor F500 Sublimation Printer

Your sublimation business is growing. You’re getting more orders, your clients are asking for bigger designs, and your trusty A4 printer is starting to feel like a bottleneck. These are great problems to have! They’re also clear signs that it might be time to scale up and upgrade your sublimation printer. For many growing businesses, the next logical step is a wide-format printer like the Epson SureColor F500.

Here are the key signs it’s time to consider making the leap.

1. You’re Constantly Turning Down Large-Format Jobs

Are customers asking for all-over print t-shirts, custom towels, doormats, or large metal photo panels? If you’re saying “no” to these profitable jobs because your A4 or A3 printer is too small, it’s time to upgrade. The F500 is a 24-inch wide printer, allowing you to take on these large-format projects with ease.

2. Your Cost Per Print is Too High

While desktop printers have a lower initial cost, their small ink cartridges or bottles mean a higher cost per millilitre of ink. The F500 uses large, high-capacity ink bottles, which dramatically lowers your cost per print. As your volume increases, these ink savings quickly add up and can significantly improve your profit margins. Understanding the importance of quality ink is part of this calculation.

3. You’re Wasting Too Much Time Tiling Designs

Are you taping multiple A4 sheets together to create a single large design? This “tiling” process is time-consuming, prone to errors, and can leave visible seam lines in your final press. An F500 eliminates this entirely, allowing you to print large, seamless designs in one go.

4. The Inefficiency of Sheet-Fed Printing is Slowing You Down

If you’re running bulk orders, constantly reloading individual sheets of paper into your desktop printer is inefficient. The Epson F500 features an auto-switching capability between roll media and its auto-sheet feeder. This means you can print dozens of designs from a roll without constantly tending to the printer, freeing up your time to prepare blanks and press products.

5. You Need Higher Productivity

Simply put, the F500 is built for a commercial workload. It’s faster, more robust, and designed to run for longer periods than a desktop printer. If your current printer is struggling to keep up with your order volume, the F500 is designed to solve that problem.

Is the Epson F500 Right for You?

Upgrading to a wide-format printer like the Epson F500 is a significant investment, but it’s a strategic one. It’s not just about printing bigger; it’s about increasing your efficiency, lowering your running costs, and expanding the range of profitable products you can offer. This is a key part of moving from a starter system to a professional production house.

If you’re experiencing the bottlenecks listed above, it’s a clear sign that your business is ready for the next level.

Ready to scale your sublimation business? Learn more about the Epson SureColor F500 and chat with our team at Maker’s Supply to see if it’s the right move for your growing brand.