Full Color Laser Printer Sublimation
Investment Costs

   On this page we provide pricing, ideas and specific information about the tools of full color laser printer sublimation with ColourMagic! sublimation cartridges.

Dye Sublimation Toner Cartridges - The ColourMagic! cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) sublimation toner cartridges are priced at $349 each, per 180-gram cartridge. Until further notice, our introductory price is $299 each in the continental U.S. During testing, our best Beta test site reported an average yield of about 4,000 transfers per cartridge. This works out to be about a quarter a page. We want to stress that we are stating an average yield. Actual yield will depend upon how you are using your colors.

   For example, if you print basically logos or small graphics and a lot of black text and borders, the CMY cartridges will last a long time and the black will run out much quicker. If you print big, bold graphics (like the "Palma" plaque) and a small amount of black text, it will even out more. Our estimates are accurate, but averaged.

   For some, the HP 4550 is difficult to find. Here is an easy way to find one. Contact us for information about purchasing one.

   Two notes: The HP 4550 has been discontinued, so the 4550 is not going to last forever. You don't have to worry about cartridges for the 4550. We will be supplying those for many, many years.

   We will tell you how to use it, but we neither sell nor support the printer itself. It is a highly advanced, technical piece of equipment and any problems need to be solved by experts.

Heat Press - The job of a heat press is to "put the pedal to the metal" and make you money. We distribute the two finest brands available: Stahls heat presses, HIX heat presses and Knight heat presses. HIX is well known for "clamshell" type heat presses, while Knight is known for "swinger" heat presses. Both types are excellent and we have special offers for both.

   We suggest at least a 15"x 15" (HIX) or 14"x 16" DC16 (Knight). If you want the most powerful press on the market, check out the Knight DK20S. Awesome!

Scanner - While not essential for sublimation itself, a scanner will be needed for logos and other customer supplied graphics. We can't suggest a specific scanner, because it also depends upon your needs and expectations. However, you sure don't need a $1,500 scanner. In the $200 to $600 range is usually sufficient. You can visit www.bhphotovideo.com and look at their wide assortment. Check out the HP Scanjets and the UMAX Powerlook III.

Tabletop Metal Shears - are also called metal plate cutters. Unless you have unusual needs, a 12" cutter is sufficient. We offer the well-known Main Model 9380 and the Main Model 9385 for $285. Either will last a lifetime.

Hole Punchers, Corner Rounders and Notchers - These tools do exactly what the names imply, to the metal plates you cut, with your metal shear. We offer the highly versatile 3-in-1, Model 9353 Maxi-Press III, for $295. It does combinations of all three needs. Although the Maxi-Press is very handy, this is one piece of equipment that you could wait on getting.

Suppliers of sublimation metal, plaques and other supplies - We do not sell these types of supplies, but there are many, many dozens scattered around the country. We will supply you with at least a half dozen good ones, near you. Because most ship very fast, you can probably start with $300-$750 in inventory, even if you had nothing. You can start with a list of good suppliers here.

Graphics Programs - As we stated earlier, almost any graphics program that you have will work. Here are some thoughts, if you have to buy a program. Many use CorelDraw, while others are partial to Adobe Illustrator and PhotoShop. Inexpensive copies of both can usually be found on e-Bay.

   We created almost every graphic on this web site with a simple to learn (that's why we use it) and inexpensive program called PrintShop Pro Publisher, Version 12. For $69.95 this little program offers a lot! If you want to check it out, go to www.learningco.com and enter Print Shop in the search window. This program is also sold at CompUSA.

   As you can see, while it wouldn't exactly be "piggy bank" change, if you had to buy everything, we're not talking about a "kings ransom" either. Heck, all of it together costs much less than a halfway decent engraving machine and color laser sublimation is ten times faster.

   We know full color laser sublimation is a real moneymaker. However, that's not the point. The real point is, can you see how it can make you more money? If you have the drive and the vision, we have the process and the support to help you succeed.

   We have two customers that have become so successful that they asked us to remove their testimonials several months ago, from our web site. Both bluntly told us that they didn't want to encourage any competition in their area.

   One customer is tracking at $400,000 in sales this year. The other wouldn't mention a dollar figure, but did mention that he was now getting the majority of the awards business in his county. Both attribute their competitive marketing edge to ColourMagic! .

   It is the use of equipment, not ownership or even costs, which decides profits. Research thoroughly. Profitable sublimation is not a "maybe": it's a fact. Full color laser sublimation may be the best way for you to go, or maybe single color sublimation, to start, or even full color inkjet sublimation, but you can be assured the opportunities are there.

Closing Thoughts and Additional Information

   If you think full color laser sublimation has a place in your business future you should contact us and let us send you free samples, sample transfers and other useful information. We want you to be as informed as possible, before you decide.

   Because of other considerations you may feel like single color sublimation would be better to consider. Single color laser sublimation can be done on a $259 laser printer (or you may own one that will work) and only needs one of our $239 "Coal Black" black sublimation cartridge. Please contact us for samples and information for that option.

   Make sure that you request single or full color samples so we send the correct samples and information. Also, a free e-mail subscription to our sublimation business newsletter, "Toner Times" is yours for the asking.