Are you wondering whether the Epson F170 is a good pick for your sublimation needs? Are you searching for a dissection of the quality of its prints, and the value for money it offers? If you are trying to determine whether the SureColor F170 is suited to your needs, you have arrived at the right place. This article delivers a thorough breakdown of the Epson F170, discussing whether its print quality, cost of ownership, usability, and features stand up to scrutiny. If you are looking for an overall summary of whether the printer is suited for you, you should read the Key Takeaways and then skip over to the last section ‘The Bottom Line’.
Key Takeaways
- The Epson SureColor F170 is a dedicated sublimation printer designed for small businesses and hobbyists, which means you do not need to go through the challenges of converting a regular inkjet printer to sublimation.
- Equipped with high-capacity, low-cost CMYK ink, the F170 excels in vibrant sublimation prints for a variety of products, while maintaining affordability in ink supply.
- While the F170 maintains print quality and reliability, it is limited to a maximum print size of 8.5 x 14 inches, which may not suit larger projects, making it an excellent option within its size constraints.
Introduction to Epson SureColor F170
Launched in November 2020, the Epson SureColor F170 has been tailored specifically as a dye-sublimation printer. Packaged as a user-friendly device, it assures reliable printing for numerous personalized products, ranging from awards to mugs and mousepads. However, one might wonder if it can genuinely serve both novice and seasoned sublimators as suggested by the manufacturer.
This printer promotes itself as a valuable asset for crafting custom sublimated products, supported by a one-year warranty and technical assistance.
The Epson F170, belonging to the esteemed Epson SureColor series, has earned a reputation for its:
- Compact size
- User-friendly design
- Use of Epson sublimation ink for vivid, long-lasting prints
These features make it a preferred option for small businesses and hobbyists.
It is meant to deliver high-quality prints, suitable for both personal and commercial use. However, the real question is whether all these claims hold up when the printer is put to the test in real-world conditions.
Unveiling the Epson SureColor F170
Taking a closer look at the Epson F170, this sublimation printer:
- allows for maximization of workshop space, a critical factor for small businesses and hobbyists
- emphasizes environmental sustainability, being RoHS compliant and recyclable
The F170 stands out as a true sublimation printer, a plug-and-play device that supports a wide range of sublimation blanks, including sublimation print products such as:
- Clothing
- Kitchen towels
- Neoprene mouse pads
- Ceramic mugs
- Metal tumblers
This makes it ready for sublimation use without the need for conversion, another point in its favor as a sublimation blank.
Furthermore, the F170 is the most affordable ‘true’ sublimation printer in the market, a significant advantage for businesses and hobbyists looking to keep their ongoing costs low.
As for print quality, the F170 delivers:
- Vibrant sublimation prints
- Maximum resolution of 1200 x 600 dpi using 784 nozzles
- Inks that are Oeko-Tex Eco Passport certified, ensuring their safety for use on clothing and products worn by adults, children, and babies.
On paper, the F170 appears to meet all the criteria for an excellent sublimation printer. Yet, the true test lies in its practical performance, which we’ll delve into shortly.
Setting Up the Epson SureColor F170
The setup process for the Epson F170 includes:
- The printer
- A comprehensive set of CMYK sublimation ink
- A power cord
- An installation guide
It includes everything you need to set up and start using the printer right away. You may need a USB 2.0 cable to connect the printer directly to a computer or LAN hub if it’s not already available.
The initial setup involves:
- Unpacking the printer
- Filling it with ink
- Downloading the latest drivers and firmware
- Connecting it to a computer
- Following the alignment process via the on-screen instructions, which is a part of the overall printing process.
The ink tank filling takes approximately 90 seconds, and setting up the software entails downloading from the Epson website and installing both the utility and print driver.
To prepare for printing with Epson DS Multi Use transfer paper, follow these steps:
- Load the paper into the printer with the bright white side facing down.
- Adjust the guides to fit the paper without any slack.
- Make sure to use Epson sublimation ink for the sublimation system to work correctly.
While the setup process is described as super easy, it’s worth noting that when adding ink to the printer, it’s important not to touch the tip of the ink bottle with your fingers as a safety precaution. This highlights the attention to detail in the design of the Epson F170, ensuring a smooth and trouble-free setup.
Epson SureColor F170’s Design and Build Quality
Upon examining the Epson SureColor F170, its features and design become evident:
- Compact design that maintains full functionality, making it suitable for users with limited workspace
- Convenient ink management with full-sized, 140ml CMYK ink tanks
- Keyed port design to prevent filling errors and facilitate easy maintenance
The durability of the F170 is ensured with protective tapes that secure parts during shipping, indicating a design focus on longevity. Not to forget, the printer adheres to environmental standards, being RoHS compliant, which restricts the use of certain hazardous materials in its construction. This shows Epson’s commitment to sustainability.
In terms of aesthetics, the F170 sports a sleek, modern design with a minimalistic control panel. It’s easy on the eyes and would fit seamlessly into any workspace.
Overall, the design and build quality of the Epson SureColor F170 is impressive. It’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into making this printer:
- functional
- durable
- user-friendly
- eco-friendly
Navigating the Epson SureColor F170
In terms of navigation, the Epson SureColor F170 has been engineered to enhance user convenience, thereby easing the setup and maintenance procedures. Some user-friendly features of the F170 include:
- High-capacity ink bottles with auto-stop features for easy and mess-free refilling
- Easier setup and maintenance compared to other Epson printers
- Troubleshooting and regular maintenance required, as is common with sublimation printers
Users find the F170 among the easier Epson printers to use, but it still requires troubleshooting and regular maintenance.
The printer includes:
- Software optimized for dye-sublimation printing
- Support for both Mac and Windows platforms
- Seamless printing experience across different operating systems
The SureColor F170 provides various connectivity options, including USB, Ethernet, and integrated wireless for flexible printing solutions. However, a USB cable is recommended for connecting sublimation printers like the F170 to a computer due to its simplicity and reliability over WiFi connections.
Putting the Epson SureColor F170 to the Test
Like any product, the true measure of the Epson SureColor F170 lies in its practical performance. The F170 offers:
- PrecisionCore technology for incredible clarity in prints
- Genuine Epson dye-sublimation ink for outstanding color saturation and contrast
- Vivid colors and clear detail across sublimation blanks
Users have sometimes faced banding issues during printing that can typically be resolved with printhead cleaning or adjusting print settings. Despite these occasional hiccups, achieving the desired sublimation results is often straightforward, requiring only a few test prints, making it user-friendly for both hobbyists and small business owners.
Despite its compact size, the F170 printer offers the following features:
- Consistent reliability in print quality, even under regular usage conditions
- Support for a wide variety of sublimation projects with settings for both rigid and soft materials
- Compatibility with various brands of sublimation paper, including Epson’s own and Texprint DT Heavy
These features make the F170 a versatile and reliable option for sublimation printing.
Comparing Ink Usage
Ink usage is a crucial factor when assessing a printer’s performance. The cost of sublimation ink for the Epson SureColor F170 is lower less than its competitor, with bottle sizes almost quadruple that of the same competition.
The ink provided with the Epson F170 is deemed sufficient for substantial initial usage, making it cost-effective relative to competitors. Epson’s sublimation ink is the least expensive designed for ‘true’ sublimation printers, costing about a third of what competitors charge for their ink.
Larger Epson ink bottles for the Epson SureColor F170 offer a lower ongoing cost per print, enhancing its economy for small businesses and individual users. Users frequently note the longevity of the ink bottles provided with the Epson SureColor F170, indicating efficient ink usage.
The F170 employs high-capacity ink bottles with an auto-stop feature for easy and mess-free refilling, reducing the need for frequent ink replacements. The printer comes with a full-sized set of 140ml CMYK sublimation ink, providing users with a cost-effective starting supply.
Print Size Limitations
Despite its numerous strengths, it’s crucial to highlight the limitations of the Epson F170 as well. The printer is limited to a maximum print size of 8.5 inches in width by 14 inches in length.
The F170 printer has the following limitations:
- It cannot perform borderless printing
- It requires a margin of at least 3mm around the edges of the print area, resulting in constraints when designing images for sublimation
- Due to its maximum media width of 8.5 inches, the F170 is not suitable for larger sublimation projects that require printing on materials wider than this size.
- Can be more difficult to source given it is only available from authorized retailers. For more information on procurement, visit the Epson’s website here.
However, it’s worth noting that Epson offers other printers in the SureColor series that can accommodate larger media sizes, aimed at users with needs beyond the F170’s capabilities. Despite these limitations, the F170 remains a strong contender in its category due to its other strengths.
The Bottom Line on the Epson SureColor F170
Following an exhaustive analysis, it’s clear that the Epson SureColor F170 is the best sublimation printer in its price range. Its affordable cost, quality sublimation prints, and inclusion of a one-year warranty with tech support make it highly recommended for both beginner and experienced sublimators.
Compared to its primary competitor, the Sawgrass SG500, the Epson F170 offers a lower cost considering the cost of the printer, the amount of ink in the starter kit, and the ongoing cost of ink refills. This affordability, combined with its performance, makes the F170 a strong contender in the sublimation printer market.
Of course, alternative sublimation printers are available in the same price range, including Sawgrass SG500 and converted Epson EcoTank models. However, users should consider print size, budget for ink refills, tech support, and warranty when choosing the best sublimation printers among alternatives.
To sum up, the Epson SureColor F170:
- Distinguishes itself as a budget-friendly, superior quality sublimation printer
- Delivers remarkable value for your money
- May not be perfect, but for its price, it certainly delivers more than what’s expected.
Summary
The Epson SureColor F170 proves to be a reliable sublimation printer that delivers high-quality prints. It offers a compact design, easy setup, and user-friendly navigation, making it a good choice for both beginners and experienced sublimators.
Despite some limitations in print size and occasional banding issues, the F170 stands out for its print quality, efficient ink usage, and cost-effectiveness. Its ability to support a wide variety of sublimation blanks and software compatibility further enhance its functionality.
The F170 also emphasizes environmental sustainability, being RoHS compliant and recyclable. This commitment to eco-friendliness is a bonus for environmentally conscious users.
In conclusion, the Epson SureColor F170 is a worthy investment for those looking to produce high-quality sublimation prints. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a small business owner, this printer promises reliability, affordability, and above all, impressive printing results. Visit the Home Page for other resources on sublimation printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Epson F170 worth it?
Yes, the Epson F170 is worth it for its amazing color quality, ease of setup, and suitability for small jobs. It’s a great machine to start sublimation with or add to an existing fleet.
How big can the Epson F170 print?
The Epson F170 can print up to a maximum size of 8.5 x 14 inches with a resolution of 1200 X 600 DPI.
Which Epson is best for sublimation?
The Epson SureColor F170 is the best printer for sublimation, as it is specifically designed for this purpose and allows for fast production of graphically branded items.
Does the Epson F170 perform borderless printing?
No, the Epson F170 does not perform borderless printing; it requires a margin of at least 3mm around the edges of the print area.
How is the ink usage of the Epson F170?
The Epson F170 has cost-effective ink usage with larger ink bottles and lower ongoing costs per print compared to competitors. This makes it an efficient choice for printing needs.
