Skip to Content

Do I Need a Special Printer To Print on Vinyl?

If craft sites such as Etsy are anything to go by, more people are gaining interest in the DIY world, partly because it’s an enjoyable way to earn a living. Additionally, the equipment and supplies needed to make crafts, such as vinyl prints, have become more accessible. If you have been looking into vinyl printing, this post is tailored to you.

You can use almost every modern printer to print on vinyl paper. Of course, avid crafters prefer some over others, but their reasons are subjective. It all boils down to your goals because the type of printer designed to print laptop stickers won’t work as well when used to print banners.

What Is Vinyl Printing?

As the name suggests, vinyl printing is basically printing images on special vinyl paper, also referred to as sticker paper. The vinyl paper in question is made by combining ethylene and choline, which makes it more susceptible to absorbing and retaining the ink or toner you need for vibrant images.

Those who refer to it as sticker paper do so because most vinyl prints come with an adhesive on one side to make it easier for you to stick them on surfaces. However, not every paper with an adhesive back has a vinyl front.

Vinyl is waterproof, and smudge proof meaning your sticker can easily withstand whatever weather conditions you subject it to.

Nowadays, almost all craft and office supplies stores have several sizes of vinyl paper in stock. All you need to do is confirm which size fits your printer, and you are good to go.

As mentioned earlier, you don’t need a special printer to print on vinyl. However, if you want the best results, try and source high-quality ink and toner, such as solvent or UV-curable ink. This way, your design will be much more vibrant and resistant to fading.

Inkjet VS Laser Printers for Printing on Vinyl

Do I Need a Special Printer To Print on Vinyl: Inkjet Or Laser Printer For Vinyl

When it comes to printing on vinyl, your biggest conundrum will be choosing between a Laser or inkjet printer. Both options will give you great results, but it will depend on your needs and preference.

Inkjet printers use ink to create the required images. Most people prefer it for small-scale vinyl printing because it is cheaper and delivers sharp and detailed images.

On the downside, most inkjet printers are slow, and replacing the ink cartridges is relatively costly in the long run.

As for Laser printers, they are much more expensive and use powder and laser technology to imprint the images. This option is also used for those looking to produce commercial vinyl prints.

As seen above, inkjet and laser printers work fine on vinyl, depending on your end goal. However, most people get by with inkjet printers.

What To Look For When Buying a Printer for Vinyl Printing?

The market is full of printers that can print on Vinyl quite well, making it even harder to choose one that will work for you. Here are a few pointers to help you make an informed decision.

Ink Costs

Vinyl takes up a lot of ink. Therefore, before buying a printer, do your due diligence and determine which inks are compatible with the printer. Afterward, you can decide whether it will be feasible to keep replacing the required inks.

Please note that some printer brands offer long-term ink packages; this way, all their clients get to save money. That said, even though the printer may appear expensive, it might be a good investment.

Image Resolution

Different printers have different image resolution ranges. Keeping that in mind, it’s imperative to go with one that has a wide range so you can achieve different designs without hassle. However, suppose you are buying a printer for office or home use. In that case, you can get by with going for a printer with lower resolution modes because the higher ones are more expensive and more tailored for those looking to venture into fine art reproduction for things like business signage.

Speed

One printer aspect that is constantly overlooked when making a purchasing decision is speed. Of course, this is only an issue if you have a daily target or use your printer for commercial purposes. When a printer is fast, the image resolution is usually low. But just because a printer is slow doesn’t mean the image will be good.

Therefore, what you should be looking for is a printer that is fast but still delivers high resolutions images.

Ink Configuration

Printers come with different ink configurations, most of them being 4,6, 8, and 12. For your printer to deliver vast color profiles without color shifting, it needs to allow a wide variety of ink profiles. You will realize that most modern printers come with wider ink configuration allowances which ultimately translates to sharper images.

Most times, you can be able to skim through exactly how the images will come out looking from the printer’s website. For perspective, you wouldn’t want to buy a printer that will make red images appear orange if most of your designs are red.

Size

There is a printer for almost all types of consumers in the market, from the ones that print promotional banners to the ones that print t-shirts. Therefore, it’s understandable that there are printers of vast sizes.

To make an informed decision, you need to ensure that the printer you are buying is going to be able to hold the printing surface that you are going to be using.

Support

Printers don’t come cheap, especially if your main aim is getting one that can handle bulk commercial orders. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to go with a brand with a great support system. To determine whether the aforementioned applies to your printer, ask yourself the following questions.

  • Is there a dedicated support staff on duty who responds when contacted?
  • How hard is it to get broken parts replaced?
  • Can you incorporate third-party ICC profiles?
  • Does the brand have tutorials to help you troubleshoot common problems?

Cost

Lucky for you, there is a printer for almost every budget point. While most of us focus on the retail price, you should also consider the resale value, cost of repairs, warranty, cost of ink, regular maintenance needs, and so forth.

What Type of Ink Is Best for Vinyl Printing?

The type of ink you use when printing on vinyl plays a considerable part in the image quality and how well and long it will withstand its intended environment. Here are a few of the most preferred options:

Solvent-Based Inks

Solvent ink is the most popular option for vinyl prints meant to go outside. This technique works by slightly melting the vinyl to allow the ink to seep through the material.

Pros

  • Can last for extended periods without fading or smudging
  • Provides sharp and clear images
  • Ink is quite a weather resistant

Cons

  • It emits harmful compounds into the environment
  • You will need to invest in a high-quality air purification system for the workspace, which is costly

Water-Based Latex Inks

Water-based latex inks work by bonding with the vinyl surface. Its popularity stems from the fact that it is more affordable.

Pros

  • It doesn’t require curing
  • It comes in a wide variety of colors

Cons

  • It doesn’t last and hence requires to be replaced every other month
  • Not resistant to all weather conditions

Step-by-Step Guide on How To Print on Vinyl

Printing on vinyl should be as easy as printing on any other surface. Even though the process sometimes differs, below is a simplified breakdown of how the process goes.

1. Make the Design

Before you even start printing, you need to draft the design on your computer. After you are pleased with your work, scale the design down or up depending on the size allowance of your printer and your needs.

Proceed to connect the computer or the alternative device you use to the printer. Often, you can do this by connecting the two via Bluetooth or USB cable.

2. Set Up

Ensure the printer is set up as required, ie, the ink cartridges are full; the power supply is on, the vinyl material is loaded onto the tray, and so forth. A common mistake people make is loading the vinyl paper the wrong side up, so ensure you place it down correctly.

3. Cut It Out

Once your vinyl print is done, you need to cut it down to its final version. For things like signage, invest in a cutting tool/software to ensure your sign has proper edges. However, you can also get by by using scissors for small stickers.

Conclusion

Vinyl printing is becoming increasingly popular, and with good reason. The main one being all the necessary equipment is relatively easy to source. Also, all modern printers can be able to print decent vinyl prints. From the above post, you will see how easy it is to mass or small-produce vinyl prints.