What is a good printer setup for doing transfers on to metal?

[Jeremy Hennen]

I am looking to see what everybody is using for printer and ink cartridge setups. I read a lot of the posts on here already but they are all quite dated. I am trying to find a low-end printer that would work well and what kind of cartridges i would need to buy as well.

 

[EngraverHand]

I can only confirm what works for me.. as for laser printer I use an old HP LaserJet P2035. It can print in maximum 600 dpi so it has some limitations, but works well with acetone transfer and printing on parchment paper (I have to tape the parchment paper to the printing paper) and use damar varnish mix..

For Ink Printer I used a HP DeskJet 1050A with original ink 61.. printing on transparent sheets and semi transparent sheets.. but it broke down and it´s not in production anymore.. should probably find one 2nd hand that uses same ink quite easily.

Here is a list I one time saved that people said worked with different HP ink cartridges .. I can not confirm they all work, but people said it was tested and works.. I dont want to be responsible But I can confirm my HP DeskJet 2050 worked with cartridge nr 61.

Good luck!


Cartridge 61



HPDeskJet 1000, 1010, 1050, 1055, 1056, 1510, 1512, 2000, 2510, 2512, 2514, 2540, 2541, 2542, 2543, 2544, 2545, 2546B, 2546P, 2546R, 2547, 2548, 2549, 3000, 3050, 3051A, 3052A, 3510, 3511, 3512. ...


HP ENVY 4500, 4502, 5530;

HP OfficeJet 4630.




Cartridge 62

HP ENVY 5540, 5542, 5544, 5545, 5640, 5642, 5643, 5660, 5665, 7640, 7645, HP

Officejet 5740, 5741, 5742, 5743, 5744, 5745, 5746, 8040



Cartridge 63

Deskjet: 1112, 2130, 2132, 3630, 3631, 3632, 3633, 3634, 3636, and 3637;

ENVY 4511, 4512, 4513, 4520, 4522, 4523, 4524 HP

Officejet 3830, 3831, 3833, 4650, 4652, 4654, 4655, 5220, 5255, and 5260



Cartridge 64

HP ENVY Inspire 7955e, 7958e;

HP ENVY Photo 6220, 6222, 6230, 6232, 6252, 6255, 6258, 7134, 7155, 7158, 7164, 7830, 7855, 785. 8, 786, 784;

HP Tango; HP Tango X


Cartridge 65

HP DeskJet 2622, 2624, 2636, 2652, 2655, 3722, 3752, 3755, 3758. HP

ENVY 5010, 5012, 5020, 5030, 5032, 5034, 5055.

HP AMP 100, 120, 125, 130.


DeskJet 2652
DeskJet 2655
DeskJet 3720
DeskJet 3730
DeskJet 3732
DeskJet 3752
DeskJet 3755
DeskJet 3758


Cartridge 67


DeskJet
* HP DeskJet 1255
* HP DeskJet 2700
* HP DeskJet 2710e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2720e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2721e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2722 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2722e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2723e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2724 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2725 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2732 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2742e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2752 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2752e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2755 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2755e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4110e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4120e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4121e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4122e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4123e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4130e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4132e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4133e
* HP DeskJet 4152e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4155e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4158e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4175e
* HP DeskJet Plus 4122 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet Plus 4132 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet Plus 4140 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet Plus 4152 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet Plus 4155 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet Plus 4158 All-in-One


Envy
* HP ENVY 6010e
* HP ENVY 6020e All-in-One
* HP ENVY 6022e All-in-One
* HP ENVY 6030 All-in-One
* HP Envy 6030e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6032e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6034e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6050e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6052 All-in-One
* HP Envy 6052e All-in-One
* HP ENVY 6055 All-in-One
* HP Envy 6055e All-in-One
* HP ENVY 6058 All-in-One
* HP ENVY 6065e
* HP ENVY 6066e
* HP ENVY 6075 All-In-One
* HP Envy 6075e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6420e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6422e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6430e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6432e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6450e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6452e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6455e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6458e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6475e All-in-One
* HP Envy Pro 6430 All-in-One
* HP ENVY Pro 6452 All-in-One
* HP ENVY Pro 6455 All-in-One
* HP ENVY Pro 6458 All-in-One
* HP Envy Pro 6464 All-in-One
* HP Envy Pro 6475 All-in-One

 

[tdelewis]

I think that the HP printers that use 61, 62, 63 inks are no longer being produced. You can still buy the inks for the ones that are still in use. I just bought an HP desk jet 2755e for $50 from Amazon. It is also being replaced with a newer model. That is why it was inexpensive. It did come with a one-year guarantee.

 

[Mike576]

I use an HP never stop printer from best buy. Still on the original toner cartridge and works great!

 

[EngraverHand]

I think that the HP printers that use 61, 62, 63 inks are no longer being produced. You can still buy the inks for the ones that are still in use. I just bought an HP desk jet 2755e for $50 from Amazon. It is also being replaced with a newer model. That is why it was inexpensive. It did come with a one-year guarantee.

You´re probably right and that´s why I´ll be looking for a 2nd hand one.. just to make sure I got one that works. The ink will most likely still be produced for years to come

 

[DaveatWeirs]

I've used a Brother laser printer and a HP one. They work pretty much the same but the interface for the brother one is slightly better.
No matter which one you go for main things to are: 1) make sure it's printing in high quality and not eco mode for fast mode or anything like that, and 2) to print out a picture that's 4 inches or 100mm long and measure it on the paper, if it's not spot on size then adjust the scale you're printing out at so that comes out correct. I didn't have to adjust it with the brother printer but the HP one needs stuff scaled up 103.5% for it to be 100% on size.

 

[AllenClapp]

I've used a Brother laser printer and a HP one. They work pretty much the same but the interface for the brother one is slightly better.
No matter which one you go for main things to are: 1) make sure it's printing in high quality and not eco mode for fast mode or anything like that, and 2) to print out a picture that's 4 inches or 100mm long and measure it on the paper, if it's not spot on size then adjust the scale you're printing out at so that comes out correct. I didn't have to adjust it with the brother printer but the HP one needs stuff scaled up 103.5% for it to be 100% on size.

Great point about the scaling issues. Paper runs around rollers and that can affect the actual printed size with some printers. Sometimes, a printer will print 100% but copy at some larger or smaller %, or vice versa. It is imperative to check the scale with each printer that you use. I have three different models by three different manufacturers and all are different. If printing instead of copying, and your printer does not allow you to change the printing %, save a copy of the file from your graphics program at the correct % reduction or enlargement to suit your printer, but remember to name the file so that you don't get mixed up.

 

[Travis_UT]

This is what has worked for me.
Canon MF230 for acetone transfers
HP Deskjet 3700 when using Tom White's transfer sheets.

Here is one problem I have found, manufactures change things in the ink and what worked last time wont work down the road and it can be very frustrating.

 

[Jeremy Hennen]

I can only confirm what works for me.. as for laser printer I use an old HP LaserJet P2035. It can print in maximum 600 dpi so it has some limitations, but works well with acetone transfer and printing on parchment paper (I have to tape the parchment paper to the printing paper) and use damar varnish mix..

For Ink Printer I used a HP DeskJet 1050A with original ink 61.. printing on transparent sheets and semi transparent sheets.. but it broke down and it´s not in production anymore.. should probably find one 2nd hand that uses same ink quite easily.

Here is a list I one time saved that people said worked with different HP ink cartridges .. I can not confirm they all work, but people said it was tested and works.. I dont want to be responsible But I can confirm my HP DeskJet 2050 worked with cartridge nr 61.

Good luck!


Cartridge 61



HPDeskJet 1000, 1010, 1050, 1055, 1056, 1510, 1512, 2000, 2510, 2512, 2514, 2540, 2541, 2542, 2543, 2544, 2545, 2546B, 2546P, 2546R, 2547, 2548, 2549, 3000, 3050, 3051A, 3052A, 3510, 3511, 3512. ...


HP ENVY 4500, 4502, 5530;

HP OfficeJet 4630.




Cartridge 62

HP ENVY 5540, 5542, 5544, 5545, 5640, 5642, 5643, 5660, 5665, 7640, 7645, HP

Officejet 5740, 5741, 5742, 5743, 5744, 5745, 5746, 8040



Cartridge 63

Deskjet: 1112, 2130, 2132, 3630, 3631, 3632, 3633, 3634, 3636, and 3637;

ENVY 4511, 4512, 4513, 4520, 4522, 4523, 4524 HP

Officejet 3830, 3831, 3833, 4650, 4652, 4654, 4655, 5220, 5255, and 5260



Cartridge 64

HP ENVY Inspire 7955e, 7958e;

HP ENVY Photo 6220, 6222, 6230, 6232, 6252, 6255, 6258, 7134, 7155, 7158, 7164, 7830, 7855, 785. 8, 786, 784;

HP Tango; HP Tango X


Cartridge 65

HP DeskJet 2622, 2624, 2636, 2652, 2655, 3722, 3752, 3755, 3758. HP

ENVY 5010, 5012, 5020, 5030, 5032, 5034, 5055.

HP AMP 100, 120, 125, 130.


DeskJet 2652
DeskJet 2655
DeskJet 3720
DeskJet 3730
DeskJet 3732
DeskJet 3752
DeskJet 3755
DeskJet 3758


Cartridge 67


DeskJet
* HP DeskJet 1255
* HP DeskJet 2700
* HP DeskJet 2710e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2720e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2721e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2722 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2722e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2723e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2724 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2725 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2732 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2742e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2752 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2752e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2755 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 2755e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4110e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4120e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4121e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4122e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4123e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4130e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4132e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4133e
* HP DeskJet 4152e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4155e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4158e All-in-One
* HP DeskJet 4175e
* HP DeskJet Plus 4122 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet Plus 4132 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet Plus 4140 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet Plus 4152 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet Plus 4155 All-in-One
* HP DeskJet Plus 4158 All-in-One


Envy
* HP ENVY 6010e
* HP ENVY 6020e All-in-One
* HP ENVY 6022e All-in-One
* HP ENVY 6030 All-in-One
* HP Envy 6030e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6032e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6034e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6050e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6052 All-in-One
* HP Envy 6052e All-in-One
* HP ENVY 6055 All-in-One
* HP Envy 6055e All-in-One
* HP ENVY 6058 All-in-One
* HP ENVY 6065e
* HP ENVY 6066e
* HP ENVY 6075 All-In-One
* HP Envy 6075e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6420e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6422e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6430e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6432e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6450e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6452e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6455e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6458e All-in-One
* HP Envy 6475e All-in-One
* HP Envy Pro 6430 All-in-One
* HP ENVY Pro 6452 All-in-One
* HP ENVY Pro 6455 All-in-One
* HP ENVY Pro 6458 All-in-One
* HP Envy Pro 6464 All-in-One
* HP Envy Pro 6475 All-in-One

Thank you. I ended up purchasing a brand new HP Laserjet MFP M235dwe from Walmart for pretty cheap. It use HP134A toner cartridges and so far it has worked for all my transfers

 

[V150super]

As a tattooer of many years we always had access to old thermal (Thermofax) printers. Basically they print a stencil made up of gentian violet dye that transfers to skin from a translucent paper. With tattooing you'll prep the skin first with soap or some other medium, apply the stencil, remove the paper and then let it dry. Another tattooer/engraver shared with me the technique of how to use this same equipment to transfer images for engraving.

You'll make the stencil like you normally would for a tattoo (plenty of videos on Youtube), and when you're ready to transfer, just tape it face down on your clean part, and press a small amount of Detol (basically Pinesol), to the back of the stencil and it will transfer through the paper onto the metal. I use a little bit of the Detol on a paper towel as the applicator.

The transfers will smudge if you're not careful, but if you hit them with a little bit of hairspray or a matte fixative they hold up pretty well.

Now if you don't work in a tattoo shop and have access to the equipment, you can purchase a thermal printer for roughly $130. Just hit up your favorite offshore supplier and do a search for "tattoo stencil printer", it will usually come with some stencil paper to get you started. I purchased an extra one to keep at home just for engraving.