Epson SureColor F160
The Epson SureColor SC-F160 is a compact A4 desktop dye sublimation printer for custom merchandise, photo gifts, hard surfaces and small-format fabric. It prints onto A4 transfer paper with Epson UltraChrome Dye Sublimation ink in a four-colour CMYK set, refilled from 140 ml bottles into an ink tank system, and the print is then heat-pressed onto polyester or polyester-coated items. Available from Sign to Badge Solutions.
Key features
1Made for A4 sublimation
Prints onto A4 dye-sub transfer paper fed from a 150-sheet tray, ready to heat-press onto merchandise, hard surfaces and small fabric items.
2Fine detail and smooth colour
PrecisionCore Micro TFP printhead with Variable Sized Droplet Technology and Epson Precision Dot processing, at up to 600 × 1200 dpi.
3Refillable ink tanks
A four-colour CMYK tank system refilled from 140 ml bottles. Ink is supplied with the printer.
4Compact desktop size
375 × 347 × 187 mm and 4.6 kg. Epson quotes a footprint of less than 0.15 m².
5Simple to operate
Tilt-adjustable control panel with a 2.4″ colour LCD and button control, plus a printer driver that works with common graphic and photo software.
6Flexible connection, low power
Wi-Fi (recommended), Ethernet and USB 2.0, with low power use and sleep and standby modes.
Specifications
| Specification | SureColor SC-F160 |
|---|---|
| Print process | Dye sublimation: print onto transfer paper, then transfer with a heat press |
| Media | A4 cut-sheet Epson DS Transfer General Purpose paper |
| Paper loading | 150-sheet tray |
| Minimum margins | 3 mm on all sides |
| Printhead | Epson PrecisionCore Micro TFP with VSDT; 400 black nozzles and 128 nozzles each for cyan, magenta and yellow |
| Maximum resolution | 600 × 1200 dpi |
| Minimum droplet size | 3.8 pl |
| Ink | Epson UltraChrome Dye Sublimation, CMYK |
| Ink supply | Tank system (120 ml black, 60 ml each colour), refilled from 140 ml bottles |
| A4 print time, production mode | 65 s per page |
| Control panel | Tilt-adjustable, 2.4″ colour LCD with button control and built-in help |
| Interface | Wi-Fi (recommended) and Ethernet 10/100, plus USB 2.0 |
| Memory | 132 KB |
| Software | Printer driver, EpsonNet Setup, EpsonNet Print, Epson Device Admin and firmware updater for Windows; driver and utilities for Mac. Some software is by web download. |
| Power | AC 220–240 V, 50/60 Hz, 0.2 A; 13 W operating, 4.1 W ready, 0.7 W sleep |
| Operating environment | 15–25 °C recommended; 20–80% humidity (40–60% recommended), no condensation |
| Operating noise | 53 dB |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 375 × 347 × 187 mm; 4.6 kg (without ink or media) |
| Recommended operating space | 375 × 503 × 187 mm (W × D × H), plus room for a heat press |
| Warranty | Epson onsite warranty (1 year) covering non-consumable parts, including the printhead but not the ink tank system, extendable to up to 5 years total cover with optional Epson CoverPlus, which also covers the tank system. Terms and conditions apply. Regional locations may incur travel charges. |
| In the box | Depends on the pack. Every pack includes the printer, an ink bottle set, a maintenance tank, a power cable, a set-up guide and software; Epson’s Standard and Basic packs add extra ink, maintenance tanks and A4 media. |
Specifications summarised from Epson Australia’s published information and subject to change by Epson. The print time is Epson’s printer-only figure for an A4 test image on Epson General Purpose DS paper; it excludes heat-press time and will vary with the job, software and settings.
What else you’ll need
A dye sublimation set-up involves more than the printer. Epson lists the following as required.
A heat press
A flat-sheet or merchandise-style heat press transfers (sublimates) the print onto the item. Allow extra space for it beside the printer.
Transfer paper
The SC-F160 is designed to run with specific Epson ink and media. Epson warns that other consumables can reduce print quality and may not be covered by warranty or CoverPlus.
Polyester items or coated blanks
Dye sublimation needs fabric with a polyester base, or a hard surface with a polyester coating that can take moderate heat and pressure.
A computer and graphics software
A PC or Mac with graphic or photo software. Images are printed in reverse so they read correctly after transfer.
Where the F160 fits
What is dye sublimation?
Dye sublimation prints the design in reverse onto transfer paper. A heat press then transfers the ink into the item, so the image becomes part of the surface rather than a layer on top.
Epson says the process suits fabric with a high polyester content and hard surfaces that accept a polyester coating and can withstand moderate heat and pressure. Epson states its UltraChrome dye sublimation ink meets OEKO-TEX requirements when applied to polyester fabric.
Dye-sub ink is delicate until it is sublimated. Epson recommends using ink within a month of loading it into the tanks and sublimating prints within a week, ideally within one to two days.
Suited to:
- Photo gifts & mugs
- Short-run merchandise
- Metal signs
- Phone covers
- Thongs
- Custom clothing
- Wall decorations
- Home décor
- Hard signage
- Small-format fabric
More dye sublimation printers
Compare the other dye sublimation printers available from Sign to Badge Solutions.
Epson
SureColor F560 (24")
24-inch dye-sub printer for roll and sheet media, with an integrated auto-cutter.
View product - Epson SureColor F560 (24")Epson
SureColor F6460 (44")
44-inch production dye-sub printer for fabric, soft signage and merchandise.
View product - Epson SureColor F6460 (44")
Interested in the Epson SureColor F160? Tell us what you plan to sublimate and we’ll help you plan the set-up, from heat press to transfer paper and blanks.
Request a Quoteor call 07 3412 0285