Can You Convert a Canon Pixma TS6420a for Sublimation Printing? Here's What You Need to Know

Question:
I'm looking to get started with sublimation printing and would like to know if sublimation cartridges are available for the Canon Pixma TS6420. If not, could you guide me to a compatible alternative?

Answer:

Why the Canon Pixma TS6420a Is Not Compatible with Sublimation

Sublimation printing requires a special type of ink and specific printing technology to work properly. Unfortunately, the Canon Pixma TS6420a—and virtually all Canon and HP printers—are not suitable for sublimation. Here's why:

1. Thermal vs. Piezoelectric Printheads

Canon uses thermal inkjet printhead technology, which heats the ink to vaporize it and push it through the nozzle. Sublimation ink is extremely heat-sensitive. If it heats up inside a thermal printhead, it starts sublimating (turning into gas) inside the nozzle, leading to severe clogging, poor pressure regulation, and ultimately, irreversible damage to the printhead.

On the other hand, Epson and some Brother printers use piezoelectric printheads. These printheads rely on a vibrating piezo crystal to push the ink through the nozzle, applying mechanical pressure instead of heat. This method is completely safe for sublimation ink, making these models the industry standard for sublimation setups.

2. Refillable Ink Delivery Systems

Printers designed for easy refilling—like Epson’s EcoTank and Brother’s INKvestment series—are much easier to convert for sublimation. You simply flush out the standard ink and replace it with sublimation ink.

Canon printers, including the TS6420a, typically rely on chip-locked cartridges that are not designed to be refilled or replaced with third-party inks. Even if you bypass the chip or use refillable cartridges, the thermal printhead will still render the printer unsuitable for sublimation.

3. Lack of Third-Party Sublimation Ecosystem

Epson and Brother have wide community and third-party support—sublimation ink suppliers, ICC profiles, software tweaks, and tutorial resources are widely available. In contrast, Canon has almost no community or commercial support for sublimation, and there are no reliable sublimation cartridge options for the TS6420a.

Recommended Alternatives

If you're serious about sublimation printing, your best option is to invest in a piezo-based printer, especially an Epson EcoTank model. These are affordable, easy to refill, and specifically compatible with sublimation ink. At BCH Technologies (https://bchtechnologies.com), we offer complete sublimation conversion kits, including refillable ink bottles, ICC profiles, and video walkthroughs to help you get set up properly.

Let us know if you need help selecting the right printer—we're here to assist!

Working with sublimation and printer conversions involves a hands-on approach that can’t always be handled remotely. Therefore, we’re unable to offer direct technical support or customized guidance over messages. However, we do provide in-person evaluation and repair services through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, availability is based on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before your printer can be dropped off. We repair full printers or specific components, but please note that our pricing may not be the lowest available. As such, we strongly encourage DIY enthusiasts to explore educational resources. A great place to begin is our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search bar next to the "About" tab to find videos specific to your needs. With hundreds of tutorials, this method often yields faster and more relevant results.

Thank you again for your question, and we wish you the best as you begin your sublimation printing journey!