Why Are My Sublimation Prints Coming Out Reddish Instead of Black? (Epson EcoTank ST-C2100 Color Fix Guide)

Question:
I recently received a converted EcoTank ST-C2100 for sublimation printing. I'm completely new to sublimation, and I'm noticing that my prints are coming out reddish-even though they appear black on my screen. I've read that this might be related to an ICC profile issue. Can you recommend the correct ICC profile or explain what might be going wrong?

Answer:

Now, let's break down what you're experiencing, because this is actually very common for beginners in sublimation printing.

1. Your "Reddish Black" Is Likely Normal (Before Heat Pressing)

The most important thing to understand is this:

Sublimation prints never look correct on paper.

• Blacks often appear brown or reddish

• Colors look dull, faded, or washed out

This happens because sublimation ink is designed to be heat-activated. The real color only appears after you transfer the print using a heat press onto a compatible material (like polyester or poly-coated substrates).

So if you're judging the print straight off the paper, it will look wrong-but that's expected.

2. Flush Out Shipping Fluid First

Since this is a newly converted printer, there may still be residual shipping or cleaning fluid in the ink system.

What to do:

• Print several pages using regular paper

• This helps push out any leftover fluid

• Until the system is fully saturated with sublimation ink, colors can appear inaccurate

3. Run Multiple Cleaning Cycles (More Than You Think)

If you notice:

• Missing lines

• Banding

• Inconsistent color

Then your printhead may not be fully primed yet.

Important tip:

• Many users stop after 4-5 cleanings

• In reality, it may take 9-12 cleaning cycles to fully stabilize the ink flow

Use the printer's built-in cleaning function and check nozzle patterns until they are perfect.

4. ICC Profile: You Likely Don't Need a Custom One

We use Epson's OEM ICC profiles, and in most cases:

You do not need to install a separate ICC profile.

Epson's profiles are already well-optimized for:

• Their printers

• Their ink behavior

• Common media types

5. The #1 ICC Mistake: Double Color Management

Even with a perfect ICC, color can go wrong if settings conflict.

Correct setup:

• In Photoshop or design software:
  Set to "Let application manage colors"

• In printer settings:
  Turn off color adjustment (often labeled "No Color Adjustment")

If both are controlling color:

• Blacks may shift reddish or brown

• Colors become oversaturated or distorted

6. Match the Correct Media Type

Even with the right ICC, your printer settings matter.

Set media type to something like:

• Premium Presentation Paper Matte (commonly used for sublimation)

This controls how much ink is applied.

Too much or too little ink can shift colors significantly.

7. Heat Press Settings Can Override Everything

Even if your print is perfect:

The final result depends heavily on your heat press.

Common issues:

• Too hot: colors look burnt or overly dark

• Too cool: colors look weak or faded

• Uneven pressure: inconsistent color

Make sure:

• Temperature is accurate (many presses are not calibrated)

• Pressure is even

• Time is properly set

8. Paper Type Still Affects Color

Even with OEM ICC:

Different sublimation paper brands behave differently.

You may notice shifts in:

• Reds

• Skin tones

• Gradients

This is normal and usually minor, but worth noting.

9. Sublimation "Perfect Color" Reality Check

It's important to reset expectations:

A correct sublimation workflow looks like this:

• Print looks dull on paper

• Heat press is applied

• Final result becomes vibrant and accurate

If you're expecting the paper print to match your screen exactly, it will always seem incorrect.

10. If Colors Are Still Off After Pressing

Then check these factors:

• Are you using 100% polyester or coated substrate?

• Is your heat press reaching the correct temperature?

• Are there cold spots or uneven pressure?

• Is your pressing time sufficient?

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Because of this, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]). Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we can accept your printer. Our services cover both full printer repairs and individual component work, with clear guidance provided. That said, we understand our pricing may not be the most budget-friendly option, so we strongly recommend exploring self-help resources first. A great place to start is YouTube, including our channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]). Use the search icon next to the "About" tab to find specific topics. With hundreds of videos created over the past nine years, this is the fastest way to locate relevant content. YouTube may also suggest helpful videos from other creators.

Thanks again for reaching out to us-we truly appreciate your support and wish you the best as you get started with sublimation printing.