Sublimation printing is an ever-growing field of printing: popular among hobbyists and businesses alike. In investing in the best sublimation printer, you invest in the opportunity to create stunning craft projects: custom t-shirts, mugs and much more. But these niche printer models are not as universal as other top printers, which can make finding the one you need a challenge.
Thankfully, we’ve gone ahead and selected some top recommended sublimation printers, across a range of different budget points and specializations. Whether you just need the occasional custom tumbler or are mass-printing designs on t-shirts, you’re sure to find the right sublimation printer to suit your needs.
- Best Sublimation Printer
Epson EcoTank ET-15000
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi, Ethernet
- Duplex Printing: Yes
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Best Budget Sublimation PrinterEpson EcoTank ET-2800
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Technology: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: Ethernet, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing?: Yes
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Best Mid-Range Sublimation PrinterSawgrass SG500
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: Sublimation
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing: No
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Best Epson Sublimation PrinterEpson SureColor F170
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type : Sublimation
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing: No
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Best Sublimation Printer for BusinessSawgrass SG1000
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: Sublimation
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing: No
What is a Sublimation Printer?
Sublimation printers utilize specialist sublimation ink and sublimation paper to render a design. Both the ink and paper need to be purpose-built for the process to work. Once the print is complete, it is placed on a substrate (a catch-all term for the print material, as sublimation can be done on a wide range of materials) and the ink chemically bonds to it when exposed to heat – making for wear-resistant and accurate designs. Sublimation printers are great for custom merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, and even canvas prints. However, as you may have gathered, it’s a very material-heavy craft: alongside the sublimation printer itself you need at least a set of sublimation ink, sublimation paper, transfer paper and a heat press machine (and of course a substrate to print onto).
How We Picked the Best Sublimation Printer
Sublimation printers come in two distinct forms: there are dedicated printers designed originally for sublimation ink, and there are standard InkJet printers that can be converted for sublimation. The latter has a share of downsides – a converted printer can’t be used for anything other than sublimation from then on, and will likely void your printer warranty – but they tend to be the more affordable and hobbyist-oriented choices. For this ranking, we’ve included a medley of both: considering the overall print quality in regards to sublimation.
We’ve selected five different products, spanning different budget benchmarks in order to ensure everyone can find a potential sublimation printer to suit their needs. We’ve broken down the respective advantages – and disadvantages – of each printer below.
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi, Ethernet
- Duplex Printing: Yes
Beating out several purpose-built sublimation units, this Epson printer highlights the incredible strength of the EcoTank range.
- Wide-format printing – with a maximum print size of 13″ x 19″, the ET-15000 is capable of huge sublimation prints.
- Ink tank system – Epson EcoTank printers are some of the most efficient on the market, meaning that your expensive sublimation ink doesn’t go to waste.
- Slower print speeds – the ET-15000 can take as much as 4 minutes to print a sublimation blank.
Taking our top spot today is the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 – one of our favorite printers on the market. Valued for its highly versatile print ability, you won’t regret converting this Epson printer for sublimation.
The ET-15000 is capable of prints as large as 13″ x 19″, making it ideal for anything from large graphics down to stickers. Print quality is stellar with a vivid color gamut and terrific detail even in the darkest shades, and it has high compatibility with a number of sublimation ink brands such as Hiipoo and Printer’s Jack. EcoTank printers are among our favorites in the market, and the quality on display with the ET-15000 is unmatched.
However, one thing that can be matched is the print speed: taking up to 240 seconds for a standard sublimation print, the ET-15000 is a slow printer. It compensates with quality, however, and we’re happy to name it as the best sublimation printer on the market.
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Technology: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: Ethernet, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing?: Yes
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Technology: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: Ethernet, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing?: Yes
Another Epson printer ripe for conversion, this low-cost, high-quality model is a tremendous entry point into sublimation printing.
- Affordable – often retailing under $200, the ET-2800 is an easy investment.
- Great print quality – we’re always impressed by this printer’s high-quality prints.
- Poor tray placement for sublimation paper – the media input tray is located below the output, making it difficult to reload.
For a more affordable sublimation solution, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 serves as an affordable alternative to the ET-15000. Don’t let it’s low price fool you, however: this is still a highly capable sublimation printer.
A standard-sized sublimation print can be ready in as little as 120 seconds with the ET-2800. As for the print quality, it can support prints up to 5760 x 1440 DPI. It is the most sought-after printer for sublimation on the market: combining terrific quality with an even more terrific price. Effectively a smaller, low-budget version of the ET-15000, there’s a lot to love about this printer.
That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to dislike, however: the media input tray for sublimation paper is inconveniently located below the output, which can make refilling the paper a challenge. It’s a small hurdle, but one that just makes the ET-2800 lose out on the top spot in our rankings.
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: Sublimation
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing: No
Purpose-built for sublimation, the SG500 impeccably straddles the line between affordability and quality – making it an excellent choice for sublimation prints.
- Median price – a quality model though not unaffordable, the SG500 strikes an excellent price-to-performance balance.
- Dedicated sublimation printing – prints are rendered in stellar detail with the SG500, and it comes with dedicated ink.
- Cartridge-based – rather than Epson’s EcoTank printers for sublimation, the SG500 uses inefficient cartridges.
The Sawgrass SG500 is a great dedicated sublimation printer that manages great quality without being overtly expensive. Purpose-built for sublimation, this printer is well worth the investment.
The SG500 excels at sublimation printing, with a 1440 DPI print resolution on prints up to 11″ x 8.5″ in size. Prints are completed in as little as 45 seconds, and can be pre-configured to your liking with a user-friendly interface. Compact and lightweight, the SG500 should be easy to set up in any home or business.
That said, the SG500’s biggest flaw comes in its reliance on outmoded cartridge-based ink systems. As other printers on this list highlight, this makes for a far less efficient and far more expensive print experience. But for near-unrivaled sublimation printing, the SG500 is still worth the investment.
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type : Sublimation
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing: No
A dedicated Epson sublimation printer, the F170 is a great option – combining Epson’s quality with purpose-built sublimation print technology.
- Easy setup – with a dedicated profile for sublimation, you can print with ease.
- Great ink economy – employing an improved SuperTank system, sublimation ink is preserved well.
- Limited color gamut – the four-color ink system limits the overall vibrancy available in prints with the F170.
Unlike the Epson EcoTank printers, the Epson SureColor F170 is a dedicated sublimation printer that is made for sublimation. Though not quite beating the ET-15000 for overall value, the sublimation capabilities of this printer are not to be overlooked.
Prints are rendered quickly and with great detail on the F170, with prints being rendered in under a minute in many cases. Thanks to its dedicated sublimation profile and compatible Epson ink, setting this printer up is no problem at all. Paper james or ink clots are rare, if they happen at all, and the printer’s interface is friendly and helpful in identifying and even preventing issues.
That said, the color quality on the F170 does let it down slightly: it may be worth investigating some ICC color profiles if you need vibrant and saturated designs. But otherwise, we still highly recommend the F170.
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: Sublimation
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi Direct
- Duplex Printing: No
The older sibling of the SG500, the SG1000 supersizes your sublimation possibilities – literally.
- Large print size – the 13″ x 19″ size rivals the ET-15000 with the optional bypass tray.
- Automated features – the SG1000 automatically maintains itself and performs diagnostics for easy repeat use.
- Premium price – this business-oriented printer extracts a business-oriented toll for use.
If you need to produce custom merchandise on an industrial scale, consider the Sawgrass SG1000. Our final pick, this commercial-grade sublimation printer rivals the ET-15000, but with some additional benefits.
Capable of printing up to 13″ x 19″ in size, the SG1000 is able to match almost any sublimation scenario. Installation is quick and simple, allowing for you to get on with printing a wide range of designs – wired or wirelessly. It comes packaged with all the software you’ll need to get designing, and print speeds far exceed that of the ET-15000.
So why isn’t this the best sublimation printer? It depends primarily on the price: at nearly four times the price of the ET-15000, it’s hard for non-businesses to afford it. But if money is no object, then the SG1000 is a top choice.
Features and Considerations
Looking at a different sublimation printer? There are plenty on the market, but consider the following to ensure you get the right one:
Sublimation Ink
Not every printer is compatible with sublimation ink, and using it with an incompatible printer can seriously damage your device. Double-check with the manufacturer whether your printer is compatible. Equally, if you’re converting a printer for sublimation, be aware of the added work needed – more on that below.
Print Resolution
As mentioned before, the print resolution is valuable for those wanting to print sublimation graphics or photo-quality images for merchandise. Generally, photographs need a minimum of 1200 dots per inch (DPI) to be of good quality – though more is always better.
Connectivity
How you connect to your printer is just as important as what you print with it. We always prefer a wireless connection for convenience’s sake, but ensure that whatever device you intend to print from is compatible with the printer. General connection options include WiFi Direct, Bluetooth, Cloud Printing or Apple AirPrint.
Print Speed
Print speed generally isn’t as important as the quality of the print itself, but for high-pressure environments, it is always helpful to have a faster print speed. Equally, InkJet printers use hefty amounts of ink, so ensure that drying times aren’t too long either.
How to Convert a Printer for Sublimation
The steps required for changing a printer for sublimation vary from model to model, with some having some elements that assist the process, but the general advice goes as follows:
- Completely drain the tank of any and all ink residue, and clean the printheads thoroughly (use a slightly damp towel for both).
- Once clean and dry, fill the printer with corresponding sublimation ink.
- Configure your prints via the PC with corresponding profiles if available.
- Run a test print to check for damage or leaks.
Be aware that the conversion process is irreversible and will likely void any warranty you may have with the manufacturer. You also have to regularly clean the printheads by hand to maintain the printer.
FAQs
Is it worth buying a sublimation printer?
Yes. Sublimation printers can help you customize your apparel and even start a small sublimation on-demand service. You can sublimate on mugs, t-shirts, and many other fabrics, and the results are highly detailed.
How do I convert my printer back from sublimation?
You can’t, unfortunately. Converting your printer to a sublimation printer is irreversible – so be sure to use it for any other printing requirements before conversion!
Verdict
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi, Ethernet
- Duplex Printing: Yes
Though it may be too slow for many users, the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 takes the top spot as our favorite printer for sublimation. At the median of price, speed, quality and versatility, this printer is well worth investing in for your craft hobby or business!
Looking for a better all-round craft solution? Check out our guide on the best printers for crafting today.
