Best Sublimation Printer for T-shirts

Want to buy the best sublimation printer for T-shirts? Here are the seven best options that everyone should think about.

Best Sublimation Printer for T-shirts
Want to buy the best sublimation printer for T-shirts? Here are the seven best options that everyone should think about.

You want to find the best sublimation printer for shirts that won’t break the bank or compromise quality, right? Our short reviews can help you find the best printer for your needs, whether you print in a closet-sized workshop or a busy shop. Find the printers that make printing bright shirt designs easy, quick, and consistent while keeping an eye on your bottom line.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Epson SureColor F570PRO is the top choice for its high resolution, fast printing, and suitability for small to medium businesses.
  • The Epson WorkForce WF-7720 is a versatile converted sublimation printer with wide-format capabilities and excellent print quality, though it’s not originally designed for sublimation.
  • The Sawgrass SG500 is great for beginners with its easy setup and good color quality, but be aware of the higher ink costs.
  • The HP Stitch S500 is ideal for professionals needing high-quality, large-scale prints and advanced features, but it comes with a high price.
  • The Epson SureColor F170 offers good print quality at a budget-friendly price, although it doesn’t support borderless printing.
  • The Epson ET-15000 provides wide-format printing and vibrant colors but requires conversion for sublimation use and is both larger and more expensive.

Top 7 Best Sublimation Printer for T-shirts:

1) Epson Surecolor F570PRO- Best Overall

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The SureColor F570PRO is Epson’s first sublimation printer. It’s made for small to medium-sized businesses that want to start writing on textiles. You should think about getting this printer if you want to start a sublimation printing business, improve the one you already have, or add a second one to your company.

This Epson printer has PrecisionCore Micro TFP printheads built in. Because they can exactly control the size of each ink droplet, the graphics are incredibly clear and detailed. This is our top pick for a sublimation printer because it can print at up to 2,400 by 1,200 dpi, which makes the output very clear and sharp.

Nozzle Verification Control checks the state of the nozzle and makes changes as needed. The dye-based inks in the F570PRO make the colors very vibrant and the text very clear. This makes your pictures bright and clear, which is very important when you’re writing on t-shirts.

It can quickly print because it has a 1.33-inch print head and 800 nozzles per color. This is the best sublimation printer for t-shirt business. This printer is one of the fastest when it comes to dye-sublimation transfer printing.

You need to be able to print on a lot of different types of media if you want to start your own printing business. The F570PRO can automatically feed 50 sheets of paper and can handle paper up to 24 inches wide, which means it’s easy to print t-shirts up to XXL sizes. The tool is built into the printer to make things easier for you and save you time and work.

The printing machine has large bottles that shut off automatically, so you don’t have to change the ink as often. When you do, you can do it without making a mess like you would with other machines. It’s nice to save money on ink refills.

When you’re shopping for a printer, the last thing you want is to have to assemble it all before you can use it. Still, the F570PRO doesn’t need to be set up because it comes with software drivers that work best with Windows and Mac OS X.

Pros:

  • Excellent quality text and images, ideal for graphic printing
  • The speed
  • Ink tanks that are effortless to replenish

Cons:

  • Expensive initial investment
  • Not able to print with white ink

2) Epson WorkForce WF-7720 – Best Converted Sublimation Printer

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The Epson WorkForce WF-7720 is a multipurpose printer that can print in wide format and scan in tabloid size. Epson models that can print on a wide range of sizes are useful in and of themselves because they give you more space to work with when designing and printing patterns on t-shirts up to XL size. But keep in mind that this will be an Epson sublimation printer that has been changed.

A single-pass auto-duplexing automatic document feeder (ADF) is one of the many high-quality efficiency and convenience features that this sublimation printer has. The WF-7720 has two 250-sheet paper trays and a single-sheet overflow tray, which together can handle more than 500 sheets of paper. The two cassettes in this type can be set up to hold 20 sheets of high-quality picture paper or transfer paper that is up to 13 inches by 19 inches. 

We can expect this model to be bigger than most inkjet printers, measuring 16.5 inches by 22.3 inches by 17.8 inches, so it can print on extra-wide paper. The updated control screen may be the most noticeable change to the WF-7720. There is almost an inch more space on the touchscreen, which makes it easier to quickly touch items. 

The buttons and number pad are also bigger and look better. Touch settings were added, and Epson also put a set of buttons next to the screen so that you can quickly get to the features you use most. Tilting the screen up or down is all it takes to change the viewing angle.

When it comes to output, the WF-7720 lives up to Epson’s history of great printers. From the smallest eight-point font to the biggest 96-point font, they all turned out well. This means that they are perfect for dye sublimation printing of photos, captions, and extra line art.

Epson’s WorkForce WF-7720 is a great choice for a desktop printer that can do more than one thing. It works with sublimation special ink and gives the same results as the best sublimation printer for shirts.

Pros:

  • Excellent print quality for fonts and images of all sizes
  • Wide-format printing is available for all t-shirt sizes.
  • Mopria print service and Airprint wireless printing

Cons:

  • This is an Epson inkjet printer.
  • The warranty will become invalid upon conversion to a sublimation printer.

3) Sawgrass SG500-Best for Beginners

Best Sublimation Printer for T-shirts
Want to buy the best sublimation printer for T-shirts? Here are the seven best options that everyone should think about.

The Sawgrass SG500 is a great choice if you don’t want to end the guarantee on a regular printer by turning it into a sublimation printer. Sawgrass sublimation printers are high-quality machines that can do cutting-edge things. This makes them a great choice for both business and home printers. We love how small and easy to use the Sawgrass SG500 is for printing projects on t-shirt material of all sizes.

These are the best sublimation printers for people who are new to the process and want to start printing as soon as they open the box. There is a membership to the Creative Studio program that comes with the Sawgrass printer that you buy. There are thousands of included models and a free one-on-one onboarding and setup call to make sure you have no trouble getting it up and running. This makes making designs for sublimation prints much easier than with a regular design program.

It has a simple interface with only the most important settings right at the top. The control board has real buttons and lights as well as an illuminated computer display unit. It may look old-fashioned, but it works perfectly.

This is a good sublimation printer, so you might think it would be hard to set up and use. We were pleased to find that it wasn’t at all. Set it up and ran it for the first time in just a few minutes. Everything was easy to understand.

This is also one of the best dye sublimation printer for t shirts for pros because it keeps up with the latest print technology, making colors that are true to life and have a good dynamic range. It has also been pretty cost-effective over time. This Sawgrass sublimation printer is made to work with special sublimation transfer paper.

 It has many settings that can be used for writing sublimation on t-shirts. These are better for professionals who want to use a heat press machine, even though they cost more than other options that work with them.

We got ultra-high-definition prints from the Sawgrass printer because it could use the more expensive Sublijet HD ink refills. However, this technology is very expensive if you don’t plan to use it often for business-level work.

The only big problem is that the ink costs more than cheaper options, as was already said. Anyway, sublimation ink doesn’t dry out like inkjet ink does, so you won’t have to change the refills as often.

Pros:

  • Rapidity and outstanding printing quality
  • Support for customers for the duration of the product’s lifespan
  • The dye from the ink containers does not dry, allowing for extended storage.

Cons:

  • High Cost

4) HP Stitch S500-Best For Professionals:

The HP Stitch S500 makes it easy to print a lot of t-shirts using sublimation. This is a powerful dye-sublimation printer, so it can print on many materials, even cotton shirts that have been coated with polyester, and the results will be beautiful and last a long time.

When you use HP’s dye-sublimation inks and their cutting-edge thermal inkjet technology together, you get pictures that are not only bright and colorful but also washable and will last for years. Maintenance tasks that are done automatically help keep the print quality good and downtime to a minimum.

The HP Stitch S500 is a reliable and flexible choice for sublimation shirts and other textiles when print quality and reliability are very important or when there are a lot of requirements. You can keep up the same level of work even when employees aren’t there. As an added bonus, HP PrintOS lets you check on printer performance, ink use, and substrate material from afar, which makes managing your fleet easier.

The HP Stitch S500 comes with a lot of high-end features, such as a spectrophotometer for accurate color calibration, a built-in cutter for quick output, and an easy-to-use interface for managing print jobs and checking on their progress.

Even if a Pantone color isn’t in your range, you can print with uniform color faster and with less trouble. You can get the best visual color match right away by quickly getting or making your own color profiles. You don’t have to decide what direction your business will take in the future because this is one of the best sublimation printers for both transfer paper and direct-to-fabric printing.

Pros:

  • Handling high-resolution photos is simple.
  • 64-inch printout
  • Dependable sublimation printer
  • Prints without worker supervision

Cons:

  • High start-up cost

5) Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer-Best Budget:

It’s possible to get a great dye sublimation printer without spending a lot of money. This shirt sublimation printer is proof that you can get the best cheap sublimation printer for shirts. For those who are just starting to work with sublimation ink, the Epson Surecolor F170 makes the process simple and inexpensive.

The software guide that comes with the F170 makes it easy to add it to your system. It is ready to use as soon as you take it out of the box and connect it to your computer.

Even though it’s a basic model, it can print at 1200 dpi with the help of 784 nozzles, either on a roll of paper or on cut sheets up to 8.5 inches wide. With sublimation, you can make cheap prints that look great.

Because its printer driver is so fluid, the F170 can print on both hard and flexible media. Either of these two settings can be used to sublimate blanks made of ceramic, metal, clothes, shirts, t-shirts, and more.

The F170, on the other hand, can’t print without frames. Any print on either side must be more than 0.12 inches away from the edge. This is why you need to make sure that the printed drawings you made are the right size ahead of time.

Pros:

  • Sublimation printer at an affordable price
  • Ink expenses are minimal.
  • Superior printing quality

Cons:

  • Does not permit borderless printing.

6) Sawgrass SG1000 – Best for Large Format Printing:

The Sawgrass SG1000 comes with a complete package that includes the printer, paper, samples, ink, and color management software. It also includes a 2-year warranty. We conducted a sublimation test using this model on a shirt to see how it performs and the print quality was impressive, similar to what we’d expect from the SG500.

The SG1000 is an upgrade from the older SG800 model and adds wireless printing, which the SG800 lacks. Compared to the SG500, it offers larger print sizes but comes at a higher price. While the SG1000 is a dedicated sublimation printer, making it more specialized than the ET-15000, it also means it’s pricier.

Overall, if you are serious about sublimation printing and need a reliable, high-speed printer for large formats or a busy business, the SG1000 is a great choice. Just make sure your budget can accommodate the initial cost and ongoing expenses.

Pros:

  • Ideal for bigger prints and plus-sized shirts.
  • Produces great colors and details.
  • User-friendly and quick to get started.
  • Efficient for high-volume needs.

Cons:

  • The printer and ink can be costly.
  • Full access to CreativeStudio software may require a subscription.
  • Ink can become expensive over time.

7) Epson ET-15000

The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is highly praised in our testing and stands out as one of the best EcoTank printers from Epson. It delivers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it a great choice for printing high-quality images.

While it’s not specifically designed as a sublimation printer, a converted ET-15000 performs almost as well as dedicated sublimation models. Like the ET-2800, this printer offers excellent print quality and versatility. It supports wireless printing and can handle wide-format prints up to 13 x 19 inches. The printer comes with various connectivity options including Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, AirPrint, and Mopria. It’s also compatible with Epson’s iPrint app and includes features like a scanner, fax, and automatic duplex printing.

For those interested in sublimation printing—whether you’re a hobbyist or starting a new business—the ET-15000 is one of the best epson sublimation printer for t-shirts. It’s more expensive than some other EcoTank models, but it offers a larger print capacity and a high resolution of 4,800 x 1,200. Despite the higher price, it provides excellent value for sublimation printing.

Pros:

  • Vibrant colors and sharp details.
  • Supports Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, and more.
  • Prints up to 13 x 19 inches.
  • Includes scanning, faxing, and duplex printing.

Cons:

  • More expensive than other EcoTank models.
  • Requires conversion for sublimation use.
  • Takes up more space.
  • May be excessive for occasional printing needs.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Sublimation Printer:

Typography and printing Technology:

Let’s get into the specifics of what makes sublimation printers work now that you know the two main types. Different technologies are used by sublimation printers to put cool patterns on t-shirts. Heat and piezoelectric are the two most popular types.

These printers work like small inkjet printers. That sprays the sublimation ink on the paper through a bunch of small holes. People love how sharp and detailed the prints are from these printers, which makes them great for printing pictures or designs with lots of small details.

You can make a lot of shirts quickly because they work pretty quickly. On the other hand, a dye sublimation printer for T-shirts might cost a little more than other printers.

Thermal printers use heat to move the ink, while Piezoelectric dye sublimation printers for t-shirts use electricity. They have a print head that gets hot and melts the ink onto the paper.

Most of the time, these printers cost less than piezoelectric printers, but they might not print as quickly or with as much detail. Still, they’re a great choice for people who are just starting out or who are on a tight budget.

Size and Format for Printing:

Think about the picture sizes you wish to print. A desktop printer should be fine if all you want to do is print small patterns on the front or back of t-shirts.

But if you want prints that go all the way around or patterns that are bigger, you’ll need a wide-format printer.

How Clear and Sharp the Print is:

It all comes down to the color and clarity of the text. The more resolution you have, the clearer and more detailed your pictures will be.

There will be different resolution settings on a sublimation printer for t-shirts. Resolution is usually given in dots per inch (dpi). Most drawings can be made with a resolution of 300 dpi. But if you want to print photos or designs with a lot of detail, you might want to look into getting a printer with a better resolution, like 600 dpi. The picture is clearer and brighter with a higher quality. It’s like picking between a standard-definition TV and a high-definition TV.

Remember, though, that it’s not just the printer that makes great prints. Also, you need to use good ink and transfer paper.

Colors and the Ink System:

There are two main types of ink systems that sublimation printers for writing on T-shirts use: cartridges and tanks that can be refilled.

It is easy to use systems that use cartridges because when the ink runs out, you just pop in a new cartridge. In the long run, though, they might cost more.

With refillable tanks, you can save money by adding more ink yourself. It can be a bit messier and less useful, though. You can choose between getting water in a bottle and using a reusable water bottle. Each has pros and cons.

It does not matter which ink method you pick; the most important thing is to use good sublimation ink. This will keep your pictures bright and durable so they don’t fade or crack over time. This is like the difference between cheap paint that fades quickly and nice paint that stays beautiful and bright for years.

The color gamut (the range of colors a printer can make) is also important, especially if you’re printing designs with lots of different colors. There are different printers with different color gamuts, so pick one that can print all the colors in your drawings.

Productivity and Speed:

How quickly do you need your printer to work? It depends on how many T-shirts you want to make.

It might not matter how fast you print if you’re only making a few shirts for yourself or your friends. You’ll need a printer that can make shirts quickly, though, if you have a business or are printing for an event.

Ease of Use and Interface for Users:

No matter how experienced you are or if this is your first printer, you want one that is easy to set up, use, and get help with if you need it.

Look for a printer that has an easy-to-use interface, like a touchscreen on the printer or software on your computer that is simple to use. The software should have tools that make your life easier, like color management tools to make sure your colors are bright, picture editing tools to make your designs look better, and print queue management tools to keep track of all your print jobs.

Compatibility and Connectivity:

Many sublimation printers can connect to your computer via USB, but some can also connect via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi can be very helpful if you already have a wifi setup. If you want to make sure the printer works with your favorite design tools and your operating system (like Windows or macOS), check the list below. You don’t want to buy a printer and then find that it doesn’t work with the other things you have.

Maintenance and Durability:

You spend money on a sublimation printer, so you want it to last as long as possible. Pick a printer that can handle being used often. Look for strong buildings and good materials. Your printer will need some TLC to keep it going well, just like any other machine.

Your printer will stay in great shape if you do regular maintenance on it, like cleaning the print head and replacing worn-out parts.

Warranty and Support:

Things can go wrong even with the best-sublimated printer for t-shirts. That’s why it’s important to pick a printer with a strong guarantee and good customer service. A good guarantee will let you know that you’re taken care of if something goes wrong. If you have any problems, reliable customer service will be there to help you fix them. It’s like having a safety net—you hope you never need it, but it’s good to know it’s there.

Different printers offer different warranty lengths. Some only come with a one-year guarantee, while others offer longer warranties. 

Bottom Line:

If you’re new to sublimation printing for t-shirts, you’ll need to decide between a dedicated sublimation printer or an inkjet printer that can be used for sublimation. 

For those needing a machine that handles both personal and large-scale business orders effectively, our list has top recommendations.

The Epson SureColor F570PRO is a standout for wide-format printing and shows that Epson printers can excel in sublimation.

Alternatively, the HP Stitch S500 is perfect for businesses with high order volumes, offering reliability and quality without constant supervision.

We hope our 2024 review of the best sublimation printers for t-shirts has helped you find the right option.

FAQs

What is the Best Sublimation Printer for T-shirts?

The best sublimation printer for T-shirts is often considered to be the Epson SureColor F570PRO. This printer is highly praised for its ability to produce vibrant and detailed prints, making it ideal for T-shirt designs. It handles larger prints and all-over designs well, which is great if you plan to create more extensive or complex designs. Additionally, it is user-friendly and reliable, making it a top choice for both beginners and professionals.

What Printer is Best for Sublimation T-shirts?

The Epson SureColor F570PRO is frequently regarded as the best printer for sublimation T-shirts. It is renowned for its ability to generate vivid and intricate prints, rendering it an ideal choice for T-shirt designs. This printer is ideal for the creation of more intricate designs, as it is capable of supporting larger prints and all-over designs. It is also a top choice for both beginners and professionals due to its reliability and user-friendliness.

What Brand of Shirt is Best for Sublimation?

For sublimation printing, shirts made from 100% polyester or high-polyester blends are the best. Brands like Gildan, Bella Canvas, and Jerzees are popular choices because they offer high-quality polyester shirts that work well with sublimation inks.

These shirts allow for vibrant and long-lasting prints, making them ideal for creating custom designs. Additionally, they are comfortable to wear and come in various styles and colors, giving you plenty of options for your projects.

Is the Sublimation Printing Business Profitable?

The sublimation printing business can be quite profitable, especially if you target niche markets and offer unique designs. The initial investment in equipment and materials is relatively low compared to other printing methods, and the cost per print is also affordable.

With the growing demand for custom and personalized products, there is a significant market for sublimation-printed items like T-shirts, mugs, and phone cases. Success in this business depends on your creativity, marketing efforts, and ability to meet customer needs efficiently.

What Size Sublimation Printer Do I Need for T-shirts?

For printing on t-shirts, a sublimation printer that can handle at least 8.5″ x 11″ paper is usually sufficient for small to medium-sized designs. This size allows for detailed prints without overwhelming the shirt. If you plan to print larger designs, especially for adult t-shirts, you might want to consider a wide-format printer that can handle larger paper sizes, such as 13″ x 19″. This will give you more flexibility and ensure your designs look great on various shirt sizes.

How Long Does Sublimation Ink Last on Shirts?

Sublimation ink on shirts can last a very long time, often as long as the fabric itself. The ink becomes part of the fabric, so it won’t peel or fade easily. With proper care, such as washing in cold water and avoiding harsh chemicals, the prints can stay vibrant for many years. Generally, sublimation prints on polyester shirts can last through numerous washes without significant fading.

Are A4 Shirts Good for Sublimation?

A4 shirts are a great choice for sublimation printing because they are made from high-quality polyester, which is ideal for this process. The polyester fabric allows the sublimation ink to bond well, resulting in vibrant and long-lasting prints. These shirts are also known for their durability and comfort, making them popular among those who want to create custom t-shirts with detailed designs.

Can you Sublimate on 100% Polyester?

Yes, you can sublimate on 100% polyester. This fabric is ideal for sublimation because the ink bonds well with polyester fibers, resulting in vibrant and durable prints. The process involves turning the dye into gas, which then permeates the fabric and creates a permanent design. This means the prints won’t peel or fade easily, making 100% polyester shirts a great choice for long-lasting custom designs.

Is Sublimation Printing High Quality?

Sublimation printing is known for its high quality and durability. This method uses heat to transfer dye onto materials like fabric, metal, or ceramic, resulting in vibrant and long-lasting prints. The colors are bright and won’t fade or crack over time because the dye becomes part of the material itself. This makes sublimation printing ideal for items that need to withstand frequent use or washing, such as t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases.

What Format is Best for Sublimation?

For sublimation printing, the best formats are JPEG and TIFF because they are lossless, meaning the image stays sharp and clear during printing. These formats ensure that the colors and details of your design are accurately transferred to the material. Additionally, it’s important to use a high-resolution image to make sure it fills the desired area without losing quality.

Last Updated on January 31, 2025 by Muhammad Haseeb

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