Best Sublimation Printers
Want to buy the best sublimation printers? Here are the 10 best options that everyone should think about.
With sublimation printing, you can use special inks to print pictures and artwork that will stick to T-shirts, mugs, canvases, and other things. But gone are the days when sublimation printers were only used by high-end production companies.
More companies are now making these unique tools for regular people to use, which makes dye sublimation easier to learn. Any of those won’t work? Most inkjet printers can also be changed to work with the sublimation process.
With the best sublimation printers, you can make unique items at home or the office without paying someone else to do it. First, you need to think about the trade-offs between several things, such as the cost of ink, how hard it is to set up, and the quality of the prints.
It costs more than normal ink to buy sublimation ink. For this reason, the best sublimation printers for artists is thought to have cheap ink that lasts a long time. Before looking at the best sublimation printers on the market, remember that if you want to succeed, you need the best sublimation printers to make good prints.
We have put together a list of the 10 best sublimation printers for 2024 because of this. A lot of different projects were used to try sublimation printers for hours to find the ones that were almost the best.
Our Recommendations the Best Sublimation Printer in 2024
- Best overall: Epson EcoTank ET-15000
- Best Budget: Epson EcoTank ET-2800
- Best Value: Epson EcoTank ET-2850
- Best Sublimation Color Printer: Sawgrass SG500
- Best Inkjet Printer: Epson EcoTank ET-2720
Key Takeaways:
- Sublimation printing is no longer limited to professionals, with affordable printers and inkjet compatibility making it accessible to regular users.
- Consider initial cost, ink expenses, and longevity when choosing a sublimation printer. Models like the Epson EcoTank series offer refillable ink tanks for cost-effective printing.
- Look for printers with high resolution and versatile features like wireless connectivity and automatic double-sided printing for vibrant prints and convenience.
- Select a printer tailored to your needs, whether for home use, small businesses, or professional applications, considering factors like print size, speed, and material compatibility.
Top 10 Best Sublimation Printer Reviews:
1) Epson EcoTank ET-15000 – Best Overall:
With the Epson EcoTank ET 15000, a great all-around color printer, you can print on sublimation paper up to 13 x 19 inches. It is known as one of the best sublimation printers because the ink tanks can be filled up again and again.
This printer has one of the best sublimation ink tanks because each pair can easily print up to 6,000 color pages or 7,500 black pages.
Next, it produced 15 black-and-white and 7.5 color copies per minute, which is fast. It works well for corporations and people like myself who print lots of documents and graphics.
It prints without ink cartridges, saving you money and preventing you from buying expensive refills. Epson sublimation printers with 2.7-inch color touchscreens can print photos, graphics, and papers without lines. The 250-sheet sublimation paper tray can print both sides at once.
HD prints are possible at 4800 x 1200 dpi. We saw that the printer’s ink doesn’t fade or run when moist, thus my images last longer. Things get easier when the Epson Ecotank ET 15000 printer is connected to Wi-Fi networks. You can easily connect via USB to my PC.
The printer came with an Ethernet cable for a network connection. Voice-activated printing lets it print wirelessly. Scan, copy, FAX, and print quality is excellent. An automatic document reader (ADF) scans 8.5 x 14-inch paper.
A fair price for a printer. It gives you a large set of ink bottles that can print 7,500 pages and charges roughly one cent per page for mono and more for larger formats.
One of the best sublimation printers for households and companies is the Epson ET-15000, which can handle a lot of paper and be operated in numerous ways.
2) Epson EcoTank ET-2800 – Best Budget:
In a world where printer problems are often caused by running out of ink and having to pay a lot to replace them, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 sublimation printer stands out as a model of innovation.
This best affordable sublimation printer is ideal for modern homes. Your family’s writing needs will be met and exceeded. The sleek form of the standard and black models makes them easy to place in any home office or study space.
The easiest way to print is cartridge-free using EcoFit ink bottles. Every print task will be done efficiently because each bottle has 90 ink refills.
This printer is wonderful since utilizing new ink bottles instead of cartridges saves up to 90%.
The box contains enough ink for two years, making this printer stand out. This printer supplies ink from the start, so you won’t have to buy it last minute.
An integrated high-resolution flatbed scanner generates sharp copies of documents and photos, making the printer even more useful.
Because it lasts long between ink changes, T522 is great. Black and color ink can print 4,500 and 7,500 pages, respectively.
This printer is one of the greatest because it’s the best budget sublimation printer, innovative, and simple. No more sudden writing stops—EcoFit ink bottles refill easily and last long.
Epson’s inventiveness makes every print perfect. High-resolution scanning makes it a home office printer.
No need to worry about “running out of ink.” The sublimation printer promises future savings and two years of ink. Epson wants to revolutionize home printing with this printer.
3) Epson EcoTank ET-2850 – Best Value:
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850, which costs $230, is a cheap ink tank printer with a basic set of features and very cheap ink. A scanner lets you scan and copy, and a duplexer lets you print on both sides of the paper.
It’s not lightning-fast, but it’s always there. The picture quality is also very good everywhere.
This EcoTank includes four ink bottles (black, cyan, yellow, and magenta) to fill the ink tanks. Black and color inks should last 7,500 and 6,000 pages, respectively.
The ET-2850 is a compact device. When printing, the dimensions of the printer are 14.8 x 22.3 x 10.2 inches when the paper support and output tray are extended.
Approximately 12 pounds. The scanner’s lid remains lit in the absence of an automated document feeder (ADF) for duplicating and scanning multi-page documents.
There is one 100-sheet paper tray at the back of the ET-2850. It can hold 20 picture sheets.
The ET-2850’s speed is about normal. It takes 34.4 seconds, or 8.7 pages per minute, to print a five-page text document. When the ET-2850’s duplexer is used to print on both sides, it doesn’t slow down much.
The Epson ET-2850 copies in color in 33.2 seconds, which is faster than the 25.8 seconds that most ink tank and high-yield models take.
Simple features make the Epson ET-2850 the best home sublimation printer. It works well and features a duplexer, making it suitable for most residential usage unless you need a quick worker.
Its single 100-sheet paper tray makes it unsuitable for heavy office work. Ink is cheap, and you don’t need an ADF or second paper tray for large copies. ET-2850 may work for you.
4) Sawgrass SG500 – Best Sublimation Color Printer:
Because it can print on materials up to 51 inches long, the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 is the best choice for both small and big businesses that need to make detailed plans. All you have to do to use it is plug it in, connect it, and start using it right away.
It’s the best Sawgrass sublimation printer for people who want to make high-quality sublimation designs because it makes prints that don’t fade.
Due to its ability to sublimation print at a density of approximately 4800 x 1200 dots per inch, the Virtuoso SG500 sublimation printer always makes the best prints possible. Because it has an automatic repair cycle, our prints always came out great.
The SG500’s Wi-Fi connection makes it easier to print your drawings than ever before. It also takes up little room and doesn’t take up much room. For those of you looking for an eco-friendly printer, this was the best choice because it used so little power.
It becomes easier to print on things up to 8.5 inches by 14 inches with this one. You can and have used it to add personalized images to mugs, coasters, phone covers, and clothing, among other things.
The Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 comes with a free copy of CreativeStudio software. It is made for the sublimation process and comes with hundreds of ready-to-use designs and product templates.
The SG500’s initial setup takes a few minutes. It’s simple. The printer saves money, has a wide dynamic range, and produces colors that match the originals. Its speed is comparable to most modified Epson sublimation printers.
After trying several models, the Sawgrass printer is the best business sublimation printer. The Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500’s tools work with the SG400.
It performs well and requires less maintenance than other converted Epson printers because it was intended for sublimation printing. The ink doesn’t dry out rapidly even after long-term storage.
5) Epson EcoTank ET-2720 – Best Inkjet Printer:
It is easy to use the Epson EcoTank ET-2720 portable color all-in-one printer for sublimation printing. For newbies, the Epson ET-2720 is the best sublimation printer because it has big ink tanks and can be changed over more easily and for less money than most inkjet printers.
The ET-2720 is one of the best sublimation printers because it has the best print quality and doesn’t need ink cartridges, which can save you up to 90% on ink costs.
First, let’s talk about how the Epson EcoTank ET-2720 can print. About 4,500 black-and-white pages and 7,500 color pages are what ET-2720 means.
It is very easy to use because it has a simple, straightforward design and a color screen that makes movement easy. The ET-2720 has a resolution of about 5760 x 1440 dpi, which means it can print very well.
With the Heat-Free Micro Piezo feature, both letters and color pictures came out very clearly. Along with that, it gave me a lot of ways to join, such as USB, Bluetooth, and Ethernet.
The Epson Smart Panel App can be used on a phone or tablet to make dye sublimation printing easier. It is straightforward to use in home offices and small businesses because it has great print quality, can print in color, and is well-thought-out.
Another important thing is that the ET-2720 has high-capacity ink tanks that can be filled up again and again. This meant you never have to worry about running out of ink.
This is the best cheap sublimation printer because of this. This printer is mostly used for sublimation printing, but it also scans and copies.
6) Epson SureColor F170 – Best Sublimation Printer For Beginners:
Epson makes some of the best printers for sublimation for homes, offices, small businesses, and even photos. It shouldn’t be a surprise that it also works great as a sublimation printer.
It’s ready to make dye-sub pictures as soon as you get the SureColor SC-F170. It comes with a 150-foot auto-feed tray so you don’t have to keep adding media. With the big ink tanks, you won’t have to replace them as often, which saves you money and cuts down on the amount of plastic you use.
The custom-made sublimation printer has the highest resolution of 1440 x 720 dpi, which means that prints will be clear and bright. This printer can print up to 8.5 x 14 inches, so it can be used for a wide range of tasks.
Even though it has a lot of useful features, it’s still only 27.7 pounds, which makes it easy to move or carry. The printer is extremely small, measuring 14.8 x 19.8 x 7.4 inches.
This helps it fit easily into a variety of workspaces. This printer is both powerful and easy to use. This is one of the best sublimation printer for beginners. It can make pictures with lots of detail and color, or it can be used for sublimation and be small and effective.
With a resolution of 144 x 720 dots per inch, this sublimation printer makes pictures that are bright and clear. You will be able to put your prints on many forms, such as mousepads, shirts, mugs, and metal panels.
You have a lot of choices for how to connect it: USB, Ethernet, or the built-in wifi. It is simple to set up and use, so you can print faster with less trouble.
7) Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800:
Another new business All-in-One from Epson is the EcoTank Pro ET-5800. This professional class all-in-one printer is a good choice for any business that wants a color printer that won’t break the bank and will do its job well.
As an entry-level professional AIO, it outperforms competitors in paper capacity, job cycle, dependability, and cost. Plus, it helps reduce running expenses without sacrificing benefits. Previously, few AIOs could achieve this. However, super tank printers change everything.
It costs two cents for every black-and-white or color page. A few bottles of ink, which cost less than an ink cylinder and last thousands of pages, are enough for this printer.
Epson utilities ease setup. Brands share setup utilities but not manual step photos. Automatic methods are great when they work, but knowing the backup will work is fantastic.
Wired options: Ethernet or SB. Wireless: WiFi, WiFi direct, Bluetooth. Cloud apps, Android, and iOS are device solutions. All connect smartphones and tablets to the EcoTank Pro ET-5800.
Touchscreen controls are 4.3″. The copy menu is simple. 50 sheets and single-pass 2-sided originals are supported. Best selling point: running costs. Operating cost reduction lowers quality. Epson precision core print head excels. High-quality industrial applications are not its exclusive usage.
Durability is key in those applications. The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800 has precision core print heads. Industrial applications attain great quality with 6 or more colors.
The 4-color process will be better. It still outperforms business-class All-in-Ones. Cutting costs without lowering quality is something that every business should look into.
8) Epson EcoTank ET-2400:
CMYK inkjet printer Epson EcoTank ET-2400 doesn’t need cartridges and can do many things. High-capacity ink tanks and a built-in flatbed scanner are included. ET-2400 has Epson’s Micro Piezo print head.
No heat is needed to empty this head’s ink cartridge. You press the piezo element, which moves back and forth and fires ink from the print head. This print head can be controlled and produces crisper prints, making images and sketches look excellent.
The ET-2400’s design isn’t innovative, but it has a black textured exterior. It’s refreshing from most printers’ grayish plastic.
The ET-2400 has six sealed membrane buttons on the front for power, Wi-Fi modes, network status printing, black-and-white and color copies, and stopping prints. Wi-Fi, ink, and paper feed lights are also present.
The best feature of the ET-2400 is the large Ecotank inkwell on the front of the unit. Ink cartridges are used by most printers in this class, but the ET-2400 prints from a big ink tank. You can see the ink tank fill caps through a flip-up lid on the front of the unit.
With the Epson Smart Panel App, it’s very easy to set up the Epson ET-2400. The app helps you connect to a Wi-Fi network and see if there are any firmware changes. Then it talks you through setting up the ET-2400 for the first time as if you were talking to an AI customer service rep.
The Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Color Printer can do many things, is reliable, and is not expensive. When it comes to prints, scans aren’t of good quality or paper prints, but the photo prints were great.
Because it uses ink technology that saves money and the environment, the Epson ET-2400 is a great choice for home offices and family printers.
9) Epson EcoTank ET-4800:
A lot of printers are out there, but some are better than others. The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is a shining example for people who want to be efficient, save money, and do a great job. It can be a pain to change cartridges, but the ET-4800’s innovative design has made that a thing of the past.
This sublimation printer is more than just a machine; it’s an experience that works best in a home office. You can use the ET-4800 for all of your printing needs because it doesn’t need cartridges and promises the fastest and best print quality.
Avoid having to change the cartridges often. You can use the ET-4800 right away because it comes with up to two years of ink. Also, each set of new ink bottles is the same as about 90 individual cartridges, which is a huge savings of up to 90% compared to regular ink cartridges.
EcoFit ink bottles are an eco-friendly and inexpensive alternative to cartridges. The new T522 ISO page ink output is high. Black ink can print 4,500 pages, and cyan, magenta, and yellow can print 7,500 pages each. Long-lasting and effective use reduces cartridge replacement.
The printer can copy, scan, fax, and automatically feed papers into a high-resolution flatbed scanner. Its multitasking capabilities make it excellent for scanning, copying, and managing faxes.
The color panel makes printer features easier to see and switch. The straightforward design improves user experience and speeds up tasks.
EcoFit ink bottles and an easy-to-use screen make this printer eco-friendly and useful. It prints more pages with less ink and can be utilized for office duties.
In the race to be the best sublimation printer, the Epson EcoTank ET-4800 not only comes out on top, but it also changes the game. It’s not just about getting work done; it’s about changing your ideas about what you can do in a home office.
10) Epson Workforce Pro WF-7820:
In addition to printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7820 All-in-One Inkjet Printer can also quickly print on a wide range of media.
The printer has a 4800 x 2400 dpi resolution and can print at speeds of up to 25 pages per minute (ppm) in black and 12 pages per minute (ppm) in color. It is designed for printing a lot of pages quickly.
The unit can easily handle a range of document sizes and can handle paper sizes up to 13 x 19″. It can make copies up to 11″ x 17″, and it has a mode for long documents that lets you make banners up to 42.7″ long.
The WorkForce Pro WF-7820 can automatically print on both sides of a page and has built-in Wi-Fi so users can join their phones wirelessly using the Epson Smart Panel app, Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and other services.
The printer has an input tray that can hold up to 250 sheets of paper and an automatic document feeder (ADF) that can scan and copy up to 50 sheets.
An 11.7 x 17″ flatbed scanner features an optical resolution of 1200 dpi, ensuring crisp images and copies are produced, and the unit can scan and copy legal-size documents up to 11 x 17″. It comes with a 4.3-inch color touchscreen for easy access and control.
Secure Data Erase, Secure Wireless, and other features protect your files. PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology reduces downtime and energy use, and the WF-7820 can print 50,000 pages each month, so it will last.
There are various wireless options for mobile printing and scanning. The Epson Smart Panel app, Email Print, Remote Print, iPrint, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria are examples.
Scan to computer, scan to cloud, scan to email, scan to network folder, scan to memory device, and get rid of shadows and holes in the images.
What is a Sublimation Printer?
A sublimation printer is a special kind of printer that is mostly used to make designs on ceramics, fabrics, and other things. A standard inkjet or laser printer puts ink or toner on the paper’s surface. A sublimation printer, on the other hand, works in a completely different way.
It’s the ink that makes a sublimation printer stand out. This ink goes straight from being solid to gas when heated, without going through the liquid process first.
This method is known as sublimation transfer paper, which is also where the printer’s name comes from. High heat (usually from a heat press) breaks down this gaseous ink when it comes in contact with polyester materials.
It seeps into the fibers or the covered surface of the substrate. The ink starts to become part of the object as it cools and hardens.
As a result? Vivid prints that last a long time and don’t fade, even after many washes. Because of this, sublimation printers are very popular in the world of personalized gifts, promotional items, and custom clothing.
The print from a sublimation printer doesn’t crack, peel, or wash off of T-shirts, mugs, and phone cases, so patterns stay bright for years. In the world of digital printing, sublimation printers offer the best combination of design depth, longevity, and color vibrancy.
What Does a Sublimation Printer Work?
A sublimation printer is more than simply another equipment in the wide printing environment; it is a specialist tool that has transformed the world of personalized printing. A sublimation printer uses heat to transfer dye onto materials such as plastic, card, paper, or fabric. But what puts it apart?
The procedure begins with the printer applying inks on sublimation paper. These inks are remarkable in that when exposed to high temperatures, they change from a solid to a gas, completely bypassing the liquid phase. The term “sublimation” originates from this phenomenon.
Once printed, the design is transferred to the required substrate, such as a t-shirt, mug, or other object. The design is then applied to the item using a heat press.
As the inks become gaseous due to heat, they permeate the material’s fibers. When they cool and solidify, the dye becomes a part of the material, preventing the print from fading, peeling, or scratching off.
The ultimate result is vibrant, long-lasting designs that outperform traditional prints in terms of wear and tear, washing, and environmental conditions.
Sublimation printers are popular among personalization and custom-printing enterprises due to their durability and versatility.
Can You Use Any Printer for Sublimation?
No, not every printer can do sublimation. Some printers can’t use sublimation ink because they don’t have the right print head.
Putting ink on the paper is what the print head does for a living. Inkjet print heads come in two main types: thermal and piezo. The Piezo print heads will work for sublimation, but the thermal print heads will not.
Print Machines That Use Heat:
Heat is used by thermal print heads to boil the ink and turn it into an air bubble of ink mist. This bubble is pushed through the nozzle of the print head, where it blows up and leaves the chamber.
At the end of the process, it cools down quickly while the ink is put on the paper. Water-based inks are used by thermal print machines to help heat the paper. This kind of print head is used by printers like Canon and HP.
Print Heads for Piezo:
A thin film on the head of a piezo print head is charged with electricity, which makes the film move. This shaking tells the film to bend and flex, which builds up the pressure that pushes the ink from the tube onto the paper.
It is easier to control how fast the ink comes out because the film bounces and bends so quickly. Inks that are water-based, oil-based, eco-solvent, solvent-based, and gel-based can all be used with this type of print head.
Printers with this kind of print head can be used for sublimation. Some examples are Epson, Sawgrass, and Roland. As a side point, this Piezo Print Head is in some other printer brands, but there are no sublimation inks for them.
What to Consider When Buying the Best Sublimation Printers:
All of the above printers are great choices for people who want a high-quality sublimation printer. But depending on your needs and budget, the best sublimation printer may be different based on the following factors.
Before buying a sublimation printer, you should think about the things mentioned below, along with a list of features that you have to have. These are made up of
Print Quality:
When you buy a sublimation printer, one of the most important things to think about is the print quality. When you print on sublimation fabric, the design will move to the substrate.
Because of this, it is important to print graphics and photos of the best quality. Ask the company that made the printer for examples of prints that were made with it to get a good idea of the quality of the prints it can make.
Resolution for Printing:
Another important thing to think about is the print quality. How much information you can see in the prints will depend on how many dots per inch (DPI) the printer can make.
For fine prints, most good sublimation printers have a print quality of 600 DPI or more.
Compatible Materials:
There are some things that not all sublimation printers can print on. In addition, you should make sure that the printer can print on the materials you want to use.
Most sublimation printers can work with a wide range of materials, but you should always check with the printer’s maker before getting one.
Connectivity:
Some printers only support wireless printing, while others offer both wired and wireless printing options. Sublimation printers can also be connected to smartphones and tablets via apps. Choose the option that best meets your needs.
Cost of Sublimation Printer:
Compare the pricing of different sublimation printers to see which are ideal for your needs and budget. Sublimation printers can be expensive.
However, more expensive sublimation printers often offer features that make them ideal for this type of printing.
Cost of Replacement Inks:
Some sublimation printers employ expensive, often difficult-to-find inks. Before purchasing a printer, consider the expense of replacement inks, which can quickly add up. The perfect printer is compatible with the majority of well-known sublimation dyes.
Warranty:
All new printers come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Most have one (1) year, while some offer two (2) years of unlimited technical assistance. If you choose to convert a standard inkjet printer to sublimation, the warranty and technical assistance are automatically void.
If you have a problem with the printer or have other technical issues, you will be on your own to figure out what the problem is and how to fix it.
In today’s world, that is simple because numerous forums with helpful sublimation are eager to assist and share their experience.
Bottom Line:
Even so, a sublimation printer can be beneficial for customizing your clothing and accessories. You can even use it for business printing, such as engraving your customers’ products.
Before you choose a sublimation printer, make sure you understand the key features. Using the right printer, you can create magnificent, fade-resistant patterns that will impress anybody who sees them.
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is our top choice, and it can be used for both home and work purposes. This printer has a great print head, a big writing area, and the ability to control the temperature. Because of how well it works, you’ll never run out of ink when you’re writing.
You should get the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 or Epson EcoTank ET-2850 if you want to save money on a sublimation printer. Both have big, refillable ink tanks that can cut ink use by up to 90%, and its Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology makes great color pictures.
The Sawgrass SG500 is the best sublimation printer for small business use. For dye sublimation printing, this machine was made just for you.
With its innovative EcoFit ink bottles, high page rates, and easy-to-use features, the Epson EcoTank ET-2720 is the best inkjet printer in terms of performance and ease of use. It is the best option for people who want the best printer for sublimation printing.
The Epson SureColor F170 is suitable for sublimation printing novices due to its user-friendly features and high performance. It’s the greatest dye Sublimation Printer for beginners due to its easy-to-use design and consistent outcomes.
Sublimation printers may be fun for making long-lasting photographs or printing on a variety of surfaces. You can pick a sublimation printer for your budget, experience, and job.
You can even switch inkjet printers for extra options. Consider what kind of photos you want to print and how you’ll use them when choosing a printer.
FAQ
Last Updated on June 9, 2024 by Muhammad Haseeb
