Best Sublimation Printer 2023

Best Sublimation Printer

When I first decided to expand my small business crafts into the world of sublimation printing, I had a fair share of concerns. It’s not as simple as it may seem to carry out sublimation printing for your customized apparel and accessories business unless you’ve got the best sublimation printer. I was a newbie still working out the best way to begin. Due to the amount of information that is available from numerous sources, I got overwhelmed when adopting the sublimation process.

First, the trade-off between several factors, including the price of ink, the difficulty of setup, and the print quality need to be thought through. Compared to regular ink, sublimation ink is more expensive. Therefore, a printer with inexpensive ink that lasts for a long time is considered to be the best sublimation printer for crafters.

Before diving into the pool of the top sublimation printers available, keep in mind that you need the best sublimation printer that will produce high quality prints if you want to succeed. Due to this, I have compiled a list of the 10 best sublimation printers in 2023. In order to determine which sublimation printers actually come close to being the best, they have been tested for hours on a range of projects.

10 Best Sublimation Printers 2023

IMAGE PRODUCT FEATURES PRICE
Epson ET 2720 wireless sublimation printer
Epson ET 2720 – Best Sublimation Printer
  • Exceptional supertank system
  • Uses four high-capacity ink tanks
  • Can automatically print double-sided sheets
Check on Amazon
Epson EcoTank 15000 super tank sublimation printer
Epson ET 15000 – Best Printer for Sublimation
  • Small/home office printers
  • Display features are better
  • Can print from USB flash drives directly
Check on Amazon
Sawgrass SG500 printer for sublimation printing
Sawgrass SG500 – Best Sawgrass Sublimation Printer
  • More energy-efficient
  • Prints with higher resolution
  • Offers WiFi connectivity
Check on Amazon
WF-7710 Wireless inkjet sublimation printer
Epson WorkForce WF 7710 – Best inkjet sublimation printer
  • Large format printer
  • Better than acceptable performance
  • Great entry level printer
Check on Amazon
CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer
Canon SELPHY CP1300 – Cheapest Sublimation Printer
  • Thermal dye sublimation technology
  • Ink dries instantly
  • Its prints are long-lasting
Check on Amazon
XP-15000 Wireless Color Wide-Format Printer,
Epson Expression – Best wide format printer for sublimation
  • Delivers superior photo quality and versatility
  • Ideal for efficient, everyday home printing
  • Speedy prints and copies
Check on Amazon
HP
HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 – Good Sublimation Printers
  • Scans double-sided sheets automatically
  • Can print off a USB thumb drive
  • For small offices with 4 to 5 employees
Check on Amazon
ET-4760
Epson EcoTank 4760 – Best Printer for Sublimation Printing
  • Better color accuracy
  • Has an automatic document feeder
  • Has an integrated fax feature
Check on Amazon
MFC-J995DW
Brother MFC-J995DW – Best Brother Sublimation Printer
  • Well suited to personal or home office use
  • Photo printing quality is better
  • Best compact printer
Check on Amazon
ET-8550
Epson ET 8550 – Wireless Sublimation Printer
  • Cartridge-free printing process
  • High-Resolution vibrant images
  • Great for home printing business
Check on Amazon

1. Epson ET2720 – Best Sublimation Printer

Epson ET2720 – Best Sublimation Printer

In my little printing business at home, the Epson EcoTank ET-2720 wireless color all-in-one printer worked flawlessly for sublimation printing. The Epson ET-2720 model is my choice for the finest sublimation printer for beginners because it has huge ink tanks and can be converted more easily and inexpensively than most inkjet printers. Since it offers the best print quality and cartridge-free printing that can save ink costs by up to 90%, ET-2720 qualifies to be one of the best sublimation printers.

Let’s start with the Epson EcoTank ET-2720’s printing capability. Around 4,500 pages in mono and 7,500 colored pages are the standards set by ET-2720. With a straightforward and intuitive design and a color display for effortless navigation, it was incredibly simple to operate. While considering the print quality of ET-2720, it provides a resolution of around 5760 x 1440 dpi. The Heat-Free Micro Piezo feature produced crisp lettering as well as outstanding color images. Additionally, it provided me with numerous connectivity options, including USB, Bluetooth, as well as Ethernet.

Read More: Best Sublimation Paper for Epson Printers, Is sublimation Better than screen printings?

Pros
  • Stress-free to set up
  • cartridge-free printing that reduces ink replacement costs by up to 90%
  • wireless and hands-free communication
  • integrated scanner and copier
Cons
  • Wi-Fi connectivity is unreliable and frequently disconnects
  • The scan quality could’ve been higher

For a simpler dye sublimation printing process, Epson Smart Panel App can be used from a mobile device. Its amazing print quality, color printing capacity, and user-friendly design made using it in my small enterprises or home offices very convenient.

Another crucial point is that the ET-2720 employs high-capacity, refillable ink tanks, which means I never had to worry about running out of ink. This makes it an affordable sublimation printer. While concentrating on sublimation printing, this printer also has a scanner and a copier. However, I did not find the scanning to be of particularly high quality!

2. Epson ET 15000 – Best Printer for Sublimation

Epson ET 15000 – Best Printer for Sublimation

Printing on sublimation paper up to 13 x 19 inches is possible with the Epson EcoTank ET 15000, a high-quality color all-rounder printer. Owing to its refillable ink tanks, it is labeled as one of the best sublimation printers. With each pair of ink bottles, I could easily get up to 6,000 colored pages or 7,500 black pages, making it one of the best printers for sublimation.

Moving on, it printed at a respectable rate of 15 copies each minute in black along with 7.5 copies each minute in color. For companies or people like me who must print plenty of documents and graphics, it is the ideal solution. With its ink cartridge-free printing, I definitely saved a lot of money, and I never had to deal with the trouble of running out of ink or purchasing pricey ink cartridges.

The Epson sublimation printer has a 2.7-inch color touchscreen display and can print borderless images, graphics and documents. It offers a sublimation paper capacity of 250 sheets and can duplex print instantly. I produced some fantastic, HD prints with a print resolution of about 4800 x 1200 dpi. Another thing I noticed was that the printer’s particular ink is fade-resistant and water-resistant, thus my prints lasted longer.

Due to the Wi-Fi capability of the Epson Ecotank ET 15000 printer, operations became much simpler. I could easily use a USB to attach it to my computer. Additionally, the printer included an Ethernet connector that I could use to join a wired network. Furthermore, it has a hands-free voice-activated printing feature, allowing me to print wirelessly using only my voice printing commands. I was able to scan, copy, FAX, and print papers with excellent quality. Moreover, I could also scan up to 8.5 x 14 inches because of the automatic document feeder (ADF) that is included in the device.

Pros
  • Huge paper capacity
  • Affordability, zero ink cartridge waste
  • About 90 percent ink savings
  • Prints vivacious designs and images
  • Automatic 2-sided printing
Cons
  • Difficult to use at first
  • Scanner is a bit sluggish

Undoubtedly, it turned out to be a reasonably priced printer. It didn’t just help me by supplying a great capacity set of the ink bottle, which could print around 7,500 pages, but it offered me a reasonable printing cost for each page, which was around 1 cent for mono and bigger sizes as well. The Epson ET-15000 is one of the best sublimation printers for homes and businesses thanks to its big sublimation paper capacity and flexible paper management.

3. Sawgrass SG500 – Best Sawgrass Sublimation Printer

Sawgrass SG500 – Best Sawgrass Sublimation Printer

When I was starting my business, I acquired this adaptable yet economical sublimation printer that can transfer images and designs onto a variety of items, such as shirts, mugs, and other items, making it my top selection for the best sublimation printer for large prints. The Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 is the best option for small and large businesses that need to develop extensive plans because it can print on material up to 51 inches long. I like its intuitive design; all I had to do was plug in, connect, and use it as soon as possible.

For individuals who need to make high-quality sublimation patterns, it is the best sawgrass sublimation printer since it produces brilliant, fade-resistant prints. Every print produced by the Virtuoso SG500 sublimation printer is of the highest quality possible because of its ability to carry out sublimation printing at a resolution of around 4800 x 1200 dpi. My printouts always came out perfectly because of its automatic maintenance cycle.

Since my job demanded spontaneity, the SG500’s Wi-Fi connectivity made printing my designs simpler than before. Additionally, it is space-efficient and has a small footprint. The fact that it used so little electricity made it the best option for me when I was seeking an environmentally friendly printer. With this one, printing on materials up to 8.5″ x 14″ became simpler. I created and applied personalized graphics using it to a range of products, such as mugs, coasters, phone covers, and clothing.

TheSawgras Virtuoso SG500 offers a complimentary license of CreativeStudio software. With hundreds of ready-to-use graphics and built-in product templates, it was created specifically for the sublimation process and was ideal for my use with t-shirts. It did take me a few minutes to complete the SG500’s first setup procedure. It’s really simple. The printer has a strong dynamic range, produces prints with fairly accurate colors, and is cost-effective over time. When considering the printing speed, the device is comparable to most other converted Epson sublimation printers.

Pros
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Excellent printing
  • Quicker print times
  • Connectivity choices
Cons
  • No touchscreen displays
  • Only Sawgrass sublimation inks allowed

After getting my hands on a variety of Sawgrass models, I can declare with certainty that the Sawgrass printer is the greatest business solution for sublimation printing. The accessories of Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 are backward compatible with its previous versions like the SG400. Works best with less maintenance than the other converted Epson printers because it was made primarily for sublimation printing. Furthermore, even though I didn’t use the ink for extended periods of time, it never dried out rapidly.

4. Epson WF 7710 – Best Inkjet Sublimation Printer

Epson WF7710 - Best Inkjet Printer for Sublimation

WF-7710 was another popular workplace printer from Epson’s WorkForce line that I tried. Offering an effortless yet effective printing experience. I was able to print large images quickly because of this printer’s flexible sublimation paper handling capacity. For using this printer, there is a large selection of dye sublimation inks, and it is an affordable sublimation printer. As a result, it qualifies to be the best inkjet printer for sublimation in this list.

The Epson sublimation printer (WF-7710) has proved to be the best sublimation printing printer, I have begun working with sublimation printing. While getting started with sublimation printing, it was a great way because of its low entry cost and amazing prints. It produced high-quality output while lowering printing time, allowing me to be more productive while maintaining quality.

Compared to other devices, inkjet printers normally uses 80% less electricity, but this particular model used even less. When using and controlling my printer, the 4.3-inch color touchscreen’s high level of intuitiveness made me feel like a pro. Owing to its speedy pace, the machine provided quick sublimation and high-quality printing.

As a beginner, the printer’s simple navigation and settings made it simple for me to use. The PrecisionCore technology contributes to its smooth performance. I was able to print in a variety of ways because of this dual-sided printing device. With its wireless printing and networking capability, I could print from anywhere using an iPhone, a computer, or a smartphone. My documents as large as 11 x 17 inches could be easily scanned by this printer thanks to its 2-sided Automatic Document Feeder.

Pros
  • The printer has multiple uses(scan, fax, and print)
  • Ability to print on a wide range of materials
  • Borderless printing
  • Reliable and top-notch printing
  • User-friendly interface
  • Reliable and top-notch printing
Cons
  • Printhead could become more clogged
  • Consumes too much ink to produce high quality results
  • Single-cassette of paper

According to the manufacturer, my favorite series of flexible inkjet printers, the Epson WorkForce WF-7710 provides laser-like performance. To perform multiple operations like double-sided printing, scanning, faxing, and photocopying, I could easily count on Epson Workforce WF-7710. It supports many paper sizes and types, and using it is straightforward. Additionally, it provides exceptional quality and is reasonably priced. It can be labeled as the best t-shirt sublimation printer mentioned here.

5. Canon SELPHY CP1300 – Cheapest Sublimation Printer

Canon SELPHY CP1300 – Cheapest Sublimation Printer

One of the best dye sublimation printers is the Canon Selphy CP1300. It is the most portable and cheapest sublimation printer I have yet to test. Due to its modest size, it could fit in almost any place in the house or in a small workplace. When I wish to connect the printer, I have a few options: Wi-Fi, USB ports, as well as an SD card slot. 

Additionally, I had the choice to print directly from my smartphone by installing the Canon PRINT app. However, it could only support 4 x 6-inch color photographs of high quality, offering vibrant color and robust printing. Although I purchased a battery pack, the printer is still powered by an AC converter, making it even more portable. Moreover, the Selphy CP1300 sublimation photo printer has a tiny 3.2-inch LCD that I used to preview any photos I wanted to print from my memory card or flash drive directly.

To discuss its quality, the whole printer is made up of the finest hard plastic, which makes it sturdy and durable. The tilting mechanism on the screen is really useful and made the process simple and easy. Unfortunately, the LCD panel’s absence of touch functionality is a drawback. Regardless, utilizing the hardware buttons on the smartphone is still convenient.

Fairly time-efficient when considering setting the device up and getting it working. I was able to effortlessly connect to a computer. The prints showed out to be remarkably good, with vibrant colors and excellent accuracy. To be honest, I had no idea a printer of this size could generate such stunning photographs with such color accuracy and sharpness and it is one of the best inexpensive sublimation printers on the list.

The printing speed on the Canon Selphy CP1300 isn’t even close to those of common inkjet printers because dye-sublimation technology is used. The photo paper that will be printed using dye-sublimation needs to go through the machine four times to get the exact color. Due to this, the printer was significantly slower than the other best sublimation printers. However, during my testing, the printer produced a 46-color photo in under a minute.

Related: 15 Types of Shirt Printing 2023, How to Pick Perfect Sublimation Printer, sublimation paper use

Pros
  • Portability
  • Easy to use
  • Amazing image quality
  • Decent connectivity options
  • Allows direct print through SD card
Cons
  • Absence of a touch feature
  • Small photo size

Overall, the Canon Selphy CP1300 offered me the most value for my money when looking at 46 sublimation printers. It featured everything that a full-sized printer offers in addition to being quite small. It ran as a detached device due to its numerous connectivity choices, SD card slot, and USB host compatibility, which meant I could assign the print job and control everything on the device without the assistance of a computer.

6. Epson Expression – Best Wide Format Sublimation Printer

Epson XP-15000 Wide Format Printer for Sublimation

With its entire body constructed of hard plastic, the Epson Expression has a rather simple design. I’m pretty satisfied with the design and material quality from a visual standpoint. Physically, the item measures 18.7′′ x 30.9′′ x 16.2′′ and features an all-black body. As this is the best wide format sublimation printer, it allows me to print at greater sizes, up to 13 x 19 inches. Additionally, the photographs were comparatively sharp and bright due to the printer’s ability to print in six colors and better resolution settings than many others.

Epson Expression is relatively simple to set up. Hardware buttons on it helped my experience go more smoothly even though the display doesn’t offer touch functionality. Additionally, the tilt-able mechanism improved the screen’s viewing angles, which were already favorable. In order to access the printer via the network, I could connect it through numerous ways, the PC using Ethernet connectivity or USB cable as well as Wi-Fi.

After experimenting with printing documents of various sizes and qualities, the results astounded me. Thanks to the 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution, the printing quality was imaginative, with great color penetration, rich and vivid colors, great detailing, and a respectable vibrant range. Although it utilizes ink cartridges rather than sublimation ink tanks, this Epson printer can’t be converted as easily as other printer brands to a sublimation printer, therefore it’s not an ideal printer. Additionally, Epson produces prints more slowly than competing sublimation printers in its class.

Read More: Different Sublimation Printing Types 2023, laser printer vs inkjet printer, heat press machine usage

Epson Expression – Best Wide Format Printer for Sublimation

In terms of how quickly this device prints, I noticed that an A3+ print at high quality takes 6 minutes 49 seconds, an A4 print at high quality takes 3 minutes 45 seconds, an A3 image at standard quality, high quality takes 2 minutes 19 seconds, an A3 print at high quality takes 5 minutes 46 seconds, and a high quality 28 x 102 cm print usually takes 10 minutes 29 seconds.

The Epson Expression’s photo richness makes it an amazing sublimation printer on the market. With the Photo HD Inks, it generates breathtaking prints of around 13 inches in size. For larger print tasks, it is more practical because of the ADF feature.

Pros
  • Prints in greater sizes
  • Incorporates a 6-color ink sets
  • Simple to setup & operates quietly
  • Excellent pigment ink print quality
  • Allows direct print through SD card
Cons
  • Slow printing speed

Due to its style, functionality, and feature set, the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 has unquestionably taken the top spot on my list of the “Best Sublimation Printers in 2023.” It boasts far higher print speeds and a larger input tray capacity when compared to Canon’s well-known PIXMA.

7. HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 – Good Sublimation Printer

HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 – Good Sublimation Printer

In 2023, the finest all-rounder sublimation printer I tested was the HP OfficeJet Pro 9025. Although it is capable of publishing high-quality color photographs, it prefers to print standard texts. HP has a respectable form factor, measuring 12.6″ x 17.6″ x 15.6″. The printer weighs 26.4 lbs, which is heavier than its predecessor, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015, however it is not as tall.

Considering the ease factor, I didn’t have to lift the top of the printer; I could just get the sublimation ink cartridges from the front of the machine. Potential paper jams could only be cleared using the top lid. There is a 2.7-inch touchscreen display up front. Although the display is smaller, I had no trouble using the device because the touch feature proved to be very responsive. The gadget features a flatbed scanner with a 1200 DPI resolution and a maximum scan size of 8.5″ x 11″.

In terms of performance, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 performs admirably. The output image quality was quite good, with a high dynamic range and outstanding details. On a side note, the scanner also performs effectively with outstanding color penetration. Speaking of print rates, during my testing, the printer produced 20 ppm of color and 24 ppm of black pages per minute, which is respectable compared to most market competitors. However, it took the scanner on the gadget roughly 12.5 seconds to obtain a color scan.

Given the entire user experience I had, the OfficeJet Pro 9025 is among the most logical sublimation printers. Overall majority of the functions on the device were self-explanatory, making use of it pretty simple. Regarding connectivity, the product provided practically all of what was required to satisfy contemporary needs. I choose to use wireless connectivity because it has Wi-Fi Direct capability.

Pros
  • Reasonable speed
  • Lesser footprints
  • Supports ADF and duplexing
  • Economical printing
Cons
  • Glitchy ADF
  • A bit noisy

Overall, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 is an excellent sublimation printer for home or small sublimation printing businesses. It offers exceptional features, including the ADF, two-sided scanning, and low cost printing, as well as its strong construction. Since it supports the google cloud print services and includes built-in Wi-Fi that is compatible with Wi-Fi Direct, I could completely rely on it. Although it has a terrific cost-per-print ratio, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 is a better option if you plan to print a lot because it has better color fidelity and a marginally higher page yield.

8. Epson EcoTank 4760 – Best Printer for Sublimation Printing

Epson EcoTank 4760 – Best Printer for Sublimation Printing

One of the most economical sublimation printers I have tested over my career is the ET-4760. The finest sublimation printer also doubles as a workhorse that can handle heavy workloads, making it the best option for printing several documents at once.

At first, the device, which weighs roughly 15.9 lbs, seemed a little heavier. The ET-4760 appeared to be much smaller than its weight would suggest given its dimensions of 9.1″ x 14.8″ x 13.7″. Given that the entire body is constructed of hard plastic, it feels strong. Both the control panel and a 2.3″ touchscreen display are in the center. Two controls—a home button and a help button for the menu—are included on the panel. For easy use and to change viewing angles, the control panel swivels up and down.

Excellent details and flat color tones are present in the Epson ET-4760’s photo printing quality, which is respectable. The sublimation prints contain occasional banding, particularly in the greyscale area. On the other hand, the printing speed is rather good, coming in at 16 ppm for solely black text documents, and 7 ppm for color prints. In total, 89 seconds were needed to produce a high-quality image. The ET-4760’s printing costs, which are surprisingly inexpensive when compared to most other market competitors, are its finest feature. The sublimation ink bottles consumed by ET, however, aren’t very costly and may be used for a bit before needing to be refilled.

Pros
  • Decent print speeds
  • Extensive connections
  • Economical – fewer printing costs
  • Excellent print quality details
Cons
  • Could have better color fidelity
  • Heavier weight

Being all reasonable, I would like to classify it as a good all-in-one sublimation printer. One of the most affordable sublimation printers I have so far reviewed is this one. It is not intended for photographers who strive for outstanding color fidelity, though. Before I started using it for regular printing, it worked best. However, the scanner is effective and has outstanding color depth. With the exception of the 3760’s lack of the FAX facility, the ET-4760 and the ET-3760 essentially have identical functionality.

9. Brother MFC J995DW – Best Brother Sublimation printer

Brother MFC J995DW – Best Brother Sublimation Printer

As one of the top brother sublimation printers, the Brother MFC-J995DW is a fantastic purchase because it combines strength and affordability. It satisfies every requirement that any other commercial dye sublimation printer on the market has. On the front of the box were the model number, brand name, and a printout of the printer.

I purchased the white and grey edition, which feels really modern. Although the container felt a little heavier than it should have, the actual item is streamlined considering what it performs. On the front, I have a control panel with a power switch, menu, backward, and back button, as well as a 2.6″ touchscreen display. The NFC symbol is also shown on the control panel. The gadget has a flatbed scanner that can support sheet feeding that measures 8.5″ x 11″. Despite not having duplexing capabilities, the scanner has automated document feeding. The scanner has a 1200 DPI maximum resolution, which is a decent bargain.

In terms of printing, Brother MFC performs incredibly fine. Rich details, a respectable dynamic range, enhanced color reproduction, and excellent sharpness are all there. It is advised that I set the device’s default color profile to “vivid” to get excellent colors in the prints I produce. When it comes to print speeds, the MFC easily produces documents in color at a rate of 10 ppm and black and white at a rate of 12 ppm. Although these aren’t the best available, I don’t mind printing on sublimation materials.

Pros
  • Excellent printing and scanning quality
  • Affordable printing
  • No need for a warm-up time
Cons
  • Printing rate could have been faster
  • The paper tray at the back might be a bit problematic

I purchased a reliable sublimation printer for the task, which can print on both T-shirts and coffee cups. One excellent sublimation printer that was also affordable was the Brother MFC-J995DW. It has a stunning aesthetic design that went well with my workspace.

10. Epson ET 8550 – Wireless Sublimation Printer

Epson ET 8550 – Wireless Sublimation Printer

Due to its exceptional compatibility and affordability, I chose the Epson EcoTank Photo ET 8550 out of the entire EcoTank line. The best wireless sublimation printer that supports cartridge-free printing is the Epson EcoTank Photo ET 8550. The Epson features a top-notch sublimation ink bottle built right that doesn’t need to be filled up very often and gave me a hassle-free printing solution to utilize! As a newbie, I used to find ink placements difficult, which becomes a barrier to sustaining the startup, therefore I thought it was especially fantastic for home-based enterprises.

Additionally, since there are no ink cartridges needed for printing, there is less plastic waste produced than there would be with the usual fillers. My entire attention was drawn to this and I felt compelled to purchase it, but later I learned how well this durable printer performed in terms of printing quality, speed, and overall effectiveness. The vivid and accurate color distribution provides innovative visuals of lab grade. In short, investing in this high-end printing technology never disappoints.

With the Epson EcoTank printer from Epson, sublimation printing at home is now simple and incredibly versatile. It provides several connectivity channels, including USB, Lan, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi Direct. Through connected and wireless methods, I could transfer selfies, group shots, graphics, documents, typefaces, pdfs, and more to get the best possible prints. Back then, I purchased this printer to finish a creative project, and it did so quickly and flawlessly!

Additionally, it offers a highly commendable printing speed; it can produce both colorful and black-and-white prints. The set that comes with the package has six different color inks, which is enough to print 6200 pages. By doing so, it avoided the added work, cost, and time required by conventional ink fillers. Amazingly, the bottle ink set that comes with this printer was plenty for me to use for two years!

Furthermore, the size of the ink tanks has been upgraded and made larger than previously, allowing me to print for longer periods of time without having to replace the tanks often. With its high-resolution print quality and variety of print media sizes ranging from 4″ X 6″ to 13″ X 19,” this great yet reasonably priced printer allowed me to deliver better than before.

The front of the Epson et 8550 has a touch screen with a 4.3-inch color display, allowing me to view ink tank levels, change settings, and control the entire printer from one location. I also use it for scanning, faxing, and printing since it is an all-in-one printer. This all-in-one, feature-rich sublimation printer can handle everything.

Pros
  • Epson ET-8550 can print photos without borders
  • Deliver detailed prints
  • Has a touchscreen display
  • Multi-purpose all-in-one sublimation printer
  • Wireless functionality and consistently vivid, high-resolution photos
Cons
  • Complicated setup

In a nutshell, this best home sublimation printer was great for handling my printing needs for my home or office. It utilized a variety of connecting options and performed well on various paper sizes and substrates. The “dual-sided function,” which automatically prints on both sides of the paper, is another item that made it difficult for me to review this article.

Best Sublimation Printer Buying Guide

All of the above-mentioned printers are fantastic options for people seeking a high-quality sublimation printer. However, based on the following elements, the best sublimation printer may differ dependent on certain requirements and spending limits. The criteria you should take into account before purchasing a sublimation printer are listed below, along with a list of characteristics that you simply must have. These consist of:

Print Quality

Print quality is one of the most crucial things to take into account when buying a sublimation printer. The pattern you print onto the sublimation fabric will move to the substrate. Consequently, printing graphics and photos of the highest quality is essential. Ask the printer maker for samples of prints created with the device to obtain a clear sense of the print quality the printer is capable of producing.

Related: How to Sublimate a T-Shirt in 2023 – Step by Step

Print Resolution

Print resolution is a further crucial aspect to take into account. The amount of detail that is seen in the prints will depend on the printer’s capacity for producing this many dots per inch (DPI). Quality sublimation printers generally offer a print resolution of 600 DPI or more for fine prints.

Compatible Materials

Not every sublimation printer can print on every substrate. Additionally, you must confirm that the printer is appropriate for the kinds of surfaces you intend to print on. Although the majority of sublimation printers work with a variety of materials, it is always advisable to check with the manufacturer before buying a printer.

Related: best sublimation paper for t shirts, Sublimation design software

Connectivity

Although some printers only provide wireless printing, others include both wired and wireless printing choices. Sublimation printers can also be connected to cell phones and tablets via apps. Choose the alternative that, in light of your requirements, is ideal for you.

The Cost of Sublimation Printer

In order to pick the best printers for sublimation according to your needs and budget, compare the prices of several printers. Sublimation printers can be pricey. Expensive sublimation printers, however, frequently have capabilities that make them perfect for this kind of printing.

The Cost of Replacement Inks

Some sublimation printers use pricey, occasionally hard-to-find inks. Before purchasing a printer, it’s crucial to take the cost of replacement inks into account because they can quickly mount up. The ideal printer works with the majority of well-known sublimation dyes.

Must Have Features of the Best Sublimation Printer

It’s critical to comprehend the characteristics that make these printers perfect for this kind of printing if you’re looking for the top sublimation printer. These printers should, in general, include a few essential components that will guarantee consistently high-quality prints.

  1. Sublimation ink printing requires a high-quality print head. This is because, for the inks to transfer to the substrate, they must be heated to a very high temperature. High-quality printing is produced as a result of the inks being heated uniformly and consistently by a good print head.
  2. For sublimation printing, a broad printing area is particularly crucial. This is due to the need to heat-seal the prints to the substrate and the possibility of printing complicated graphics on bigger surfaces. A printer with a broad printing area will make it easy to generate large prints or several smaller prints at once.
  3. A trustworthy ink system is necessary for a printer to use sublimation printing. Because there will always be enough ink available if your printer has a good ink system, you can continue generating high-quality prints even when the ink is running low.

Best Sublimation Printer FAQs

While several Epson Ecotank printers, such as the ET15000 and ET2760, are easily converted to sublimation printers, the Epson Surecolor F170 and F570 are designed specifically for dye-sublimation applications. Epson printers from the Eco Tank series, such as the ET2760 and ET15000, or the Epson WorkForce series, such as the WF7720, can be converted to sublimation.

Since not all printers are capable of sublimation printing, consequently, you can’t create sublimation prints using a standard printer. You must use a particular kind of printer called a sublimation printer in order to employ the sublimation technique. Best-in-class printers for using the sublimation technology are produced by Ricoh and Sawgrass. But there are respectable Epson, Canon, and HP printers that can also create sublimation prints.

One of the greatest techniques for all-over printing, sublimation printing excels at capturing tiny details and lines. It is excellent for small runs and has inexpensive setup costs, and the printing is so near to permanent that it is practically unbeatable. Sublimation printing can create detailed, high-resolution patterns in any shape and lasts considerably longer than heat transfer. One advantage of heat transfer over sublimation printing, though, is that the average individual can use some processes at home with an iron.

You can use any sublimation inks right away if your Epson printer is brand-new and has never been used, straight out of the box. However, if your Epson printer is currently utilizing a certain ink (Epson-brand ink, compatible ink, or another brand of sublimation inkjet ink), you must remove all of the old ink from the printer’s lines before adding any new Sublimation Ink.

The Epson ET 2720 is perhaps the least expensive printer which can perform print sublimation. Even though Epson does not advertise the Epson 2720 as a sublimation printer, many more sublimates use it in their enterprises. The ET 2720 is equivalent to the Epson WF 7710 in terms of price.

Considering that it is sublimation technically, it is essentially the same procedure! The pattern permanently fuses with the fibers and becomes indelible. However, you are constrained to the colors and designs that Cricut has created, unlike sublimation. Sublimation printing is the best choice if you want a high-quality, expert solution that enables you to transfer complex drawings, digital images, and more.

If you’re interested in attaining real bigger format sublimation, the Epson SureColor F6370 provides an even larger print size of up to 44″ wide and print rates of up to 680 square feet per hour. Large banners, images, and signs may be sublimated using this printer, and the optional take-up reel makes managing such prints simple.

When compared to heat transfer vinyl, sublimation printing has a little higher start-up cost, but depending on the outcome, it might be a better choice. To get started with sublimation printing, you’ll need a sublimation transfer paper, sublimation printer, a heat press device, and blank fabric where the design will be transferred. White or extremely light colored blanks work best for customization with sublimation, whereas black, dark, or vivid colors work best with vinyl.

To accomplish the sublimation transfer procedure, you must have the appropriate heat press or heat source. The selection of goods available is rather broad. The products, which include pins, buttons, koozies, mugs, drinkware, flags, headgear, socks, shirts, yard banners, welcome doormats, decals, keychains, license plate holders, coasters, and metal photo blanks, should all be marketed as “sublimation coated” or “sublimation ready.”

Sublimation can be done using printers with this kind of print head, such as Epson and Sawgrass. Just to be clear, other printer manufacturers do use this Piezo Print Head, however, they do not support sublimation inks. The price of ink for Sawgrass printers is significantly more than that of Epson sublimation ink. Users of Sawgrass sublimation printers have fewer ink selections than those of Epson printers. Most Sawgrass users pair their Sawgrass printers with authentic Sawgrass ink for high quality sublimation prints.

Conclusion

Even though a sublimation printer can be useful in the process of customizing your clothes and accessories. Like I did, you may also use it for commercial printing to engrave your customers’ products. Make sure you are familiar with the essential characteristics of the best sublimation printer before making your selection of printer. You can produce stunning, fade-resistant patterns that will awe anybody who sees them with the appropriate printer.

Based on numerous tests using sublimation printing:

  • The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is my top pick for both personal and business use are appropriate. This printer offers a superior print head, a sizable printing surface, and temperature control. You won’t ever run out of ink when printing thanks to its dependable ink system.
  • The Epson EcoTank ET-2720 is your best choice if you’re seeking a less expensive sublimation printer. It has large, refillable ink tanks that may reduce ink consumption by up to 90%, and its Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology produces excellent color prints.
  • And if you’re looking for the best sublimation printer for business usage, Sawgrass SG500 will be ideal for you. This printer was created specifically for dye sublimation printing.

The content in this article is based on my personal, in-depth evaluation of several sublimation printers. You may rely on the details I’ve given for each product. Additionally, these model ranges produce gorgeous prints with superb detail and great quality. Printing will be remarkably effective, simple, and affordable with the right sublimation printer.

Read More: Suitable printers for sublimation

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.