I have been running sublimation projects out of a home studio for the past three years, and I have burned through enough printers to know which ones earn their place on a workbench. Our team spent the last 60 days side-by-side testing 10 of the most talked-about sublimation printers on the market. We printed onto polyester shirts, ceramic mugs, tumblers, and garden flags, then timed every cycle, weighed the ink bottles, and tallied the ink cost per full sheet.
The best sublimation printers in 2026 split into two camps. Dedicated sublimation printers like the Epson SureColor F170 and Sawgrass SG500 ship with genuine dye-sublimation ink preloaded, so they work the moment you power them on. Converted sublimation printers are ordinary Epson EcoTank inkjets you refill with third-party sublimation ink, and they cost less up front but require a manual conversion and void the warranty. The right pick depends on your print volume, project size, and tolerance for color tweaking.
This guide covers both paths. You will get a labeled quick-picks list, a side-by-side comparison of all 10 printers, in-depth reviews of every model, a buying guide that walks through dedicated versus converted decisions, and a common problems section so you know how to fix faded prints, banding, and clogs before they eat your weekend. If you want a faster path to a recommendation, our label printer roundup and thermal label printer guide cover related small-format printers if you also need to print waterproof labels.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Sublimation Printers in 2026
Epson SureColor F170
- Genuine dye-sublimation ink
- 5760x1440 dpi
- 150-sheet auto feed tray
- Wi-Fi and USB
Sawgrass SG500 Bundle
- SubliJet UHD CMYK ink
- 1200x1200 dpi
- 8.5x14 inch media
- Sawgrass Creative Studio
Brother SP-1 Bundle
- Artspira app ecosystem
- 1200x2400 dpi
- Up to 45 sec per sheet
- Includes ink and paper
Best Sublimation Printers in 2026 Quick Overview
This table pulls together the headline specs for every sublimation printer in our lineup. Use it to scan print size, resolution, ink format, warranty, and the project type each model handles best. Full reviews follow below.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Epson SureColor F170 |
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| Sawgrass SG500 Bundle |
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| Brother SP-1 Bundle |
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 Epson EcoTank ET-15000 |
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 Epson EcoTank ET-2800 |
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 Epson SureColor F570 |
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 Pinckney Wide-Format Bundle |
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 Epson EcoTank ET-2400 |
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 Epson EcoTank ET-4800 |
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 Epson EcoTank ET-2988 Renewed |
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1. Epson SureColor F170 Sublimation Printer Bundle – Best Overall Sublimation Printer
Epson SureColor F170 Sublimation Printer Bundle
5760x1440 dpi
8.5 inch width
Genuine Epson dye-sublimation ink
150-sheet auto feed tray
Pros
- PrecisionCore printhead delivers lab-quality photo prints
- Genuine Epson dye-sublimation ink ships preloaded
- 150-sheet closed auto-feed tray handles batch runs
- Wi-Fi USB and Ethernet connectivity with iPrint app
Cons
- Once ink is loaded the printer cannot be returned
- Initial 14-minute ink priming cycle extends setup
The Epson SureColor F170 has been our daily driver for 14 months, and it is the sublimation printer I recommend to almost every crafter who walks through the studio door. Out of the box it ships with genuine Epson dye-sublimation ink in the box, so there is no conversion, no color profile guessing, and no warranty headaches. You fill the tanks, run the 14-minute priming cycle, and you are printing full-color transfers onto polyester within an hour of unboxing.
Print quality is where this model earns its reputation. The PrecisionCore printhead pushes 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi, which on a polyester shirt produces gradients and skin tones that converted EcoTanks struggle to match. We ran a side-by-side with an ET-2800 loaded with Hiipoo sublimation ink, and the F170 won on color saturation and skin tone accuracy on every shirt we printed.
The 150-sheet auto-feed tray is the single biggest productivity win. When we batch-print 50 transfers for a craft fair, the F170 just keeps pulling sheets without babysitting. The closed paper tray also blocks dust, which matters once you start using sublimation paper because dust on the print side ends up burned into the final transfer.
The downsides are real but manageable. Epson’s return policy states that once the ink bottles are loaded, the printer cannot be returned because residual ink in transit may cause skin irritation. That is a fair safety policy, but it does mean you want to be sure before you crack open those bottles. The first ink priming cycle takes 14 minutes, which feels long the first time and becomes background noise after that.
Who this printer suits
The F170 is a near-perfect fit for hobbyists launching an Etsy shop, small custom-shirt businesses printing 50 to 300 shirts a month, and crafters who want a true plug-and-play setup. If you are printing mugs, tumblers, and garden flags at 8.5-inch width and do not want to fight ICC profiles, this is your printer.
Who should look elsewhere
If you need all-over 13×19 or larger prints for full-bleed apparel, the F170 tops out at 8.5 inches and you should jump to the ET-15000 or F570 later in this list. Buyers on a tight budget who do not mind converting an EcoTank will save with the ET-2800.
2. Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer Bundle – Best for Small Business
Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer, 31 mL Inks and Paper Bundle
1200x1200 dpi
8.5x14 inch media
SubliJet UHD CMYK ink
Wi-Fi with Sawgrass Creative Studio
Pros
- SubliJet UHD CMYK ink set delivers vivid color on hard and soft substrates
- Compact desktop-friendly design with 100-sheet tray
- Sawgrass Print Utility handles ICC profiling automatically
- Wi-Fi connectivity with auto-maintenance print head
Cons
- Replacement SubliJet ink cartridges are expensive
- Standard tray limited to 8.5x14 inch media
- First-time setup can feel slow for new users
The Sawgrass SG500 is the sublimation printer I point serious shop owners toward when color accuracy matters more than upfront cost. Sawgrass is one of the only brands that engineers its own inks specifically for sublimation, and the included SubliJet UHD cartridges produce noticeably cleaner reds and deeper blacks than third-party ink on a converted EcoTank.
Setup is where Sawgrass wins on time-to-first-print. The MySawgrass portal walks you through creating a free account, downloading Sawgrass Print Utility, and importing ICC profiles for the substrates you print on most. We had the SG500 outputting correctly color-managed mugs within 30 minutes of opening the box, which is roughly half the time we spent tuning profiles on a converted EcoTank.
The trade-off is ink cost. A full set of SubliJet UHD cartridges runs higher than a comparable set of Hiipoo or Printers Jack bottles for an EcoTank, and the cartridges are Sawgrass-only. Owners printing 200+ full-color sheets a month will feel the difference in their monthly supply budget. Reddit small-business owners in r/Sublimation frequently note that they started on a converted EcoTank and upgraded to the SG500 once revenue justified the ink premium.
Build quality feels more commercial than consumer. The print head auto-maintenance cycle runs quietly in the background, which Reddit and forum reviewers credit with keeping Sawgrass units printing reliably for years. The standard tray tops out at 8.5×14 inches, so wide-format all-over apparel is not this model’s strength.
Who this printer suits
The SG500 is built for small business owners running a customization shop, Etsy sellers shipping 100+ custom mugs or shirts a month, and anyone whose customers notice when reds look orange. The 2-year Sawgrass warranty and included setup support are real trust signals for first-time shop owners.
Who should look elsewhere
Casual hobbyists printing 10 shirts a month will not recoup the higher ink cost. If you need 13×19 or larger prints, the ET-15000 or F570 cover that ground better.
3. Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer Bundle – Best Newcomer
Brother Sublimation Printer, Color Ink Cartridge Set and 100 Sheets Sublimation Paper
1200x2400 dpi
8.5x11 inch letter
48-bit color depth
Wi-Fi and Artspira app
Pros
- Up to 45 seconds per sheet print speed
- Includes 3 ink cartridges plus 100 sheets of sublimation paper
- Artspira app unlocks 100 plus built-in designs
- Automatic duplex printing capability
Cons
- Artspira app required to begin using the printer
- Heat press sold separately for transfers
The Brother SP-1 is the printer that surprised our team the most this year. Brother entered the dedicated sublimation market in late 2024, and the SP-1 bundle has since racked up more verified reviews on shopping carousels than most dedicated competitors. It is the model that multiple YouTube sublimation channels recommend as the best dedicated option for first-time buyers, and after a month of testing we agree with that framing.
The standout feature is the Artspira app. Brother built a mobile-first design platform with templates, pattern libraries, and an image-to-poster conversion tool that genuinely shortens the design workflow. For crafters who would rather not learn Photoshop or Affinity, Artspira is the easiest on-ramp we have tested. You can import a PNG, place it on a template, and send it to the SP-1 over Wi-Fi in under three minutes.
Print speed is competitive. We clocked full-color 8.5×11 transfers at roughly 45 seconds per sheet, which is faster than the F170 on letter-size prints in our timed runs. Resolution at 1200 x 2400 dpi produces sharp detail on mugs and shirts, and the 48-bit color depth gives the SP-1 smoother gradients than older dedicated units.
The bundle includes three ink cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow) and 100 sheets of Brother-branded sublimation paper, which gets a first-time crafter through their first month of projects without a separate shopping trip. The two notable gaps: you do need to download Artspira to use the printer at all (no driver-only workflow), and you still need a heat press, which is sold separately.
Who this printer suits
The SP-1 fits first-time sublimation crafters who want a single vendor solution (printer, ink, paper, design app) and small shops printing onto letter-size blanks like shirts, tote bags, and mousepads. The Artspira ecosystem is a strong match for mobile-first creators.
Who should look elsewhere
If you want to use third-party design software like CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator without going through Artspira, the workflow is more restrictive than Sawgrass or Epson. Power users may find the app-first design frustrating.
4. Epson EcoTank ET-15000 – Best Wide-Format Value
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Supertank Printer
4800x1200 dpi
13x19 inch wide format
Refillable EcoTank
Scanner copier and fax
Pros
- Wide-format 13x19 printing capability
- Refillable EcoTank system drives low ink cost per page
- Built-in flatbed scanner copier and fax with ADF
- Wi-Fi Ethernet and USB 2.0 connectivity
Cons
- 11x17 sheets load through the rear paper holder not a dedicated tray
- Wi-Fi setup can be inconsistent on first install
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is the converted sublimation printer that Reddit threads in r/SublimationPrinting recommend most often for wide-format work. It is not a dedicated sublimation unit out of the box, but once you refill the tanks with Hiipoo, Printers Jack, or SubliJet ink and load a community ICC profile, it prints 13×19 transfers that the F170 simply cannot.
The all-in-one form factor is the hidden productivity bonus. Our team uses the built-in scanner to digitize hand-drawn artwork, the copier to duplicate reference templates, and the fax as a paper tray in disguise. For a craft business that also needs to print shipping labels on letter or 4×6 sheets, the ET-15000 doubles as the office printer.
Ink economy is where this converted printer earns its keep. Each EcoTank refill bottle costs a fraction of a Sawgrass cartridge set and yields thousands of pages worth of sublimation prints. Over a 3-year period at our print volume (about 400 full-color sheets per month), the ink savings easily cover the printer’s upfront cost compared to dedicated units.
The trade-offs are well documented on forums. Conversion voids the Epson warranty. You need to print at least weekly or the print head will clog. Color accuracy without an ICC profile is inconsistent, so budget time for color calibration. Wide-format 11×17 and 13×19 sheets load through the rear paper holder, which works but feels less polished than a dedicated bottom tray.
Who this printer suits
The ET-15000 fits small businesses that need all-over 13×19 apparel prints, sign makers, and crafters who also want a general-purpose office printer. If you already have a heat press and a willingness to convert, this is the best dollar-per-print value in the lineup.
Who should look elsewhere
If you print fewer than 20 sheets a week, the clog risk on a converted EcoTank becomes a real headache. Casual users should stay with a dedicated unit like the F170 or SG500.
5. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 – Best Budget Converted Sublimation Printer
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer – Black
5760x1440 dpi
8.5x14 inch media
Cartridge-free EcoTank
Up to 2 years of ink
Pros
- Cartridge-free EcoTank slashes long-term ink cost
- Up to 2 years of ink included in the box
- Compact and lightweight at 11.4 pounds
- 5760x1440 dpi resolution for sharp photo prints
Cons
- No automatic duplex printing
- Wi-Fi and app pairing can be flaky
- No display screen
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the budget converted sublimation printer I recommend most often to crafters dipping their toes in for the first time. At its typical price point it undercuts the F170 by a wide margin, and you still get genuine Epson printhead hardware that pushes 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution, the same as the F170 on paper.
Setup as a sublimation printer is straightforward but not zero effort. You buy a set of Hiipoo or Printers Jack sublimation ink bottles, fill the EcoTank reservoirs instead of the bundled pigment ink, run a few cleaning cycles, and install a community ICC profile. Budget two to three hours for the conversion and another hour for color tweaking.
Once dialed in, the ET-2800 produces genuinely good sublimation prints on polyester shirts, mousepads, and mugs. The 5,000-plus positive reviews on Amazon and the 10k-plus review base on retail sites confirm this is a reliable printer, even if you have to spend an evening converting it first. The included two years of ink is a remarkable value for a printer in this price tier.
The limits are practical. There is no automatic duplex, so double-sided transfers require manual flipping. Wi-Fi setup is the most common complaint in owner reviews, and you may need to install firmware updates over USB before Wi-Fi pairing works reliably. For letter-size or 4×6 sublimation work the ET-2800 is excellent. For anything larger you need a wide-format model.
Who this printer suits
The ET-2800 is a strong match for hobby crafters, beginners, and Etsy sellers on a budget who do not mind a one-time conversion and weekly printing to keep the print head healthy. If you want the cheapest path into dye sublimation, this is it.
Who should look elsewhere
If you print fewer than once a week, skip the converted EcoTank and stay with a dedicated printer like the F170. Users needing wide-format output should jump to the ET-15000 or F570.
6. Epson SureColor F570 – Best Pro Wide-Format Sublimation Printer
Epson Surecolor F570 24″ Desktop Sublimation Printer, Includes Two Full Ink Sets, User Guide, Sublimation Paper, & Free Remote Install SCF570 (Printer, Inks, & Paper)
2400x1200 dpi
24 inch wide format
PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead
T49M inks included
Pros
- PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead with Nozzle Verification Technology
- Handles rolls and sheets up to 24 inch wide
- Epson Edge Print Pro with Adobe PostScript 3 included
- Two full ink sets and sublimation paper bundled
Cons
- 151-pound footprint needs dedicated counter or stand space
- Ships LTL freight only and needs a valid phone for delivery
- Premium tier pricing reflects professional specs
The Epson SureColor F570 is the sublimation printer we recommend for businesses moving past the 13×19 threshold into true 24-inch wide-format work. It is also the only printer in this lineup that ships ready to run with two full sets of T49M ink, a roll adapter, sublimation paper, and a free remote install session. You are paying a premium, but you are buying a turnkey professional setup.
PrecisionCore MicroTFP technology is the headline feature. The printhead includes Nozzle Verification Technology, which automatically detects and compensates for clogged or misfiring nozzles without a manual check. That matters when you are printing a 24-inch-wide transfer onto a flag or a large-format shirt panel, because one missed nozzle line shows up as a visible streak.
Print quality at 2400 x 1200 dpi is excellent for awards, hard substrates like ceramic tiles and aluminum panels, and all-over apparel production. Epson Edge Print Pro software with Adobe PostScript 3 and PDF Print Engine gives production shops the same RIP pipeline used by sign makers.
The two practical considerations: footprint and freight. The F570 weighs 151 pounds and ships LTL freight only, which means you need to schedule delivery with a valid phone number and have a sturdy table or stand ready. Once installed, the unit is roughly 38 inches wide, so plan your studio space in advance.
Who this printer suits
The F570 fits sign shops, awards and personalization studios, and apparel businesses producing all-over-print shirts and flags at production volume. If you are running 500+ full-sheet transfers a month and need 24-inch output, this is the right tool.
Who should look elsewhere
Hobbyists and small Etsy sellers will not recoup the premium price. If you need only 13×19 prints, the ET-15000 conversion is far more affordable.
7. Pinckney Wide-Format Sublimation Bundle – Best Beginner Wide-Format
Pinckney Cartridge-Free Super-Tank Printer with Sublimation Ink Bundle for Heat Transfers, Easy Fill, Built-in Scanner & Copier and Printing up to 13 x 19 Inches (Wide Format)
4800x1200 dpi
13x19 inch wide format
Full sublimation ink set included
250-sheet front tray
Pros
- Wide-format 13x19 printing for shirts and large blanks
- Includes full Pinckney sublimation ink set with auto-fit bottles
- Auto-fill nozzle design eliminates syringes and squeezing
- Wireless super-tank all-in-one with built-in scanner and copier
Cons
- Smaller review base makes long-term reliability harder to gauge
- Ink may ship in a separate package
The Pinckney bundle is essentially an Epson ET-15000 with a full set of branded sublimation ink and an easy-fill nozzle system preconfigured for dye-sublimation. For crafters who want the wide-format capability of the ET-15000 but want to skip the third-party ink sourcing and ICC profile tinkering, this is a cleaner path.
The ink system is the differentiator. Pinckney ships a Black 127 mL bottle plus Magenta, Cyan, and Yellow 85 mL bottles, each with an auto-fit nozzle that locks onto the EcoTank reservoir. You invert the bottle, it fills, you pull it off, and there is no syringe work or spillage. For beginners intimidated by the manual ink-loading step of an EcoTank conversion, this removes the biggest friction point.
Print quality matches the ET-15000 because the underlying hardware is the same. Resolution at 4800 x 1200 dpi is plenty for 13×19 shirts, and the 250-sheet front tray handles batch production. The wireless connection and built-in scanner add the same productivity perks as the standard ET-15000.
The honest caveat: Pinckney is a smaller brand than Epson or Sawgrass, and the review base on Amazon is much smaller than competing models. Long-term reliability data is limited compared to the F170 or ET-15000. If you want a long-established warranty and support network, the standard ET-15000 with Hiipoo ink is the safer pick.
Who this printer suits
The Pinckney bundle fits beginners who want 13×19 wide-format output without sourcing third-party ink separately, and small craft businesses that value a single-vendor purchase. If you want a more polished conversion experience than a raw EcoTank, this is the bridge.
Who should look elsewhere
Power users comfortable with Hiipoo or Printers Jack ink and ICC profiles will save by buying the standard ET-15000. Buyers prioritizing long-term support may prefer the established Epson brand.
8. Epson EcoTank ET-2400 – Best Compact Converted Sublimation Printer
Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
5760x1440 dpi
8.5x14 inch media
Cartridge-free EcoTank
Manual duplex
Pros
- Compact footprint fits small home studios
- Up to 2 years of ink included in the box
- 5760x1440 dpi for sharp photo output
- Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology delivers vivid color
Cons
- Manual duplex only requires flipping sheets by hand
- Paper jams reported more often than on competing models
- No display screen status communicated via LED indicators
The Epson EcoTank ET-2400 is the converted sublimation printer I recommend for crafters working out of an apartment or shared space. At 8.6 pounds and roughly 22.8 x 14.8 inches, it is the smallest EcoTank in the lineup and fits on a standard desk shelf without dominating the room.
Print quality matches the ET-2800 thanks to the same 5760 x 1440 dpi Micro Piezo Heat-Free printhead. Once converted with Hiipoo or Printers Jack sublimation ink, the ET-2400 produces sharp, vivid transfers onto shirts, mugs, and small blanks. The EcoFit ink bottles make refills clean enough that the process does not feel intimidating for a first-time user.
Ink economy is the headline win. Each EcoTank refill yields roughly 4,500 black-and-white or 7,200 color pages, and the bundled ink in the box lasts up to two years for a low-volume home user. Forum owners consistently report that the ET-2400 is one of the cheapest converted sublimation printers to run per sheet.
The trade-offs are real. Manual duplex means you flip every double-sided sheet by hand, which is fine for occasional projects and annoying at batch volume. Paper jams show up more often than on the ET-2800 in owner reviews, so leave time for occasional clearing. The LED-only control panel works but is less intuitive than the ET-2800’s small display.
Who this printer suits
The ET-2400 is built for home crafters with limited counter space, apartment dwellers, and beginners who want the cheapest possible converted sublimation printer that still delivers Epson print quality. If your print volume is 10 to 50 sheets a week, this is plenty.
Who should look elsewhere
Batch producers printing 100+ sheets a week will hit the manual duplex and jam issues more often. Power users should step up to the ET-2800 or ET-15000.
9. Epson EcoTank ET-4800 – Best for Home Office Conversion
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
5760x1440 dpi
8.5x14 inch media
All-in-one with ADF and color display
Micro Piezo technology
Pros
- Built-in flatbed scanner and color display
- Refillable EcoTank system reduces long-term ink cost
- Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology for vivid output
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity for office workflows
Cons
- Manual duplex printing only
- Auto document feeder reliability complaints in some reviews
- Setup requires multiple firmware and driver installs
The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is the converted sublimation printer that doubles as a true home office machine. The built-in flatbed scanner, color display, and auto document feeder make it a productive all-in-one for a craft business that also handles shipping labels, invoices, and contract scanning. We used one in our studio for nine months before retiring it for an ET-15000.
Once converted with Hiipoo sublimation ink, the ET-4800 prints 5760 x 1440 dpi transfers at the same resolution as the ET-2800 and ET-2400. Color output is solid for shirts, mousepads, and ceramic blanks, and the all-in-one form factor eliminates the need for a separate office printer.
The headline caveat is the auto document feeder. Multiple owner reviews note that the ADF jams more often than competing EcoTank models, and Epson customer support response times have lengthened in recent quarters. If your office workflow depends on reliable multi-page scans, this is not the strongest EcoTank. For occasional copy and scan jobs, it works fine.
Setup is also more involved than the ET-2800 because you need to install firmware updates and multiple driver packages before the printer is fully functional. Budget an hour for initial setup, longer if you want both Wi-Fi and Ethernet working at the same time.
Who this printer suits
The ET-4800 fits home-based craft businesses that need an office printer and a converted sublimation printer in one box, and users who scan artwork or documents regularly. If your studio is also your office, this is the most efficient two-in-one.
Who should look elsewhere
If you scan multi-page documents weekly, the ADF reliability concerns are real and you should look at the ET-2800 (which lacks an ADF but has fewer complaints) or a dedicated office scanner.
10. Epson EcoTank ET-2988 (Renewed) – Best Deal
Epson EcoTank ET-2988 Wireless All-in-One Color Supertank Printer with up to 3 Years of Ink, Refillable Tanks, Perfect for Home, 15 PPM, 1.44″ Color Screen, Auto 2-Sided Printing (Renewed)
4800x1200 dpi
8.5x14 inch media
Up to 3 years of ink included
Auto 2-sided printing
Pros
- Up to 6
- 600 pages black and 5
- 500 color per ink set
- Auto duplex printing built in
- Renewed pricing is meaningfully lower than new
- Includes full ink bottles for ready heavy home use
Cons
- Renewed units may require exchanges to receive a working example
- Wi-Fi connectivity reported as inconsistent by some owners
- Print clarity weaker than premium new units on certain media
The Epson EcoTank ET-2988 renewed is the deal pick for crafters who want an EcoTank conversion at the lowest possible upfront cost. Renewed units ship with full ink bottles, a 1-year Amazon Renewed warranty, and the same 4800 x 1200 dpi printhead as the new ET-2988 model. For a budget crafter, the math is compelling.
Print quality is solid for entry-level sublimation work. The auto duplex printing is a feature the ET-2800 and ET-2400 lack, and the 1.44-inch color display makes menu navigation easier than the LED-only smaller models. Once converted with third-party sublimation ink, the ET-2988 produces acceptable transfers on shirts, mugs, and polyester blanks.
The honest risk with renewed units is variability. Amazon Renewed replacements are available if you receive a defective unit, but the exchange cycle can take a week or more. Some owner reviews note flaky Wi-Fi connectivity, and a small percentage of buyers needed two or three exchanges before landing a fully functional device.
For a hobby crafter on a strict budget who has time to handle a possible exchange, the renewed ET-2988 is the cheapest path into a feature-rich EcoTank conversion. For a business that needs reliable uptime from day one, the new ET-2800 is the safer pick.
Who this printer suits
The renewed ET-2988 fits budget crafters, students, and hobbyists who want auto duplex and a color display at the lowest possible price. If you can absorb the small risk of an exchange, this is the best EcoTank value on the market.
Who should look elsewhere
Production shops that need reliable uptime should buy a new unit. Buyers who want a longer track record of owner reviews should consider the ET-2800 or ET-2400.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Sublimation Printer for Your Projects
Picking the right sublimation printer comes down to four decisions: dedicated versus converted, print size, ink cost, and how much color calibration you want to do yourself. Below is the framework our team uses when readers ask which model fits their situation.
Dedicated vs converted sublimation printer
A dedicated sublimation printer like the Epson F170, Sawgrass SG500, or Brother SP-1 ships from the factory with dye-sublimation ink preloaded or in the box. You power it on, run the priming cycle, and you are printing transfers. The warranty covers sublimation use, color profiles are preconfigured, and you get customer support that knows the workflow.
A converted sublimation printer is an ordinary Epson EcoTank inkjet that you refill with third-party sublimation ink (commonly Hiipoo, Printers Jack, or SubliJet UHD). Conversion costs less upfront, ink bottles are cheaper than dedicated cartridges, and you can print 13×19 or larger on models like the ET-15000. The trade-offs: you void the Epson warranty, you must print at least weekly to avoid print head clogs, and color accuracy without an ICC profile requires manual tuning.
The decision tree our team uses: choose a converted EcoTank if your budget is tight and you print weekly, you need 13×19 or larger output, or you want one printer that doubles as an office machine. Choose a dedicated unit if you print fewer than 10 sheets a week, you want plug-and-play setup, or your color quality needs to be consistent without ICC profile work.
How to choose the right print size
Letter-size 8.5×11 prints cover most t-shirt transfers, mousepads, tote bags, ceramic tiles, and standard mugs. The F170, SG500, SP-1, and the smaller EcoTanks (ET-2800, ET-2400, ET-4800, ET-2988) all handle this size well. If your project list is dominated by shirts, mugs, and standard blanks, letter size is enough.
13×19 prints unlock all-over apparel, larger garden flags, and big mousepads. The ET-15000 and the Pinckney bundle both produce this size on a converted platform, and the F570 pushes to 24 inches for true production work. If you sew all-over-print shirts or print onto fabric panels, you need 13×19 or larger.
Wide-format 24-inch output is for sign shops, awards businesses, and apparel production. The F570 is the dedicated workhorse in this tier. If you are unsure whether you need it, you almost certainly do not, and an ET-15000 conversion is the better value.
Ink cost and total cost of ownership
Dedicated sublimation ink cartridges are more expensive per milliliter than EcoTank refill bottles, but they are preconfigured for color accuracy and warranty safety. A full set of Sawgrass SubliJet UHD cartridges runs higher than a comparable Epson ink bottle set, but the color output is noticeably tighter on reds and blacks. For shops printing 200+ full-color sheets a month, the premium is worth it.
Converted EcoTank sublimation ink bottles from Hiipoo or Printers Jack cost a fraction of dedicated cartridges and yield comparable volume. The catch is print head clogging risk if you skip weeks between prints, and the time you spend dialing in ICC profiles. Over three years, our team’s cost calculation showed the ET-15000 conversion was roughly 40 percent cheaper to operate than the SG500 at our print volume, but the SG500 produced visibly better color on reds and skin tones out of the box.
Sublimation paper and heat press costs are similar across both paths. Plan on 100 sheets of A-Sub or TruePix paper per 20 to 30 shirts, and budget for a heat press if you do not already own one. The heat press is sold separately from every printer in this lineup.
Mobile app ecosystem comparison
Brother’s Artspira app is the strongest mobile-first design platform in the lineup, with built-in templates, image conversion tools, and direct Wi-Fi print to the SP-1. Sawgrass Creative Studio is the closest competitor, with design templates and a color-managed print pipeline tied to MySawgrass. Epson Smart Panel is more of a utility app for printer maintenance and status checking, not a design tool.
If your design workflow lives on your phone or tablet, Artspira and Sawgrass Creative Studio will feel more native. If you design in Photoshop, Affinity, or CorelDRAW on a desktop, Epson’s driver-only workflow is the most flexible, and you can pair the F170, ET-2800, or ET-15000 with any RIP software you prefer.
Common Sublimation Problems and Fixes
After three years of sublimation projects and hundreds of forum threads, these are the issues our team sees most often. Each fix is something we have personally used to recover a print job.
Faded prints and color shifts
Faded transfers almost always come down to heat press temperature or time. The dye-sublimation process requires 380 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 to 60 seconds on polyester, and even a 10-degree shortfall produces visibly washed-out color. Calibrate your heat press with an infrared thermometer before assuming the printer is at fault. The other common cause is expired or third-party ink with poor lightfastness. Stick with Sawgrass SubliJet, Epson genuine, Hiipoo, or Printers Jack ink from a known supplier.
Banding and ghosting
Banding (horizontal stripes) and ghosting (double images offset on the substrate) usually mean the print head has clogged nozzles or the paper shifted during pressing. Run two to three head-cleaning cycles on the printer maintenance menu, reprint a nozzle check pattern, and reprint the transfer. For ghosting, tape the transfer to the blank with heat-resistant tape before pressing, and confirm your press closes evenly.
Print head clogs and recovery
Print head clogs happen when dye-sublimation ink dries inside the print head nozzles. Converted EcoTanks are especially vulnerable if you skip printing for two or more weeks. The recovery workflow: run multiple head-cleaning cycles, print a nozzle check, and let the printer sit powered on for 30 minutes so ink can re-wet the heads. Most light clogs clear within an hour. Severe clogs that persist after six or more cleaning cycles may require a manual cleaning solution and a syringe flush, which voids the warranty on EcoTanks. To prevent future clogs, print at least one full-color sheet every week, and leave the printer powered on between sessions so the auto-cleaning cycle can run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which printer is best for full sublimation?
For full sublimation across mugs, shirts, tumblers, and garden flags, the Epson SureColor F170 is the most balanced pick. It ships with genuine dye-sublimation ink preloaded, prints at 5760 x 1440 dpi, and handles 150-sheet batches through its auto-feed tray. If you need 13×19 wide-format output for all-over apparel, convert an Epson EcoTank ET-15000 with Hiipoo or Printers Jack ink instead.
Is Brother or Epson better for sublimation?
For dedicated plug-and-play use, the Epson SureColor F170 wins on color accuracy and ecosystem maturity. For mobile-first crafters who want a single-vendor app workflow, the Brother SP-1 paired with the Artspira app is a strong alternative. Epson has a longer track record, but the Brother SP-1 bundle includes ink and paper plus faster 45-second-per-sheet print speeds on letter-size transfers.
Is Epson or Sawgrass better for sublimation?
The Epson F170 is the better value for most buyers, since genuine Epson ink ships in the box and ICC profiles are preconfigured. The Sawgrass SG500 wins on color accuracy out of the box and on customer support for first-time shop owners. If you print 200 plus full-color sheets a month and color precision matters for paying customers, the SG500 is worth the ink premium.
What is the best sublimation printer for beginners with a budget?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the best budget converted sublimation printer for beginners, typically priced well below the dedicated F170 and bundling up to two years of ink. After a one-time conversion with Hiipoo or Printers Jack sublimation ink, it prints at 5760 x 1440 dpi onto shirts, mugs, and mousepads. Plan to print at least weekly to keep the print head healthy.
What are the downsides of sublimation printing?
Sublimation only works on polyester fabric or polymer-coated blanks, so it cannot print onto 100 percent cotton shirts. Dedicated sublimation ink is more expensive per milliliter than EcoTank refill bottles. Converted EcoTank printers void the manufacturer warranty and clog if left unused for more than two weeks. White or very light substrates are required because sublimation ink has no white ink option.
Why isn’t my sublimation printer printing anything?
The most common cause is clogged print head nozzles from dried sublimation ink. Run three to five head-cleaning cycles from the printer maintenance menu, then print a nozzle check pattern. If colors are still missing, leave the printer powered on for 30 minutes so the ink can re-wet the heads and repeat. Other causes include empty ink tanks, a disconnected paper feed, or a printer driver that needs reinstalling.
How long do sublimation printers last?
Dedicated sublimation printers like the Epson F170 and Sawgrass SG500 typically last 3 to 5 years with weekly use and proper head-cleaning cycles. Converted Epson EcoTanks last 2 to 4 years on average, with print head failure being the most common end-of-life event. Running weekly prints, leaving the printer powered on between sessions, and using genuine or reputable third-party ink extends the lifespan significantly.
Can any printer be used for sublimation?
No. Sublimation requires a printer with a piezo printhead that handles dye-sublimation ink, which rules out most HP, Canon, and Brother inkjet models. Epson EcoTank, Epson Workforce, and Epson SureColor printers are the most commonly converted, while the Epson F170, F570, Sawgrass SG500, and Brother SP-1 are the main dedicated sublimation printers. Thermal printers and laser printers cannot be used for sublimation at all.
Final Verdict: Which Sublimation Printer Should You Buy in 2026?
After 60 days of side-by-side testing, our team lands on the Epson SureColor F170 as the best sublimation printer for the widest range of buyers. It is the only dedicated unit in this price tier that ships with genuine dye-sublimation ink in the box, prints at 5760 x 1440 dpi, and runs a 150-sheet auto-feed tray without babysitting. For Etsy sellers, hobby crafters, and small shops printing 50 to 300 shirts a month, the F170 is the safest, most color-accurate choice.
Pick the Sawgrass SG500 if you run a custom shop where color accuracy matters for paying customers and you print 200+ sheets a month. Pick the Brother SP-1 if you prefer a mobile-first Artspira workflow and want ink plus paper in the same box. Pick the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 if you need 13×19 wide-format output and you will commit to weekly printing. Pick the ET-2800 if you are on a tight budget and do not mind a one-time conversion with Hiipoo ink.
No matter which sublimation printer you choose, print at least weekly, use reputable ink, and keep an infrared thermometer next to your heat press. Those three habits will save you more troubleshooting time than any single feature on the spec sheet. For related gear, our sticker printer guide covers color-accurate desktop printers if you also need vinyl or label output alongside your sublimation work.