If you are a beginner in sublimation printing, then it is very important to choose the best printing machine for your sublimation works because the quality of the products and the beauty of the works directly depend on the type of machine you’re using.
So in this article, we will help you to choose the best sublimation printer for 2023, from a top ten list of printers. We warmly welcome you to the Batik Institute and stick around until the end to find out what you’ve been looking for.
What should you consider before buying a sublimation printer?
There are some factors that you should be considered before selecting a sublimation printer as a beginner, and the following are those factors.
- A cheap option is dye sublimation.
Due to the variety of equipment needed and the lengthy process, dye-sublimation printing has historically been expensive and intimidating. Without factoring in the price of a heat press, the cost of the printers could be as high as $20,000.
- Printing Can Be Done on a Variety of Products.
As previously mentioned, polyester and materials coated with polyester resin make excellent dye sublimation printing substrates. You can print on a wide range of materials because these printers are available in a variety of sizes and shapes.
What is the Best Sublimation Printer For Beginners In 2023?
You should be aware that Sawgrass is the sole manufacturer of printers designed specifically for sublimation printing on the market. Although the other printers on this list can also print using sublimation, they weren’t designed just for that.
After being modified to produce sublimation prints, some printers can’t be returned to their original state, and their manufacturer’s warranty might no longer be valid. Before moving forward with the conversion, it is advised to consult with your manufacturer.
- Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500; Editor’s Choice
The Sawgrass SG500 is the printer for you if you’re concerned about having to convert a regular printer to sublimation and voiding its warranty in the process. The SG500 gives you the best start possible with sublimation because it is specifically made for the process and comes with excellent Sublijet inks.
You receive a premium membership to Creative Studio, which gives you access to templates and built-in designs to use right away, as well as a free one-on-one onboarding and setup call to ensure you can start printing immediately.
- Epson EcoTank ET-2720
The Epson ET-2720 is the right choice if you’re brand-new to sublimation printing or want to keep your overall costs for a sublimation printer low without compromising on quality.
The ET-2720 is a printer without cartridges that has refillable ink tanks. You may be able to save money by doing this on replacement ink. It is more environmentally friendly than some other printers on the market because there is no cartridge waste. Additionally, it is typically a cheap printer.
Despite the low cost of this printer, you won’t have to worry about sacrificing quality. This amazing printer produces images with high resolution and clear color quality, making it ideal for sublimation printing.
- Epson WorkForce WF-7720
The device is delivered in a cardboard box that is properly cushioned on both sides to prevent damage while in transit. The Epson branding, the model number, and a picture of the actual printer are located on the front.
When you break the seal on the box and open it, the Epson sublimation printer is at the top, cushioned by thermocol molds on either side.
The printer comes with a power cord, a USB-A to USB-B cable, the included ink cartridges, and some documentation to assist you with setup and warranty information.
The ink in this package is the Epson 252 standard ink cartridge. In addition to these, a compact disc containing setup drivers and utility software is also provided.
- HP SP-200
Any small business owner looking to start printing on sublimation paper would do well to choose the SP-200, a reasonably priced, portable black-and-white printer.
It is easily connected to a PC or Mac using the supplied USB cable. If you need to print several copies at once, you won’t have to wait long because of its quick 57 mm per second printing speed and 200 dpi resolution.
- Sawgrass SG1000 Sublimation Printer
The Sawgrass sublimation printer SG1000 is the perfect printer for the budding business or aspirational entrepreneur because it prints on media up to 11 x 17′′ (28 x 43 cm) with the basic tray. The ideal items are clothing, soft goods, and small to medium-sized photo panels.
You can use an SG800 bypass tray with the Sawgrass SG1000 sublimation printer if you already have one because the SG1000 is backward compatible with SG800 accessories. You can print on materials up to 13 x 51 inches thanks to this (330 x 1295 mm).
So, if not the best sublimation printer for beginners, at least one of the best, this can be said about it!
If you use the Sawgrass sublimation printer for sublimation printing once, you might never want to use another one again.
Because the printers are DESIGNED for sublimation, users will gain access to two-year warranties, video demos, tech support, a free design studio, and plug-and-play equipment. Additionally, this is among the top sublimation printers.
- Epson EcoTank ET-2800
A well-known brand that deals with various printers is Epson. People from this brand can guarantee that they will complete the task perfectly! Even though it uses inkjet technology, this printer produces the most incredible sublimations ever when dye sublimation is used.
This printer’s overall dimensions are 22.8 x 14.8 x 10, and its weight is 11.97 pounds. Although it is somewhat large, I don’t believe you will need to move it once it is in place. It is available in white.
The printer is extremely well made. After purchasing the EcoTank ET-2800, Epson guarantees that you can use it however you please for a very long time! This demonstrates the durability of this printer.
You will need to navigate the buttons in front of this printer in order to operate it. They function well and are accurate. The way they ought to.
- Epson Expression Photo HD XP 15000
The entire body of the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is made of hard plastic, giving it a very simple appearance. I’m quite impressed with the design and material quality in terms of appearance. The device measures 18.7″ x 30.9″ x 16.2″ (476 x 785 x 412 mm) and has an all-black body (W x D x H).
The device’s top has a lid that opens to reveal the ink cartridges and nozzle area. A 2.4-inch LCD color display and numerous physical buttons are located on the front of the device to aid in the menu navigation. On the display, there isn’t any touch capability, though.
The experience is improved by the hardware buttons. The tillable mechanism improves the already excellent viewing angles on the screen.
- WorkForce WF-7210
Another Epson printer is here, but this time it’s a different model. It is the WorkForce, which functions flawlessly when sublimation is required. Although this printer also uses inkjet technology, it is fantastic once you figure out how to use dye sublimation.
This printer, which is 31.8 x 22.3 x 12.7 inches and weighs 32.8 pounds, deserves a special spot in your office or house. Although that might present a challenge for tourists, there isn’t a problem because the sublimation process is widely practiced there.
The printer is extremely well made. Almost all Epson printers are long-lasting and durable, just like the one mentioned above, and are resistant to unforeseen events.
The 2.2-inch LCD touchscreen on the WorkForce WF-2800 performs better than you could ever imagine, and navigation is simple thanks to how simple it is to use.
- Brother MFC-J995DW
In terms of printer manufacturers, Brother is a well-known brand. As a conventional printer, the MFC-J995DW offers both conventional and sublimation printing capabilities. You can get a 2-in-1 device with countless uses if you invest in this printer.
By swapping out the cartridges, the Brother can become a sublimation printer. Although there may be a learning curve at first, once you get the hang of it, you won’t have to worry about it.
You’ll never have to worry about your ink levels when it comes to it. You’ll never run out of ink thanks to the integrated Brother Intelligent Page Gauge, which will automatically notify you when it does.
- Epson EcoTank ET-4760
A grey and black carton with the Epson logo on the front contained the Epson EcoTank ET-4760. Additionally, the front of the device allows you to view all of its features. The ink bottles and the power adapter are at the top of the box as we open the delivery. As we continue, we see the actual device sitting peacefully within thermocouple molds.
Given that it weighs about 15.9 lbs, the device seems a little heavier. With measurements of 9.1″ x 14.8″ x 13.7″, the ET-4760 appears to be much smaller than its weight would suggest. Given that the entire body is made of hard plastic, it feels sturdy.
What are all the printers I can use for sublimation?
This type of print head is available in printers from Epson, Sawgrass, and Roland that can be used for sublimation. Just to be clear, other printer manufacturers do use this Piezo Print Head, but they do not support sublimation inks.
Is it worth buying a sublimation printer?
One of the best techniques for all-over printing, sublimation printing excels at capturing fine details and lines. It is excellent for small runs and has low setup costs, and the printing is so close to permanent that it is practically unbeatable.
