What kind of printer do you need for sublimation? Sublimation printing is a popular and versatile method for transferring vibrant, long-lasting images and designs onto various surfaces, such as textiles, ceramics, and more.
It’s crucial to choose the right type of printer.
We’ll explore the essential features and considerations to help you select the perfect printer for your sublimation printing needs.
| Image | Product | Features |
 | Epson EcoTank ET-2800 | Weight: 12.42 Ibs Dimensions: 14.8 x 22.8 x 10 in RAM: 64 MB |
 | Canon Selphy CP1300 | Weight: 1.9 Ibs Dimensions: 5.4 x 7.1 x 2.5 RAM: 64 MB |
 | Epson Workforce Pro WF-7820 | Dimensions: 20.3 x 38.4 x 18 in Weight: 39.9 Ibs Paper tray: 250 sheets |
 | HP Smart-Tank 5101 | Weight: 11.09 Ibs Dimensions: 14.23 x 17.11 x 6.19 in RAM: 64 MB |
 | Epson EcoTank ET-15000 | Weight: 26.5 Ibs Dimensions: 29.6 x 19.6 x 14.3 in RAM: 512 MB |
 | Epson SureColor T2170 | Weight: 60 Ibs Dimensions: 25 x 44 x 15 in Wattage: 28 W |
 | Sawgrass UHD Virtuoso SG500 | Weight: 15 Ibs Dimensions: 18 x 16 x 9 in Paper tray: 100 sheets |
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
The Epson 2800 is a multifunction inkjet printer that is not designed specifically for sublimation printing.
It is a part of Epson’s EcoTank series, known for its refillable ink tank system that allows you to print without traditional ink cartridges. The EcoTank ET-2800 is primarily intended for general home and small office printing needs, such as document printing, photo printing, and scanning.
You would need to make some modifications, including replacing the regular ink with sublimation ink and ensuring that the printer’s heating elements can achieve the required sublimation temperature.
You would need to configure the sublimation process to work with dye sublimation inks, which may void the warranty.
Pros
- The Epson EcoTank printer significantly reduces long-term ink costs.
- Epson printer delivers sharp and clear text documents and colorful photos.
- Supports Wi-Fi and mobile printing for convenience.
- The sublimation printer can hold a substantial amount of ink.
Cons
- It can be more expensive upfront compared to some standard inkjet printers.
- It may not be the fastest sublimation printer for high-volume printing tasks.
Canon Selphy CP1300
The CP1300 is a small and lightweight printer, making it easy to carry and use for instant photo printing at events, parties, or while traveling.
Unlike standard inkjet printers, the Selphy CP1300 uses dye-sublimation printing technology.
Dye-sublimation printers work by transferring solid dye directly onto special paper, which is then heated to turn the dye into a gas and infused into the paper.
This process results in high-quality, durable, and water-resistant photos. The sublimation printer offers various wireless printing options, including Wi-Fi, AirPrint, and direct printing from smartphones and cameras using the Canon PRINT app.
It features a 3.2-inch color LCD screen that allows you to preview and edit your photos before printing.
The best sublimation printer offers creative features such as collage and party shuffle printing, filters, and the ability to add text or frames to your photos.
You can purchase an optional battery pack for the CP1300, making it truly portable and usable in locations without access to a power source.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight for on-the-go photo printing.
- Produces high-quality and durable photo prints.
- Supports Wi-Fi and mobile printing.
Cons
- Requires specific paper and ink cartridges for printing.
- The LCD screen is relatively small for editing and previewing photos.
Epson Workforce Pro WF-7820
The WF-7820 offers print, scan, copy, and fax capabilities, making it suitable for a wide range of office tasks.
The WF-7820 is known for its fast print speed, making it suitable for high-volume printing tasks.
It can produce up to 25 pages per minute (ppm) for black and color documents.
Epson WF-7820 ensures sharp and professional-quality prints with excellent color accuracy.
It provides a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and mobile printing support, which allows you to print from smartphones and tablets.
With multiple paper trays, it can hold a significant amount of sublimation paper, reducing the need for constant paper reloading.
Epson printers offer cost-effective printing with large ink tanks that can significantly reduce your printing costs.
Pros
- All-in-one functionality for printing, scanning, copying, and faxing.
- Fast printing speeds are suitable for high-volume tasks.
- Ensures high-quality prints.
Cons
- Larger footprint compared to some smaller sublimation printers.
- May be more expensive upfront than basic inkjet printers.
HP Smart-Tank 5101
The Smart Tank 5101 offers print, scan, and copy functions, making it versatile for various office and personal printing tasks.
It is designed to produce high-quality text and graphics documents, as well as photo prints with vivid colors.
The standout feature of the Smart Tank series is its large built-in ink tanks. This design allows you to print more pages before needing to refill the ink, resulting in cost savings and reduced hassle.
The best sublimation printer for beginners supports wireless printing through Wi-Fi and mobile printing options, enabling convenient printing from smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Pros
- Large built-in ink tanks for cost-effective printing.
- Supports Wi-Fi and mobile printing for convenience.
- Scanning and copying capabilities.
- Can hold a significant amount of sublimation paper.
Cons
- May lack advanced features found in some higher-end sublimation printers.
Epson EcoTank ET-15000
The Epson ET-15000 is a multifunction inkjet printer designed for both home and small office environments.
It is part of Epson’s EcoTank series, which is known for its innovative sublimation ink tank system that eliminates the need for traditional sublimation ink cartridges.
The best sublimation printer for beginners comes with large, refillable sublimation ink tanks that can significantly reduce printing costs. The tanks can hold a substantial amount of ink, reducing the frequency of refills.
Epson EcoTank printers support wireless printing through Wi-Fi, enabling easy printing from smartphones, tablets, and computers.
This printer offers impressive print speeds, making it suitable for businesses with high-volume printing needs.
Pros
- Large, refillable sublimation ink tanks for cost-effective printing.
- The best dye sublimation printers support Wi-Fi and mobile printing.
- Includes printing, scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities.
Cons
- It’s a larger printer, which can be a drawback if space is limited.
Epson SureColor T2170
The Epson SureColor T2170 is a wide-format sublimation printer designed for professionals and businesses that require high-quality graphics and technical document printing.
The Epson sublimation printer is capable of printing up to 24 inches wide, making it suitable for a range of applications, including architectural and engineering drawings, posters, and graphics.
It offers precise line and color accuracy, which is crucial for technical drawings and graphic design work.
This printer uses Epson’s pigment ink, which delivers water-resistant prints with excellent color vibrancy.
Pros
- Best sublimation printers support up to 24-inch-wide prints for various applications.
- Excellent color accuracy and precision for technical and graphics work.
- Best sublimation printers deliver water-resistant prints with vivid colors.
- Best sublimation printers provide sharp and detailed output.
Cons
- Designed primarily for professionals in technical and graphic fields, limiting its general-purpose utility.
- Can be expensive compared to standard inkjet printers.
Sawgrass UHD Virtuoso SG500
The Sawgrass UHD Virtuoso SG500 is a sublimation printer specifically designed for creating high-quality sublimation transfers.
It’s commonly used for personalizing items such as mugs, apparel, and promotional products.
The SG500 is designed for sublimation printing, which involves transferring sublimation ink to various materials using a heat press. It’s known for producing vibrant and durable prints.
This printer is relatively small and portable, making it suitable for businesses with limited space or for on-the-go printing needs.
The Virtuoso SG500 offers precise color management and color accuracy, which is essential for sublimation printing.
Pros
- Specifically designed for sublimation printing with vibrant and durable results.
- Suitable for on-the-go and small-space printing needs.
- Offers high color management and accuracy for the sublimation printing process.
- Ensures sharp and detailed sublimation prints.
Cons
- Expensive.
FAQ
Can I use a regular printer for sublimation?
No, you cannot use a regular inkjet printer or laser printer for sublimation printing.
Sublimation printing requires specialized sublimation ink, which is designed to turn from a solid to a gas under heat and bond with polyester fabrics or polymer-coated materials.
Standard printers use different types of ink and do not have the capability to work with sublimation inks.
Is a Cricut a sublimation printer?
A Cricut is not a sublimation printer. Cricut is a brand of cutting machines designed for various crafting and DIY projects, including cutting vinyl, sublimation transfer paper, and other materials.
While Cricut machines can be used to create designs and stencils for sublimation, they are not printers.
To perform sublimation printing, you need a dedicated sublimation printer and heat press equipment.
What is the best printer for sublimation shirts?
The choice of the best printer for sublimation shirts depends on your specific needs, budget, and the volume of sublimation printing you plan to do.
You can check out the list above and choose something for yourself.
How big can the Epson SureColor F170 and Sawgrass SG1000 print?
Epson printers max print size: 8.5 x 14 in.
Sawgrass printers max print size: 11 x 17 in.
Can Sawgrass print 13×19 in?
Sawgrass sublimation printers it will allow you to print larger than A3 such as A3+/ 13”x19 in.
Conclusion
Choosing the right printer for sublimation printing is crucial to achieving high-quality, long-lasting results.
Consider factors such as ink compatibility, printer size, resolution, color management, durability, and connectivity when making your selection.
Explore popular brands like Sawgrass, Epson, Ricoh, and HP for options that suit your specific needs.
With the right sublimation printer, you can unleash your creativity and produce stunning, vibrant prints on a variety of materials.
After evaluating all the advantages and disadvantages, the best choice is considered Epson EcoTank ET-15000.
