A sublimation printer is your best bet if you want to sell customized clothes or other items. This smart printer uses innovative technology to make designs that last and look great.
So, here is an in-depth look at the best sublimation printers on the market. Sublimation printers are fast, powerful, and cheap. Also, the results are better.
So, they are great if you want to sell products made just for you. I looked at the top sublimation printers on the market and wrote about them.
There’s something for everyone who wants a sublimation printer for a new hobby or a side business.
Here, I’ve gathered some of the best sublimation printers:
| Image | Product | Detail | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Epson EcoTank ET-15000 |
| Check Price |
 | Epson EcoTank ET-2720 |
| Check Price |
 | Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer |
| Check Price |
 | Epson Expression Photo HD XP-1500 |
| Check Price |
 | Brother HL-L2320D Mono Laser Printer |
| Check Price |
Top 5 Best Sublimation Printers 2024
These are the top picks for excellent Sublimation Printers:
1. Epson EcoTank ET-15000
Epson EcoTank ET-15000
Features
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing
- Stress-Free Printing
- Zero Cartridge Waste
- Impressive Print Quality
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is a good choice if you want a lasting sublimation printer for your desk. Not only is it strong, but it’s also cheap and good for the environment.
The super tank of ink in the EcoTank ET-15000 can last up to 2 years. So, you can save a lot of money when buying new cartridges for your printer.
With this printer, each page costs about a penny. Refillable cartridges will not only save you money but also help the environment and cut down on waste.
And if you run out of ink, you can get a new bottle for a fair price. So, it costs very little to keep this printer running. Even if you print a lot with sublimation, this is still true.
Even though operating and printing costs are low, there is no loss in image quality. This printer has a high-density print chip, which gives you great accuracy and detail when you print. Your designs will look excellent, clear, and accurate.
Plus, the PrecisionCore technology makes sure that this printer works very well. Because of this, it’s excellent for big print runs.
It also has everything else you’d expect from a regular printer. Printing on both sides of the page allows you to fax, copy, scan, and save paper.
It has a 250-sheet paper tray, a media tray for big or high-quality prints, and an Auto Document Feeder. This printer is very flexible regarding the types of sublimation paper it can print on.
You can print designs up to 13 x 19 inches, which lets you make more significant designs. It even lets you print up to 11 x 17 inches without a border.
It’s easy to use because of the 2.7-inch color touchscreen. And you don’t even need a computer or a router to print with WiFi Direct.
You can do everything right from your phone or tablet, which is the easiest and most flexible way to do it. The Epson EcoTank EP-15000 is an excellent printer for T-shirts that use sublimation.
Even though it’s not cheap to buy, this printer will save you a lot of money over time. So, it’s worth spending more first to get a good print quality that lasts and has low costs.
Specifications:
- Brand: Epson
- Printing Technology: Inkjet
- Connectivity: WiFi, Ethernet, WiFi Direct
- Warranty: Epson provides a one-year limited warranty (2 years if you register it)
Pros
- You can print designs up to 13 x 19 inches that are clear and correct.
- It works for both regular printing and sublimation printing.
- It has very low ongoing costs and enough ink for two years.
Cons
- This printer costs a lot to buy upfront.
- At first, it can be hard to get the hang of.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-2720
Epson EcoTank ET-2720
Features
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink
- Stress-Free Printing
- Zero Cartridge Waste
- Impressive Print Quality
Looking at this printer, you might think it’s still a bit pricey for a cheap printer. But you have to think about how much it will cost you every month or so to buy new ink cartridges.
Then, all of a sudden, the EcoTank ET-2720 becomes a very appealing alternative. This printer is fantastic because it has enough ink to last two years.
You’ll save about 90% of the cost of ink cartridges with this smart, eco-friendly printer. But the ET-2720 is also much less expensive than the ET-15000.
So, it’s perfect for anyone who wants a super tank printer but can’t afford the high starting price. This model won’t cost you too much, making it easier to start sublimation.
The ET-2720 makes prints that are of good quality. It can even print clear and sharp photos with no pixels. But it might not be as clear and sharp as the best sublimation printers.
But it is easy to connect to from any computer or smartphone. It’s quick and easy to set up, and it’s also easy to add more ink. So you don’t have to get your hands dirty!
It also has a 2-year warranty and works with many paper types. So, if you want to start sublimation printing on a budget, this EcoTank printer is a great choice.
Specifications:
- Brand: Epson
- Printing Technology: Inkjet
- Connectivity: WiFi Direct, USB, WiFi, Ethernet
- Warranty: Epson 2-year limited warranty if registered
Pros
- It is a superb budget printer for people just starting with sublimation printing.
- You can print on many different kinds of paper.
- It makes prints that are of good quality.
- The ongoing cost is very low because the ink lasts longer.
Cons
- Compared to other models, it does not have the best print resolution.
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3. Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer
Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer
The Sawgrass SG500 is the model that costs a little less. But even though it costs less than the SG1000, this sublimation printer is by no means cheap.
But it’s worth your time to pay attention. You still get excellent customer service and a good printer, just like with the SG1000.
The Sublijet UHD sublimation inks are used, just like the SG1000. This printer is easy to use because the interface is smooth and easy to understand. Also, the price includes access to the Creative Studio Online Designer.
It also comes with a two-year warranty, which is a lot. So you can be sure that this printer will last a long time. (And if it doesn’t, Sawgrass should fix it or give you a new one.) That gives me much peace of mind when buying a more expensive printer.
The SG500 differs from the SG1000 because it has a smaller paper capacity.
The SG500 can work with paper sizes up to 8.5 inches by 14 inches. So, it’s best for printing smaller designs on clothes or accessories.
But if you don’t need to print very large documents, the Sawgrass SG500 checks all the right boxes.
It has everything you need in a good sublimation printer and is an excellent deal for the money.
Specifications:
- Brand: Sawgrass
- Printing Technology: Dye sublimation
- Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, WiFi
- Warranty: Two-year warranty and ongoing customizing support
Pros
- One of the best heat transfer sublimation printers
- When you use the best sublimation inks, the image quality is excellent.
- It’s easy to use, strong, and long-lasting.
- It has a 2-year warranty and customer service for life.
Cons
- The printer is still not cheap.
4. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-1500
Features
- Professional Ultra HD photo quality
- Individual 6-color Claria Photo HD Ink
- Ultra-compact wide-format A3+ printer
- Convenient printing features
The Epson Expression XP-15000 is a high-quality photo printer in terms of how it works. But sublimation printing also works well with it.
This printer is superb because it can print large sizes up to 13 x 19 inches and handle materials up to 23 mm thick. That gives you a lot more freedom in what you can print.
It’s great for making bold designs or printing on thicker things like hoodies. You can make anything you want with this printer.
With the Epson Expression XP-15000, you can also print on a wide range of fabrics or polyester fabrics.
Even though it has many great features, it is one of the least expensive sublimation printers you can buy. It also has excellent print quality, and the photos are beautiful and true to life.
You get fantastic detail and bright colors, which make your products look great. The Epson Expression is a printer with everything you want or need.
It lets you print without borders, connects wirelessly, and works with most devices. You can also connect it to Alexa to control it with your voice and set up automatic ink refills so you don’t run out.
The 2.4-inch color LCD makes it easy to move around and choose what you want to print. But it would be even easier to use if it had a touch screen instead of buttons.
Even though the print is big, it’s still pretty small. So it won’t take up too much room in your office or home. Keep in mind that this printer isn’t the fastest.
If you have a lot of copies to print, this will take a lot of time. So, if speed is essential to you, you may want to look at some of the other options on this list.
As for how much this printer costs over time, it gets a little pricey. It would be best if you only used expensive Epson ink cartridges, which use a lot of ink.
But the low cost to start could make up for that. You decide if you want to be able to pay for it in the long run or not.
But if you don’t mind how slow it is and how much the cartridges cost, this could be your printer. It’s a superb low-cost sublimation printer with great features and picture quality.
Specifications:
- Brand: Epson
- Printing Technology: Inkjet
- Connectivity: Wireless, Ethernet
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
Pros
- The six-ink system produces bright, vibrant, and accurate images
- Wireless connectivity is good on this device
- Printing up to 13 x 19 inches is possible with borderless printing
Cons
- Ink cartridges are quite expensive, and you can’t use third-party inks
- There are no memory card slots on it
- There is a pretty slow print speed
5. Brother HL-L2320D Mono Laser Printer
Brother HL-L2320D Mono Laser Printer
Features
- Print Speed: up to 30ppm; Mono
- Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface
- Automatic Duplexing (two-sided printing)
- Print Technology: Electrophotographic Laser
- 250-sheet capacity tray
If you’re new to sublimation printing, the Brother HL-L2320D might be what you’re looking for. It will also work for people who don’t have much money but still want to try making their own clothes.
It can print up to 30 pages per minute (ppm), which is very fast. It’s also easy on your wallet because it costs little to start.
Also, toner cartridges tend to last longer than regular ink cartridges. So, it might be cheaper in the long run as well.
It can print on both sides, but you probably won’t need that for sublimation printing. With a resolution of 2400 x 600 dpi, the quality of the print is very good.
The biggest problem with this Brother printer is that it can only make black-and-white copies. So, you can give up on your hopes of making bright, colorful designs. (Or, look at the other printers on this list!)
The Brother HL-L2320D is a good choice for a simple sublimation printer. It doesn’t have a lot of features, and the only way to connect is through USB. But you would expect that for this low price.
Specifications:
- Brand: Brother
- Printing Technology: Laser
- Connectivity: USB
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
Pros
- With a resolution of 2400 x 600 dpi, images are sharp and accurate
- Up to 30 pages per minute can be printed
Cons
- There is only a black-and-white print option
- The device does not have wireless connectivity – it is USB-connected
Things to consider when purchasing a sublimation printer
1. Dye-sub or inkjet?
You first need to decide whether you want a dye-sublimation printer or an inkjet printer. Dye-sub printers are more expensive, but they’re also faster and produce higher-quality prints.
Inkjet printers are less expensive but slower, and the prints aren’t as high-quality.
2. Resolution
Another important consideration is resolution. Resolution is the number of dots per inch (dpi) that a printer can print. The higher the resolution, the better the quality of the print.
However, remember that high-resolution prints take longer to print and use more ink.
3. Print Size
Another thing to consider is the maximum print size that you need. If you only need to print small photos, you don’t need a printer to handle large prints.
However, if you plan on printing large photos or posters, you’ll need a printer to accommodate those sizes.
4. Media Type
You’ll also need to decide what type of media you want to use with your printer. The most common types of media are paper and fabric.
If you plan on printing photos, then you’ll need photo paper. If you plan on printing t-shirts or other garments, you’ll need fabric media.
5. Connectivity
Another consideration is connectivity. Most printers these days are equipped with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which allows you to print from your computer or phone without connecting the two devices physically.
However, if you don’t need wireless printing, you can save some money by getting a printer that doesn’t have it.
6. Operating system compatibility
You’ll also need to ensure your chosen printer is compatible with your operating system.
Most printers these days work with both Windows and macOS, but some still don’t. So, if you have a Mac, make sure to get a compatible printer.
7 . Ease of Use
Another important consideration is the ease of use. You don’t want a problematic printer to set up or use.
So, read online reviews before purchasing to see what others have said about the ease of use of the model you’re considering.
8 . Customer Support
If you run into any problems with your printer, it’s essential to have access to customer support to get help when needed.
So, be sure to check out the customer support options offered by the manufacturer before making your purchase.
Quick Links:
- Top 10 Best Printers for Cardstock
- Top 8 Best Heat Transfer Printers
- Top 5 Best Thermal Label Printers
- 9 Best All-In-One Color Laser Printers
Final Verdict: Best Sublimation Printers 2024
This complete guide to sublimation printers will help you determine what you need.
Now you know what makes a good heat transfer sublimation printer. You can feel good about looking around and comparing your options.
Or, you can save time and choose one of the abovementioned printers. Tell me how your new sublimation printing machine is working in the comments.
And don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest for more tips and reviews.
