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Are you interested in designing mugs, t-shirts, etc.? To do so, you will need sublimation printers, which are exceptionally feature-rich and have numerous upgrades.

Therefore, after extensive research, we have identified some of the best sublimation printers that will guarantee a masterpiece with your Sublimation art. 

We reviewed ten different sublimation printers after using them for a few weeks each. It took us 48 hours to conduct this case study after several experiments. Thus, we have gathered all data related to printers and now explaining all of the points below. 

Got it? It’s time to get started.

It would be better to explain sublimation and its process before I discuss some of the best sublimation printers. 

With that in mind, let’s move forward. 

What is Sublimation?

How sublimation printing works

The process of sublimation is similar to traditional printing, except that ink and heat are used to transfer designs to a variety of surfaces. Due to the printer’s ability to penetrate the ink deeply, sublimation printing is distinguished from regular printing in that it provides long-lasting print.

As a result of its good-looking pictures, sublimation has made a name for itself in the world of design. 

Are you clear? Now let’s explain how sublimation works. 

How Sublimation Printing Works?

Sublimation works by printing the design on paper. When you switch on the printer, it starts getting warmer, and due to this, the heat turns the ink into gas which then combines with the cloth or any medium and is permanently absorbed by it.

As opposed to a conventional print, the ink is embedded into the fabric or substrate, ensuring that the effects are permanent and less susceptible to fading over time.

Have you ever heard of tattoos? Similarly, sublimated designs are tattoos but are applied to non-living objects instead of humans.  Having said that, let me tell you some positive and negative aspects of the sublimation process.

Advantages of a Sublimation Printer

  • The ink in their prints penetrates deeply into the paper, making them long-lasting.
  • These printers produce results that are too natural, with vibrant colors. 
  • The majority of sublimation printers print millions of different colors.
  • It is easy to operate these printers. 
  • Any object can be printed with sublimation printers. 

Disadvantages of Sublimation Printers

  • The sublimation printer usually works with polyester or cotton fabrics. 
  • On vintage fabrics, its printing will be less clear. 
  • Compared to regular inkjet printers, they are more expensive. 

Top 10 Printers That Are Good For Sublimation

New users spend considerable time searching for the best dye sublimation printers, but ultimately it ends up being a waste of time. But be patient, I have outlined some of the market leaders so that you don’t have to search here and there.

All clear? Let’s make our way to each of them! 

1. Epson Eco Tank ET-2760 Sublimation Printer:

1. Epson Eco Tank ET 2760 Sublimation Printer

We have chosen to keep Epson Eco Tank ET-2760 at the top of the list for several reasons. It is extremely user-friendly and requires only the addition of an appropriate type of ink when using.  

Our favorite feature of this beast is the edge-to-edge printing feature, which minimizes paper wastage to a great extent. 

Key Features:

  • As a first point, it has a small but extremely high-quality 1.44-inch color display where you can navigate easily through the different settings options. 
  • Secondly, it comes with another amazing feature which is Direct Wi-Fi that lets you print from your mobile or laptop.
  • This is among the few sublimation printers that don’t have ink cartridges, so users are able to refill their ink tanks effortlessly even for the first time. 
  • Unlike other regular printers, Epson’s sublimation printer is eco-friendly and does not require maintenance or replacement quite often. 

Moreover, it has a scanner and photocopier that you can use for other works as well, so it is an all-purpose Sublimation printer.

Check out the product from their Official Site.

Keep in mind: It is important to note that this printer as well as Epson EcoTank ET-2720 explained below are capable of printing a maximum of 8.5 x 14″ prints. It cannot print above this size, be aware of this.

Is that clear? Proceed to the next beast.


2. Epson Eco Tank ET-2720:

2. Epson Eco Tank ET 2720

There is another Epson printer that has some different characteristics from the one previously mentioned. The distinctive feature of this printer is that you can print via Wi-Fi without any cables or wire connections.

Therefore, it provides all the basic functions of all other top-of-the-line printers while being extremely cost-effective. In general, however, it falls short of Epson Ecotank ET-2760 Sublimation Printer due to the improved built-in quality compared to ET-2720.

Key Features:

  • When it comes to ink, Epson has restricted you to Epson ink only, and any ink other than that will cause damage to your printer. 
  • EcoTank ET-2720 printer uses high-capacity, easily refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges, making it a cartridge-free solution. Consequently, you will spend less on inks again and again.
  • With Epson’s EcoFit feature, you can fill different colors separately without the fear of combining them. 
  • As users, we have also found that its modern connectivity options allow you to activate this printing machine via voice control. 

The overall speed of the application dissatisfied us, however. The fact is that it is able to print the first page in a shorter amount of time, but as you add more pages, its speed decreases.

Check out the product from their Official Site.

Expert Suggestion: If these printers are required in an office then you must know what are the Best Phone systems for you office to run a profitable business.


3. Epson Workforce WF-7720:

3. Epson Workforce WF 7720

Based on our experience with it for a few weeks, it is a premium printer with a sturdy body construction that will certainly last long. 

Apart from this, its high-capacity feeder allows you to store 500 sheets simultaneously without having to worry about paper shortages, etc. 

Key Features:

  • As far as its printing quality is concerned, it is top-of-the-line, as I found that this printer is equipped with separate ink bottles for different types of ink. That’s the only reason we get high-quality printed images.
  • With Epson Workforce WF-7720, you can print from any smartphone, which is extremely convenient for home users. 
  • As some users, like me, dislike bordered prints, this printer allows the printing of borderless pictures up to 13″ x 19″ without compromising the resolution or colors of the image. 
  • Coming to another most important aspect of this small beast, we are shocked to know that with this you can save around 80% power which makes it environmentally friendly and exceptionally economical. 
  • Last but not least is the touchscreen. With its easy-to-use interface and 4.3-inch screen size, similar to Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550, provides the same quality and navigation settings. Therefore, any design is just a click away.

Check out the product from their Official Site.


4. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550:

4. Epson EcoTank Photo ET 8550

Introducing a new piece of tech from Epson, one of the world’s leading printer manufacturers will surely transform the way you do your printing. 

In today’s world, people need printed designs quickly, so this Epson printer can print 16 pages per minute, making it one of the fastest printers. 

Key Features:

  • As far as its printing quality is concerned, it is top-of-the-line, as I found that this printer is equipped with separate ink bottles for different type of inks. That’s the only reason we get high quality printed images.
  • We have found that it can print 13″ x 19″ eye-catching designs, but what blew my mind is its capability to print borderless photos. 
  • I really like its touch display of 4.3 inches on which you can navigate different setting options. Additionally, the Touch Panel Display is extremely user-friendly, even a novice can easily utilize it. 
  • With Epson Smart Panel, you can print, and scan, directly from your mobile in hand whether Android or IOS both are good to go.
  • Last but not least, its simple front-loading paper tray is at your fingertips, so you can place the papers on it at any time by simply opening the tray.

Check out the product from their Official Site.


5. Sawgrass SG1000 Printer:

5. Sawgrass SG1000 Printer

For t-shirts, we used other printers from Epson, but Sawgrass’ SG1000 quickly became one of the most popular sublimation printers in the market. It is not as feature-rich as Epson, but it has taken the lead in producing specific types of t-shirts.

Sawgrass introduced the SG1000 model with modified features as a replacement for its oldest version, SG500, which lacked many features, particularly with respect to speed. 

Key Features:

  • Like me, many users will want it to be compatible with PCs, laptops, and Apple devices. Thank goodness, it can be connected with Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11, MacOS 10.14, MacOS 10.15, MacOS 11.0, and macOS 12.0. 
  • Another turning point is its energy efficiency which is ideal for those who want to save electricity without deteriorating the print quality.
  • A distinctive feature of the Sawgrass SG1000 is its software Print Manager, which is specifically designed for sublimation printing. 
  • While many printers are cartridge-free, such as the Epson EcoTank ET-2760, this particular printer offers additional cartridges, which is a great feature. Nevertheless, being cartridge-free does not mean it is a bad thing, it is also useful in its own way.
  • Dimensions may not be of great importance, but the majority of people want to know about them before deciding what to buy. Its overall measurements are 21″L x14.25″ W x8.5″ H making it ideal for smaller spaces as well. 

Check out the product from their Official Site.


6. Canon Selphy CP1300:

6. Canon Selphy CP1300

If you are looking for a small, portable, lightweight, but at the same time powerful sublimation printer, you should know that this is the best dye sublimation printer for home usage.

Additionally, our team reviewed this printer and compared it with the above-mentioned ones, and we found it to be the most compact. 

Key Features:

  • To start our discussion, the first thing that comes is its LCD screen, which is 3.2 inches in size but is still extremely useful for navigating settings and design selection. 
  • The printer offers a variety of sizes, including 2.1 x 2.1″ labels, 2.1 x 3.4″ cards, 3.5 x 4.7″ L size, and 4 x 6″ postcards. As a result, you can easily print everything at home or in the office using these print sizes.
  • We also noticed another helpful thing about this printer which is its App that you can install on your phone. With the help of this application, you can print images from your smartphone making the process extremely less time-consuming. 
  • Many printers don’t have customization options because they are solely for printing purposes. But what I found, is an additional feature about this is that you can customize your printing according to your preferences by removing borders, adding designs, etc. Simply. 

I found one major problem with this printer, which was its size. Despite the fact that small business owners benefit from the size, larger prints can’t be printed, so you should be aware before buying this machine. 

Check out the product from their Official Site.


7. HP SP-200 Black and White Printer:

7. HP SP 200 Black and White Printer

Everyone is aware of the potential name HP for making Laptops and PCs, but it has also proven to be a reliable manufacturer of printers as well. It is easy to say that HP has added its best to the SP-200 Black and White Printer.

Additionally, the laptop’s exterior looks quite simple, as it was specifically designed for people with a low budget who run small businesses and need a compact and high-quality printer. 

Key Features:

  • Like me, the majority of small business owners need connectivity options that they can easily find with this printer since it can be connected to a computer, laptop, or Mac through a USB cable.
  • Moving ahead, its overall printing quality is outstanding because, with 200 dpi resolution, you can print pictures with highly visible colors and finishes.
  • The most significant feature, however, is its speed, which is quite appreciable. Why? As a result of its 57 mm per second speed, I was able to save a considerable amount of time. As a result of this feature, I was able to print multiple copies at the same time without having to wait too long. 

Check out the product from their Official Site.

Expert Suggestion: If you want to know about more HP products, feel free to check out the comparison of HP laptops with ASUS.


8. Canon Pixma Inkjet Color Printer:

8. Canon Pixma Inkjet Color Printer

Canon also has a good reputation in the technological world, and this printer is no exception. Nevertheless, I found that this printer’s printing speed could be better than it is.  

However, after using it for a few tasks, I would say it is the perfect printer for those who need an affordable printer and do not use it extensively.

Key Features:

  • I personally like Canon’s automatic switching option because many people forget whether to power on or off the printer. You do not have to worry about turning off your printer after you have completed your work. 
  • The second advantage of this printer is that, unlike heavy-duty printers, it does not produce excessive noise when printing on objects. But why? The fan on it is smaller which makes less noise.
  • In today’s world, many people have premade designs on their cameras, PC, or USB drive, but they do not know how to transfer them to the printer. Well, that problem is solved, because it has a USB 2.0 port. Which means you can connect it to a PC, Laptop, or any other device. 
  • This all-in-one printer fits perfectly anywhere in the home thanks to its portable size and practical design. If necessary, it can be moved around. 

Read more about the product from the Official Website.


9. Evolis Classic Zenius:

9. Evolis Classic Zenius

Continuing our discussion about the best sublimation printers, we have another special-purpose printer from Evolis which has satisfied me with its easy-to-use navigation system and paper tray. 

Moreover, it is so versatile that you can use it for printing different designs on various objects, such as mugs, t-shirts, cups, etc. 

Key Features:

  • To begin with, Evolis Classic Zenius uses Dye Sublimation printing technology.
  • To facilitate the transfer of designs, it is equipped with USB ports via which it can be connected to a laptop, PC, Mac, etc. 
  • Evolis has made this printing a utopia for those who do not wish to be limited to a few colors. However, how? Upon unpacking and reading the manual, I discovered that it is capable of producing 2 million different colors. 
  • Additionally, it’s also attractive and compact, so it can be used on a table and won’t take up extra space. 

Read more about the product from the Official Website.


10. Liene 4×6” Photo Printer:

10. Liene 4x6 Photo Printer

This is a must-have if you run a mediocre business or want to use it in college hostels. Its Wi-Fi connection allows 5 people to connect to the printer. Which makes it stand out. 

Keep in mind, however, that you should plug in or out your mobile carefully because it may damage the ports, but it’s not a big deal. 

Key Features:

  • Unlike the above-mentioned systems, it works on thermal dye-sublimation, which lets the dye penetrate deep into the paper, resulting in long-lasting prints. 
  • The size of this printer is 8.07 x 4.91 x 3.36 inches which makes it smaller than some of the mentioned compact printers such as the Canon Pixma Inkjet Color Printer and the Canon Selphy CP1300. 
  • It is more common for paper jams to occur with compact printers due to their smaller paper trays. That’s not an issue with this one. Because photo paper is aligned with the picture printer, its ergonomics have been professionally designed by manufacturers. 
  • There are many users who seek a printer that is compatible with IOS, Android, laptops, PCs, etc., which is the case with this printer. I have used almost all printers that offer this compatibility option. 

Check out the product from their Official Site.


Why Sublimation Printers Are The Best? (Buyer’s Guide)

Printers Buyers Guide

Having reviewed some of the leading dye sublimation printers on the market, it is now time to determine the factors which make a sublimation printer the most suitable.

1. Quality of Printed Output:

Whether it is a printer, laptop, or anything, quality always comes first. It is important that the printouts are clear and the layouts are matched properly. Also, the prints must not look dull.

2. Printer’s Highest Resolution:

We are able to create innovative and fresh-looking designs using sublimation printers on any medium, but what if your printer lacks resolution? Hence, a good sublimation printer should be able to produce high-resolution images.

The most recommended resolution is 300 dpi, but keep in mind that the higher the resolution, the better the results will be.

Pro tip: Resolution is measured in dots per inch. 

3. Maximum Printing Size:

Generally, it is recommended that you check the maximum printing layout offered by the sublimation printers in order to determine which layout size will be most appropriate for the product you intend to produce.

4. Connectivity Options:

It is important to take note of the connectivity options offered by the printer and ensure that both wired and wireless connectivity is available. It is always advisable to look for a printer that has USB or Wi-Fi Direct connectivity.


Sublimation Printing Tips and Tricks

Below given are some amazing Sublimation Hacks/Tips and Tricks:


Final Thoughts

Based on all of the sublimation printers that we explained and experienced, the following three are most likely to make a difference to you: 

1. Epson Eco Tank ET-2760 Sublimation Printer 

2. Epson Workforce WF-7720

3. Sawgrass SG1000 Printer

There is no way to print without a printer, so I have provided a list of the top 10 best sublimation printers in detail. 

People Also Ask

Which brands manufacture the best dye sublimation printers?

The market is full of different low to high-end products, but some companies have made separate names that are unmatchable. These companies are Epson (the most famous for printers), Canon, Sawgrass, HP, and Evolis. Their work is truly a game-changer. 

How to know if my sublimation printer is the best? 

It is common for new users to be unsure of what to look for when selecting a dye sublimation printer. There are a few factors to consider, such as connectivity options, printing sizes, printing speed, and ink compatibility. 

What is a sublimation printer used for?

A sublimation printer is designed to print on materials that have been transferred onto other surfaces, such as mugs or t-shirts.

Which is the best sublimation printer for home use? 

Epson Eco Tank ET-2720 is a perfect pick for home use because it is affordable and compact. 

Which is the best sublimation printer for t-shirts?

All printers can sublimate on fabrics, but Sawgrass SG1000 has special features that make it a clear winner in this situation. 

How long do sublimation prints last?

Typically, sublimation prints made on high-quality substrates and with high-quality inks can last for several years without fading or discoloration. Under normal indoor lighting conditions, a sublimation print can last for up to 2-3 years without any noticeable fading.

However, if the print is exposed to direct sunlight or other harsh lighting conditions, the lifespan of your print may be shorter.

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