Sublimation is an excellent print method that reproduces high-quality, vibrant designs. A special ink is used to print on the paper, and then you transfer the ink using heat and pressure to a different surface that can take the ink. The result is a permanent, colorful print that’s perfect for polyester T-shirts or ceramic mugs.
If you’re in the business of creating customized products such as t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases, you’ve probably heard of sublimation printing. This printing technique uses heat to transfer dye onto various materials, resulting in high-quality prints that last longer than traditional printing methods. However, to achieve this level of quality, you need the right equipment, and that starts with finding the best sublimation printer for your business.
Top 4 Best Sublimation Printers
Here is the top Best sublimation printer along with their description and key features.
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Sawgrass UHD Virtuoso SG500 Sublimation Color Printer
Sawgrass’ Virtuoso SG500 HD Product Decorating System is a revolutionary new printer for digital sublimation. This all-in-one system includes Sawgrass’ UHD Starter Ink Set and 100 sheets of AAA Premium High Color Transfer Sublimation Paper specifically designed by the company to perfectly match their printers.
Sawgrass also includes five Design Access Cards for Sublimation Designs, with each card good for up to 30 designs, as well as exclusive premium content. Additionally, you get a 10 Piece High Color Absorption Sublimation Blanks sample pack, four rolls of Professional Sublimation Heat Resistant Transfer Tape in 1/8in, 1/4in, 1/2in , and 1in sizes, Creative Studio Online Designer Software for PC and Mac users alike, plus 2 year manufacturer warranty and lifetime support.
As an added assurance that you will get the most out of your starter inks, Sawgrass provides onboarding services and exclusive content from the manufacturer itself. Whether you are a professional or just getting started in sublimation printing projects, the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 HD Product Decorating System has everything you need to create works of art like never before.
Specification
| Brand | Sawgrass |
| Connectivity Technology | Thermal |
| Printing Technology | Thermal |
| Special Feature | Dye-Sublimation Printer, Sublimation Printer |
| Color | White |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Home |
| Model Name | Sawgrass UHD Virtuoso SG500 |
| Printer Output | Color |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 19 |
| Max Printspeed Monochrome | 19 |
Epson EcoTank ET-2720
Another best sublimation printer is Epson EcoTank ET-2720, it is the perfect printer for your home. With no need for cartridges and simple, fuss-free refillable ink tanks, you’ll worry less about running out of ink and save a lot on replacement ink1.
Plus, you can print up to 4,500 pages in black/7,500 color (2) – equivalent to approximately 90 individual cartridges! The ET-2720 also utilizes unique Micro Piezo heat-free technology to produce sharp text along with impressive photos and graphics – on virtually any paper type.
Included with this all-in-one printer is a high-resolution flatbed scanner and a convenient color display for easy document copying and navigation. This cartridge-free solution will provide stress-free printing for up to 2 years of ink in the box (4) and reduce plastic waste ending up in landfills. Give your family peace of mind knowing that the Epson EcoTank ET-2720 has all the features they’ll need at an affordable price.
Specifications
| Brand | Epson |
| Printing Technology | Inkjet |
| Special Feature | Display Screen, Voice-activated printing, Compact, Borderless Printing |
| Color | White |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Office, Home |
| Model Name | ET-2720 |
| Printer Output | Color |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 5 ppm |
| Max Printspeed Monochrome | 10 ppm |
Sawgrass UHD Virtuoso SG1000 Sublimation Printer
The Sawgrass SG1000 Dye-Sublimation Printer with the Sawgrass Easysubli Starter Ink Set is an ideal choice for anyone looking to make custom one-of-a-kind products! This printer comes with 20 ml of ink color, 100 sheets of 11″ x 17″ Premium Sublimation Paper specifically designed by Sawgrass, 5 So Fontsy Design Access Cards for access to hundreds of SVGs, JPEGs, Fonts, and more that come with commercial use.
Plus you get an exclusive Sample Pack which includes 10 premium content sublimation flat blanks plus 2 ProSub Mug Blanks, 2 Prosub Wine Cup Blanks, and 2 Prosub 20oz Skinny Tumbler Blanks. With 4 rolls of Swing Branded Heat Resistant Transfer Tape 1/8in, 1/4in, 1/2in, 1in and the CreativeStudio Online Designer Software included in the package as well it’s sure to have all the supplies you need for outstanding results.
It has been tested and recommended for use with Windows 10 or newer and Mac OS 10.9 or newer and also comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty as well as Manufacturer 1-on-1 Onboarding. Keep in mind that Sublimation does not work on cotton or dark fabrics and requires a heat press for application.
Specifications:
| Brand | Sawgrass |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi, USB |
| Printing Technology | Inkjet |
| Color | White |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Commercial |
| Model Name | Sawgrass SG1000 Easysubli Starter Bundle with Blanks |
| Printer Output | Color |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 19 |
| Max Printspeed Monochrome | 19 |
| Printer Media Size Maximum | 11 x 17 inch |
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless sublimation printer
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless Sublimation Printer is the perfect printing solution for both home and business users. Its exclusive Epson Printing System is designed to be used exclusively with Epson Genuine Cartridges and by using non-genuine ink, you are running the risk of damaging the printer. With up to 90% savings on ink, you can save up to 1 cent per color ISO page instead of about 20 cents with cartridges (1).
The printer is a No.1 Best-Selling Supertank Printer and its versatility allows you to print up to 13” x 19” via rear feed and copy/scan up to 8.5″ x 11″. You can also print for up 2 years using each included or replacement ink bottle set (2) as each set provides enough ink that would let you print up to 7,500 pages black/6,000 color (3). Being cartridge-free has other advantages such as no extra waste and high-yield ink bottles that would be equivalent to 80 individual cartridges (4).
Other features include a 250-sheet paper capacity, auto 2-sided printing, a 2.7″ color touchscreen; borderless printing up to 11″ x 17″; hands-free voice-activated printing (5) and ultimate wireless solution plus Ethernet with Easy iPad, iPhone, Android tablet, and smartphone printing (6); includes Wi-Fi Direct (7) for network-free printing.
Specifications
| Brand | Epson |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
| Printing Technology | Inkjet |
| Special Feature | Auto-Duplex, Energy Star, Refillable Ink Tank, Auto Document Feeder |
| Color | White |
| Recommended Uses For Produc | Office, Home |
| Model Name | ET-15000 |
| Printer Output | Color |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 9 ppm |
Buying Guide
Things to remember before buying the product and making an informed decision. Whether you’re a marketing director for a large retail chain or a small business owner, our guide will provide you with all the information you need to select the best sublimation printer for your needs.
- Determine your needs
The first step in finding the best sublimation printer is to determine your needs. Think about what products you want to print on, the volume of your production, and your budget. Consider the size of your workspace, too, as some printers take up a considerable amount of room.
Once you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for, you can narrow your choices down to a few models that meet your requirements.
- Consider the print quality
Print quality is a crucial factor when it comes to sublimation printers. You want to ensure that your products have vibrant, long-lasting prints that don’t fade, peel, or crack. Look for printers with high resolution, as this will give you sharper images and more detailed prints.
- Look for user-friendliness
Another essential factor to consider is user-friendliness. If you’re new to sublimation printing, you want a printer that you can easily set up and use. Look for models that come with clear instructions and user-friendly software. It could also be a plus if the printer has a touchscreen display that makes it easy to navigate the settings.
- Check the ink tank system
The ink tank system is crucial to the performance of your sublimation printer. You want ink tanks that are easy to refill and don’t require frequent replacements. Some printers come with a Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS), which eliminates the need to refill cartridges manually.
- Look for customer support and a warranty
Finally, ensure that the printer you choose comes with good customer support and a warranty. Check that the manufacturer provides free technical support or resources that can help you troubleshoot any issues. A good warranty gives you peace of mind knowing that you can get repairs or replacements in case of hardware problems.
Conclusion
Finding the best sublimation printer for your business can be a daunting task, but with the right information, you can make an informed decision. By considering your needs, print quality, user-friendliness, ink tank system, and customer support, you can narrow your choices down to a few models that provide the best value. So, take your time, do your research, and invest in a sublimation printer that will take your business to the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are sublimation printers worth buying
Yes, if you’re creating products for sale, such as t-shirts or art, using the best sublimation printers will be a wise investment. Made especially for fine lines and intricate details, they offer quality and save money in the long run compared to pricey heat press vinyl. Small studios, Etsy sellers, or crafters will all find great value in a bespoke sublimation printer.
Q. What software do I need for a sublimation printer?
You can now print files straight to a sublimation printer as easily as a regular printer. But wait, there’s more. With applications like Photoshop or CorelDRAW, you can now unleash your full creativity by designing and creating superior designs. Want to take it one step further? Try using craft apps like Cricut Design Space that allow you to make DIY projects that you can even export to your printer. If you’re looking for an amazing sublimation printer to help bring your ideas to life, you won’t be disappointed with our favorite, the Sawgrass SG500. It even has its own custom-made design app included with pre-installed templates that you can adapt and build upon.
Q. Can I use sublimation printing on any material?
Yes, sublimating can be a fun and creative way to decorate a wide range of materials such as ceramics, fabrics, plastic, and even wood. While the success of sublimating can differ based on the material, it generally works best with synthetic materials. For instance, pure cotton fabrics may not absorb well as the sublimation process involves molecular-level interaction. In contrast, a cotton/poly blend would be an ideal canvas.
Q. Do I need a heat press for sublimation printing?
Sublimation printing saves valuable time and money, requiring only a heat press for transferring designs onto t-shirts and fabrics. No more costly vinyl transfers to cut and weed. With sublimation, you print your design on affordably priced sublimation paper (100 sheets for $18 / £20) and then heat press it onto your material. Check out our shirt design tips from Corel for more on this game-changing process.
Q. Are there limitations to sublimation printing?
In the past, sublimation products often came out paler and dark surfaces couldn’t be used. But don’t fret – newer inks like Siser-made EasySubli Ink perform better and last longer than ever before. However, these top-of-the-line inks are slightly more expensive.
Q. Why use sublimation printing?
Although sublimation printing can be expensive, it is worth considering. Using these printers and special inks to make anything will guarantee longevity, with designs that won’t flake or fleck as the ink is heated into the material, not onto the surface.
Q. Which is better: sublimation or inkjet?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2720 can be an excellent choice for anyone who wants to dive into sublimation printing without breaking the bank. Just keep in mind that your printer warranty could be voided if you use third-party sublimation inks. Plus, it might take a bit of experimentation to get those prints looking just the way you want them.
Q. What is better than sublimation?
When it comes to printing on black or dark colors, DTG (Direct to Garment) is the king here. Because it has a wider range of colors for your image! But if your image has white in it, you might want to consider going with DTG or DTF (Direct to Film) printing to get the best quality. Sublimation, on the other hand, comes with some color limitations, especially when dealing with white.