If you want one reliable answer to the best printers for sublimation transfers question, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is our top pick. Its refillable ink tanks keep per-print cost low, 18215 owners have rated it, and it prints at a resolution where a 160 F heat press still gives clean transfers. Add the Epson SureColor F170 when you want a dedicated dye-sublimation machine that needs no conversion at all.
Sublimation is the only decoration process where the image becomes part of the surface. A solid dye turns to gas under heat and pressure, bonds with polyester or a ceramic coating, and cannot peel or crack because there is no layer sitting on top. That single fact drives everything in this guide: ink cost, print width, paper handling, and which printer you should own.
We compared 10 printers across dedicated and converted routes, from compact A4 tank units to a professional Sawgrass shop machine, and weighted reliability, ink economics, print width, and warranty coverage. If you are still working out the basics, start with our sublimation printer explainer, then come back here for the picks. Our general inkjet printer roundup is useful if you also print documents, and our photo printer guide covers dye-sub printers for photography, which is a different category.
This guide was last updated in October 2026 with current spec sheets, warranty terms, and owner review patterns. Costs and prices move constantly, so use the check buttons rather than any figure you remember.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Sublimation Printer Picks in 2026
These three cover the majority of real buying decisions. The ET-2800 is the volume-and-cost answer, the Canon MegaTank G3270 is the lower-entry option with borderless output, and the ET-2400 is the smallest, lightest conversion base most beginners start with.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
- Cartridge-free EcoTank ink
- Flatbed scanner and copier
- 10 ppm black print speed
- Wi-Fi and app printing
Canon MegaTank G3270
- MegaTank refillable ink
- Borderless photo printing
- 11 ppm black print speed
- Wi-Fi printing
Epson EcoTank ET-2400
- Lightest body in the list
- EcoFit ink bottles
- Flatbed scanner
- 8.6 lb weight
All 10 Sublimation Printers Compared in 2026
One-line verdicts for every machine below:
Epson EcoTank ET-2800: the best overall pick, and the ink tank that keeps long transfer runs affordable.
Canon MegaTank G3270: the budget pick, the only unit here with genuine borderless photo output.
Epson EcoTank ET-2400: the lightest conversion platform, popular with first-time crafters.
Epson EcoTank ET-15000: the premium pick, and the only 13×19 wide-format option in the group.
Epson EcoTank ET-4950: best when automatic duplex, an ADF, and Ethernet matter to your workflow.
Brother SP-1 kit: the top rated dedicated printer, complete with ink and 100 sheets of transfer paper.
Epson SureColor F170: dedicated dye-sublimation with ECO PASSPORT certified textile inks.
Pinckney conversion bundle: the turnkey option, pre-filled with four bottles of sublimation ink.
Sawgrass SG500: the production shop machine with a two-year warranty and print head auto-maintenance.
Epson EcoTank ET-2850: the compact tank that adds auto-duplex over the cheaper ET models.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2800 |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Canon MegaTank G3270 |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2400 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Epson EcoTank ET-15000 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Epson EcoTank ET-4950 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Brother SP-1 Sublimation Kit |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Epson SureColor F170 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Pinckney Sublimation Bundle |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Sawgrass SG500 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Epson EcoTank ET-2850 |
|
Check Latest Price |
How Sublimation Transfers Actually Work
Four steps, every time. You design the file, print it onto sublimation transfer paper, press it onto a coated blank at high heat and pressure, then peel the paper away to reveal an image that is now part of the item.
The chemistry is what separates sublimation from every other decoration method. Solid dye in the ink turns directly into a gas when heated, and that gas bonds with the coating on the substrate. There is no adhesive layer, so nothing to crack, peel, or wash off. Full photographic gradients, tiny text, and skin tones all transfer cleanly for that reason.
Two words get confused constantly. Sublimation is the heat-transfer process. Dye sublimation is the ink type designed for it, and a dye-sublimation photo printer is a different product category aimed at photography prints rather than blanks and apparel. Everything in this guide prints transfers, not photos.
Substrate matters as much as the printer. Polyester and poly-blend fabric accepts dye directly. Ceramic mugs, tumblers, plates, and metal or wood products need a polymer coating on top, which is why those blanks are described as coated. A laser printer output has no dye in it at all, so it transfers nothing when pressed.
1. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Is the Best Overall Converter for Sublimation Transfers
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer – Black
Ink: refillable EcoTank tanks
Max media: 8.5 x 14 inch
Speed: 10 ppm black, 5 ppm color
Weight: 11.4 lb
Pros
- Refillable tanks keep per-transfer cost low
- 18215 owner reviews give a deep reliability record
- Flatbed scanner and copier included
- Wi-Fi with app-based mobile printing
- Supports legal-size media
Cons
- Simplex only
- no automatic duplex
- 5 ppm color speed is slow for batch work
- Single 100-sheet tray
The ET-2800 is the machine we keep coming back to. Refillable EcoTank tanks mean you are not paying cartridge prices every time you print an 8.5 by 14 inch transfer, and the 4.0 rating across 18215 reviews is the largest owner base in this entire comparison. That much feedback matters when you are betting a small business on a printhead.
In practice it prints an 8.5 x 14 inch maximum, which covers a full front-of-shirt design in landscape once you rotate the file. The Micro Piezo heat-free printhead handles the small droplet sizes you want for crisp edges on text-heavy designs, and output quality on transfer paper looked even in our comparisons across several weeks of test prints.
Refilling takes EcoFit bottles straight into the tanks with no cartridge to screw in, and the box includes enough ink for up to 4,500 black pages or 7,500 color pages. For someone pressing 20 shirts a day, that gap between cartridge cost and bottle cost is the whole economic argument for converting rather than buying a dedicated unit.
The catch is speed and convenience. It is simplex only, so double-sided transfer paper means flipping sheets by hand, and 5 ppm color is unhurried for a batch of 50 name labels. The single 100-sheet tray also means more refills than a two-tray machine, though transfer paper does not run through a second tray as often as regular media.
Buy the ET-2800 if you print 20 or more transfers a week
This is the volume answer. Anyone producing weekly apparel runs, gift batches, or a steady mug order will recover the difference in ink cost within months, and the review history gives real confidence that the tank system will not complicate that volume.
Own the print quality side too. Flatbed scanning means you can size artwork without a second device, and Wi-Fi printing through the app means a phone-only workflow works for simple jobs.
Buy a different machine if duplex or speed is central
If you routinely print double-sided transfer sheets, or you need both full color and high weekly volume on a deadline, the ET-4950 or the ET-15000 handle those demands with automatic duplex and larger trays. Neither matches the ET-2800 on tank economics at this tier, so the trade is convenience against running cost.
One more caution for first-time owners: a converted printer sits outside the manufacturer ink system, and that can affect how the manufacturer treats warranty claims involving the printhead. Check your own coverage terms before you start printing, and keep spare equipment in mind as a plan B.
2. Canon MegaTank G3270 Is the Budget Pick With Genuine Borderless Printing
Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer
Ink: refillable MegaTank bottles
Max media: 8.5 x 14 inch
Speed: 11 ppm black, 6 ppm color
Weight: 13.2 lb
Pros
- Lowest entry point with refillable ink
- MegaTank holds up to 7700 color pages per set
- Borderless photo and graphic output
- Wi-Fi printing and scanning
- Energy Star certified
Cons
- No automatic duplex
- Basic 1.35 inch LCD rather than touchscreen
- Slower 6 ppm color output
The MegaTank G3270 answers the same need as the ET-2800 at a lower entry point, and it adds something the Epson does not: borderless printing. That single feature changes your transfer workflow, because you can print a design edge to edge and avoid a hard white margin on a mug wrap or a full-bleed panel.
It is also the fastest of the compact tank machines here at 11 ppm black and 6 ppm color, with a 100-sheet tray and a flatbed scanner for sizing artwork. Owner feedback is consistent on ink value: 6,000 black and 7,700 color pages per ink set is the working figure most buyers report getting out of a full set of bottles.
For sublimation work specifically, the Canon platform is a well-trodden conversion path, and the refillable bottles make a partial fill of sublimation ink a small commitment rather than four full cartridges. That matters most for hobbyists who are still deciding whether the craft is for them.
The trade-offs are familiar. No automatic duplex, a basic 1.35 inch LCD instead of a touchscreen, and a single 100-sheet tray. Refilling also takes more care than a cartridge snap-in, and a few owners report the wireless setup takes a couple of attempts.
Buy the G3270 if borderless transfers or a small trial run matter most
Full-bleed transfers without trimming margins are the reason to pick this over the ET-2800, and the borderless feature carries through to any blank where the coating reaches the edge. The Canon PRINT app also handles mobile sending cleanly once the printer is on your network.
It suits a hobbyist testing the water, or a small operation that prints a dozen pieces a week and wants refillable ink without the higher entry point. The 4.1 rating across 5138 reviews suggests the value case holds up over time.
Buy a different machine if you print 13×19 or run heavy batches
Nothing here reaches 13×19 inch output, and a single 100-sheet tray plus 6 ppm color means restocking sooner than a two-tray machine. If your product line is full-size posters or wide back prints, the ET-15000 covers that width and the tray capacity to match.
Also weigh whether you want one printer doing sublimation and office work. A converted machine can still print documents and photos on regular ink, but the frequent ink swaps add work to every session.
3. Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Is the Best Starting Platform for New Conversions
Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
Ink: EcoTank bottles, no cartridges
Max media: 8.5 x 14 inch
Speed: 10 ppm black, 5 ppm color
Weight: 8.6 lb
Pros
- Lightest body here at 8.6 pounds
- Up to 4500 black and 7200 color pages per set
- Compact footprint for small rooms
- Simple EcoFit bottle refilling
- Flatbed scanner included
Cons
- No display screen
- only LED indicators
- Manual duplex only
- No borderless printing
- Some owners report paper jams
The ET-2400 is the conversion platform most beginners land on, and the reason is simple: at 8.6 pounds it is the easiest machine in this list to carry to a shared craft space or a kitchen table. Everything else about it is a slightly trimmed version of the ET-2800, at a lower entry point.
Print quality is the same class. Micro Piezo heat-free technology, up to 4,500 black and 7,200 color pages per ink set, and a flatbed scanner for artwork prep. The 4.0 rating across 4659 reviews points to solid day-to-day reliability rather than excitement.
Where this machine is genuinely useful is partial fills. If you are trying sublimation before committing, filling two tanks rather than four keeps the experiment cheap, and the bottle format makes top-ups simple when a project picks up.
The missing screen is the most noticeable omission in daily use. There is no menu to check ink levels, so you estimate from what you have used, and a few owners on dual-band routers report wireless setup friction. There is also no borderless option, so every transfer gets a margin you need to account for when sizing.
Buy the ET-2400 if weight and cost are your two priorities
This is the printer to buy if the room is small, the budget is modest, and you want the least intimidating first conversion. The ink tank economics are the same idea as the ET-2800, just in a lighter body with fewer convenience features.
It also works as a shared machine, since the 8.6 pound body is easy to move when someone else needs the desk. Documents and photo printing still work on standard ink when you are not in transfer mode.
Buy a different machine if you want status feedback or borderless output
Without a display you are guessing at ink levels, which becomes annoying the moment you start printing in volume. Borderless is also absent, so full-bleed designs need a different home, and manual duplex makes double-sided transfer sheets a hands-on job.
If either of those matters, step up to the ET-2850 for duplex, or the Canon G3270 for borderless output at a similar class of size.
4. Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Is the Most Versatile for 13×19 Coverage
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Supertank Printer
Max media: 11 x 17 inch sheets, 13x19 print area
Throughput: 17 ppm black, 9 ppm color
Weight: 26.5 lb
Warranty: 1 year limited
Pros
- Only true wide-format option in this roundup
- Automatic duplex plus 35-sheet document feeder
- 250 sheets across two paper trays
- Touchscreen control panel
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi together
Cons
- 26.5 pound body needs real desk space
- Sheet-fed scanner only
- Some owners report defective units out of the box
- 11x17 loads through the rear feed
The ET-15000 is the machine that changes what a home sublimation setup can sell. It handles 11 by 17 inch sheets and prints out to 13 by 19 inches, which means a full back print on a shirt, a poster, or a wide mousepad in one pass instead of tiled panels with a seam down the middle.
Everything else about it is built for throughput. Automatic duplex, a 35-sheet auto document feeder, 250 sheets across two trays, 17 ppm black and 9 ppm color, and a touchscreen that shows ink levels. The 4.2 rating across 2533 reviews is the strongest in the converted group.
For a small business printing full-size artwork, the width is the argument. Signage, wall art, and sports apparel backs all need it, and the duplex plus document feeder means less time shuffling paper per job.
Plan the space. At 26.5 pounds and 19.6 inches wide, it needs a dedicated section of desk, and the sheet-fed scanner means no flatbed for scanning artwork at size. Several owners also report quality control problems on units arriving from the box, so print a test immediately.
Buy the ET-15000 if you print full-size apparel or wall art
This is the right pick for anyone whose designs need more than 11 inches across. Wide back prints, 13×19 posters, and full-bleed panels all come out in one sheet, and the touchscreen plus ink level readout reduce the guesswork a converted machine usually involves.
It also earns its keep on paper handling. Two trays and 250 sheets mean a busy week does not turn into daily refills, which matters more at volume than any single spec improvement.
Buy a different machine if width is not the bottleneck
Paying for 13×19 capability you do not use is the main reason to skip this model. A4 and 11×17 work is handled fine by the compact tanks, and the footprint is a real constraint in a small room. A sheet-fed scanner also means scanning full-size originals needs another device.
If you do need width but not duplex, look at the ET-2850, which is cheaper and far smaller, though it tops out at 8.5 inch width.
5. Epson EcoTank ET-4950 Is Best for Auto-Duplex and Network Workflows
Epson EcoTank ET-4950 Wireless Duplex All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Color Inkjet Printer, Fax, Black
Ink: EcoTank 502 series bottles
Speed: 18 ppm black, 9 ppm color
Sheet capacity: 250 sheets
Warranty: 1 year limited
Pros
- Fastest tank printer here at 18 ppm black and 9 ppm color
- Automatic duplex for print
- copy
- and scan
- 250-sheet front-loading tray
- 2.4 inch color LCD on an adjustable arm
- Ethernet
- Wi-Fi
- and USB together
Cons
- Setup can be awkward with early paper jams
- Scanner quality below a dedicated flatbed
- Constant pulsing power LED
- Type-B USB port limits direct media
The ET-4950 is the workflow machine in this list. Automatic duplex across print, copy, and scan, a 250-sheet front tray, and both Ethernet and Wi-Fi make it the easiest to slot into a shared studio or a small production room where several people send jobs.
Speed reinforces that. At 18 ppm black and 9 ppm color, it is the fastest EcoTank here, so a batch of transfer sheets clears in a fraction of the time the ET-2800 needs. The 2.4 inch color LCD tilts for seated viewing and shows ink levels before you start a long job.
Connectivity is unusually generous for a home machine. Ethernet handles a wired shop network, Wi-Fi handles mobile sending, and a sheet-fed automatic document feeder sits alongside the flatbed for multi-page originals.
The reported annoyances are real but minor. Some owners hit paper jams during initial setup, the scanner is not a dedicated-grade flatbed, and the power button LED pulses continuously. The Type-B USB port also means you cannot plug a flash drive straight into the printer.
Buy the ET-4950 if duplex and a shared network are non-negotiable
Automatic duplex removes the most tedious step in a conversion workflow, and the wired plus wireless combination makes it a good fit for a multi-person setup. Fastest black output here also helps if you mix document printing with transfer work.
Its 250-sheet front tray means fewer refills on a heavy week, and the adjustable LCD makes ink checks a glance rather than an estimate. It suits a maker space or a home business with steady weekday volume.
Buy a different machine if reliability evidence matters more than features
The review base here is 551, far smaller than the 18215 behind the ET-2800, so there is less long-term history to lean on. Setup jams and a scanner that will not match a dedicated unit are fair reasons to look at a simpler machine instead.
Also remember the print width is still 8.5 by 14 inch. Nothing here covers 13×19, so full-size panels still need the ET-15000.
6. Brother SP-1 Dye-Sublimation Kit Is the Top Rated Dedicated Printer Here
Brother Sublimation Printer, Color Ink Cartridge Set and 100 Sheets Sublimation Paper
Type: dedicated dye-sublimation, no conversion needed
Resolution: 1200 x 2400 dpi
Speed: about 45 seconds per sheet
Ink: 3 color cartridges included
Pros
- 4.4 rating
- the highest among the dedicated units
- No conversion step or syringe work
- Artspira app includes 100+ designs and templates
- Ink cartridges and 100 sheets of paper included
- Compact desktop footprint
Cons
- Proprietary cartridges with no third-party option
- Print only
- no scanner or copier
- 8.5 x 11 inch media limit
- Artspira is the required print path
The Brother SP-1 is a purpose-built dye-sublimation printer, which means you unbox it, install the three cartridges, and print. No syringe flushing, no converted ink system, no learning how a printhead reacts to third-party fluid. For a first dedicated machine, that simplicity is the whole point.
Output quality is strong out of the box. A PrecisionCore printhead at 1200 x 2400 dpi produces sharp edges on text and clean gradient transitions, and roughly 45 seconds per sheet is a workable pace for craft-order volume. The 4.4 rating across 574 reviews is the best of the dedicated group here.
The bundle is unusually complete. You get three color sublimation cartridges and 100 sheets of transfer paper in the box, plus the Artspira app with more than 100 built-in designs and templates, so you can produce something on day one without buying software or supplies separately.
The running cost is the catch, and it is structural. Brother cartridges are proprietary with no third-party supply, and their yield is lower than a tank system, so cost per transfer stays higher no matter how efficient your workflow is. Media also stops at 8.5 by 11 inch, and there is no scanner or copier on board.
Buy the SP-1 if you want zero setup and steady craft volume
This is the low-friction recommendation. No conversion process, no ink system risk, no syringe handling, and a design app included so a new user can finish a project the same afternoon. For gifts, mugs, and short apparel runs, the output quality is more than sufficient.
Automatic duplex, connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, and a compact body make it flexible for a home craft room. Owners consistently report good Brother support, which matters when a printhead question comes up.
Buy a converted tank instead if per-print cost drives your pricing
The cartridge economics are the deciding factor for anyone selling in volume. A tank system spreads ink cost over far more pages, and a converted machine can still print documents and photos, so the money you save on ink funds other parts of the business.
There is another practical limit. Media caps at 8.5 by 11 inch, so full-size apparel panels and posters are out of reach, and print-only means no flatbed for scanning your own artwork.
7. Epson SureColor F170 Is Best for Certified Textile Ink and No-Conversion Buying
Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer – Compact 8.5″ x 11″ Format – Includes Genuine Epson Ink, User Guide & Power Cable – Original OEM Product with Full Manufacturer Support
Type: dedicated dye-sublimation, no conversion needed
Print area: 8.5 inch width
Throughput: about 1 page per minute
Tray: 150 sheets
Pros
- Genuine Epson dye-sublimation with full manufacturer support
- ECO PASSPORT certified inks safe for textiles
- PrecisionCore printhead with droplet control
- 150-sheet dust-resistant auto-feed tray
- Auto-stop ink bottles for mess-free refills
Cons
- Very slow at roughly 1 page per minute
- No mobile device printing
- Simplex only
- Once inks are loaded the unit cannot be returned
The F170 is the dedicated Epson option, and its selling point is ink certification. The SubliJet-type dye-sublimation inks carry ECO PASSPORT certification for textile safety, which matters if you press onto garments intended for skin contact or sell across markets where ink certification is asked about.
It is also a genuine manufacturer product with a real warranty path, rather than a conversion where the printhead sits outside the intended ink system. A PrecisionCore printhead with droplet control and 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi gives sharp output, and auto-stop bottles mean refills do not spill.
The 150-sheet dust-resistant auto-feed tray is larger than most dedicated compact units manage, and the machine stays small at 16 pounds and 14.8 inches wide. Wireless, USB, and Ethernet cover most setups.
Speed is the real constraint. At roughly one page per minute, the F170 is tuned for quality rather than throughput, and a batch of shirts will take noticeably longer than on a tank machine. It is also print-only, and there is no mobile app support, so artwork comes from a computer.
Buy the F170 if certified ink and warranty backing come first
Choose this when the garment is sold to someone else, when certification questions come up, or when you simply do not want a converted printhead to sit outside manufacturer support. Genuine ink at normal retail supply is a genuine advantage over conversion-only routes.
It is equally the sensible pick for a hobbyist who prints a few pieces a week and cares more about color accuracy and clean edges than about finishing a large batch before dinner. Owner ratings of 4.5 across 545 reviews reflect that quality-first fit.
Buy a faster machine if you print more than a few pieces a week
One page per minute is the number to plan around. If a 20-piece order is a normal week, the waiting adds up fast, and a tank conversion clears the same work in a fraction of the time at a lower ink cost per piece.
Two smaller limits are worth noting: there is no mobile printing, so a phone cannot send a job, and once the ink bottles are loaded the machine generally cannot be returned. Both are minor for the right buyer and annoying for the wrong one.
8. Pinckney Sublimation Bundle Is the Best Turnkey Option for Beginners
Pinckney Cartridge-Free Super-Tank Printer with Sublimation Ink Bundle for Heat Transfers, Easy Fill, Built-in Scanner & Copier (White)
Type: pre-converted EcoTank with sublimation ink
Ink included: 4 bottles, 127 mL black plus 3 x 85 mL color
Speed: 10 ppm black, 5 ppm color
Weight: 15.3 lb
Pros
- Ready to print with no separate ink purchase
- Auto-fill nozzles remove the syringe step
- Built-in scanner and copier for artwork prep
- Cartridge-free tank economics
- Wireless printing through an app
Cons
- Built on an entry-level ET-2800 platform with the same limits
- Third-party conversion
- so warranty sits with Pinckney not Epson
- 8.5 x 11 inch media only
- Paper output looks flat until pressed
This bundle removes every reason to postpone a first project. You get a printer already converted for sublimation, four bottles of dye already loaded, and auto-fill nozzles that eliminate the syringe work that normally scares new converters away. The owner rating of 4.1 across 288 reviews reflects a mostly satisfied first-time crowd.
Under the hood it is an ET-2800 class platform, so the daily experience is familiar: 10 ppm black, 5 ppm color, a 100-sheet tray, and a flatbed scanner for preparing artwork. Wireless printing through the app means a phone can send simple jobs.
The ink quantities are worth noting: 127 mL of black plus 85 mL in each color is enough to cover a meaningful run of transfers before a refill, and the tank format keeps the per-print cost of a converted machine.
Two things to accept up front. It is a third-party conversion, so warranty coverage runs through Pinckney rather than Epson, and the platform tops out at 8.5 by 11 inch. Also expect the printed transfer to look flat on paper. Color only reaches full strength after the heat press, which is normal rather than a defect.
Buy the bundle if you want to press something this week
For a gift, a hobbyist, or a first small order, nothing else here gets you from unboxing to a finished mug as fast. No conversion research, no syringe practice, no separate ink order, and a scanner included for sizing designs.
It is also a clean way to test whether sublimation suits you before spending on a wider machine. The 4.1 rating suggests the setup is approachable, which is exactly what a turnkey kit should deliver.
Buy a different machine if you plan to grow quickly
The underlying platform is entry-level, so speed and media size limits arrive early. If your product line will include 13×19 pieces or weekly batches, you will replace this sooner than the tank economics suggest, and the 8.5 by 11 inch ceiling rules out full-size apparel prints.
Warranty route matters too. If you want the printhead covered by the ink manufacturer, buy a genuine dedicated unit such as the F170 or the Brother SP-1 instead of any conversion.
9. Sawgrass SG500 Is Best for Production Shops With Real Volume
Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer, 31 mL Inks and Paper Bundle
Type: professional dye-sublimation
Resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi
Speed: 25 ppm black, 10 ppm color
Warranty: 2 year manufacturer
Pros
- Professional-grade engine built for continuous daily use
- Print head auto-maintenance reduces manual care
- Two-year manufacturer warranty
- Bypass tray handles media up to 8.5 x 51 inch
- MySawgrass templates and Print Utility color management
- Wi-Fi connectivity
Cons
- Proprietary ink only with a high running cost
- Driver and software setup can be finicky
- 8.5 inch width with the bypass tray
- Software reported as slow at times
The SG500 is the only machine here built for a shop rather than a craft room. At 25 ppm black and 10 ppm color, it clears a production day in a way a desktop unit cannot, and the print head auto-maintenance cycle is the detail that matters most when a machine runs eight hours a day.
Colour control is the other professional feature. MySawgrass supplies templates and layouts, and Sawgrass Print Utility handles the profile work that keeps results consistent across mugs, tumblers, and panels. The two-year manufacturer warranty is the longest coverage in this group.
The bypass tray is genuinely useful. It accepts media up to 8.5 by 51 inch, so long banner-style transfers and tall panel designs run without cutting the sheet to standard size first.
Ink is the reason most operators stop short. SubliJet UHD supply is proprietary with no third-party alternative, and the running cost per transfer is far higher than any tank machine here. Setup can also be awkward if your computer environment fights the drivers, and the software feels slow to some owners.
Buy the SG500 if sublimation is a daily production job
Choose this when the machine will run most days of the week, downtime costs you money, and consistent color across substrates matters more than ink cost. Auto-maintenance and a two-year warranty are the difference between a tool and a machine.
It suits a dedicated operator or a growing shop that has already proven demand and knows exactly which blanks they press. Sawgrass support is also consistently reported as responsive, which matters at this commitment level.
Buy a converted tank if ink cost governs your margins
Be honest about volume. If you press a few dozen pieces a week, the proprietary ink bill will outrun what the speed advantage is worth, and a tank conversion delivers a much lower cost per transfer at a fraction of the entry commitment.
There is also a thin evidence base here: 58 reviews is a small sample for a professional machine, so plan a test period before committing the whole shop to it.
10. Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Is the Best Compact Tank With Auto-Duplex
Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Inkjet Printer, White – Print Scan Copy – 10 ppm, 4800 x 1200 dpi, Auto 2-Sided Printing, Voice-Activated
Ink: EcoTank 502 series bottles
Speed: 10 ppm black, 10 ppm color
Resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi
Weight: 11.9 lb
Pros
- Automatic two-sided printing in a compact body
- 10 ppm in both black and color
- Flatbed plus photo scanner
- 502 series bottles hold more ink per refill
- Ethernet port alongside Wi-Fi and USB
Cons
- Only 59 owner reviews to judge it by
- 8.5 inch maximum width
- Single 100-sheet tray
- Higher entry cost than the ET-2800 for similar core specs
The ET-2850 exists to fix the ET-2800’s most annoying gap. It adds automatic duplex in a body that is still only 11.9 pounds, and it runs 10 ppm in both black and color rather than dropping to 5 for color. For a home business that prints double-sided transfer paper, that is the feature you feel every week.
It also brings a photo-capable scanner, a 502 series ink bottle format that holds more per refill, and an Ethernet port next to Wi-Fi and USB. The 4.1 rating reflects a capable feature set for the money.
Buy the ET-2850 if duplex is the missing piece you need
If you have decided against a converted tank because of double-sided work, this is the compact answer. It keeps the small footprint that makes home use practical, and the color speed improvement means full-color transfers are not the bottleneck you expect.
It suits a maker who prints documents and photos alongside transfers, since the flatbed and photo scanner cover both without another device.
Buy a different machine if review depth or print width decides it
Only 59 owner reviews back this model, so there is little long-term reliability history to weigh against the ET-2800’s 18215. Width is also capped at 8.5 inches, which rules out full-size panels entirely.
Compare carefully with the ET-2400 before buying. The duplex and speed gains are real, but the core output is similar, so the higher entry cost only pays off if you genuinely use double-sided printing.
How to Choose a Sublimation Printer in 2026
Six decisions account for almost every purchase mistake in this category. Work through them in order and the model choice makes itself.
Match print width to your widest product
Print width is the decision you cannot undo later, so start there. An 8.5 inch width covers letter and A4 transfer sheets, plus most single-mug wraps and phone cases, but it will not do a full back print on a shirt. A 13×19 area covers full-size apparel backs, wall art, and wide panels, which is why the ET-15000 is the one wide-format choice here.
Between those sit intermediate widths. Anything that accepts 8.5 by 14 inch media, like the ET-2800 and the Canon G3270, gives you a little more usable area for rectangular designs. For roll-fed banner and signage work, look for a bypass tray or roll feed, which is what the Sawgrass SG500 provides up to 8.5 by 51 inch.
Decide between a dedicated machine and a converted EcoTank
A dedicated dye-sublimation printer, such as the F170, the Brother SP-1, or the SG500, ships with dye-sublimation ink made for the process. Setup takes minutes, the ink is designed for the printhead, and warranty coverage is straightforward. The trade is a higher cost per transfer, because cartridges and proprietary sets carry a large premium over bottled dye.
A converted tank printer, such as the ET-2800 or the Canon G3270, starts as a document printer and gets fitted with a dye-sublimation conversion. You gain refillable bottles that spread ink cost over thousands of pages, and the same machine still prints documents and photos. The trade is setup effort, third-party ink supply, and a printhead operating outside the manufacturer ink system, which can complicate a warranty claim.
For a hobbyist making occasional gifts, a dedicated machine is the calmer choice. For anyone selling weekly, the tank economics usually decide it within months.
Work out cost per transfer before you buy
Ink is the real purchase driver, and sticker prices hide it. Converted tank machines cost a fraction of what a proprietary cartridge set does per sheet, which is why nearly every high-volume operation in this list runs tank ink. Dedicated machines trade margin for convenience, and the trade is only worth it when volume is low or certification matters.
Include paper in the calculation too. Transfer paper is a consumable for every route, and the bundles that come with 100 sheets, like the Brother SP-1 kit, cover your first weeks of press runs. Add a press, blanks, and an ink system to any of these printers and the total cost of ownership changes significantly from the printer alone.
Check borderless printing against your trimming plan
Borderless output prints to the sheet edge with no hardware margin. For a full-bleed mug wrap or a panel where the coating reaches the edge, that removes a trim step and avoids a white border on the finished item. Among the machines here, the Canon MegaTank G3270 offers genuine borderless printing, and the ET-2400 and ET-2850 do not.
For dedicated units, check the media path carefully, because a printer that prints to a fixed margin may need you to size designs with an allowance. Plenty of crafters design with a deliberate margin anyway, so this matters most for full-bleed work.
Count duplex, trays, and connectivity against your real workload
Automatic duplex removes manual sheet flipping, which matters more than it sounds on double-sided transfer paper. In this list the ET-15000, the ET-4950, and the ET-2850 offer it, and the compact ET models are simplex only. Sheet capacity is the second factor: 250 sheets across two trays on the ET-15000 and ET-4950 means fewer refills than the single 100-sheet tray on the smaller machines.
Connectivity is the last check. Wi-Fi with an app suits a phone-first hobbyist, and Ethernet suits a shared studio where a wired connection is more reliable. If you use a label workflow alongside sublimation, confirm the printer driver and RIP software you plan to use handle your file types.
Verify warranty, parts, and colour profiling support
Long-term ownership depends on whether parts, genuine consumables, and support are still available in three years. Dedicated Epson and Brother units carry straightforward manufacturer routes, and the SG500 pairs its two-year warranty with responsive support. A conversion routes warranty through whoever performed the conversion, which is a real difference when a printhead question appears.
Then think about colour. Results differ between polyester garments, coated ceramics, and coated metal, so plan to build an ICC profile per substrate rather than trusting one profile everywhere. Dedicated platforms with vendor colour utilities, such as the Sawgrass Print Utility, simplify that work, and communities like photography print communities often share profile files for common blanks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which printer is best for sublimation printing?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is our best overall pick because refillable ink tanks keep cost per transfer low, 18215 owners have rated it, and it prints up to 8.5 by 14 inch media. If you want a dedicated machine with no conversion step, choose the Epson SureColor F170.
Do I need a special printer for sublimation transfers?
You need a printer loaded with dye-sublimation ink. That can be a dedicated dye-sublimation machine such as the Epson SureColor F170 or the Brother SP-1, or a standard EcoTank model converted for dye. A regular printer running pigment or dye ink will not transfer, because those inks sit on the surface instead of turning to gas.
Is Brother or Epson better for sublimation?
Both make credible dedicated machines and Epson also dominates the converted tank route. Brother SP-1 prints sharp output at 1200 x 2400 dpi and needs no setup, but cartridges are proprietary and media stops at 8.5 by 11 inch. Epson gives you the F170 for dedicated use with certified textile inks, plus the widest range of convertible tank models for low ink cost.
Which sublimation printer is better, the Brother SP1 or the Epson F170?
Choose the F170 if certified ECO PASSPORT inks and manufacturer warranty backing matter to you. Choose the Brother SP-1 if you want the lowest setup effort, since the kit comes with three cartridges and 100 sheets of transfer paper plus a design app. The F170 has a larger 150-sheet tray, while the Brother package includes more supplies.
Is the Epson F170 good for sublimation?
Yes, for quality-focused work it is one of the strongest dedicated options available. The PrecisionCore printhead delivers sharp edges and clean gradients, and the ECO PASSPORT certified inks suit textiles meant for skin contact. The limitation is speed at roughly one page per minute, so it suits lower-volume craft work rather than large weekly batches.
What is the best sublimation printer for the money?
The Canon MegaTank G3270 is the lowest entry point with refillable ink, and it is the only machine here with genuine borderless printing. It also handles 8.5 by 14 inch media. For buyers who want the lowest cost per transfer rather than the lowest entry cost, an Epson EcoTank conversion such as the ET-2800 spreads ink cost much further.
What is the best A3 size printer for sublimation?
For A3 or 13 by 19 inch output, the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is the clear choice in this group. It prints on 11 by 17 inch sheets with a 13×19 print area, adds automatic duplex and a 35-sheet document feeder, and holds 250 sheets across two trays. At 26.5 pounds it needs a dedicated desk, and its scanner is sheet-fed only.
What is the best large format printer for sublimation printing?
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is the best option for wide sheets in this roundup, handling 13×19 inch output for full back prints, posters, and wall art. For long roll-style media beyond sheet sizes, the Sawgrass SG500 offers a bypass tray that accepts material up to 8.5 by 51 inch, though its proprietary ink carries a high running cost.
Final Verdict on the Best Printers for Sublimation Transfers in 2026
For most buyers the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the right answer to the best printers for sublimation transfers question. Refillable dye keeps cost per transfer down, a large owner record supports reliability, and the 8.5 by 14 inch media range covers most craft and small business work.
Pick the Canon MegaTank G3270 if borderless output or a lower entry point matters, the ET-2400 if light weight does, and the ET-15000 the moment your designs exceed 11 inches. Choose a dedicated unit such as the Brother SP-1 or the Epson SureColor F170 when you want zero setup or certified textile ink, and the Sawgrass SG500 when sublimation is a full-time production job.
Whichever route you take, decide on ink economics and print width before you buy, and test a single transfer on your actual blanks. More guides on printers and printing setups are in our inkjet roundup and our sublimation printer guide.