If you’ve done any research at all into sublimation printers, you’re probably overwhelmed by the variety available and unsure which one to go with.
We’ve already covered everything there is to know about Best Sublimation Printers For 2022, but this article should give you everything you need to make an informed decision on which sublimation printer to buy based on your specific needs.
List of Best Sublimation Printers
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
The Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is a professional level sublimation printer that produces high quality prints at an affordable price.
HP OfficeJet Pro 9025
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 is a multifunction sublimation printer that includes scanning, copying, and faxing functions.
Brother MFC-J995DW
The Brother MFC-J995DW is a great desktop printer that offers both faxing and scanning.
Canon SELPHY CP1300
If you’re looking for a portable sublimation printer that can produce high-quality images, then the Canon SELPHY CP1300 is a good option.
Epson Stylus C88+
The Epson Stylus C88+ has a great low price point, which is why it’s perfect for those just starting out.
Sawgrass SG500
It is our top choice because it can handle large printing jobs with a maximum size of 54′′ x 108′′.
The Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is a professional level sublimation printer that produces high quality prints at an affordable price.
It features a large 8.9 x 11.7 size, allowing for larger images to be printed with less need for croping or enlargement. The printer also has a 3 year warranty, meaning it will last much longer than other printers on the market today.
This is one of the best sublimation printer on the market today! With its durability and superior printing capabilities, this printer is ideal for those looking for a long-lasting device. Additionally, the cost of ownership makes this printer an unbeatable deal: even after buying ink cartridges, you’ll still save money over time.
If you want to print great pictures but don’t want to spend too much money, this might be your best option.
Key Features
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 is a multifunction sublimation printer that includes scanning, copying, and faxing functions. This printer also has a 2.5-inch color LCD touch screen with gesture support so you can easily use it without using any buttons.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 also has built-in Wi-Fi so you can print wirelessly from anywhere in your home or office. You can even print from your mobile devices by installing the HP ePrint app on your phone or tablet.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 uses an inkjet printing process to create sharp documents with deep blacks and vibrant colors, which makes it perfect for printing photos from your smartphone or camera’s memory card.
key features
The Brother MFC-J995DW is a great desktop printer that offers both faxing and scanning. It has easy to use touch screen controls, as well as a large LCD screen. This printer comes with a duplex unit, which allows you to print on both sides of the paper so you can save paper and time.
The Brother MFC-J995DW can also print up to 23 pages per minute in black, white or color ink. One downside is that this printer does not have mobile printing capabilities, but it does come with an Ethernet port for those who don’t want wi-fi connectivity.
key features
If you’re looking for a portable sublimation printer that can produce high-quality images, then the Canon SELPHY CP1300 is a good option. It’s one of the most affordable printers on the market, with a list price of just $149.99.
The first advantage to this particular printer is its compact size. Its dimensions are 4.8 x 3.7 x 1.2. This makes it very easy to carry around with you when needed, which is something a lot of printers cannot claim they do well while still producing quality prints.
key features
The Epson Stylus C88+ has a great low price point, which is why it’s perfect for those just starting out. It also prints at a relatively high speed (6 seconds per print), so you won’t be waiting around.
This sublimation printer is also known to be reliable with little maintenance needed. For its affordability and versatility, the Epson Stylus C88+ earns our top spot for best budget sublimation printers of 2022.
key features
The Sawgrass SG500 is a new model that has been released in 2018. It is our top choice because it can handle large printing jobs with a maximum size of 54′′ x 108′′. It also has a backlit touchscreen control panel, which makes changing the settings simple.
The automatic cutter is another feature that sets it apart from the competition. This sublimation printer offers high quality prints at an affordable price.
This printer comes with a one year warranty and is available on Amazon or directly from the manufacturer’s website.
key features
Things to Consider When Buying Best Sublimation Printers
Once you have these answers, then you’ll be ready to make a decision about which sublimation printer might best suit your needs!
Sublimation Printing
A sublimation printer is a type of inkjet printer that prints onto a special material. Unlike traditional printers, which simply dispense ink on paper, sublimation printers use heat and pressure to transfer the image from the paper onto the special material.
The process is called sublimation because it changes one type of substance into another. Traditional inks are transferred by absorption into the special material’s surface, but in this process, the ink actually turns into gas (sublimate) and becomes part of the fabric’s dye structure.
Sublimation Printing Technique
Sublimation is a printing technique which sublimes the ink onto the substrate, meaning that it goes from the solid phase to a gaseous state and then back into a liquid state. The ink will either be absorbed or evaporate completely, depending on the type of paper being used.
To print with this technique, special inks need to be used that can undergo this transformation process. Sublimation printers use heat and pressure from rollers over an inked surface to transfer images onto various types of substrates such as paper, fabric, plastic or metal sheets.
Dye Sublimation Printing
Dye sublimation printers use the heat of a laser to create images and designs on paper, fabric, and other items. The printer heats the dye under pressure, which causes the dye particles to move and form a raised image.
The sublimation printing process is also known as direct-to-substrate printing because it does not use an intermediate material such as ink or toner. Instead, it directly transfers the dye onto the desired substrate.
Wide Format Sublimation Printer
A wide format printer is used for printing on large sheets of material. The most common use of a wide format printer is in screen printing and vinyl cutting, but it can also be used for signs, banners, displays, posters, and more.
The best thing about these printers is that they are high-quality machines that offer color accuracy and detail without the need for any type of stencil or transfer paper. It’s not uncommon for this kind of machine to have the capability of handling anything from 30×40 up to 60×120 and larger.
When shopping around for this kind of machine, you should look at features like the number of colors offered (most have CMYK plus RGB), different types of media support (vinyl, canvas, etc.), as well as how much area you want to print on at one time.
Discontinued Sublimation Printers
Find out more about the most economical sublimation printer in this section. A number of large printer models for sublimation also appear. It’s found some printers available to purchase at the store, though they have been discontinued.
Supplies are scarcer at all suppliers when printers are discontinued. Despite the list being long and extensive, the Ecotank is deemed too small to list. They can be purchased unless someone has purchased the one. This printer should be used for conversion in most situations if your own.
In regards to the purchase of another model it would be highly recommended. ET2800s. It is obviously only applicable to Ecotank lists. The extensive format lists several ecotanks.
Best printers for sublimation under $220
You need an efficient sublimating printer for home usage. It is a comfortable budgeting solution and provides the tools needed for printing in sublimation. Even a cheap print is no sign that the quality of the printer is poor.
Photo printing and large formats make up the best sublimating prints under $220 on the market.
Epson Expression Premium XP-6100
The WorkForce Professional WF-7310 is a versatile printer that is inexpensive and easily transformable into sublimations inks. This printer is suitable for beginners who do not do much printing and has good functions for their jobs.
Epson Expression Premium XP-6100
Epson’s Epson Expression Premium XP-60100 is second best for printers under $200. How easily do you convert in sublimation inks? The range of sublimation jobs available in supplies & inks. The printer will be able to transfer mainly photo files without much work.
The compact form will give excellent prints. Testing photos with the Epson XP-620 show rich colors and smooth gradients. Unlike other sublimations, it lacks usefulness. You will not use that for normal printing anyway.
Best Epson Ecotank Printer for Sublimation
Epson Eco Tank
Epson Eco Tank printers offer good quality printing on four color inkjet printers. On most pictures, there is little difference among workers in the “ecotope” series. However, the testing page is favorable for Ecotank. Ecotanks have similar formats as the Workforce series.
If you need an x XL shirt, bigger papers are the best solution. The 13×19 paper provides more possibilities for a sublimation process. Eco tanks convert printer inks into sublimation ink quickly. The cartridge does not require any modification. Many ink providers provide you with bottles that match your model perfectly.
Sawgrass SG500
Sawgrass’s SG550 is the second most expensive sublimation ready printer on the market. The Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 is a very good sublimation ready printer that can handle subluxation. This printer is much more expensive compared to the standard printers that feature similar features, however Sawgrass offers great support.
The Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 specializes in sublimated ink. Sawgrass Printer has actually three options for Ink: Sublijet Uhd and Easy sublimating ink. Sublijet is a polyester fabric or polyester coated rigid material.
Verdict
Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 is specifically made to print on a paper used for sublimation. It’s a classy device that provides all the features required for sublimation printing.
I have tried various models of Sawgrass products and can confidently say that Sawgrass is the most reliable sublithography printer available. These printers can be slightly costlier than most compatible printers on the market, but they’re totally worth it for professionals.
Epson SureColor F170
We have got the SureColor F170 as our favorite sublimations printer. No conversion, ready for sublimation inks. Range of sublimations / projects available. Supplies and Ink. This printer is considerably cheaper than the Sublimation Ready Printers of Sawgrass.
It is one of the least expensive printers that is capable of utilizing dyes and sublimations. This printer is compared to the Sawgrass SG500 in terms of quality with a much lower cost. It doesn’t offer three different inks. Epson dye-sublimation ink works perfectly in many applications.
Brother MFC-J5845DW
This MFC-J5845DW has been awarded as the most efficient printer for printing with sublimation. Can sublimation ink be converted easily? It is cheaper than the Epson Evotank E-15000 and can be used with multiple pages simultaneously.
It can make 13 x 19 inches of paper but can fit 150 sheets 11×17 in its main tray. You can still create XL shirts on 11×17 paper in a variety of sizes depending on the design & press.
Advice on buying
Sublimation printers offer different capabilities unlike fax machines and printers. It’s also not possible for printing to have two sides on both. So it is possible to ignore the duplex. You might not be needing more paper plates as most jobs will be smaller print sizes.
A separate tray can be helpful if you intend to print in two sizes. It also applies to documents feeder, fax and scanner functions. Any printers that use sublimating cannot utilize these capabilities. Also, it may be best to get the smallest printing solution. Slower inkjet machines provide better sublimation’s.
The best way to start sublimation
The process for sublimating is incredibly simple! Here are some tips for starting with sublimation printing. Continue reading and understand it more clearly.
Software development
CorelDRAW offers other very impressive software for design. This product is powerful and requires no recurring subscriptions to use it. You design the transfer. Photoshop is one of many options for beginners, and includes many resources.
So far! Other items include gloves that are heat-resistant to heat or kraft paper to help prevent damage in an open workspace. Nevertheless, this is the very minimum required to start. This is simple.
Sublimation paper
Sublimation paper comes in varying sizes and materials. Please consider the ASUB brands! Check out this Buyer Guide for Sublimation Paper for more info.
Sublimation ink printer
You could use sublimation-specific printouts, or upgrading an existing inkjet printout for sublimation.
Sublimation ink
The sublimation inks are specially developed so that the image is transferred into the material.
Transfer of heat
Make sure the heat presses you buy have a minimum size requirement. It’s important to remember!
conclusion
Despite the steep cost of a sublimation printer, it is worth the investment. The best sublimation printers can help you create designs that are unique to your company and make your products look very professional.
If you are ready to invest in a printer, make sure that you research all of the options available to you before making a purchase. Once you have found your perfect sublimation printer, it will be time to start printing!
FAQS
What setting should the printer be on for sublimation?
Some of the important features to look for in a sublimation printer are the size of prints that can be made, the speed at which images can be printed, the type of paper you can use with it, and if it has an SD card slot or not. The best settings to use when printing a sublimated image are on Photo mode at 300dpi resolution.
Is sublimation possible on 100% cotton fabric?
Sublimation is used by gluing a dye to polymer substrates to transfer ink onto fabric. Polymer is a material that is produced in many textiles that cannot exist from nature in the natural environment. The textiles, such as cotton or wool, do not require sublimation.
It is possible that sublimated inks can not form any bond. Newer product lines have been claimed for allowing sublimation in natural materials such as wool. They work by applying a thin layer of substances onto wool that allows a sublimation layer onto this material. No one uses them, and I cannot tell you about their efficiency.
Why sublimation printing?
Some ways in transferring images on a material are likely to be familiar to people. Other options include screen printing, embroidery transfer, vinyl and printing on clothing. Why does sublimation help? The sublimation printing process offers an attractive option for designers in the first place. In addition, it can provide high-quality prints on almost any material.
How does a printer print?
It is best to see how each printer can print using different methods. In other words, some people can paint directly on the paper. Some people also utilize heat transfer techniques. Each option comes with its benefits and cons, but the best option is to learn upfront.
Can you sublimate on dark fabric?
Some sublimation printers have the capability to print onto dark fabric, but not all. It is worth checking that your printer of choice can do this before you buy it.
Is Epson EcoTank good for sublimation?
Epson EcoTank printers are among the best in the market when it comes to printing quality. The ink tanks that come with these printers last a long time, making it easier for you to print more pages at one time. Check out our review on Best Epson Sublimation Printer. It is one of the most affordable Sublimation Printer.
The EcoTank printers also have an easy-to-use touch screen display that makes navigation easy even if you’re new to it. With these features, Epson EcoTank is a great choice if you’re looking for a printer with high quality and ease of use.
What machine is best for sublimation?
Choosing the right printer can be difficult because there are a lot of options to choose from. In this guide, we will go over some of the best printers that are currently on the market. We’ll talk about different features they offer, as well as what makes them stand out among the competition.
What is best printer for sublimation ink?
The best sublimation printers: The SureColor F175. The SureColor F172 is among Epson’s best sublimation printers ever produced. The printer features dye sublimation technology that makes it the very first printer to use sublimation printing.
Can you sublimate on cotton?
Sublimation is the process of transferring a dye onto a substrate. With sublimation printing, you can use fabrics like cotton with certain types of inkjet printers. The printer prints onto sheets that are then placed on top of the fabric to create an image. After a few minutes in a laminating machine, you have your final product!