What is a Sublimation Printer?—List of the Best Sublimation Printers in 2023

While wearing merchandise from your favorite creator or gifting someone a printed mug, have you ever wondered how these prints are made and what technology is being used in their making?

Well, if you have, the answer is the sublimation printer. It is a unique and advanced technology that allows you to print your desired patterns or images on several textures.

Generally, these printers are huge in size and equipped with mass printing capacity. But you do not have to worry, as various versions of them are compact and work like regular best ink tank printers, too.

Therefore, in this write-up, you are going to take a look at some of the best sublimation printers in the market for every size and print volume.

List of the Best Sublimation Printers 2023

Sublimation printers are quite advanced yet fascinating pieces of technology. Since they have to print a variety of textures on objects, they use heated gases and dyes that are then transferred to the paper or fabric on which you want to print.

That said, here is the list of best sublimation printers, consisting of affordable yet advanced technology machines that can go well with your business or domestic needs.

1. Epson SureColor F170 – First Epson Entry, More to Come

Epson is a world-renowned brand when it comes to printing technology. So, you can consider the Epson SureColor F170 as the best Epson sublimation printer offered by this brand. This model is famous among its users for featuring the easiest printing experience on paper.

One of the most captivating points of this machine that attracts so much attention from consumers is its value for money. Priced at $450 on the official website, Epson SureColor F170 easily surpasses its initial value in just a few months if used regularly.

Here are some of the pros and cons that you might have to face after owning a piece:

Pros	Cons
Budget-friendly	Cannot print on sizes beyond A4
Comes with a display	Limited print resolution
Easy to use

You can buy this product from its official site as well as from the Amazon store. If you want to save more money on your purchase, you can wait for some online sale.

2. Epson SureColor F570 Pro – For High-Quality Prints Without any Compromise

From printing on paper to printing on fabrics, the Epson SureColor F570 is another alternative for one of the best Epson sublimation printers that can do both that too with high image quality. This machine also works on the dye-sub technology that can handle paper of all sizes, from A4 to 24-inch wide rolls.

Speaking of advanced features, the pro edition of F570 comes with a dedicated software called Epson Edge Print Pro. This makes the process quite streamlined and makes your printing process quite easy to manage. 

However, the SuperColor F570 Pro can fall a bit heavy on your pocket as it is priced at around $2,800 on the official website, but you can get it for a much lower price at different online stores.

Following are some pros and cons of Epson SureColor F570 Pro that you get to experience while using:

Pros	Cons
Dedicated software available	No option for printing white ink
High-quality printing	A bit expensive
Supports all sizes

It is true that this machine is a bit expensive, but the technology it has to offer makes it one of the best printers for sublimation prints.

3. Sawgrass SG500 – Strong Yet Affordable

Not many of you might be aware of the brand, but still, Sawgrass SG500 has been able to make it to the list in its full glory. This printing machine can effectively print on paper of any size up to the Legal Wide, that is, 8.5 × 14 inches.

Sawgrass SG500 can also print on a variety of surfaces, such as polyester fabrics or polymer-coated metals or glass. All thanks to its own UHD inks that help make the printing much more durable on shiny surfaces. 

Another reason that makes Sawgrass SG500 fall into the list of the best alternatives for printing is its design and durability. Despite being a budget-friendly option (possibly the cheapest one, too), SG500 has a strong and durable body.

Here are some of the pros and cons that you might have to face after buying a unit:

Pros	Cons
Strong design and build quality	Expensive ink sets
Includes ink and dedicated software	Gets sold-out easily
Simple and affordable

As mentioned as one of its cons, Sawgrass SG500 gets sold out easily. Therefore, if you want to buy one, keep track of its re-stocking at various online stores.

4. Sawgrass SG1000 – High-Quality Sublimation Printer By Sawgrass

When it comes to innovation in technology, Sawgrass SG1000 stands up front. This inkjet sublimation printer is one of the best choices if you are just thinking of starting a business.

Not just in terms of innovation, but also in durability and reliability, Sawgrass SG1000 makes no compromise. And since it is the enhanced version of the previous SG500, it covers almost all its downsides pretty easily.

Fortunately, the price of this high-tech device is very affordable and comes with a whole package of starter packs. Online stores like Coastal Business are selling Sawgrass SG1000 at $1500, but you can still explore various other options according to your convenience.

That said, below is the list of the pros and cons that the printer comes with:

Pros	Cons
Supports a variety of dimensions	Gets out-of-stock pretty easily
Energy efficient
Can print in high-resolution

So if you are thinking of starting a small printing business of printing, SG1000 can be your go-to choice.

5. Mimaki TS100-1600 – One of the Best Choices for Printing on Fabric

When the topic is inkjet sublimation printer for fabric, Mimaki TS100–1600 has its own crown plate. It is equipped with 4 massive ink tanks that can store 1 liter of ink in volume. Just like the F570 Pro, the TS100-1600 can also provide you with giant prints on 64-inch rolls.

Since it holds the expertise in printing on fabric, it needs massive 1-liter ink tanks because the fabric absorbs much more ink compared to paper. On its official website, you can find Mimaki TS100-1600 priced at $10,489. So, it’s easy to say not everyone can afford this much for a printing machine.

Moreover, this price is also valid for only the USA and Canada, which means if you are going to import this from outside the USA and Canada, it will cost you a fortune. 

That said, here is the list of the pros and cons that this heavy-duty machine comes with:

Pros	Cons
Offers fast printing speed	Really expensive to buy
Large ink tanks	No display or touchscreen
Offers one of the best qualities among the competition

Hence, the decision is completely up to you. You can make a viable and informed decision whether you want to buy TS100-1600 for printing on fabric or not based on these pros and cons.

6. HP Stitch 500 – King of Sublimation Printers for Fabric

HP’s Stitch 500 is a straightforward competition to the Mimaki TS100-1600. Just like the previous inkjet sublimation printer, the Stitch 500 is also specially considered for printing on fabric.

One great advantage that HP provides to this product is that it is supported with a dedicated LCD that was, unfortunately, missing in the Mimaki TS100-1600. However, one thing in which the HP Stitch 500 lags behind is its ink tank. Compared to the massive 1 liter x 4 ink tanks of Mimaki, HP has only got 775ml tanks. 

Also, the price of Stitch 500 is pretty high, which also makes it an easy option to avoid. HP Stitch 500 printer is available at a skyrocketed price of $18,000 in online stores.

With all that, take a look at some of its pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Offers best print quality over fabrics	Pretty expensive
Can run unattended printing jobs	Ink tank only stores 775ml of volume
Comes with an LCD

Finally, this was the list of the best inkjet sublimation printers that you can find online. This list consisted of printers from almost every price range. Based on your budget and volume, you can decide which one is the best for you.

How Does a Sublimation Printer Work?

Unlike printing on vinyl paper, sublimation printing also uses a whole different technology from a regular one. Since the ink is supposed to be printed on a variety of surfaces that can be anything between fabric or glass, it is not something that is very usual.

As mentioned in the inception of the write-up, a sublimation printer uses a special dye-heating technique to set the ink on the surface. For this process, even the ink used is specially crafted with the property of sticking to the surface when heated. 

After ink, the next main component used in the process is the print head. Piezo Print Heads are those specially engineered print heads that are capable of heating the ink and subliming it on the surface. These print heads are used in the best printers to make colors look vibrant and attractive on any surface.

Mostly used in creating designs, patterns, and logos, it is mostly done by advertising companies and the gift industry. An interesting fact about this technology is that while giving the command to print, the image is actually mirrored by the program so that it comes out straight when portrayed on the surface of the object.

Another thing to consider is to try not to print on natural fabrics, as it would not come out as expected. Therefore, the fabrics used are often man-made or at least 50% blended with natural fiber like cotton.

Equipment and Supplies Needed for Sublimation Printing

The working of a sublimation printer varies much from a normal one. Therefore, the supplies that are needed for the process are also specific and specially made. 

The technology and components used in their manufacturing make a real difference. Therefore, here is the list of special equipment used in the procedure:

1. Sublimation Printer: First and foremost, you require a printer that can make the whole process functional. There are specially manufactured print heads used in these printers that are responsible for heating the ink to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204.44 °C).
2. Computer and Software: The computer that you will take in use should be able to handle software like CorelDRAW Graphic Suite. Many high-tech printers have their own software or application, so you can take them in use too.
3. Ink & Paper: There is special pigment-manufactured ink that is used for printing. Make sure that you put an ample amount of ink in the printer’s ink tank, so the output comes out vibrant.
4. Heat Press: Heat Press is a device used to make ink consistently stick on the surface. As you can guess by the name, a heat press uses heat energy to give high-quality end results.
5. Sublimation Blanks: Basically, the surface on which you are going to print graphics is called a sublimation blank. It can be a T-shirt, a mug, or a paper. Make sure, if you are using fabric as a blank, it must contain some percentage of polyester mixed in it.

Hence, these were the supplies that were needed for a print. There are several alternatives to these products, for instance, you can use an iron press at your home, or you can use normal paper as a blank. But in the end, they are not worth the quality. So, it is better to go for professional equipment and supplies.

Why You Should Go for Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation printing is majorly used in industries or small businesses to print on products like mugs, T-shirts, photo slates, clocks, etc. Besides this point, there are numerous more advantages, or reasons that make it captivating:

1. Longevity: The high technological process and special supplies used in this printing make the print last longer on rigid surfaces.
2. Simplicity: The procedure of sub-dye printing is short and easy. Therefore, if you are going to open a business out of it, the laborers can be easily trained. It is also perfect for domestic use or a small-scale business.
3. Quick Outcome: The process of sub-dye printing might sound technical and complex to you, but in reality, the outcome, and end product do not take much time to print. In fact, businesses can give same-day delivery to their customers.

These are some basic and major reasons for choosing sublimation prints. Basically, if you want to give a present to someone, or as a business model as well, this printing is quite an attractive opportunity.

Can Sublimation Printing be Done at Home?

The cut-short answer to this question is, yes. However, there’s a catch. It is true that there is nothing bad in trying stuff at home, but if you expect the same quality as professional printers, you might face some disappointment.

As mentioned in the earlier section, there are specially engineered print heads that are used in these professional sub-dye printers, which make the ink stick to the surface. But on regular printers, the print heads are different. 

These print heads are called Thermal Print Heads. It’s not just a matter of print heads only; various other aspects like ink, cartridges, and mechanisms also play a crucial role.

Should You Convert a Printer or Use an Original Sublimation Printer?

Yes, your regular printer can be converted into a sublimation printer too. However, a question that often arises in the minds of people is whether should they go for an original one or convert their regular printing machine into a sublimation printer. 

Well, the answer depends on the budget and your needs. To make the answer clearer to you, here is a table that can help you reach a conclusion about what option suits you the best:

	Original Sublimation Printer	Converted Printer
Hardware and Ink Costing	Sublimation printers are much more expensive than the converted ones. The printer and inks can collectively cost you more than 600-700 USD.	Converting your regular printer into a sublimation printer is a much cheaper option. You can save almost half the cost in getting it converted.
Technical Support	Once you buy an original printer, you will be receiving full technical support.	If you get your regular printer converted into one, you will not get any technical support from the manufacturer, also you will end up losing the warranty period on your regular printer in case you had any.
Software Support	There is dedicated software offered by almost every brand for their sublimation printer.	You get no software support from the official manufacturer. However, you can use third-party platforms like Photoshop to do the job.
Maintenance	There would hardly be any maintenance that you have to face if you go for a well-reputed printer brand.	Since your regular printer was not made for sub-dye printing, you will be taking extra care of it, plus regular cleaning and ink refiling must be done with caution.

Hence, these were some major points that made the real difference between both options. However, we personally recommend you go for an original printer. No doubt, it is a much more expensive way to go, but in the long-term, it can easily justify its cost.

How to Choose the Best Sublimation Printers?

Since buying a sub-dye for your home or business is a pretty crucial investment, you need to spend your money wisely. Therefore, here are some key points to take care of whenever you decide to buy a sublimation printer:

1. Budget: Make sure that the printer you are going for fits your budget. Buying an expensive model, with overwhelming features that you don’t even need, might not be worth it.
2. Brand: Especially emphasize the brand that you are going for. The more popular and renowned brand will provide you with the quality and durability of the product accordingly.
3. Reviews: Checking reviews on the internet prior to making the purchase is a must. Consider searching for public reviews from the internet beforehand.
4. Durability: A durable printer will not only justify its cost in a short period of time, but will also provide heavy output for you in the long term.

Hence, these were pretty much all the criteria that should be taken into consideration when you make the purchase of your best inkjet sublimation printers.

Endnote – What Surface Will You Print On?

Finally, sublimation printing is a very fascinating and quite unique type of technology. During the process, the ink used is heated to the temperature of 400F so that it sticks to the surface.

This practice is mostly used in the advertising agencies or gift industry to generate revenue. Moreover, it is getting quite famous and several start-ups are emerging in this field that can print the demanded pattern, design, or logos on t-shirts, printed mugs, fabrics, or pretty much any surface they want.

Also Worth Reading: Do-It-Yourself Ink Cartridge Refill – Should You Really Refill Ink Cartridges Yourself On Your Own?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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