The Best sublimation Printer in 2023 for beginners to Pro
This comprehensive guide on how to choose the best sublimation printer will show you what options are available as well as the distinctions that exist between the various models, regardless of whether you are just beginning your search for a sublimation printer or are an experienced sublimation looking to upgrade your current printer.
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You will be able to make an educated decision, which will make selecting the best sublimation printer much simpler. This is because you will have a better understanding of the requirements you have as well as the characteristics to look for.
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Find the sublimation printer that is most suitable for your level of experience, and get started printing heat transfers right away.
When you can handle the situation on your own, there’s no reason to call in a specialist. Printing on goods such as fabric, mugs, and other knickknacks is becoming increasingly popular as well as a fun activity to participate in.
On most hard surfaces, such as paper, fabric, card, or plastic, it is now possible to print a favourite picture or quote. You can also print quotes on fabric. You simply require a high-quality sublimation printer.
In the process of printing with sublimation ink, the design is initially printed on a specialized transfer paper. The pattern is transferred from the paper to the material or fabric by using heat, which completes the process.
When heat is applied to this process, the dye ink that is being used transforms into a gas, which then bonds to the fabric.
What is the best sublimation Printer in 2023?
When you’re in the market for a sublimation printer, only the best will do. To us, while it’s a tough choice, the best Sublimation Printer in 2023 is by far the Epson WorkForce WF-7720 – ( best overall & Editor’s Choice), Epson EcoTank ET-2800 ( best Beginner Friendly), and Canon PIXMA TR4520 ( Best Budget-friendly)
Interested in some of our other top choices? Check out our List below.
11 best sublimation printers in 2023
Our list of the top 11 best sublimation printers in 2023 is based on features, price, specifications, real-world performance, popularity, and user reviews.
- Epson WorkForce WF-7720 – Best Sublimation Printer For Professionals (Editor’s Choice)
- Epson Expression Photo HD XP 15000 – The Best Epson Printer For Sublimation In 2023
- Canon Selphy CP1300 – Best Compact Dye Sublimation Printer
- Epson EcoTank ET-2800 – Best Beginner Friendly Sublimation printer
- KODAK Step Wireless – T-Shirt Sublimation Printer
- Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless – Economical Sublimation Printer (Cheapest Option)
- Canon G7020 – Budget-Friendly Sublimation Printer
- Canon PIXMA TR4520 – Most Budget-Friendly Sublimation Printer
- HP ENVY Photo 7855 – Best Monochrome Printer
- Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 Best Sublimation Printer Starter Bundle for Hobbyists
- Brother MFC-J995DW – Best Affordable AIO Sublimation Printer
Epson WorkForce WF-7720 Wireless Printer
In this regard, Epson's inkjet printing technology, which is powered by its "Precision Core," truly shines above the competition.
Print speeds for the Epson WorkForce WF 7720 are approximately 10 pages per minute (PPM) for color and 18 PPM (PPM) for black (for monochrome printouts).
These speeds are very comparable to the Epson WF3720's monochrome printing speed of 20 PPM. In general, the absolute most it takes is about six seconds per page.
However, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 is an excellent option to consider picking up if you require even faster print speeds.
- automatic document feeder
- High capacity for paper sheets,
- Great borderless print quality intuitive controls through the Epson Connect app
- Guzzles a huge amount of ink for borderless prints
Canon SELPHY CP1300 Compact Photo Printer
The Canon Selphy CP1300 is not only sleek and portable, but it also creates eye-catching artwork. You can't go wrong with its flexible printing abilities, which include a wide range of paper sizes.
Canon's sublimation capabilities have been heavily contested. Back a few months ago, we took a chance, and it paid off. We decided to get this sleek Canon Selphy CP1300, which not only sublimates but does it competently.
Although the patterns themselves cannot be copied.
- Impressive PRINT
- DYE-SUBLIMATION PRINT TECHNOLOGY
- 3.2 INCHES TILT-UP LCD SCREEN
- can’t transfer the designs with it.
Canon G7020 All-In-One Printer
The Canon G7020 is an inexpensive printer that produces high-quality sublimation prints.
All of the aforementioned features have been tried and tested by us and come highly recommended for use at home or in the office. Connectivity, usefulness, and even the ability to swap out ink cartridges are all impressive features.
Printing from an iPhone or iPad is like magic, using an inkjet printer that adjusts to the user's distance. It's simple to check your ink supply. Special refill bottles are available for ink.
- Easy to configure on a small LCD
- Can print on each side
- Faster Printing Speed
- Challenging WiFi connectivity
Epson 15000 Wireless Color Wide-Format Printer
WHY WE LIKE IT:
The Epson Expression Photo HD XP 15000 is the best printer for art prints on the market, with improved quality, multiple color inks, and Ultra HD border-free prints.
Because of its 6-color Claria Photo HD inks, which can reproduce the variation and expression of your art, this top-tier art printer produces excellent output.
The Epson XP is a versatile tool that can handle multiple tasks at once, earning it the top spot on this list of the best printers for art prints.
This Epson printer is a workhorse intended for dependable output that is capable of producing high-quality photographs and designs. It has six separate ink tanks for dye ink, which results in the printing of images that are extremely lifelike. The XP-15000 is capable of printing on paper up to 13 inches wide by 19 inches long, and it can manage virtually any conventional paperweight or quality.
This particular Epson model is suitable for use with high-yield ink cartridges, each of which is capable of printing more than 800 pages.
- High-quality photos
- Two-sided printing
- Great for enhanced colored and black and white prints
- Not compatible with ink cartridges from other brands
- The cartridges are expensive
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless Printer
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless Supertank Ethernet Printer is the best sublimation printer on the market because of its superior productivity, cost-effective output, and flexible connectivity options. One of my favorite functions is PrecisionCore Technology.
This is the greatest sublimation printer for newcomers, and it produces professional-quality results.
The Epson ET-15000 measures 22.7 by 17.6 by 13 inches and tips the scales at a feathery 27.4 pounds. This means that it can easily be transported from one location to another.
In addition, it employs a print chip with a higher density.
Therefore, it can generate up to 40,000,000 perfectly formed dots every second. This is a direct result of the Epson ET-15000's superior print quality and speed.
Epson ET-15000 is the best choice among available printers due of its low price.
You'll be able to reduce your sublimation ink usage by 90%.
The new bottle also has the added benefit of being cheaper. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen lets you preview, edit, and personalize your prints.
- Can handle a variety of paper
- Impressive output
- no Ink wastage o
- Can be pricey
- You have to convert it for sublimation as it's a standard printer.
HP ENVY Photo 7855
Images, detailed results, and prints in a pinch are no problem for the HP ENVY 7855 sublimation printer.
After a lengthy period of use, I can say that it has never let me down. It's the lowest-priced photo this printer can produce, costing only about 5 cents to print.
It's simple to set up with wireless or wired Internet, Ethernet or USB connections, Google Cloud Print or Apple AirPrint, and even a separate photo tray. Scan your paper into a PDF with a document scanner.
Using ink from a source other than HP 64 is not recommended for the HP ENVY Photo 7855.
Included in the package are auto duplex printing, an automatic document feeder (ADF), email scanning, a color touch screen, and a plethora of additional capabilities. For its price, this sublimation printer offers unrivaled print quality and visual detail.
- Plain paper & photo sublimation printer
- Printing made with inkjet technology
- simple and quick connectivity
- Challenging Internet connectivity
Canon PIXMA TR4520
It functions faultlessly with Alexa, makes use of wireless networking, and is compatible with a variety of mobile devices.
The cost of this service does not change regardless of whether you scan papers, make copies, fax documents, or print photographs.
Setting up notebooks and personal computers is a breeze. Because it is possible to print on both sides of the paper, it is an excellent choice for printing artwork.
This printer may be used in either a home or professional setting with ease. Indeed, you may use Alexa to print your artwork, your to-do list, your papers, and any other stuff that require printing. In addition to that, there is a feature that is exclusive to this device that is called "auto duplex."
Save approximately 10 percent of the ink so you can replace the cartridge later. All standard paper sizes, including legal, letter, US, and envelope, are supported. It also prints off labels for shipments.
- Simple connectivity
- Fast Setup
- Built-in ADF
- Ink Tank is expensive than the ink.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
Epson Ecotank 2800 is easier and more convenient to use. It comes upgraded with improved design and speed. Plus, the printer’s jamming has been obliterated in this model.
Media size: The printer can handle layouts as small as 4 x 6 and as large as 8.5 x 14. This means that the Ecotank ET-2800 is a good mug sublimation printer. It also lets you print on T-shirts and other fabrics with 250+ color options and good quality.
When using Printer's Jack sublimation ink, the ink is refilled directly. When using other brands, the ink is refilled with the help of a syringe. It uses half as much ink as the models that came before it.
Technology for printing: Micro Piezo Heat-free technology keeps the printer from getting too hot, no matter how much printing you do around the clock. Also, the energy use goes up between 5V and 8V, so you won't have huge bills. Use a printer and a heat press at different times to keep the units under control.
Connectivity: The EcoTank ET-2800 meets the standard requirements for connectivity by offering both wired and wireless options. This means that you can print from a smartphone, tablet, or PC. We also like how well the printer works when you tell it to print something with your voice.
FAQs
How do I use a sublimation printer?
- Well, sublimation printing uses heat to essentially bring ink and fabric together as one. First, a design is printed onto special paper.
- The inks that are used turn into gas when brought under heat, then combine with the fabric and permanently print onto the fabric.
- You can use a standard inkjet or laser printer to print onto this paper with your normal ink.
- You then place the paper onto your clothing and use a heat press, or in some cases, you can use an iron, and peel away the paper.
- Your design will then be stuck onto your garment, and you will be able to see the transfer.
Do you know the difference between an inkjet printer and a sublimation printer?
Both the quality of the photo prints and the method used to make them varies between an ink-jet printer and a dye sublimation printer.
Using a printer cartridge, an ink-jet printer produces images with a 300 x 300 dpi resolution (dots per inch.) True photo quality resolution is not produced by the majority of printer cartridge manufacturers.
The majority of consumers also express dissatisfaction with the printer cartridge’s inability to print more than 20 or 25 photos before needing to be replaced.
Sublimation vs. inkjet printing
When it comes to production equipment, there isn’t much difference between the two procedures. Typically ranging in size from 30 inches to 16 feet, inkjet printers can also be used for sublimation printing with a few simple “machine tweaks” and cleaned ink lines.
The types of ink and printing techniques used in the two procedures differ significantly from one another. Digital inkjet printers employ the CMYK (cyan-magenta-yellow-black) ink set and may print directly on fabrics when the cloth is fed through the printer.
Sublimation With the CMYO (cyan-magenta-yellow-overprint-clear) printing method, the dye is printed onto specially treated transfer paper and turns black during the heat-transfer process (around 375°F or 210°C).
A heat press is required to transfer the ink from the printed transfer paper to the fabric according to the CMYO ink set, which states that sublimation printing is NOT direct-to-fabric printing.
Do not buy a Sublimation printer until you’ve read this section: sublimation printer Buying guide.
A list of the top nine sublimation printers would be more than enough information for anyone to make an informed decision.
If all of them produce professional-quality prints, though, it can be difficult to decide which to choose. However, there are a number of other considerations that should be made before making a final purchase of a high-end sublimation printer.
Yet, here are a few things to consider before making a final call.
The importance of navigation in simplifying the printing process cannot be overstated. You can employ functions like move, cut, copy, etc. on a sublimation printer’s LCD screen, control panel, or menu. Many printers have an accompanying app that can be installed and used to make the most of all these functions.
Navigation
Print quality is directly proportional to the printer’s resolution. Dots per inch (DPI) is the standard for measuring a printer’s resolution. nonetheless, 300 dpi is the ideal resolution. This resolution is ideal for an HD printer.
No matter what, though, a score above 300 is excellent. That, however, is an extremely unusual occurrence. In addition to a high resolution, a matte finish or satin sheen, such as that produced by most high-end sublimation printers, is required. This is especially true if you intend to utilize the sublimation printer professionally.
Imagine you need a sublimation printer to print mugs but you only have access to one that prints paper. Enter: Resolution Apparel.
What is the worst that could happen? Stress, remorse, and disappointment. That’s why it’s crucial to find out what kinds of clothing and other items the printer supports sublimation for. The greatest sublimation printer is the one that actually gets the job done. Otherwise, the billions of functions it provides would be useless to you.
Capacity Checking for Printing Mediums Observes the front and an empty tray of the printer to determine how many pages it can store.
The printer’s capacity has an effect on the printer’s physical dimensions and weight, both of which become important if you need to relocate the printer.
As a general rule, it is preferable to have a large storage capacity, as this will allow you to keep more printed materials on hand without having to physically move them. The number of sheets that can be printed at once is displayed on the trays as well.
large-capacity ink and cartridges: The single most important factor influencing the quality of your printed materials has arrived.
For starters, stick to the cartridges and ink that came with your printer. Using inks and cartridges from a different brand may lower print quality and may even harm your printer. You can also do some research on what inks work best for sublimation by looking for the best sublimation ink.
If you’re new to sublimation, cartridges’ dependability and robust usability could cause serious headaches, despite the fact that they’re otherwise excellent. Epson also makes eco-tank printers, which are simpler to use than traditional printers because they don’t require cartridges.
Printing-Ink
To prevent printing from stopping in the middle due to lack of ink (causing printer jams), an ink-level indicator is built in. In that scenario, it would be useful to have a printer that also has some software preinstalled. In addition, you must determine when the cartridges and ink have run out.
They have a recommended changing schedule every 6 months. The method of refilling must also be simple. It’s important to remember that the Ink loses its efficacy after a certain period of time has passed and shouldn’t be used then.
Cartridge
Note the print size in addition to the layout size. Any design that fits on a 4×6-inch sheet is suitable for printing on small items of clothing or greeting cards. A maximum of 8.5 by 14 inches is required for printing on t-shirts and A4-sized paper.
The print size is also used to determine whether or not you want your printouts to include borders. It’s also worth noting that some printers have the option of printing in several sizes, which can add to the purchase price but is useful in a variety of situations. This is not addressed at many conventions, however. Since of this, purchasing them is fraught with peril because what if the size is not the one you need for your printouts?
Print-Area-Size
The printer also has to have Wi-Fi, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity options so that it can be connected to and used with devices other than a computer system. Wireless connectivity with a mobile phone and other devices eliminates the need to transfer files to a computer and then use those files to print.
The speed of your wireless connection is an important consideration whether you’re looking for a printer for business, school, or home use. The normal print speed ranges from 1 to 5 pages per minute, and the printer only prints in black and white.
Many high-quality printers can produce 20 or even 50 pages per minute, which is impressive given their high price. We recommend investing a little more money because slow printers can truly be a pain. As you can see, the reviewed printers all have respectable speeds overall.
In the context of a sublimation printer, “accuracy” refers to the printing of images that are true to the originals in every way. Tolerating any degree of blurriness or smudging in the prints is not an option. The resulting hues and tones must be flawless. They should neither be too dazzling or too subdued.
Print-Quality
Examining the printer’s energy consumption is important for continuous, long-term use. If the printer consumes a lot of power, not only will it overheat rapidly, but the printing quality and precision will also suffer. The amount you end up having to pay will also rise unexpectedly.
A high-volume printer must efficiently and precisely manage its power consumption.
Technologies such as Canon, Mitsubishi, and Epson inkjet printers with built-in power management features significantly reduce power consumption to 0.5 watts or less are only one example. In addition, if your printing jobs continue without significant breaks, built-in cooling technology can be a plus. But there are a number of other technology in modern printers that help to maintain a steady temperature, so those deserve some investigation as well.
Printing standards: Printing standards are the single most important aspect, without which all other characteristics, no matter how cutting-edge, are meaningless. The printing quality ought to be superb if you want to utilize it professionally, or at least adequate.
Energy Consumption
Lifespan: A long-lasting printer is essential for successful sublimation printing. Since purchasing a printer necessitates a lot of time and money, you probably aren’t in a position to go shopping for a new sublimation printer just because your old one died.
To have a long useful life, a printer needs to perform reliably for several years. On day two, the printing must be just as high quality as it was on day one. While the printer’s cost and frequency of use are also factors. The printer’s quality and lifespan will suffer with heavy use, but otherwise, you can use it for as long as you like.
Because a printer is an electrical appliance, it needs regular maintenance to last its full expected lifespan. Repairing the printer can be costly and time-consuming, especially if you need special equipment. Printer upkeep is essential for maximizing both the printer’s longevity and the quality of its output.
Ink conversion: Epson, Canon, Evolis, and Mitsubishi sublimation printers have been reviewed above, with Epson receiving the most attention. Since it can be difficult to choose an Epson printer, we have compiled a comparison chart for those interested. If you’re still interested in learning more about Epson, Best Epson Printer is a great resource. Okay, then, let’s begin.
There are Epson printers that include ink replacement kits and instructional manuals. However, the main concern is discovering whether or not new ink cartridges are compatible with your printer. Don’t let yourself be fooled into purchasing a basic thermal or inkjet printer that can’t be modified for sublimation printing.
What do I need to get started with sublimation? what do I need to get started with sublimation?
Getting started with sublimation is a lot less difficult than it might sound like it would be. You’ll find additional information about our step-by-step guide below, which will walk you through the process of getting started with sublimation printing.
Keep reading to get a better understanding.
Heat Transfer
Check to see that the minimum size requirements for your designs and transfers are met by the heat press that you intend to purchase. Please take note of this, as it is very important.
Paper for sublimation.
There are a wide variety of options available for use as sublimation paper. I strongly recommend that you investigate the A-SUB brand! You can find a link to our buyer’s guide for the sublimation paper further down in this article if you are interested in learning more about our perspectives on this topic. If you are interested in learning more about our thoughts on this topic, check out our buyer’s guide for the sublimation paper.
The printer uses sublimation ink
You have the option of using a printer designed specifically for sublimation or upgrading an existing inkjet printer so that it can handle sublimation.
Ink for sublimation
You will transfer the image that you have chosen to the material that you will be using by using this specialized sublimation ink.
Manny A. is the co-founder of Artmellows. Your Goto place for Design, Digital Art, Digital sculpting, Photography, Tool & Gears Info, and Product Reviews. Manny is a Digital Artist , 3D Sculpt Designer & Tech Lover. He supercharges Digital Art & Design by crafting memorable 3d Sculpts & 2D Design & Art. Manny has created a Beginner Friedly ebook to Learn Nomad 3d Sculpt App. Know More about the eBook. Know more about Manny
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