Sublimation printing on shirts gives you vivid and highly detailed designs that you can truly be proud of. If printed and pressed on the right t-shirt material, the designs last through washes and stays bright and vibrant for years.
With so many options to choose from, deciding on which is the Best Sublimation Printer for T-shirts can be tough. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision so you can get started on creating your own custom and personalized shirts.
What Is Sublimation Printing For T-Shirts
Before you spend your hard-earned money on a sublimation printer, let’s briefly go over what sublimation is for those who may not be familiar with the process.
Sublimation uses a unique process where the ink that’s printed on the sublimation paper is converted into a gas when it is heated at a high temperature. This allows for the dye-based ink to adhere to the T-shirt fibers.
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Types Of T-Shirts To Use For Sublimation
Sublimation ink adheres to polyester or polymer only. So the types of shirt fabric you use will give you varying vividness and brightness of your pressed sublimation designs.
- 100% Polyester – this will give you the most vibrant sublimation design.
- Poly / Cotton Blends – the amount of polyester in the blend will determine the vividness of your sublimation design. This will give you a faded, vintage looking design. For best results, try to get a minimum of 65% polyester content.
- Bleached Shirts – some “heather” colored shirts bleach well to give you a white area to sublimate on. The vividness of the sublimation design to this bleached area is determined by the amount of polyester in the shirt.
- Treated Cotton Shirts – cotton shirts that are sprayed with a polyester liquid may look good in the beginning. But with multiple washings, that polyester coating will eventually wash off along with the sublimation design. There are other problems that may arise from this (i.e. allergic reaction, unknown MSDS, general liability issues) so this type of shirt is not recommended for sublimation.
How To Choose Which Sublimation Printer To Get For T-Shirts
There are a couple of things you need to consider before deciding on which sublimation printer you should buy to create your own custom shirts: the size of the prints you need and the type of printer you want to buy.
Size Of Sublimation Prints For Sublimating T-Shirts
The size of the T-shirt you want to sublimate will determine the print size capability you will need. The small format printers can print up to 8 ½ x 14” while the large format printers can print up to 13 x 19”. There are also larger printers that can print 24” wide and more.
If you’re going to make shirts that are sized Large or bigger, then you should choose the large format (wide format) printers that are capable of printing larger than 8.5 x 14 inches.
If you’re going to customize T-shirts in sizes Large and bigger, choose a wide-format sublimation printer
Large (wide) format sublimation printers can get expensive but there’s good news… you can easily convert a wide format Epson printer for sublimation. True sublimation, wide format printers start at $1500 while converted Epsons start at $700 (prices may change without notice).
The image below shows how the same sized design print looks on different sized shirts. The XL shirt’s sublimation print will have to be modified or made bigger in size in order for it to look right.
Type Of Sublimation Printer For Shirts
There are two types of printer you can buy for sublimation: one that’s already made for sublimation or one that you have to convert for sublimation. Our comprehensive guide on sublimation printers will give you a full understanding of what the differences are.
Basically, the ones that are specifically made for sublimation are easier for those who want to be able to contact technical support if or when they have a problem with their printer. They are more expensive compared to the ones you have to convert.
The regular inkjet printers that you have to convert to sublimation is a simple process, depending on the printer you choose. But since you will be installing third party sublimation ink, the warranty is instantly voided and there will be no tech support you to call. But don’t worry, there are social media groups that are full of helpful people you can talk to. And you can even contact us and we’ll help you if it’s something we’re familiar with.
List of Sublimation Printer For T-Shirts
There are many sublimation printers that you can use to create your own custom T-shirts. In this sublimation guide, we are highlighting the: Epson SC F170, Epson SC F570, Sawgrass SG500, Sawgrass SG1000, Epson ET-2800, and Epson ET-15000.
There are many more sublimation printers that you can use and we are reviewing and highlighting the ones that are easiest to use and most economical based on what you need it for.
- Epson F170
- Epson F570
- Sawgrass SG500
- Sawgrass SG1000
- Epson ET-2400
- Epson ET-2800, ET-2803
- Epson ET-15000
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Epson SureColor F170
This printer is made specifically for sublimation so you can get started customizing your shirts as soon as you set it up. It’s an entry level printer which includes a full-sized set of genuine Epson dye sublimation ink.
This Epson F170 is easy to set up as you can see in our easy to follow process. Read our F170 full review of this printer so you can see how it works, sample prints, and sample sublimated projects.
Epson F170
- Entry Level Sublimation Printer
- Affordable ink replacement (about $25 per color)*
- Easy set up
- Does not need to be converted
- 1 year warranty and tech support
- Maximum print resolution: 1200 x 600 dpi.
- Main tray’s paper size: 8.5 x 14 inches
- Maximum paper width: 8.5 inches
- Maximum paper length: 47.2 inches (paper roll)
- Replacement ink around $25* for 140ml bottle (per color)
- Reliable sublimation printer right out of the box.
- Made with Epson’s PrecisionCore Technology to give you professional quality sublimation prints.
- Sublimation prints work well for both soft and rigid sublimation blanks.
- Small compact design to maximize your work space.
- Works with both Windows and Mac.
- Connect via USB, Ethernet or integrated wireless.
- Includes a 1 year warranty with toll-free support Monday to Friday
Epson SureColor F570 Pro
This is the bigger format of the F170 as it prints up to 24 inches wide. It has a paper roll feeder at the back in addition to the paper tray so you can print up to 100 inches in length.
Epson F570 Pro
- Wide Format Sublimation Printer
- Affordable ink replacement
- Includes RIP software
- Maximum print resolution: 2400 x 1200 dpi.
- Maximum paper width: 24 inches
- Maximum paper length: 100 inches (paper roll)
- Replacement ink is $25* for 140ml bottle (per color)
- Auto-sheet paper feeder capability: 8.3 x 11 inches to 11 x 17 inches paper
- Reliable sublimation printer right out of the box.
- Made with Epson’s PrecisionCore Technology to give you professional quality sublimation prints.
- Includes Epson’s Print Pro RIP Software
- Sublimation prints work well for both soft and rigid sublimation blanks.
- Works with both Windows and Mac.
- Connect via USB, Ethernet or integrated wireless.
- Includes a 1 year warranty with toll-free support Monday to Friday.
Sublimation printers purchased from Conde (DyeTrans) includes tech support that’s available everyday!
This is great especially when you’re running a business and need help with your printer, even when it’s the weekend. They are there to help you get printing so you can get your sublimation projects or orders out.
Sawgrass SG500
Sawgrass printers have been around the longest in terms of true sublimation printers. They used to be branded as Ricoh printers but are now owned by Sawgrass. They are used by many sublimators who do not want to deal with converting the regular inkjet printers.
Sawgrass SG500
- Self-maintenance mode so print heads won’t dry up
- Choice of 3 ink formats
- Includes Print Manager for accurate printed colors
- Maximum print resolution: 1200 x 600 dpi with Advanced Photo and 4800 x 1200 dpi with Ultra Fine Photo.
- Main tray’s paper size: 8.5 x 14 inches
- Maximum paper width: 8.5 inches
- Maximum paper length: 51 inches (paper roll via optional Bypass Tray)
- Replacement ink is $77 for 31ml cartridge (per color)
- Self maintenance mode to make sure your print heads do not dry up.
- Includes Color Management Software and Print Manager to ensure that the printed colors are as accurate and vibrant as possible.
- Sublimation prints work well for both soft and rigid sublimation blanks.
- Small compact design to maximize your work space.
- Works with both Windows and Mac.
- Connect via USB, Ethernet or integrated wireless.
- Includes a 2 year warranty and Lifetime Tech Support.
- Starter package includes a set of 20ml ink cartridges (cost is lower than standard package)
- Standard package includes a set of 31ml ink cartridges (cost is more than starter package)
Sawgrass SG1000
The SG1000 is the SG500’s large format sublimation printer. It also comes with your choice of 3 inks: Sublijet UHD, EasySubli, and ChromaBlast. These inks are designed to be used for different applications so make sure you choose the one that fits your projects (see below for the differences).
When replacing the SG1000 ink, you have the option of purchasing the larger, extended cartridges that have 70ml of ink in each cartridge.
Sawgrass SG1000
- Wide Format printer
- Self-maintenance mode so print heads won’t dry up
- Choice of 3 ink formats
- Maximum print resolution: 1200 x 600 dpi with Advanced Photo and 4800 x 1200 dpi with Ultra Fine Photo.
- Main tray’s paper size: 11 x 17 inches
- Maximum paper sizes using the optional bypass tray: 13 x 19 inches and 13 x 51” inches (roll)
- Replacement ink is $77 for 31ml cartridge (per color)
- Self maintenance mode to make sure your print heads do not dry up.
- Includes Color Management Software and Print Manager to ensure that the printed colors are as accurate and vibrant as possible.
- Sublimation prints work well for both soft and rigid sublimation blanks.
- Works with both Windows and Mac.
- Connect via USB, Ethernet or integrated wireless.
- Includes a 2 year warranty and Lifetime Tech Support.
- Starter package includes a set of 20ml ink cartridges (cost is lower than standard package)
- Standard package includes a set of 31ml ink cartridges (cost is more than starter package)
Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 Ink Formats
The latest SG500 and SG1000 printers are available in three different formats. They differ in the specialty ink that it comes with. They are not interchangeable so make sure you select the one that works best for what your projects are.
Sublijet UHD
This is the standard sublimation printer for both hard and soft sublimation blanks such as polyester (or poly blend) T-shirts, mugs, tumblers, keychains, mouse pads, ornaments, and more.
You can buy this SG500 Sublijet UHD with a starter or standard set of sublijet inks. The Starter Set of inks are 20ml each while the Standard Set are 31ml each. Cost will be lower for the SG500 that has the starter set of ink.
Siser EasySubli
This is the newest ink that Sawgrass offers and is from the collaboration between Sawgrass and Siser, the heat transfer vinyl manufacturer. This easysubli ink is specifically designed to work with Siser’s EasySubli sublimatable HTV.
Since the traditional sublimation works with white sublimation blanks, using the EasySubli sublimated HTV allows you to press that HTV onto any dark colored T-shirts.
ChromaBlast
If your goal is to make custom cotton T-shirts and not polyester, then this ChromaBlast ink is what you need. It must be paired with ChromasBlast Transfer Paper instead of the regular sublimation papers.
You press this printed transfer paper onto your white or light-colored cotton shirts. The pressed design will have a “feel” to it and can begin to fade after 30 or so washes.
Just like the sublijet, ChromaBlast printer packages are available in both starter (20ml) and standard (31ml) set of ink cartridges.
Epson Ecotank 2400 (ET-2400)
This small format printer is new for 2022 and can be converted for sublimation.
Epson Ecotank ET-2400 Converted Printer
- Low cost Epson printer that can be converted for sublimation
- Prints on 8.5 x 14″ paper
- Easy to convert for sublimation
- Easy fill tanks so you can easily add your sublimation ink without having to use a syringe
- No chip errors since this does not require cartridges
The ET-2400 printers are the lowest priced Ecotank model (price may change without notice). The only authorized dealers for this model are Target and Walmart. You may find it at other retailers but those are most likely resellers and prices are often more than Target and Walmart. Shop around!
We, at SublimakersAcademy, converted this ET-2400 for sublimation to test its capabilities as a sublimation printer. Read our Converted Epson ET-2400 Sublimation Printer Review so you can see how easy it is to convert, how the third party Printers Jack Sublimation Ink performed, actual print samples, and print settings we used.
- Maximum print resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi
- Main tray’s paper size: 8.5 x 14 inches
- 100 sheet read feed tray
- Interactive button panel instead of an LCD display screen
- Works with both Windows and Mac OS
- Connects via USB and WiFi
- Warranty from Epson is void once you add your third party sublimation ink
We used this Converted Ecotank ET 2400 to make this sublimated kitchen towels. We made the sublimation design in Canva, downloaded, printed, and pressed on microfiber kitchen towels. As you can see from the images in the video tutorial on how to sublimate on kitchen towels, the colors are vibrant. So even though it’s a low cost sublimation printer, it still gives out amazing sublimated products.
Epson Ecotank 2800 / 2803 (ET-2800, ET-2803)
The Epson ET-2800 and ET-2803 are the smallest inkjet printers that can be converted to sublimation. They are great for beginners because of their low price. The ET-2803 is the same as the ET-2800 and they are the models sold by Target and Walmart.
The Ecotanks series are the easiest Epson printers that you can convert. You just install the sublimation ink instead of the inkjet ink that it comes with and you’re set.
The Epson workforce printers can work too when converted for sublimation but those require ink cartridges that have chips. Those chips can stop working when the firmwares update so you end up having to buy chip resetters to make it work again.
Epson ET-2800 ET-2803
- Affordable and reliable.
- Easy to convert to sublimation.
- Prints up to 8.5 x 14″
- Maximum print resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi
- Main tray’s paper size: 8.5 x 14 inches
- 100 sheet auto feed tray.
- Third-party sublimation ink from Cyclone Inks are about $14* per 85ml bottle (per color) – Version 2.0 of the ink is Made In the USA!
- Sublimation prints work well for both soft and rigid sublimation blanks.
- Works with both Windows and Mac.
- Connect via USB or wireless.
- Since this is a converted printer, you will instantly void Epson’s warranty.
Read the Converted ET-2800 REview
We converted an Epson ET-2803 (same as ET-2800) for our sublimation business. Read the Converted ET-2803 for Sublimation Printer Review to see how easy it was to convert, the third party ink we used, our print settings, sublimation prints, and the final pressed sublimation images.
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Epson Ecotank 15000 (ET-15000)
When you need larger sublimation prints for the Large, XL, and bigger T-shirts, this printer is the one you want. It’s a regular Epson inkjet printer that you convert to sublimation. You just install a third-party sublimation ink instead of the ink that it comes with and you’re set.
This wide format printer is hard to find because of supply chain issues and high demand. There are other large format Epson printers that you can use if you can’t find this one. Some stores receive their stock but they are gone as fast as they come in.
Epson ET-15000
- Lowest cost wide format Ecotank printer that can be converted to sublimation
- Print, Copy, Scan, Fax
- 4 ink colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)
- Print speed: Black 17ppm, Color 9ppm
- Paper trays: 2 (1 front, 1 rear)
- Dimensions: 19.6″ x 29.6″ x 14.3″ (W x H x D)
- Weight: 26.5 lbs
- Maximum print resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi
- Main tray’s paper size: 13 x 19 inches
- Max print length: 47.2” (paper roll)
- 250 sheet auto feed tray.
- Third-party sublimation ink from Cyclone Inks are about $10 per 85ml bottle (per color)
- Sublimation prints work well for both soft and rigid sublimation blanks.
- Works with both Windows and Mac.
- Connect via USB, ethernet, or wireless.
- Since this is a converted printer, you will instantly void Epson’s warranty.
Now that you narrowed down which sublimation printer to get for t-shirts, you also need a heat press in order to transfer your sublimation design. Find an affordable one in our Sublimation Heat Press Buyer’s Guide so you can get started on creating fun t-shirts using sublimation.
Check out what other sublimation supplies and equipment you need to get started on your T-Shirt printing hobby or business with our Complete List of What You Need To Start Sublimation.
Frequently Asked Questions About T-Shirt Sublimation Printing:
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*DISCLAIMERS: Any prices mentioned above are the price at the time of the original publication. These can vary, can fluctuate, and can change at any time. Please check the retailer for current prices.
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