The Best Sublimation Printer - A Comprehensive Guide

Posted By TeckWrap Craft On October 19, 2023

For designing beautiful apparel through sublimation and getting a vibrant transfer, it is important to have the right printer. The best sublimation printers are Sawgrass SG500 and Epson SureColor F570 Pro. While other options are available on the market, choosing the right one depends on your specific needs and budget. This blog covers everything you need to know about top sublimation printers, with a comparison of two popular options: Sawgrass and Epson.

What Is Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation printing is a process in which vibrant designs are first printed onto a special sheet and then transferred to compatible fabrics through heat application. The inks used for sublimation printing transform into gas when exposed to heat, bonding with fabric fibers to create a lasting imprint. As they cool, they solidify, becoming an integral part of the material. Having the right printer for sublimation is paramount for the success and quality of sublimation printing.

Features Of The Best Sublimation Printers

The market is saturated with sublimation printers but all of them do not perform at the same level. Picking the right one can be quite stressful. Let’s review some of the high-grade printers to gauge which one is the best to invest in.

Sawgrass SG500

The Sawgrass SG500 is one of the best purpose-built sublimation printers. This entry-level desktop printer can print specially formulated inks onto sublimation transfer papers of different sizes. What truly sets it apart is its features like a single roll-bar, enhanced energy efficiency, and utilization of Sawgrass' proprietary UHD inks, known for their high-resolution output.

The SG500 is an ideal choice for hobbyists and professionals as it provides everything you need right out of the box. This includes a 21ml starter set of ink, 100 sheets of Sublisure A4 Paper, and the essential Sawgrass software.

Key Features

• Speed: Fastest printing
• Print Quality: Very good with optimal image output
• Setting: Easy to use especially with the software provided. Plug and play

Pros

• You can get Sawgrass SG500 easily from different vendors. It is readily available.
• The printer comes with paper, ink, and starter bundles with some blanks and designs.
• The software provided with the package can be run on Mac and Windows and is really easy to use. It includes the Print Manager and CreativeStudio. This gives you access to professional tools right from the beginning.
• This, itself, is a user-friendly printer and is the easiest to set up.

Cons

• The price of Sawgrass SG500 is a bit on the high-end as compared to other printers. You will have to spend more than $500 for this.
• When you run out of ink and order new cartridges, it will cost you several hundred dollars for a set of four. Hence these are expensive as well. All in all, it is not for those who want a printer in a lower price range.
• The printing size is limited. You will have to purchase the bypass tray separately for larger prints.
• You can only use Sawgrass ink cartridges with it.

Epson SureColor F570 Pro

Epson SureColor F570 Pro is a 24-inch marvel that includes the Epson Edge Print Pro software, complete with Adobe® PostScript® 3™ and PDF Print engines. It is equipped with a touchscreen interface and its PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead guarantees the best in print quality that sets your creations apart.

Epson's ink delivers brilliant images, plus, the 50-sheet auto-feed tray and built-in cutter add further convenience. An undeniable advantage of the SureColor F570 Pro is its high-capacity ink system. You'll find yourself replacing ink less often thanks to the inclusion of spacious ink bottles. This printer can also handle a wide range of transfer paper sizes, from Letter/A4 to 24-inch wide rolls.

Key Features

• Speed: Fast printing
• Print Quality: Excellent. The images have rich color saturation with high contrast
• Setting: Easy to use especially with the software provided. Plug and play

Pros

• The Epson SureColor F570 Pro is readily available.
• The printer comes with two full sets of dye-sublimation ink (8 bottles of 140 mL each) and three rolls of DS transfer multi-use paper.
• The software provided with the package can be run on Mac and Windows and is really easy to use.
• Easy to set up with a user manual available with the package.
• It’s a large-format inkjet printer and can handle all sizes of transfer paper from Letter/A4 up to 24-inch wide rolls.
• It has a built-in cutter.

Cons

The price of the Epson SureColor F570 Pro sublimation printer is the highest. It costs $2000 plus.

Epson SureColor F170

If you're seeking a hassle-free, unique sublimation printing experience, the Epson SureColor F170 is here. This purpose-built dye-sublimation printer streamlines the process, making it simple to create stunning prints with impeccable results. It has a straightforward ink tank filling system, and the distinctive ink you need is conveniently included. You'll receive four 140ml T49M ink bottles (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black).

Another compelling advantage of the Epson SureColor F170 is its cost-effectiveness and user-friendliness. Though it lacks a built-in display, it compensates with intuitive software compatible with both Mac and PC. An important thing to note is that it is not suitable for large projects and does not support borderless printing, necessitating a 3mm border around your designs, which can slightly reduce the overall size of your prints.

Key Features

• Speed: Very good printing speed
• Print Quality: Very good with bright and vibrant images
• Setting: Does not come with built-in design software. You will have to work on Adobe Photoshop or CorelDRAW. Both are pricey options

Pros

• At first, the Epson SureColor F170 was not readily available at all outlets, but now you can get it.
• As far as price is concerned, this is about mid-range. It starts at $400. It is the lowest price for propose-built sublimation printing, so it is quite good in this section.
• The ink is not expensive as well. You get 4 bottles of 140mm each for $100. This is quite reasonable.
• Setting up the Epson SureColor F170 is also quite easy.

Cons

• The printer comes with Epson brand sublimation ink but no paper.
• The print size is limited to 8.5 inches in width x 14 inches in length.
• It does not support borderless printing. It needs a 3mm margin on each side so your design should fit within these limits.

Comparative Analysis Of The Best Sublimation Printer

Which Sublimation Printer Should You Opt For?

Our verdict for the best sublimation printer is in favor of Sawgrass SG500 and Epson SureColor F570 Pro. Which one you should choose between these two depends on your needs and budget.

If you are on the verge of initiating a small-scale sublimation printing business and can invest a higher amount, Epson SureColor F570 Pro is the best option with its sharp print quality, excellent color saturation, professional result, large output, design software availability, and good after sales customer support.

For those who engage in sublimation printing as a hobby or love to design apparel from time to time should opt for Sawgrass SG500. It offers all the benefits of Epson SureColor F570 Pro but you will be limited by the size of the output. One way to resolve this issue is to install a bypass tray to it. You will have to purchase it separately and it is an added expense. It will allow you to get longer prints up to 8.5 x 51 inches. This also means you will have to purchase a sublimation paper roll as well.

The bypass tray also has a limit as far as the width is concerned. It can be a maximum of 8.5 inches only. If your work has increased, and you want longer prints with greater width, then the Epson SureColor F570 Pro is the most viable option. For knowing about best sublimation paper for dark shirts check our blog.

Converted Sublimation Printers

If you do not want to purchase a printer that is specific for sublimation, you can convert one as well. Not all printers can be converted. The Epson EcoTank printers are specifically engineered for cost-saving through cartridge-free ink refills. This feature allows you to transform these printers into sublimation-capable devices.

If you take sublimation printing seriously and want to pursue it, we will advise you against using converted Epson EcoTank sublimation printers. Only do it if you do not have the budget for a purpose-built sublimation printer. Otherwise invest in one for better results, added accessories, and proper after-sales support. Following are some of the best Epson EcoTank printers for sublimation:

• Epson EcoTank 8550: This is an excellent choice for producing professional-grade sublimation prints. Its setup is easy and it has a fast printing speed. Its ink tanks are also designed for quick and hassle-free replenishment. The initial investment required for both the printer and the sublimation setup can be substantial.
• Epson EcoTank 2400: This is another marvelous product. Refilling its high-capacity ink tanks with dye sublimation ink is very easy. It has innovative Micro Piezo Heat Free technology to deliver exceptional print quality. Plus, it comes with a built-in flatbed scanner, simplifying design management tasks with ease.
• Epson EcoTank ET-15000: This all-in-one printer can be easily converted for sublimation printing and it seamlessly combines cost savings, exceptional print quality, and impressive speed. It can print several sheets per minute and offers a large paper capacity with two trays.

Are Converted Sublimation Printers The Best Choice?

If you take sublimation printing seriously and want to pursue it, we will advise you against using converted Epson EcoTank sublimation printers. Only do it if you do not have the budget for a purpose-built sublimation printer. Otherwise invest in one for better results, added accessories, and proper after sales support.

If you are a hobby crafter, you can use a converted printer for sublimation. But this is just for getting started. For a more professional approach, the right investment has to be made.

What Should You See Before Buying the Best Sublimation Printer?

When you are out selecting the finest sublimation printer for yourself, you should see whether it aligns with your needs and requirements or not. Keep in mind the following points:

• Determine the maximum print size you need for your projects, whether it's standard letter size (8.5" x 11"), legal (8.5 x 14"), or larger. Get a sublimation printer accordingly.
• Ensure the printer has multiple color options, such as CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) to achieve a wide color gamut.
• Choose a printer with multiple connectivity options, including USB, Wi-Fi, and so on, for seamless integration into your workspace and easy printing from various devices.
• The printer should have a fast printing speed. This will be beneficial for large production runs.
• Consider the cost of ink and maintenance when choosing a sublimation printer. Some models may have a lower initial cost but higher ongoing expenses.
• Brand reputation also matters. Research on it, as well as the availability of customer support, warranty, and technical assistance.
• Choose a printer that is easy to set up and user-friendly.
• Lastly and most importantly, read our blog and also go through product reviews of the printer that you have decided to purchase. Seek recommendations from other sublimation printer users to get real-world insights into the performance and reliability of specific models.

Frequently Asked Questions