Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners (Cheap & Wide Format Machines for Heat Transfer)

Are you facing print quality & banding issues while printing the sublimation ink with an ordinary printer, or do you want to enter the sublimation business? But you need to learn how to select the best Printer for sublimation printing that will give you the premier results; Then I am here to assist you on this occasion. No matter what your knowledge is about sublimation.

I have tested many printers on different materials, including clothes and metal cards, and selected the best sublimation printers for beginners and experts. I have been working in the sublimation niche for twelve years and have used so many printers, and I know there is a wide range of sublimation printers available in the market, and choosing one is challenging. That’s why I have made the best sublimation printers list for you.

How to Choose the Best Sublimation Printer? Buying Guide

Printing Quality:

The printing quality is the main thing we must check before making the final decision on any printer. I have been in the field for almost 7+ years, and I have heard a lot of different answers about this. Printing technology is changing, so what was the correct answer in the past may not be the correct answer today. Usually, the print quality is measured in the dpi. The higher the dpi, the prints look sharper and have more details.

Tip: If you want the best results of any printer, change your workflow instead of sizing your file the standard dpi, like 300 and then printing it. Stop resizing the file and print all the resolutions you have. Your printer will print great quality prints as long as you give the printer all the file’s real resolution.

Printing Speed:

The printing speed of a printer is not a major factor while selecting the printer for sublimation, but if you are running a printing shop and want to complete everything quickly, then a good-speed printer can be a good option for you.

Wide Format:

The idle printing format of a printer is 13″x11″. Some printers do borderless printing, which helps a lot while printing large designs or graphics. The borderless printing allows the print to print without a white stripe around the image.

Connectivity:

A printer with multiple connectivity options allows you to do hassle-free printing. Most printers come with many connectivity options and even an app. The most common connectivity options are Bluetooth, wifi, direct, ethernet and a USB.

Sublimation Ink Compatibility:

As you know, only a few printers in the market come with sublimation ink. All other printers need to be converted for sublimation. So, before purchasing the printer, you must ensure that your printer accepts the sublimation ink.

The Short Version

Image Name Best For Dimensions Price
Epson Workforce WF 7720 Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners 47 x 25.5 x 37″ Check Price
Epson EcoTank ET 2760 Best Epson Eco Tank Printer for Sublimation 38.98 x 20.28 x 36.22″ Check Price
Sawgrass SG500 Best T-shirt Sublimation Printer 30.7  x 18.9  x 19.7″ Check Price
Epson SureColor F170 Best Sublimation Printer for Heat Transfer 30.7  x 18.9  x 19.7″ Check Price
Brother MFC-J995DW INKvestment Best Sublimation Machine 30.7  x 18.9  x 19.7″ Check Price
Epson ECO TANK ET 2720 Cheap Sublimation Printer 30.7  x 18.9  x 19.7″ Check Price
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Best Wide Format Sublimation Printer 30.7  x 18.9  x 19.7″ Check Price
Canon Selphy CP1300 Best Dye Sublimation Printer 7.1 x 5.4 x 2.5″ Check Price
HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 Best Sublimation Printer for Cricut ‎‎12.53 x 17.2 x 15.6″ Check Price
Epson EcoTank ET-4760 Good Sublimation Printer 13.7 x 14.8 x 9.1″ Check Price

1: Epson Workforce WF 7720- Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners

Epson Workforce WF 7720 Printer

This Printer can’t print money, but it can increase your revenue by up to 80%. The automatic two-sided wide-format borderless prints and straightforward connectivity features make it the best sublimation printer for beginners. It can do excellent quality prints with great resolution up to 4800 x 2400 dpi, delivering performance beyond the laser. It is efficiently designed using up to eighty percent less power than color laser printers.

 Its intuitive 4.3-inch color touchscreen provides easy navigation and control, making it the best sublimation printer for beginners. The 7720 provides the ultimate wireless printing and networking to print easily from your tablet and smartphone. 

Unboxing:

It comes in a nicely packed white box with the photo of the Printer and model number labeled on it. The Printer has been wrapped up in a polythene bag, and styrofoam is added on both sides for additional safety. After revealing the box, I saw Epson 252 color and black ink cartridges. A three-pin power cable, Dvd and an instruction manual are also given. Unfortunately, the USB cable is not included. While holding the Printer up, I feel a heavyweight in my hands. This is the most massive, gigantic machine I have ever seen for sublimation. Ensure you keep the box because, in case of any issue with the Printer, you can quickly return it.

Physical Appearance and Quality:

The device is size-able with the dimensions of 13.4″ x 19.1″ x 22.3″ (H x D x W) and is massive, weighing 22.8 kg. Still, the build quality is impressive. On the top of the machine, there is a scanner that can make an automatic two-sided scan, copy and fax up to 11″ x 17″ with a resolution of 1,200DPI. The machine has dual paper trays on the front side and one automatic rear feeder for specialty paper on the top.

The capacity of both paper trays is 500 papers. The paper output trays are also built with the finest quality plastic and can store 125 papers. The front panel does tilt or goes completely flat, depending on where you’re putting it. There are a few buttons and a 4.3″ color touch screen. You can manage and even check the remaining ink from there.

Setting The Device For Sublimation:

Insert the power code on the back of the Printer and press the power button to turn it on. It will ask you to select the language, country, or region. After that, you need to install the sublimation ink cartridges. Please only use the ink with the Printer because it is not for sublimation. (How to insert the ink cartridges) There is a little handle on the sides of the Printer; lift it, insert the cartridges, and close the lid.

The initialization takes almost five minutes, don’t turn off the Printer during the initialization. Now it will ask you to select the paper size and paper source because there are two different input trays for the paper.

Now open the cassette and put the paper on it. I prefer you to use regular paper for the first print test.

Connectivity and Mobile App:

The Epson workforce wf 7720 has excellent connectivity features. We can connect it directly with ethernet, a wifi-router, or with. If you are not in the range of ethernet, then you can connect it with wifi-directly. Although Epson is not offering Bluetooth connectivity, thanks to Epson, I print app. We can print, scan and copy from it. The app is available on both Android and ios. You can also check the ink level and maintenance tasks from it.

Epson Workforce WF 7720 Performance Result:

Economical:

This machine is very economical. The ink cartridges are a little expensive, but thanks to the Epson innovative inkjet system, It uses less ink and increases the cartridge life. While testing the Printer, I found that the black-only printing costs of this printer are very reasonable. It uses 80% less power than the color laser printer.

Borderless Printing:

It offers wide-format borderless printing up to 13 “x11” with brilliant color and detail. So, you can print large graphics without any white border on the edges of the paper.

Printing Speed:

The printing speed could be more impressive, but it is okay. In our testing, the printing speed on black is 8 pages per minute, while on the color photo print speed, it is almost 1 minute per page which is a little disappointing, but on black, it is good.

Color Precision:

This Printer is powered by precision core technology, which is why this machine’s color accuracy is groundbreaking. In our testing, the print quality is excellent compared to the other models of Epson printers.

Pros

  • Very affordable with excellent print quality.
  • Borderless printing up to 13 “x11.”
  • Great connectivity features with Epson I print app.
  • Dual input paper trays.
  • Outstanding Color Precision.
  • We can use third-party cartridges.

Cons

  • The printing Speed is slow.
  • Not suitable for glass desks due to being heavyweight.
  • Bluetooth connectivity is not available.
Bottom Line:

You can use this machine if you want a wide range of connectivity features and excellent print quality. Although it is not a speedy printer, it is very economical and uses 80% less ink than the color laser printers, and it can provide you with print shop quality borderless prints. You can easily manage it through a 4.3″ touch-sensitive color screen. Even though we can use third-party ink cartridges, it can void the Printer’s original warranty. If you want to maintain the warranty and want full support from the company, then you can go with the Sawgrass SG500.

2: Epson EcoTank ET 2760-Best Epson Eco Tank Printer for Sublimation

Epson EcoTank ET 2760 White Printer

If you are fed up with replacing the ink cartridges and looking for a cheaper option without compromising the printing quality, then Epson EcoTank ET 2760 is for you. This machine uses the eco tank functionality and can save up to 90% of ink replacement costs compared to ink cartridges. I have tested it in specific ways and found that the printing speed is slow, but color accuracy and build quality are fantastic.

The excellent connectivity features make it the best Epson eco tank printer for sublimation.

Unpacking:

After placing the order, the device comes within 5 days. Epson ET 2760 is nicely packed in a white box. The Thermopolis is added on both sides of the Printer for additional safety. After cutting off the box, I first saw an instruction book. While pulling off the Printer, I noticed it is manageable and sizable, like the Epson Workforce WF 7720. A power cord and 4 bottles of Epson 502 also came with the Printer. I noticed that the black ink bottle is more extensive than the others. The dimensions of the Epson ET 2760 are 7.3″ x 13.6″ x 14.8″ (H x D x W), and the weight is almost 5.9 kg which is significantly superior to the other Epson models.

Physical Appearance:

The Epson ET 2760 has a modern and compatible design. The complete body is built with fine-quality plastic. The device comes with two paper trays. Like the other printers, the scanner is also given on the top, but unfortunately, this Printer can’t scan automatic two-sided scans. There is a 1.5″ mediocre screen on the front side and some numeric buttons, including a power button. The output tray is on the bottom of the panel and can store up to 30 plain sheets. To the left side of the output tray, some USB and memory card slots are given for quick connectivity.

Setup And Ink Installation:

The setup and installation process of this machine takes a little extra time. You need to purchase the sublimation ink separately because we can’t use the Epson ink provided with the Printer for sublimation. To install the ink, you need to pull up the scanner top after that, lift the ink tank cap, flip the bottle upside down and let it fall into place.

We have enough space and can insert black and cyan bottles simultaneously. The black container takes a little more time to fill because it is larger than the others. Remember that only squeeze the bottles while filling. Epson is cautioning you against that. The ink levels are visible, so you can quickly check the quantity of the ink.

After filling the ink, the next step is processing, and it takes almost ten minutes for the system to recognize the ink and push it into the print head.

Connectivity:

It offers a wide range of connectivity features. You can connect it to wifi directly or with the wifi router. This option is also available to connect it with a USB cable. Unlike the Epson ET 2720, an SD card slot is given to make it more functional. On the downside, we can’t connect it with Bluetooth.

Performance Result:

Photo Printing Quality:

The printing quality of this machine is good. While testing the Printer, I felt the yellow color was a little blurry in some images. All other colors were perfect with great accuracy. The maximum print resolution of this Printer is 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi. The Epson EcoTank ET 2760 uses drop-on-demand Micro Piezo printing technology, making it the best sublimation printer for t-shirts.

Economical:

Instead of cartridges, this machine uses eco tanks. In our testing, the cost per print for the black is 0.00$, and for color print, it is 0.01$. It saves up to 90% of the ink vs cartridges. The ink bottles are equivalent to 80 separate ink cartridges. While using this Printer, you can save a lot of ink replacement costs.

Printing Speed:

In our examination, the printing speed of this machine is 8 pages per minute for black and 4 ppm for color documents, which is better than most of the available printers in the market. In comparison, the first print (black text only) takes 10s.

Pros

  • Economical.
  • Borderless printing with great precision and quality.
  • Wide connectivity range including ( USB, wifi, wifi direct, sd card for pc free printing, Epson iPrint App)
  • Compatible design for small offices.
  • Voice-activated printing.

Cons

  • The printing speed is a little slow as compared to previous Epson models.
  • A touchscreen display is not available.
  • No ethernet connectivity.
Bottom Line:

The Epson eco tank et 2760 is compatible with the design compared to the workforce 2760, so you can easily keep it in small spaces. The running cost of this machine is meager, but the printing quality is excellent compared to its predecessors. You can easily connect it with Android or ios. Unfortunately, the color screen is not touch-sensitive, but you can easily control it with the buttons on the control panel. It can store a high ink capacity, making it the best Epson eco tank printer for sublimation.

3: Sawgrass SG500-Best T-shirt Sublimation Printer

Sawgrass SG500 Printer

This machine can do a max dpi as compared to its predecessors. If you want lovely photos, realistic images, and artwork on the sublimation paper, this machine can do it for you. It offers a wide range of connectivity options and self-cleaning features. I tested the Printer with different materials and found great results. This machine uses advanced hybrid screening technologies to give you a sharper-looking image. That’s why it is the best t-shirt sublimation printer in the market.

Unboxing:

The Sawgrass SG500 was decently packed in a classic cardboard box. After unpacking the box, I found SubliJet UHD Sublimation Inks and a few cords, including power and USB printer port. Some instructions and a safety information manual are also provided with the Printer. The machine was wrapped in a polythene bag, and polystyrene was added on all sides for extra safety. The best thing I felt about the packaging was the ink cartridges were separately packed in a well-built box. I saw visual instructions for installing and setting the ink inside the ink box.

Physical Appearance and Quality:

Like the other sawgrass printers, the design of this machine could be more modern, but the built quality is excellent. The complete body is built up with inflexible plastic. Both input and output paper trays are given on the front side of the Printer. The SG 500 has a great control panel, including a display screen and a few navigation buttons.

Unfortunately, we can’t tilt the screen up and down. But the outstanding feature of the screen is that we can check the remaining ink from there. We can also easily access the paper jam from the machine’s rear side. With the compact footprint, the dimensions of this machine are 15.75″ x 17.25″ x 8.5″ (H x D x W), and the weight is 13.88 kg.

Setting up the Printer:

The Setup of the sawgrass is straightforward, and it takes almost seven minutes. Plug the cord on the rear side of the machine and turn the switch on. The Printer will ask you to insert the ink. Remove the packing from the cartridges and insert them in the ink container individually.

While installing the ink, I noticed that all the ink cartridges have different expiry dates, so keep track of the dates individually. Now press the okay button. After a few moments, the Printer will say it’s ready for printing.

Connectivity and Sawgrass Creative Studio Introduction:

The sawgrass offers an extensive range of connectivity options. You can connect it to the ethernet to avoid going deep. But if you prefer a wireless connection, you can connect it directly with wifi. I have tested both ways and found that the wifi can transfer files faster than the ethernet.

To connect the Printer with wifi, click the menu button (from the navigation menu), go into system settings, and find wireless LAN under the interface settings. After that, click on the wireless LAN easy setup and select SSID auto search. It will take a few moments while searching the network. Now, enter your password and hit the okay button.

This Printer comes with a free license from the sawgrass creative studio. It is a web-based software, so you didn’t want to download it on your hard drive. I have used a lot of software, but this is more user-friendly and easy to use than the others. You can also print a lot of free pre-designed templates from here.

Sawgrass Performance Result :

With a small footprint, this machine gives you the most comprehensive color range. The maximum print resolution of this machine is 4880 x 1200 DPI. This machine’s print quality and color precision are excellent, but I feel a little greenish tone while printing the yellow color. I have tested this Printer on different types of designs, and I found that the average printing speed of this machine is 15s (for color).

Pros

  • Top print quality with high color precision
  • Fast Printing Speed
  • Wide Range of Connectivity
  • Free license of Sawgrass Creative Studio
  • Energy EfficientSpecially designed for sublimation
  • Up to 2 years of support and warranty
  • It comes with sublimation ink

Cons

  • All inks cartridges do not have the same expiry date
  • Not suitable for wide-format printing
Bottom Line:

This Printer is specially designed for sublimation and comes with high-quality sublimation ink cartridges. Access to the sawgrass creative studio is included with the purchase of this Printer. The expert color management software is straightforward to use, and it is specially designed for sublimation printing. This is an excellent option for creating polyester and cotton designs. Also, it works excellent with vinyl cutters that have arms features. Just leave the machine plugged in. Once you put ink inside, it’ll take care of itself as long as it’s plugged in and powered on.

4: Epson SureColor F170-Best Sublimation Printer for Heat Transfer

Epson SureColor F170 Printer

The Epson SureColor F170 is ideal for retail home-based businesses and crafters. This machine can create personalized award plaques, tote bags, drinkware, photo panels, and more. This Printer is an excellent choice for a new and existing business that wants to expand its product offering.

Unboxing:

After placing the order, the Printer was delivered to me in five days. I was expecting the Printer to be packed in a white box with the Epson branding like the other models of this series, but I was surprised to see that it came in a unique cardboard box. After unboxing the Printer, I saw a manual and an instruction book. The Printer has been wrapped in a polythene bag, and styrofoam is added on all sides for additional protection. The ink and power cords were separately packed in a small box.

Physical Appearance and Quality:

With the dimensions of 13.7″ x 13.7″ x 7.4″ ( WxDxH), the design of the device is very space-saving and can increase your workshop space. The machine comes with an auto feeder paper tray and can store up to 150 papers. A 2.4″ color screen and few navigation buttons are also given on a moveable control panel. While testing the Printer, I found the buttons are very smooth, but the color screen is not touch functional.

The ink tank with visible ink levels is also on the front right side of the Printer. A maintenance tank with a hand screw is at the corner of the back. We also have a section on the backside to access the paper jammer. Sometimes we get the paper stuck within the Printer, so we can easily access the stuck paper without opening the whole Printer.

Installing The Sublimation Ink:

On the top of the Printer, there is a lid with handles. Put your fingers under here and snap it back a little bit. Once it snaps back, then it will automatically stay open on its own. Now carefully remove the blue tape securing the print head in place. Open the ink tank cover and lids on the individual ink tanks. Shake the ink bottle ten to fifteen times up and down.

After that, remove the cap from the black ink bottle and place the bottle on the black ink tank inlet. The link will automatically stop flowing when the tank is full. Repeat filling the ink tanks for the magenta, cyan, and yellow. Now close the ink tank cover and the Printer’s top lid.

Turning On and Setting Up the Printer:

Connect the Printer power cord with the power inlet on the backside of the Printer. Now turn on your Printer by pressing the power button for five seconds. Once you have turned on your Printer, the Printer will ask you to select the language. Select the language and press the okay button. Now press and hold the question mark button for several seconds; it will give you more information. Hit the okay button again; the initialization process will start and take 14 minutes. Refrain from interrupting or unplugging the Printer during the first initialization.

Performance Result:

Printing Speed:

The speed of the Printer is good. In our testing, the speed for color print was 1 page per minute, and for black, 6 ppm. The first color print comes out after 70 seconds which is very impressive compared to other sublimation printers.

Color Accuracy:

The color accuracy of this machine is very impressive. At the heart of the Printer is an Epson precision core printhead designed for reliable printing with complete accuracy. Its great accuracy makes it ideal for retail home-based businesses and crafters.

Connectivity:

This machine has several connectivity options. You can easily connect it with USB, ethernet, or with wifi. If you are not in the wifi range, you can also connect it directly. But unfortunately, we can’t connect it with Bluetooth. I have tested all connectivity options and found that direct wifi can transfer the files faster than the other options. It is also very compatible with the latest mac os and Windows computers.

Pros

  • Come with genuine Epson dye sublimation ink
  • Wide range of connectivity
  • Low ink replacement cost
  • Outstanding photo printing quality with full accuracy
  • Up to 1 year of Free customer support
  • Compactable Design

Cons

  • The scanner is not available
  • Bluetooth connectivity is not available
Bottom Line:

The SureColor F170 is the best way to start printing t-shirts, socks, ornaments, mugs, and other sublimation pieces. However, the scanner and the Bluetooth connectivity are not available, but this machine comes with mess-free auto-stop bottles. This ink produces vibrant colors and features the oeko-tex and eco passport certification. The health and safety of the users who wear the end product are critically important, and the F170 is the only ink in the desktop dye sublimation market with Stringent global certification.

5: Brother MFC-J995DW INKvestment-Best Sublimation Machine

Brother MFC-J995DW INKvestment Printer

The Brother MFC-J995 DW INKvestment is the best wide format 13 x 19 sublimation machine in the market. The unique feature of this Printer is the inkvestment tank system; this means that the ink cartridges are re-engineered to hold more ink and work with an internal ink storage tank that helps deliver uninterrupted printing. The Brother intelligence page gauge displays the amount of ink you have used and the remaining ink. It also has versatile connectivity and mobile printing options.

Unboxing :

The Printer comes in a beautiful and colorful white box. The photo of the Printer, model number, and some highlighted features was printed on the box. After unboxing it, I saw the ink cartridges were separately packed in a cardboard box. Below the ink cartridges, the Printer is nicely wrapped in a polythene bag.

A manual and safety book is also provided with the Printer. To avoid damage while shipment, styrofoam is added on both sides of the machine. I was very impressed with the overall packaging.

Physical Appearance and Quality:

Starting from the top, we have a color flatbed scanner that can scan and copy the document up to 8.5 x 11.7. Next to this, there is an automatic document feeder for scanning and copying up to 20 sheets. Below the scanner is a cover for maintenance and clearing jams; the ethernet and USB ports are also given here.

A paper tray on the front side of the Printer can store 150 legal-sized papers. On the left is a location for USB and memory card slots for printing directly from the media of your choice. We have a 2.7-inch color touch screen with three buttons. The screen is small, but it’s very functional and responsive. On the backside of the paper, there is another paper path cover for clearing the jams and a manual document feed slot for influential papers.

Unfortunately, the power cable is not removable. The exciting thing about the touch screen is that this display will inform you of the number of pages you can still print per cartridge.

Installation and connectivity:

The ink cartridges that come with the Printer are newer style. This is the first time I have seen this. It looks very efficient, but we can’t use it for sublimation. We need to purchase new ink cartridges specially designed for sublimation purposes. To the front right side, there is a space where you can install the ink cartridges. Before you install the ink cartridges, you need to shake them 15 times before inserting them into the machine. After inserting the ink cartridges, now hit the okay button from the screen; preparing the ink will take 7 minutes.

While preparing the ink, you can proceed with the initial Setup. You can connect the Printer with ethernet or wifi directly. The Printer has NFC connectivity features. You can also print the documents directly from a USB or SD. I have tested all connectivity features and found that the NFC is straightforward to connect and has excellent speed.

Performance Result:

Photo printing quality:

The overall printing quality of this machine is good. I tested it on different types of pictures and vector art, and it did exactly what I was expecting. All colors were very vibrant, and the accuracy was incredible.

Printing Speed:

The printing speed of this machine is not very good, but it is speedy compared to the other models of this series. In my testing, the speed for the color document was 10 ppm, while the photo print took almost 49 seconds to come out.

Display Screen:

Although the display screen size is small, it has excellent visibility and viewing angles. This is where the magic happens; you can find all the settings and functions here.

Pros

  • Versatile paper handling.
  • Automatic document feeder
  • Great printing quality
  • NFC one-touch connection
  • Wireless mobile device printing
  • Adjustable up to 150- sheet paper tray

Cons

  • The printing speed is slow
  • Came without a USB cable
  • The scan quality could be more impressive
Bottom Line:

Although the printing speed could be more impressive, the quality and color accuracy of photo sublimation printing is fantastic. This machine does have direct integration with apps like google drive, dropbox, Evernote, and even brothers cloud apps. So you can print directly with the apps. The ink cartridges last so long as compared to the Epson printers. Moreover, you can easily refill the ink tanks due to the unique design of the cartridges. In my testing, the color printing results of this machine are almost the same as Sawgrass SG 500.

6: Epson ECO TANK ET 2720-Cheap Sublimation Printer

Epson ECO TANK ET 2720 Printer

The Epson Ecotank ET2720 is an innovative super tank printer that eliminates the hassle of cartridges and allows you to print a wide range of colors on sublimation paper. This machine is very economical and can save up to 90% of ink vs ink cartridges. I noticed that this Printer delivers 15 times more pages than ink cartridges. The ET 2720 provides convenient wireless connectivity through your tablet or laptop.

Unboxing:

The Printer comes In a blue and white box. After revealing the box, I found a CD-ROM, a Power cord, four same-size ink bottles, and an instruction book on how to set up the Printer. The next thing I saw was the Epson Ecotank ET 2720 printer. It was wrapped well. Styrofoam was added on both sides. All ink bottles have been wrapped in a polythene bag to avoid leakage during the shipment. The Printer is very lightweight and compact in design. Overall the packaging was excellent.

Physical Appearance and Quality:

The dimensions of this Printer while printing are 14.8″ x 22.8″ x 10.0″ (H x D x W). And for storage, the dimensions are 13.7″ x 13.7″ x 7.0″ (H x D x W), which makes it very compactable in the design. On the front is a control panel with a 1.5″ color screen and a few buttons around the display.

The display console can tilt up and down, so you can quickly fix it according to your position to get good visibility. Unfortunately, there is no touch display, but the buttons can help you to control the Printer. Next to this, there is a visible ink tank. You can easily refill the high-capacity ink tanks by yourself. On the top of the machine is a color flatbed scanner that can scan up to 1200 x 2400 dpi. Both input and output trays are given on the front side of the Printer.

The capacity of the Input paper tray Is 100 papers, while the output can only hold 30 papers at a time. There is a space under the control panel to get the paper jams. But I found that more space is needed if you have big hands. Overall, the Printer is built with hard plastic and looks a little modern.

Setting the Printer for sublimation:

You need to purchase the sublimation ink separately because the ink that comes with the Printer is not for sublimation. Open the cap of the ink tank and insert the ink bottle in it individually. While filling the ink, I noticed that we could fill the black and cyan ink simultaneously because the Printer has enough space and can hold both bottles simultaneously. Please only squeeze the ink bottles while filling in the Printer; ink flows into the tank and stops automatically when the tank is full.

Now remove the ink bottle and secure it closed with the cap back on it. Please do not leave the ink bottles inserted; otherwise, the bottles may be damaged or cause a leak; after that, insert the power cord in the slot given on the back of the machine and hit the power button to turn it on. Press and hold the power button for five seconds, and the initialization process will start automatically. I noticed the time; it took almost 10 minutes at first initialization.

Performance Result:

Printing Quality:

This machine uses MicroPiezo drop-on-demand inkjet technology, and the print quality is fantastic. You can easily print borderless photo prints up to 4″ x 6″. I tested this Printer on several pictures, including vector art, and found that the color accuracy was outstanding.

Printing Speed:

The printing speed of this printing could be more impressive, but it is okay. In my testing, the speed for color print was 5ppm, and photo print took 87s to come out. The printing speed for black was 7ppm while the first Page Out Time( Black only) was 13s which is more excellent than most printers.

Connectivity:

This machine has a wide range of connectivity options. You can easily connect it with a USB or a mobile. Unfortunately, ethernet connectivity is unavailable in this Printer, thanks to the Epson I print mobile app. You can use it on both android and ios. Voice-activated printing is also available, so you can ask Alexa to print the documents. I have tested all connectivity options and found that mobile connectivity is the best and easiest way to connect with the Printer.

Pros

  • The printing quality is fantastic
  • Cheap and affordable
  • Easy wireless connectivity
  • Great color accuracy
  • Compact space-saving design
  • Borderless printing

Cons

  • Duplex printing is not available
  • The printing speed is low
  • Ethernet connectivity is not available
Bottom Line:

The Epson Ecotank ET 2720 is a Multifunction printer. The design of this machine is very compact and modern. It comes with the power cord but doesn’t come with the USB cable. The display screen is small but touch-sensitive and easy to manage. While the printing speed of this Printer is not exceptional, the color accuracy is excellent. Moreover, it is very economical and user-friendly as compared to its predecessors. If you are running a small retail or print-on-demand business, this is the best machine for you.

7: Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000-Best Wide Format Sublimation Printer

Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Printer

The Expression Photo HD XP-15000 wide format printer by Epson is the ideal photo printer for those who want their print to match their creative vision. It can easily print brilliant professional-quality borderless print up to 13 x 19, which makes it the best wide format sublimation printer in the market. It gives you exceptional tone and color with its six-color individual ink cartridges. Its compact design makes it the perfect Printer for any creative area at home.

Unboxing:

The packaging of this Printer is slightly different than the Epson printers. Inside the box, we have a huge bag. Inside it is a little bag for cartridge caps, a software disc, a manual, and a cleaning sheet for the Printer. The Printer came up with six ink cartridges (C, M, Y, K, GY, R). The disc tray is also provided so you can print on CDS or DVDs with this Printer. I noticed that this Printer doesn’t come with the USB cable, so you would have to purchase that separately if you want to use it directly with the USB. Next, the Printer is nicely packed in a polythene sheet, and styrofoam is added on all sides for more safety.

Printer Overview:

The dimensions of this machine while printing are 18.7″ x 30.9″ x 16.2″ (H x D x W). This Printer’s design is very compact compared to the old model of this series. The Printer is lightweight, but the Epson didn’t compromise the quality. On the front side of the Printer is a control panel with a 2.4-inch color LCD and a few buttons. I have noticed that the color screen is not touched sensitive, but we can easily control the Printer through buttons.

The paper trays are located below the control panel and are easily accessible. The quality of the paper cassettes is fantastic, and the input paper tray can store 200 sheets of paper. If you want to store more papers, then a 50 sheets specialty paper tray is also given on the rear side of the machine. Overall the design and the look of the Printer are marvellous.

Installation:

Lift the top cover and see the ink cartridges area here. Before inserting the ink, slightly move the cartridges to the left. I noticed that this carriage sits in an odd direction compared to most printers. You need to purchase the sublimation ink separately because the ink that comes with the Printer is not for sublimation. Take the ink cartridge cap off, insert it in the cartridges area, and then push it where it says push and snap into place.

Repeat the process for all the ink cartridges and close the cover. Next, plug the power cable on the back of the Printer and press the power button for several seconds. It will ask you to select the language. After that, the initialization process will start automatically, taking almost 5 minutes. Now the Printer is ready for the sublimation, but I suggest you do some horizontal and vertical alignment tests before printing on the sublimation paper.

Performance Result:

Printing Speed:

The speed of this Printer is incredible. I tested it on several types of pictures, including vector art and found that the average speed for the color print is 27s. The size of paper that I used in this test was 4″ x 6″.

Printing Quality:

This Printer’s quality is excellent compared to the other printers I have tested so far. All colors were vibrant because this Printer uses 6 colors ink cartridges, allowing it to produce high-quality prints with complete accuracy. If you want high-quality prints, I recommend you disable high-speed printing (from the default setting).

Connectivity:

This machine offers an extensive range of connectivity options. You can connect it with a USB cable or with the ethernet. But if you prefer the wireless options, the wifi connectivity option is also available in this Printer. You can directly print it from the mobile by downloading the Epson IPrint app (available on both Ios and Android). I have used all these connectivity options, and printing from mobile is a straightforward and reliable way, but the speed could be much faster than ethernet connectivity.

Pros

  • Professional photo quality
  • Borderless wide format printing
  • Fast and reliable connectivity options
  • Easy to set up for sublimation
  • Fast speed

Cons

  • The screen is not touch-sensitive
  • Bluetooth connectivity is not available
Bottom Line:

The printing quality of this machine is fantastic. This machine is a bit plasticky but keeps its low cost and lightweight. You can use 13 x 19 paper which is a nice size. But this is not an all-in-one Printer. I have used this machine for several weeks, and I found that the printing speed of this machine is plodding on the document/presentation. Unfortunately, the color screen is not touch-sensitive, but you can easily control it with the available buttons. This is the best option if you are looking for the best wide-format sublimation printer.

8: Canon Selphy CP1300-Small Sublimation Printer

Canon Selphy CP1300 Printer

The canon selphy cp 1300 is an upgraded version of the cp 1200. The overall print quality of this machine is outstanding. I tested it on almost twenty pictures and found great results. It is very compatible in size. This Printer uses dye sublimation ink that dries instantly and provides fantastic quality. The superb print quality and the affordable price of this machine make it the best cheap sublimation printer in the market.

Unboxing:

This Printer comes in a very decent color full box. After opening the box, I saw two sections: one for the Printer and the other for the accessories. Inside the first box, we have the Printer and a paper tray with some papers for testing. The Printer is nicely wrapped in a bubble poly bag to avoid damage during transit. The second box has a power charger & battery charger, and ink cartridge. Some instruction books also came with the machine. This is a fantastic thing about cannons because they include everything in the box, so you can quickly start the printing as soon as you get it.

Physical Appearance and Quality:

The dimensions of this Printer are 5.4″ x 7.1″ x 2.5″ (H x D x W). On the top of the Printer, we have a 3.2″ color TFT screen, which is slightly oversized as compared to its older versions. Unfortunately, the screen is not touch-sensitive, but the buttons are available on the control panel. On the left side of the Printer is a slot for ink cartridges.

To the front, we have a place to put the paper tray. Next is a slot for an sd card so you can print directly without any external connectivity. A replaceable battery is also given for wireless printing on the Printer’s back side. The battery needs to be given with the Printer. It is optional; if you want, you can purchase it separately. Most parts of this Printer are designed with hard plastic, and the quality is fantastic.

Setting the Printer for sublimation:

The installation process of this Printer is straightforward. Open the lid of the ink slot and insert the ink cartridges. Now put the paper tray on the front of the machine and hit the power button. You must use the directional button here; sadly, the screen is not touch-sensitive. There are multiple connectivity options; you can connect the Printer with a USB cable, but if you don’t want to use a wire connection, you can use wireless connectivity options such as WIFI and Bluetooth.

You can also use the memory card for printing. But disconnect all devices before inserting the memory card. The print options are given inside the set, which allows us to select the print options like 2×4 inch printing, 2-up fixed size print, index print, etc. The Printer only has startup ink cartridges, so we need to purchase the ink separately for sublimation.

Performance Result:

Print Quality:

While the printer size is very compatible compared to the other sublimation printers, the cannon kept the print quality intact. I have tested this machine on several types of photos, and I found outstanding results. All colors were vibrant with full-color accuracy.

Printing speed:

I have tested this machine on various sizes of pictures with different color schemes, and I found that the printing speed of this machine Is one page per minute, which is very good compared to the size of the Printer.

Easy to set up:

The Setup of this Printer is straightforward and takes almost a few minutes in the initial Setup—no need to waste a long time in setting up the Printer. Just Install the ink in the slot, and it is ready for print.

Pros

  • Compatible and light weighted
  • Fast lab quality prints
  • Wide range of color schemes
  • Large 8.1 cm tilt-up screen
  • Easily transportable
  • Fast printing speed

Cons

  • A USB cable is not included in the box
  • The LCD is not touch-sensitive
Bottom line:

The print quality of this machine is good, and it comes with a wide range of connectivity options, but it is not suitable for wide-format printing. This Printer is the best option if you are entering the sublimation business and looking for a cheaper option. It is very user-friendly and easy to maintain. The operating cost of canon selphy cp 1300 is also meager compared to the other Printer I reviewed.

9: HP OfficeJet Pro 9025-Best Sublimation Printer for Cricut

HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 Printer

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 is an intelligent printer for high-volume sublimation tasks. It is designed to save you time with the freedom to work anywhere. I have tested the connectivity, and I found that this machine offers maximum connectivity allowing users to print directly from their devices using mobile apps such as Apple I print and Mopria Alliance, and it’s compatible with both windows and IOS. So, if you are looking for a compact, productive and affordable sublimation printer for Cricut, this machine is the perfect solution for your business.

Unboxing:

After purchasing it from Amazon, the Printer comes within five days. This machine was packed in a white cardboard box with the HP branding. All features of the Printer were decently printed on the printer box as an infographic. After tearing the box seal, I first saw a manual for quick Setup, a reference guide, and a set of posters. Next to this, the ink cartridges are decently loaded in a rigid cardboard box.

The Printer is nicely packed in a polythene bag, and styrofoam is added on all sides to avoid damage during transit. While lifting the Printer, the machine is weighty compared to its size. Overall, I am very impressed with the packaging.

Physical Appearance and Quality:

The dimensions of this machine are 12.53″ x 17.2″ x 15.6″ (H x D x W). With a weight of 11.6 Kg, this Printer is half in mass as compared to Epson Workforce WF 7720, and it is almost 39% smaller than its predecessor. We have a 3″ touch-sensitive color screen on the front side. While using it, I found that it is very responsive and functional. The power button is located right in the top corner. Input and output trays are given on the front side of the machine. The paper feeder is also available on the front side.

If you pull down the front panel, then this is the place where we can install the inks. There is a power cable slot on the back side of the Printer. Next to this, there is a little compartment for paper jams removal. All connection ports are available in the corner of the Printer. On the top of the machine, we have a scanner that can do automatic two-sided print, copy and scan. The Printer is built with hard plastic, and the overall quality is impressive.

Ink Installation and Setup:

First, open up the cartridge’s access door to install the cartridges. You need to purchase the ink separately for sublimation because this Printer doesn’t come with the sublimation ink. Now push your ink one by one in the cartridge slot until it snaps. Close the cartridge access door and load the paper into the bottom tray cassette.

The box has no CD, so we need to do the Setup manually. The initialization process takes almost 7 to 10 minutes. You can connect the Printer with the ethernet, but this is also available for a wireless option. Connect it with a mobile app because it is an easy and effective method to get printed fast. Now you can do some alignment tests.

Performance Results:

Printing Speed:

I have tested this Printer on different sizes of paper, and I found that the printing speed of this machine is 24 pages per minute for black. And the color print takes almost 8 seconds to come out. We can also do duplex printing with this Printer.

Printing Quality and Accuracy:

The printing quality of this Printer is decent. All colors were very vibrant with excellent details. While printing with the fast mode, I feel a gray tone in some images. If you don’t want to compromise the quality of prints, don’t use the fast printing mode. Overall the printing quality is impressive.

Scanner:

This Printer comes with an 8.5″ x 11″ scanner, which can do duplex scanning up to 1,200 DPI. The automatic document feeder is also available. I have tested the ADF and found that It can drop the scanning resolution up to 300 DPI. I recommend you do scanning without ADF if you want high-quality results.

Pros

  • Best all-in-one Printer with all possible features
  • High-quality prints
  • Fast speed
  • A touchscreen is available
  • Self-healing wifi

Cons

  • Make some noises while printing
  • Heavy Printer
  • Bluetooth connectivity is not available.
Bottom Line:

This Printer is designed to save time on printing and is quicker than many other printers. It has enhanced security reliability for your wifi connections. With a wide range of connectivity options, this machine can easily control using its 3″ touch-sensitive screen and the print quality is good, but it makes a little noise while printing borderless prints.

10: Epson EcoTank ET-4760-Good Sublimation Printer

Epson EcoTank ET-4760 Printer

The Epson EcoTank ET-4760 is a voice-activated printer offering various connectivity options, including wifi and ethernet. It comes with a refillable ink bottle. This machine uses precision core technology, making it a good commercial sublimation printer.

Unboxing:

After placing the order and waiting five days, I finally received it. The Printer comes in a white cardboard board box with the Epson branding on it. The packaging of this Printer is the same as other Epson printers. The Printer comes wrapped in a plastic bag. I have noticed that the ink bottles that come with this Printer are nicely packed in styrofoam to avoid leakage during the shipment.

A power cord and a manual also came with this machine. However, there is no disc for installation, but we can get all the software online. This machine comes with a removable three-pin power cord so you can replace it quickly in case of any damage.

Physical Appearance:

The Printer itself is a little small. I am surprised about how compact it is. The dimensions of this machine are 16.4″ x 19.8″ x 10.” (H x D x W), and the weight is 15.0 lb. To the front, we have a 2.3″ display screen, which is touch sensitive. The screen size is small, but I found it responsive and functional. There are two buttons available on the control panel. We can tilt up and down the control panel to get good visibility according to our position. Next to this, we have visible ink tanks.

To the rear side of the Printer, we have a compartment to access the paper jams. Both input and output cassettes are given on the front side of the Printer. The capacity of the input paper tray is 250 pieces of paper. This is the only Printer in the Epson eco tank series that can fax. On the top, we have a scanner that can do automatic duplex scanning. In our testing, the speed of the scanner is 4 pages per minute. Overall the design and the physical appearance of this Printer are very modern.

Ink installation and Setup for sublimation:

Remove all of the ink bottles from the packages. To access the ink tanks you need to lift up the scanner flatbed. Now open the ink tank cap and insert the ink bottle into the filling tank. Wait for the ink to fill the tank. The ink flows into the tank and will stop automatically when the ink is filled to the upper line. Repeat the process for all ink bottles.

Do not squeeze or shake the ink bottle after its cap is removed. I noticed the time, and this entire process took only five minutes. Now plug the power cord into the back of the Printer and push the on button. It will ask you to enter information like the date, language, etc. After this, now press and hold the help button for several seconds and confirm the ink tanks are filled with the ink.

Now the initialization process will start and this takes about ten minutes. Don’t turn off the Printer during this period. After this process, the Printer is ready for Printing. But I will prefer you to do some print head alignment tests.

Performance Results:

Connectivity:

It offers an extensive range of connectivity options. The USB and ethernet options are available if you want to connect them with a wire. However, if you prefer the wireless options, then wifi and Epson Iprint app are also available. I have tested almost all the ways and found that the Epson Iprint connectivity is the most effective and easy to get fast prints. Unfortunately, Bluetooth and external storage options are not available in it.

Print Quality:

The print quality of this machine is very satisfactory. The maximum print resolution of this machine is 4800 x 1200 dpi. While doing duplex color printing I felt a little blue tone in the gray color. If you want the best results, I suggest you don’t use duplex printing. Overall I am very happy with the results.

Printing Speed:

It has a good printing speed as compared to its predecessor. For color, it takes almost 8s to print an A4 size picture. And the black-only text document took 4s to come out.

Pros

  • Excellent print quality
  • Ultimate connectivity options
  • Space-saving design
  • Touch-sensitive display screen
  • Cartridge free printing

Cons

  • External storage options are not available
  • Color accuracy is not very good during duplex printing
Bottom Line:

Epson EcoTank ET-4760 comes with a vast range of connectivity options. The color accuracy and details are incredible on sublimation printers. With a 2.3″ color-sensitive touch screen, it is straightforward to control this machine. On the downside, I found that the color accuracy and quality were not good on duplex printing. However, If you are using it for sublimation printing, then there is no need to use duplex printing.

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