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10 Best Sublimation Inks 2026 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Sawgrass SubliJet UHD Sublimation Ink Cartridge - Black - High-Performance Ink SG500 SG1000 Sublimation Printers - Long-Lasting, High-Viscosity Gel Ink for Vibrant, Crisp Prints

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,336
Color Quality
Compatibility
Durability

Most important from
187 reviews

Color Quality
This ink consistently delivers high-quality results, maintaining sharpness and vividness in prints.
Compatibility
The cartridges arrive fresh with a long expiration date, ensuring consistent quality over time.
Durability
The ink demonstrates excellent longevity, making it ideal for sublimation projects that require durable prints.

The Sawgrass SubliJet UHD Sublimation Ink Cartridge in black is a solid choice if you own a Sawgrass SG500 or SG1000 printer, as it’s specifically designed for these models, ensuring smooth compatibility. This ink uses a gel-based formula that helps reduce clogging and keeps ink flow steady, which means fewer interruptions during printing. Its black color is deep and vivid, delivering sharp text and detailed images with good fade resistance, which is important for keeping your prints looking fresh over time. Because it is water-based and solvent-free, this ink is safer to handle and is made in small batches in the USA with quality control, so you can expect consistent color quality. It works well on polyester fabrics and hard surfaces like mugs and tumblers, covering a range of sublimation projects.

The product details don’t specify drying time, which can be important if you need to handle prints quickly after production. While the ink is described as long-lasting and high-viscosity, it’s specifically optimized for Sawgrass printers, so it may not perform as well in other machines. If you’re using a Sawgrass SG500 or SG1000 printer and want reliable, high-quality black sublimation ink that produces vibrant, durable prints on various substrates, this cartridge is a fitting option.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,336
Color Quality
Compatibility
Durability

Most important from
187 reviews

Color Quality
This ink consistently delivers high-quality results, maintaining sharpness and vividness in prints.
Compatibility
The cartridges arrive fresh with a long expiration date, ensuring consistent quality over time.
Durability
The ink demonstrates excellent longevity, making it ideal for sublimation projects that require durable prints.
#2

Hiipoo Sublimation Ink 522 Refilled Bottles Work with ET-2720 ET-2760 ET-2800 ET-15000 ET-2803 ET-2850 ET-3760 ET-4800 ET-4760 Inkjet Printer Heat Press Transfer on Mugs T-Shirts Pillows Phone Case

Rating
9.7
Color Quality
Compatibility
Ease of Use

Most important from
1328 reviews

Color Quality
This ink sublimates effortlessly onto poly blend items, producing bright, vivid transfers every time.
Compatibility
Using Hippo Ink in my Epson printer has been a breeze; it flows smoothly and doesn’t clog the printer.
Ease of Use
Refilling is mess-free and setup is easy with these high-quality ink bottles.

The Hiipoo Sublimation Ink 522 is an excellent choice for those using specific inkjet printers like the ET-2720, ET-2760, and others listed in the product brief. One of its standout features is the high color quality, producing bright and vivid prints that are fast-drying, waterproof, and resistant to fading. This ink is especially beneficial for creative projects such as customizing mugs, t-shirts, pillows, and phone cases.

The ink is designed to be ICC-free, which simplifies the printing process without compromising on quality. The syringe-free refilling system is another user-friendly feature, making it easy to refill without mess or spills. This can greatly save time and reduce cleaning efforts. Compatibility is broad but limited to specific models, so it’s important to check if your printer is supported. Durability seems strong, with the ink holding up well over time and through various uses.

On the downside, it’s worth noting that the ink works best with fabrics containing less than 30% cotton, limiting its use on certain materials. If you are looking for high-quality sublimation ink that is easy to use and offers excellent color and durability for a variety of creative projects, Hiipoo Sublimation Ink 522 is a strong contender.

Rating
9.7
Color Quality
Compatibility
Ease of Use

Most important from
1328 reviews

Color Quality
This ink sublimates effortlessly onto poly blend items, producing bright, vivid transfers every time.
Compatibility
Using Hippo Ink in my Epson printer has been a breeze; it flows smoothly and doesn’t clog the printer.
Ease of Use
Refilling is mess-free and setup is easy with these high-quality ink bottles.
#3

Hiipoo 600ML Sublimation Ink for ET-8500 ET-8550 Wide-Format Supertank Printers Heat Press Transfer on T-Shirt Tumblers (6x100ML, BK PB C M Y GY)

Rating
8.5
Color Quality
Durability
Ease of Use

Most important from
834 reviews

Color Quality
Guaranteed bright and vivid images, especially when paired with good quality sublimation paper.
Durability
Colors remain vibrant even after washing, ensuring long-lasting prints.
Ease of Use
Refill bottles are designed to empty easily, minimizing waste and making the process user-friendly.

The Hiipoo 600ML Sublimation Ink is tailored for use with EcoTank Supertank ET-8500 and ET-8550 printers. It stands out for its vibrant and intense color quality, which is crucial for projects requiring eye-catching and lasting prints. The ink is specifically designed for dye sublimation, ensuring smooth application and no print-head clogs, which is a big plus for frequent users.

Compatible with a wide range of DIY and custom print media such as T-shirts, mugs, and pillowcases, it offers versatility for creative projects. However, it's important to note that sublimation ink is not suitable for fabrics with more than 30% cotton, which limits its use on certain textiles. With certifications like ISO-9001 and MSDS, the ink meets high-quality standards, promising durability and reliability.

The included six 100ml ink bottles (black, photo black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and gray) make refilling easy and eco-friendly, adding to user convenience. One potential drawback is the drying time, common with sublimation inks, which might require careful handling to prevent smudging. Users looking for high-quality, vibrant sublimation inks for their EcoTank printers, especially those engaging in a variety of custom printing projects, will find the Hiipoo 600ML Sublimation Ink to be a strong contender.

Rating
8.5
Color Quality
Durability
Ease of Use

Most important from
834 reviews

Color Quality
Guaranteed bright and vivid images, especially when paired with good quality sublimation paper.
Durability
Colors remain vibrant even after washing, ensuring long-lasting prints.
Ease of Use
Refill bottles are designed to empty easily, minimizing waste and making the process user-friendly.

Buying Guide for the Best Sublimation Inks

When choosing sublimation inks, it's important to understand that these inks are specifically designed for sublimation printing, a process that uses heat to transfer dye onto materials such as fabric, metal, or plastic. The right sublimation ink can significantly impact the quality, vibrancy, and durability of your prints. To make an informed decision, you need to consider several key specifications that will help you find the best fit for your needs. Here are the main specs to look at and how to navigate them.
Color QualityColor quality refers to the vibrancy and accuracy of the colors produced by the ink. This is important because high-quality inks will produce more vivid and true-to-life colors, which is crucial for professional printing. Inks with high color quality will have a wide color gamut, meaning they can produce a broad range of colors. If you need your prints to be highly detailed and colorful, look for inks that are known for their superior color quality.
CompatibilityCompatibility refers to whether the ink can be used with your specific printer model and the materials you plan to print on. This is crucial because using incompatible inks can lead to poor print quality or even damage your printer. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for your printer and ensure the ink is suitable for the substrates you will be using, such as polyester fabrics or coated ceramics. If you are using a specific brand of printer, it is often best to use inks recommended by that brand.
DurabilityDurability refers to how well the printed images withstand washing, exposure to sunlight, and general wear and tear. This is important for ensuring that your prints remain vibrant and intact over time. Inks with high durability will resist fading and washing out, making them ideal for items that will be frequently used or exposed to the elements. If you are printing on items like clothing or outdoor signage, prioritize inks that are known for their durability.
Drying TimeDrying time is the amount of time it takes for the ink to dry after printing. This is important because faster drying times can increase your productivity and reduce the risk of smudging. Inks with shorter drying times are ideal for high-volume printing environments where efficiency is key. If you need to produce a large number of prints quickly, look for inks that are known for their fast drying times.
Ease of UseEase of use refers to how simple it is to work with the ink, including aspects like how easy it is to load into the printer and how well it flows during printing. This is important because inks that are difficult to use can lead to frustration and wasted materials. Look for inks that come with clear instructions and are known for their smooth operation. If you are new to sublimation printing, choose inks that are user-friendly and have good customer support.

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