10 Best Sublimation Printer 2025 in the United States

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is a versatile all-in-one printer that excels in producing vibrant, lab-quality photos, making it a great choice for photographers, artists, and anyone interested in high-quality printing. One of its standout features is its cartridge-free printing system, utilizing high-capacity ink bottles that can significantly reduce printing costs—up to 80% savings compared to traditional ink cartridges. This printer also supports a variety of media sizes, including borderless prints up to 13" x 19", which is fantastic for creative projects and professional prints.

In terms of performance, it offers a decent print speed of up to 12 pages per minute for color prints, and it’s equipped with a user-friendly 4.3-inch touchscreen for easy navigation. The wireless connectivity options allow for mobile printing, which is a convenient feature for users who operate from multiple devices.

There are some drawbacks to consider. While the initial investment can be appealing due to the low cost of ink, the printer itself is relatively bulky and weighs 24.5 pounds, which may not be ideal for those with limited space. Additionally, the recommendation to use only genuine Epson inks could deter users looking for more economical alternatives. The printer also has a memory capacity of only 64 MB, which may limit its functionality for more extensive print jobs. If you’re looking for a sublimation printer that balances quality with cost-efficiency, the ET-8550 is a solid choice, particularly for home use or small businesses focused on photo printing. Just keep in mind its size and ink restrictions when making your decision.

The Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer is designed to deliver exceptional print quality thanks to its PrecisionCore printhead and Epson’s well-regarded dye-sublimation inks. With a maximum resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, this printer ensures your prints have vibrant colors and sharp details, making it an excellent choice for businesses involved in customization, promotional products, and personalized gifts.

The included 150-sheet auto-feed tray and closed media tray help keep your prints clean and reduce prep time, which adds efficiency to your workflow. Additionally, the high-capacity ink bottles with auto-stop provide an economical solution by minimizing ink wastage and reducing the frequency of replacements, which is beneficial for cost management in a business setting. The printer supports various connectivity options, including wireless, USB, and Ethernet, enhancing its compatibility with laptops, PCs, tablets, and smartphones. This makes it easy to integrate into different working environments and use remotely.

However, the print speed is quite slow at 1 page per minute for both monochrome and color prints, which might not be suitable for high-volume printing needs. There's also a significant limitation regarding the return policy once the inks are loaded, as they can't be returned due to potential ink leakage during transport. This could be a concern if the printer faces any issues after initial setup. The printer only offers simplex (single-sided) printing and lacks dual-sided capabilities, which may be a drawback for those looking to save on paper. The Epson SureColor F170 is well-suited for small to mid-sized businesses looking for high-quality sublimation printing with versatile media support and efficient ink usage.

The Brother Sublimation Printer is a compact and user-friendly option designed for those interested in DIY sublimation printing projects on fabrics and glossy photo paper. It offers a respectable maximum color print resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi, which ensures sharp and vibrant prints suitable for personal or small-scale creative work. One of its strengths is the fast printing speed, with color prints completed in about 45 seconds per sheet, helping you quickly finish your custom designs. The printer supports standard 8.5 x 11 inch media size, which works well for typical sublimation sheets but may limit larger projects.

Its 4-color CMYK dye sublimation ink system comes bundled with extra ink cartridges, providing good value and convenience for beginners. Connectivity is mainly through Wi-Fi and USB, allowing easy connection to iOS devices via the free Artspira app. This app is a standout feature, offering access to over 100 sublimation designs and creative tools to help users design and print directly from their phones or tablets. The printer is print-only with no scanning or copying features, and it lacks duplex (double-sided) printing.

Maintenance details are minimal, but being a dye sublimation printer, some care is needed to keep the print heads clean and ink flowing properly. Additionally, a separate heat press is necessary to complete sublimation transfers, which is not included. This printer serves as a solid choice for hobbyists and small business owners who want an accessible and creative sublimation solution without complex setup, though those needing larger format printing or faster production might look elsewhere.