Buyer's Guide · 2026
Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners
Your printer is the single most important investment in your sublimation setup. Choose wrong and you'll waste money, time, and ink. This guide compares the 4 best options for beginners in 2026 — with real costs, not marketing hype.
Quick Comparison
| # | Printer | Price | Max Size | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Epson EcoTank ET-2800 (Converted) | $230–$280 (printer + sublimation ink) | 8.5" × 11" | Best Budget Pick |
| 2 | Sawgrass SG500 | $500–$600 (printer + starter ink) | 8.5" × 14" | Best Plug-and-Play |
| 3 | Epson EcoTank ET-15000 (Converted) | $450–$550 (printer + sublimation ink) | 13" × 19" | Best for Large Formats |
| 4 | Epson F170 | $400–$500 | 8.5" × 14" | Epson's Official Sub Printer |
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 (Converted)
Best Budget PickPrice: $230–$280 (printer + sublimation ink)
Max Print Size: 8.5" × 11"
Ink: Refillable tanks (convert with Hiipoo/Cosmos sub ink)
ICC Profile: Use Hiipoo or Cosmos ICC profiles for accurate color
The ET-2800 is the go-to recommendation in every sublimation Facebook group and subreddit. The conversion process takes about 30 minutes: run cleaning cycles to flush factory ink, install sublimation ink, and set up ICC profiles. Once converted, do NOT switch back to regular ink.
Pros
- ✓ Most affordable entry point — under $300 total
- ✓ EcoTank refillable system = very low ink cost per print
- ✓ Massive community and YouTube tutorial support
- ✓ Works with all sublimation paper brands
- ✓ Can print vivid colors with proper ICC profiles
Cons
- ✗ Requires manual conversion — factory ink must be purged
- ✗ Max 8.5×11" without tiling (fine for mugs, shirts, small items)
- ✗ Not a dedicated sublimation printer — no warranty for sub use
- ✗ ICC profile setup can be confusing for absolute beginners
Sawgrass SG500
Best Plug-and-PlayPrice: $500–$600 (printer + starter ink)
Max Print Size: 8.5" × 14"
Ink: Proprietary SubliJet-UHD cartridges
ICC Profile: Built-in — Sawgrass CreativeStudio handles profiles
The SG500 is ideal if you want zero setup hassle and are willing to pay more per print. The total cost of ownership is higher due to proprietary ink, but you get better support, better color out of the box, and a real warranty.
Pros
- ✓ True sublimation printer — no conversion needed
- ✓ Sawgrass CreativeStudio software included (design + color management)
- ✓ Excellent color accuracy out of the box
- ✓ Phone and email support from Sawgrass
- ✓ 1-year warranty covers sublimation use
Cons
- ✗ 2× the price of a converted EcoTank
- ✗ Proprietary ink is expensive ($35–$50/cartridge, lower yield)
- ✗ Can ONLY use Sawgrass ink — no third-party alternatives
- ✗ CreativeStudio has a learning curve despite being 'easy'
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 (Converted)
Best for Large FormatsPrice: $450–$550 (printer + sublimation ink)
Max Print Size: 13" × 19"
Ink: Refillable tanks (convert with sublimation ink)
ICC Profile: Use Hiipoo or Cosmos ICC profiles
If you plan to do all-over print t-shirts, large mouse pads, or full 20oz tumbler wraps without tiling, the ET-15000 is worth the upgrade. Otherwise, start with the ET-2800 and upgrade later.
Pros
- ✓ Prints up to 13×19" — full-wrap tumblers, all-over print shirts, large items
- ✓ EcoTank system keeps per-print costs very low
- ✓ Front and rear paper feed for different media sizes
- ✓ Same community support as ET-2800
Cons
- ✗ Higher upfront cost than ET-2800
- ✗ Larger footprint — needs desk space
- ✗ Same conversion process and ICC setup required
- ✗ Overkill if you only plan to do mugs and small items
Epson F170
Epson's Official Sub PrinterPrice: $400–$500
Max Print Size: 8.5" × 14"
Ink: Epson UltraChrome DS ink (proprietary bottles)
ICC Profile: Included with Epson driver
The F170 is Epson's answer to people who want an official sublimation printer without the Sawgrass price tag. It's a solid middle ground — more expensive than DIY conversion but less expensive than Sawgrass, with Epson's reliability.
Pros
- ✓ Official Epson sublimation printer — no conversion needed
- ✓ Epson warranty covers sublimation use
- ✓ Consistent, reliable output
- ✓ Refillable ink system (not cartridges)
Cons
- ✗ More expensive than a converted ET-2800 for the same print size
- ✗ Epson DS ink costs more than third-party sublimation ink
- ✗ Smaller community compared to EcoTank converters
- ✗ Limited to 8.5×14" prints
Total Startup Cost — Budget Setup
Here's exactly what you need to start sublimation printing from scratch with the most affordable setup:
Prices as of March 2026. The ET-2800 setup is the most popular among beginners in sublimation communities. You can recoup this investment with 30–50 mug sales.
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Generate Sublimation Designs Free →FAQ
Can I use a regular inkjet printer for sublimation?
Only Epson printers with Piezo print heads (EcoTank series) can be converted. HP, Canon, and Brother printers use thermal print heads that destroy sublimation ink. You MUST use an Epson or a dedicated sublimation printer.
What's an ICC profile and do I need one?
An ICC profile is a color translation file that tells your printer how to reproduce accurate colors with sublimation ink. Without it, your prints will look washed out or have wrong colors. Every sublimation ink brand provides free ICC profiles — install the one matching your ink + printer combo.
Should I buy a converted printer or convert it myself?
Converting yourself saves $50–$100 and takes 30 minutes. Pre-converted printers from sellers on Etsy or Amazon cost more but save you the setup. Either way works — just make sure the ink brand and ICC profile match.
How long does sublimation ink last?
Sublimation ink has a shelf life of about 12 months in the bottle, 6 months once installed. The key is to print at least once a week — if the printer sits idle, ink can dry in the print head and cause clogging. Run a nozzle check weekly.
What paper should I use?
A-SUB 125gsm is the most popular sublimation paper. It's affordable, widely available, and compatible with all converted Epson printers. Print on the bright white (coated) side. For premium results, try TexPrint DT Light.