Best Epson Printers for Sublimation: Which One Fits Your Projects? (2026)

Updated: May 11, 2026

The best Epson printers for sublimation are not the same for everyone. A crafter who sublimates mugs and keychains does not need a wide-format printer, and someone printing adult XL shirt transfers will be frustrated with an 8.5×11 printer after the first week.

This guide compares the most common Epson models people use for sublimation, from the budget ET-2800 to the dedicated F170 to the pro-level F570 Pro. Each section explains which projects the printer handles best, what it costs to run, and what problems to watch out for.

If you already know your budget and projects, the quick picker table below gets you to the right answer in seconds.

Quick Picker: Which Epson for Your Projects?

Your Main Projects	Recommended Printer	Why
Mugs, keychains, coasters, ornaments	ET-2800	All small items fit on 8.5×11 paper
Kids shirts, baby onesies, tote bags	ET-2800 or ET-2850	Small/medium transfers fit 8.5×11
Adult shirts (L, XL, XXL), large canvas	ET-15000	Full chest transfers need 13×19
Photo gifts, portraits, realistic images	ET-8500	6-color system for smoother gradients
Office features (scan, fax) on a dedicated sublimation machine	ET-4800	ADF, fax, ethernet on the same machine you dedicate to sublimation
Want zero setup, full Epson warranty	SureColor F170	Dedicated sublimation, no conversion needed
Business with mixed product sizes	ET-2800 + ET-15000	Two printers: one small, one large

Still torn between two models? The project table tells you what fits your blanks; the decision tree below helps you choose based on where you are as a crafter.

Decision Tree: Which Epson Fits Your Stage?

Beyond the project picker above, here is how most sublimation crafters match a printer to where they are in their journey:

Stage	Recommended Epson	Why This One
Beginner / Hobbyist (just learning)	ET-2800 or ET-2803	Lowest entry cost, easy conversion, fits all small projects
Hobby Crafter (selling here and there)	ET-2850 or ET-4800	Color display, auto-duplex, flatbed scanner, optional office features
Side Hustle (consistent Etsy or local sales)	ET-15000 + ET-2800	Wide format for adult shirts plus a small printer for mugs and keychains
Already Own a WF-3820	Convert it carefully	Possible with refillable 822XL cartridges, but less beginner-friendly than EcoTank
Pro / Income Source (this pays the bills)	SureColor F170 (small) or F570 Pro (large)	Full warranty, simpler workflow, fewer surprises during deadlines

Best Epson Printers for Sublimation: All Models Compared

Here are the most common Epson models people use for sublimation, with the specs that matter for sublimation work:

Model	Max Print Size	Colors	Type	Best For
ET-2800 / ET-2803	Up to 8.5″ wide; Letter/Legal, custom up to 47.2″	4 (CMYK)	Converted	Budget, small items
ET-2850	Up to 8.5″ wide; Letter/Legal, custom up to 47.2″	4 (CMYK)	Converted	Upgraded ET-2800, better paper handling
ET-4800	Up to 8.5″ wide; Letter/Legal, custom up to 47.2″	4 (CMYK)	Converted	Home office combo (ADF, fax, ethernet)
WorkForce Pro WF-3820	Up to 8.5″ wide; Letter/Legal	4 (CMYK cartridges)	Converted	Already-owned office crossover
ET-15000	13 x 19″ (rear feed)	4 (CMYK)	Converted	Wide format, adult shirts, canvas
ET-8500	Letter/Legal (borderless up to 8.5 x 11″)	6-color: Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Gray	Converted	Photo quality, niche/advanced
ET-8550	13 x 19″	6-color: Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Gray	Converted	Wide-format photo quality
SureColor F170	8.5″ wide (up to 47.2″ long)	4 (CMYK), 1200 x 600 dpi	Dedicated	No conversion, full warranty
SureColor F570 Pro	Up to 24.4″ wide (rolls + sheets)	4 (CMYK), 2400 x 1200 dpi	Dedicated	Pro/business, large transfers

Every converted EcoTank uses the same basic conversion idea: replacing regular ink with sublimation ink in a brand-new printer. The 4-color models (ET-2800, ET-2850, ET-4800, ET-15000) share a straightforward CMYK workflow, while the 6-color models (ET-8500, ET-8550) have a more specialized color channel layout. The F170 and F570 Pro are dedicated sublimation printers that come with Epson’s own sublimation ink.

Budget Pick: Epson ET-2800 / ET-2803

The ET-2800 is the most common starting point for sublimation beginners, and for many crafters it is the only printer they ever need. Every small sublimation project fits on 8.5×11 paper. A mug wrap is about 9.25 x 3.75 inches. A keychain is 2×3 inches. You can fit multiple small designs on a single sheet.

The ET-2803 is functionally identical to the ET-2800, a retailer-exclusive variant with the same printhead, tank system, and print quality. Whichever is cheaper when you buy is the one to get. For a detailed review, see the ET-2800/ET-2803 review.

Convert from day one. Start with a brand-new printer and fill with sublimation ink before ever using regular ink. The EcoTank conversion guide walks you through the 30-minute process.

Watch out for: The ET-2800 can clog if it sits unused for more than a few days. Print at least 2 times per week. For clog fixes, see our unclog sublimation printer guide.

Choose this if your first projects are mugs, keychains, coasters, ornaments, or small shirt designs.

Slight Upgrade: Epson ET-2850

The ET-2850 prints the same size and quality as the ET-2800 but adds auto-duplex printing, a color display, and a flatbed scanner. For sublimation, it is a modest convenience upgrade over the ET-2800 with a nicer day-to-day user experience.

If you are just starting, the ET-2800 is enough. If you plan to run a sublimation business with regular batch production, the ET-2850 is worth the modest price difference. Note: not available in all markets.

Office Combo: Epson ET-4800

The ET-4800 combines sublimation capability with office features: ADF for scanning/copying, fax, and ethernet. For most sublimation projects, the ET-4800 produces similar 4-color EcoTank-style output to the ET-2800. The real difference is the office hardware: ADF, fax, and ethernet.

If you already have a separate office printer, save money and get the ET-2800. If you want office features (scan, fax, ethernet) on the same machine you dedicate to sublimation, the ET-4800 combines both roles. Keep in mind that once converted, the print side is part of your sublimation workflow, not a normal everyday color printer.

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820: The Office Alternative

If you already own (or are tempted by) an Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820, you do not have to throw it away or pretend it cannot do sublimation. The WF-3820 uses Epson 822/822XL-style cartridges. For sublimation, that usually means buying empty refillable 822XL-compatible cartridges with chips, filling them with sublimation ink, and making sure the printer recognizes the chips. It can work, but it is more fiddly than filling EcoTank tanks.

The WF-3820 is the practical office crossover: 35-page ADF, auto-duplex, fax, and a 250-sheet front tray. After conversion, you treat the printer as a dedicated sublimation device, but the office hardware (scanner, copier, ADF, fax) stays useful for regular paper documents.

Important caveat: if you do not already own a WF-3820 and are buying new strictly for sublimation, an EcoTank like the ET-4800 is usually the easier starter. The cartridge workflow on the WF-3820 has more moving parts than the EcoTank tank system, and Epson firmware updates can cause issues with third-party cartridge chips. The full step-by-step conversion, settings, and a WF-3820 vs ET-4800 decision tree are in the WF-3820 sublimation guide.

Wide Format: Epson ET-15000

When you need adult-size shirt transfers, large canvas prints, or oversized tumbler wraps, the ET-15000 gives you 13×19 inch printing through its rear feed tray. An adult medium shirt transfer needs at least 11×14 inches, which does not fit on 8.5×11 paper.

The ET-15000 also has an ADF, ethernet, and a front tray for standard media. Its larger tray and added office features make it a better fit for higher-volume workflows than the ET-2800.

My tip: many sublimation business owners run two printers, an ET-2800 for small items and an ET-15000 for shirts. This covers every project and keeps both printers active (preventing clogs). The full price comparison is in the cheapest sublimation printers guide.

Choose this when shirt size is your bottleneck, not color quality.

Photo Quality: Epson ET-8500

The ET-8500 is a niche, advanced option for crafters who specifically value tonal smoothness in photo-based sublimation. It is a 6-channel photo printer that Epson designed around a Photo Black/Gray-based ink system. For sublimation conversion, this means a more specialized color workflow than a standard 4-color EcoTank.

Most sublimation projects (bold text, logos, simple graphics) look great from a 4-color printer. The 6-channel advantage shows in photographs, portraits, watercolor art, and subtle gradients where smoother tonal transitions matter.

If you primarily print bold text, logos, and simple graphics, the ET-8500 is overkill. For those designs, a 4-color printer is perfectly fine. The ET-8550 is the wide-format version (13×19) with the same 6-color system for large photo gifts and gallery prints.

My tip: the 6-color advantage shows most in skin tones and subtle color gradients. If your best-selling products are family photo mugs or portrait metal panels, the ET-8500 is worth considering.

Dedicated: Epson SureColor F170

The F170 is Epson’s dedicated dye-sublimation printer. Unlike converted EcoTanks, it ships with genuine Epson sublimation ink and is engineered for sublimation from the factory.

Full Epson warranty. Non-genuine ink damage in converted EcoTanks may not be covered. The F170 is fully warranted for sublimation use.

Simpler color workflow. The F170 provides a more consistent color workflow out of the box compared to converted printers. You still have printer settings and color management to learn, but the variables are reduced because the ink and printer are matched. For converted EcoTanks, getting accurate colors often requires installing an ICC profile and more manual adjustment.

Instant setup. Unbox, fill the included ink, and print. No conversion process.

The F170 is an 8.5-inch-wide printer that supports paper lengths up to 47.2 inches, though most crafters use standard letter or legal sheets. For wide-format adult shirts, you still need a converted ET-15000 or the larger F570 Pro.

My tip: most hobbyists start with a converted ET-2800 and upgrade to an F170 when sublimation becomes a consistent income source. The F170 makes sense when reliability and time matter more than saving money.

Choose this when warranty, predictable color, and fewer setup problems matter more than the lowest startup cost.

Pro Level: Epson SureColor F570 Pro

The F570 Pro is Epson’s 24-inch-class dedicated dye-sublimation option for small businesses and serious production workflows. It handles rolls and sheets up to 24.4 inches wide, has a built-in cutter, and Epson markets it with Epson Edge Print Pro workflow software. If you are buying new, check whether you are looking at the older F570 or the current F570 Pro, as they are different products.

This is a commercial-grade machine for businesses producing large sublimation transfers, banners, and high-volume work. The price point is well above consumer EcoTank models. For most home crafters, the ET-15000 provides more than enough wide-format capability.

Converted vs Dedicated: The Honest Comparison

Factor	Dedicated (F170/F570 Pro)	Converted (EcoTank)
Setup	Unbox, fill included ink, print	30-minute conversion with third-party ink
Warranty	Full Epson warranty for sublimation	Non-genuine ink damage may not be covered
Running cost (ink)	Higher (Epson sublimation ink)	Lower (third-party ink)
Color accuracy	Simpler, more consistent color workflow	Needs ICC profile for best results
Clogging risk	Reduced (matched ink, purpose-built design)	Higher if unused for days (print regularly to prevent)
Wide format	F170: 8.5″ wide. F570 Pro: up to 24.4″ wide.	ET-15000: 13×19. ET-8550: 13×19 (6-color).

WorkForce vs EcoTank: Which Style Suits You?

Most sublimation guides skip the WorkForce question because older WF models really were a pain. But for crafters comparing the WF-3820 to an EcoTank, the right choice depends on what you already own and how you actually use the printer day to day.

Factor	EcoTank (ET-2800, ET-4800, ET-15000)	WorkForce Pro (WF-3820)
Ink delivery	Refillable tanks (large capacity)	Refillable 822XL cartridges with chips
Conversion ease	Easier: fill brand-new tanks with sublimation ink	More steps: cartridge swap plus chip handling
Office features	Light (ET-4800 has ADF, ethernet, fax)	Strong: 35-page ADF, auto-duplex, fax, 250-sheet tray
Long-term ink cost	Lower (large tanks last hundreds of pages)	Higher (cartridges hold less than EcoTank tanks)
Firmware-update risk	Lower (no third-party cartridge chips)	Higher: an Epson firmware update can stop recognizing third-party chips
Best fit	New buyers, hobbyists, side hustles	People who already own a WF-3820 and value office features

Bottom line: if you are buying new for sublimation only, an EcoTank is usually the easier and cheaper long-term path. If you already own a WF-3820, converting it is a sensible way to get sublimation without buying another machine, as long as you accept the cartridge and firmware-update workflow.

Total Cost of Ownership: Budget vs Mid vs Pro

Sticker price is only one part of the story. Sublimation ink, paper, replacement parts, and printer-related issues add up over a year. This rough breakdown helps you compare paths beyond the upfront cost:

Tier	Typical Setup	First Year (Printer + Ink + Paper)	Best For
Budget	ET-2800 (converted) + third-party sublimation ink + A-SUB paper	Lowest entry cost. Cheaper running ink. Plan for occasional clog-prevention prints.	Hobby, low-volume, learning
Mid	ET-15000 or ET-4800 (converted) + third-party sublimation ink + larger paper stock	Higher upfront, similar running cost. Wide-format ability adds shirt and canvas projects.	Side hustle, regular Etsy or local sales
Pro	SureColor F170 (dedicated) or F570 Pro + Epson sublimation ink	Higher upfront and higher per-print cost (Epson ink). Reduced clogging risk and full warranty.	Sublimation as primary income, deadline-driven work

For full price-per-printer comparisons, the cheapest sublimation printers guide compares 7 models head to head.

The Upgrading Path

Most sublimation crafters follow a natural upgrade path:

Stage 1: ET-2800. Start here. Learn sublimation, make your first products, figure out what sells.

Stage 2: Add ET-15000. When you need adult shirts or large transfers, add a wide-format. Keep the ET-2800 for small items. Two active printers means less clogging.

Stage 3: F170. When sublimation is your primary income and you want reliability plus warranty support, the F170 replaces or supplements your converted printer.

Stage 4: F570 Pro. When you need 24-inch-class wide printing for large transfers or high-volume production.

Why Epson for Sublimation?

Epson’s heat-free piezoelectric printhead design is the reason Epson dominates the sublimation conversion market. Piezo printheads use electrical charges to push ink through the nozzles, which is compatible with sublimation ink chemistry. Most other consumer printer brands use thermal printhead technology, which is a different approach that does not have the same track record with sublimation ink conversions.

Some Brother models use compatible printhead technology but lack the conversion documentation and community support Epson has. For details on why other brands do not work, see the regular printer for sublimation guide.

Frequently Asked Questions