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

Updated: September 14, 2026

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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	Small items fit comfortably 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	13×19 gives more room for large full-front designs
Photo gifts, portraits, realistic images	ET-8500	6 ink channels for a more specialized color workflow
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 full comparison table below lists every model with the specs that actually matter for sublimation.

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	Same size as ET-2800, adds auto duplex
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	Advanced 6-channel color workflow
ET-8550	13 x 19″	6-color: Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Gray	Converted	Wide-format 6-channel color workflow
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

EcoTank conversion normally means filling a clean printer with sublimation ink instead of regular Epson ink, ideally from the very first fill. 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. If you are leaning toward the Epson F170, our detailed F170 guide covers its setup, ink and practical limits before you commit.

New to Sublimation? Start Here Before You Buy

If this is your first sublimation printer, the choice is simpler than the table above makes it look. Four things matter far more than print speed or the resolution printed on the box: how easy the setup is, what it costs to get started, whether the printer is converted or dedicated, and the print size. Letter size covers nearly every first project, from mugs and coasters to keychains and kids shirts. The wide-format question only comes up once adult shirts become your bread and butter.

Among the best Epson printers for sublimation, the right first one is rarely the biggest. For most first-timers on a budget, a brand-new ET-2800 converted from day one is the smart start. If the idea of converting a printer makes you nervous, the dedicated SureColor F170 removes that worry completely, at a higher price. For most beginners the decision comes down to two things: lower upfront cost with a converted EcoTank, or easier setup and manufacturer support with the F170.

What a Beginner Setup Really Costs

The printer is only one piece, and the extras are where many beginners underestimate the budget. You also need ink, paper, a heat source, blanks, and a few cheap accessories before you can finish your first project. The tiers below are a rough guide, not exact prices, so always check current prices before you buy.

What You Need	Why	Rough Cost Tier
Printer (converted EcoTank)	Prints the transfer	Low
Sublimation ink	Required for converted printers	Low
Sublimation paper	Holds the ink for transfer	Low
Heat source (heat press, mug press, or even an oven)	Transfers the design	Low to high
Blanks (shirts, mugs, coasters)	What you print on	Low
Heat tape, gloves, butcher paper	Safety and clean transfers	Very low

The big swing is the heat source. A small mug press or a budget heat press keeps your total low, while a large professional press adds a lot. If you are not ready for a press yet, you can start small with an oven or air fryer for mugs, which we cover in the air fryer sublimation guide. For the full breakdown of presses, see the best heat press machines guide.

Common Beginner Printer Problems (and Where to Fix Them)

Most early frustration comes from a small handful of issues. Faded or dull colors usually mean a settings or ICC profile problem, not a bad printer. Lines across your print, called banding, often point to a clogged nozzle, which is exactly why a converted EcoTank should not sit idle for long stretches. And if a design simply does not transfer, the cause is almost always heat, time, or pressure being off. The sublimation troubleshooting hub diagnoses the most common problems, washed-out prints are usually fixed in the ICC profile setup, and the sublimation for beginners roadmap takes you from unboxing to your first finished mug. One more note: always print and press in a ventilated space. Our guide on whether sublimation fumes are harmful explains why.

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. Most common small sublimation projects fit 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: A converted ET-2800 should not sit unused for long stretches. Run a small nozzle check or test pattern regularly, and follow the maintenance advice from your sublimation ink supplier if the printer will be idle for a while. 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 is very similar to the ET-2800. The one hardware difference that matters is automatic two-sided printing. Both models already include a color display and a flatbed scanner, so for sublimation the ET-2850 is a convenience upgrade for document work rather than a better transfer printer.

For sublimation alone, the ET-2800 is usually the better value. Choose the ET-2850 if the price gap is small, or if automatic duplex is useful for the other printing you do alongside your sublimation work. 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. Letter-size paper gets limiting as soon as you want a large full-front adult design. If your artwork is regularly wider than an 8.5 inch sheet allows, the 13×19 capability is what buys you the room.

According to Epson’s product page, the ET-15000 prints up to 13 x 19 inches through the rear feed, keeps a 250-sheet front tray for standard media, scans and copies up to 8.5 x 14 inches through the ADF, and connects over Ethernet or Wi-Fi Direct. Its larger tray and added office features make it a better fit for higher-volume workflows than the ET-2800. One thing to know before you order: it ships as a regular EcoTank, so you convert it exactly like the smaller models, brand new and with sublimation ink from the first fill.

If you want to see the conversion before you commit, this walkthrough shows the whole ET-15000 fill from unboxing to the first test print:

My tip: a two-printer setup can make sense once shirts become regular work, an ET-2800 for small items and an ET-15000 for large transfers. It covers every project size and keeps both machines in regular use. The full price comparison is in the cheapest sublimation printers guide.

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

Wide-Format WorkForce: WF-7710 and WF-7820

Two cartridge-based WorkForce models also print 13×19 and show up in a lot of older sublimation guides: the WF-7710 and its successor, the WF-7820. Both are wide-format Epson models built on piezo print technology. A conversion uses model-specific refillable cartridges and compatible chips, so it is less straightforward than filling a brand-new EcoTank and the parts differ from model to model. The WF-7710 is discontinued, so you will mostly find it used, and a used unit is a weaker conversion candidate because its ink history is unknown and it may need extra purging. If you are buying new for wide-format sublimation, the ET-15000 is the easier and cheaper long-term path; the WF-7820 only makes sense if you already own one or need its stronger office hardware.

Six-Channel Color: Epson ET-8500

The ET-8500 is a niche, advanced option. It is a 6-channel photo printer that Epson designed around a Photo Black and Gray ink system. Those six channels can support a more specialized color workflow when you pair them with a compatible six-color sublimation ink set and a matching ICC profile. That does not automatically guarantee better sublimation output than a well-profiled four-color printer, because Epson’s photo-quality claims describe its own photo inks, not third-party sublimation ink.

Most sublimation projects (bold text, logos, simple graphics) look great from a 4-color printer. The extra channels are only worth the added complexity if you print a lot of photographic work and are willing to set up the matching ink and profile for it.

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: this is the one model where you should sort out the ink and ICC profile question before you buy. If your best sellers are family photo mugs or portrait panels, the ET-8500 is worth researching. If they are logos and text, it is overkill.

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. Epson’s official specs list a PrecisionCore microTFP printhead, four T49M ink bottles at 140 mL each in the box, 1200 x 600 dpi, USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet, and a standard one-year unit exchange warranty with phone support.

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: a practical path is to start with a converted ET-2800 and consider an F170 later, once 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	Manufacturer-matched ink system, no third-party conversion variables	Third-party ink in a converted machine, so print regularly instead of letting it sit
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.

Cost Profile: Budget vs Mid vs Pro

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

Tier	Typical Setup	Cost Profile	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). Manufacturer-matched ink 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

One practical upgrade path is:

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. Keeping both printers in regular use can help reduce the risk of dried nozzles.

Stage 3: F170. When your sublimation business becomes 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. Epson describes its PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology as eliminating the need for heat in the printing process, which is exactly the property that makes converted EcoTanks and WorkForce printers work with sublimation ink. Piezo printheads use electrical charges to push ink through the nozzles, which is compatible with sublimation ink chemistry. Many consumer inkjets, including most Canon and HP models, use thermal printhead technology, which is a different approach that does not have the same track record with aftermarket sublimation 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.

Not Sold on Epson? Sawgrass SG500 and Brother SP-1

Two dedicated printers come up in almost every comparison. The Sawgrass SG500 is one of the more guided dedicated options: it ships as a sublimation printer, is commonly sold in SubliJet UHD bundles and uses the current Sawgrass Print Utility for color-managed printing, alongside the MySawgrass Design Tool. Note that Sawgrass retired CreativeStudio and the older Sawgrass Print Manager in February 2025, so older tutorials will point you at software that no longer exists. It sits at the premium end, so it makes the most sense if you are fairly sure you will stick with sublimation and want an integrated setup and support ecosystem. Think of it as a dedicated alternative to the F170 rather than a conversion candidate. The full breakdown is in the Sawgrass vs Epson comparison.

The Brother SP-1 is the other name you will see on beginner lists. It is one of the most compact dedicated sublimation printers out there and often a lower-cost dedicated option, which is why it gets recommended so much. The trade-off is the ecosystem: it uses Brother Genuine sublimation ink cartridges, Brother recommends its own sublimation paper, and the printer leans on the Artspira app. It supports Letter, A4, Legal and user-defined media up to 8.5 x 14 inches, so it is a letter-width machine rather than a wide-format one. One thing to check before you buy any of these: how you actually want to design and print. The SP-1 leans on the Artspira app, Sawgrass uses its own software, and an Epson conversion relies on your normal design software plus the right printer settings or ICC profile. Pick the workflow you are comfortable with, not just the cheapest box.

Frequently Asked Questions