7 Cheapest Sublimation Printers

Updated: March 6, 2026

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Tip: If you’re converting an EcoTank, always start with a brand-new printer that has never had regular ink in it.

Cheapest sublimation printers are almost always Epson EcoTank models – and for good reason. They use piezoelectric print heads that work perfectly with sublimation ink, and the refillable tank system means you never deal with expensive cartridges. The conversion is straightforward: you swap the regular ink for sublimation ink, and you’re printing.

But not every budget printer is the right fit. Some give you basic printing only. Others include auto-duplex, an ADF, or even wide-format support. And if you’d rather skip the conversion entirely, dedicated sublimation printers like the Epson F170 are now more affordable than ever.

I’ve compared every current model worth buying – from the absolute cheapest option to premium picks – so you can find the right sublimation printer for your budget without overspending on features you don’t need.

Cheapest Sublimation Printers Compared [2026]

Here’s a quick overview before we get into the details. This table covers every printer in this guide so you can compare them side by side.

Printer	Best For	Max Print Size	Type	Tier
ET-2800	Tightest budget	8.5″ × 11″	Converted	Budget
ET-2803	Budget alternative	8.5″ × 11″	Converted	Budget
ET-2850	Auto-duplex	8.5″ × 11″	Converted	Budget
ET-4800	ADF + Ethernet + Fax	8.5″ × 14″	Converted	Mid-Range
ET-15000	Wide format (13×19)	13″ × 19″	Converted	Mid-Range
Epson F170	No conversion needed	8.5″ × 14″	Dedicated	Mid-Range
Sawgrass SG500	Professional quality	8.5″ × 51″	Dedicated	Premium

Quick note on “converted” vs. “dedicated”: Converted printers are regular EcoTank inkjets where you replace the standard ink with sublimation ink. Dedicated printers come ready for sublimation out of the box. I cover the trade-offs in detail further down.

The 7 Cheapest Sublimation Printers Worth Buying

Every printer below uses piezoelectric print heads – that’s the technology that actually works with sublimation ink. I’ve organized them from cheapest to most expensive, and each one has a clear “best for” so you can skip straight to what fits your situation.

1. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 – Best Budget Pick

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the absolute cheapest way to get into sublimation printing. It’s a no-frills all-in-one with printing, scanning, and copying – everything a beginner needs and nothing they don’t.

The refillable ink tank system is what makes this printer special for sublimation. Instead of cartridges, you pour sublimation ink directly into the tanks. The auto-stop ink bottle technology prevents overfilling, which matters because sublimation ink stains everything it touches. Trust me, you want that auto-stop feature.

Print quality maxes out at 5760 × 1440 dpi, which produces sharp, vibrant sublimation transfers. You get Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless printing, a 100-sheet paper tray, and print speeds of about 10 pages per minute in black and 5 in color.

The trade-off? No auto-duplex, no ADF, and no touchscreen – just a basic 1.44-inch LCD. But if your goal is to start sublimating at the lowest possible cost, this is where most people should begin.

Read the full ET-2800 review here

2. Epson EcoTank ET-2803 – Best Budget Alternative

The Epson EcoTank ET-2803 is essentially a retailer variant of the ET-2800 with the same core specs – same ink tank system, same print quality, same AirPrint support, same compact design. In real life, the decision usually comes down to whichever model is cheaper or easier to find in stock.

You get the same 5760 × 1440 dpi resolution, 100-sheet tray, Wi-Fi, scan and copy. The ET-2803 also supports Alexa voice commands if that matters to your workflow. Spec for spec, the two printers are so close that the only real deciding factor is price and availability on the day you buy.

My tip: check both Amazon listings and grab whichever is cheaper. You’re getting the same sublimation quality either way.

Read the full ET-2803 review here

3. Epson EcoTank ET-2850 – Best Mid-Range Value

The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 steps things up with automatic two-sided printing – a feature the ET-2800 and ET-2803 don’t have. While you won’t use duplex for sublimation transfers, it’s incredibly handy for printing regular documents, which matters if this printer pulls double duty in your home office.

The ink tank capacity is impressive: up to 7,500 pages in black and 6,000 in color per fill. That’s a lot of sublimation transfers before you need to refill. The printer handles paper sizes from A4 down to A6 and even specialty media like glossy photo paper. Print speeds match the budget models at 10 ppm black and 5 ppm color.

The ET-2850 uses Epson’s Micro Piezo print head – the same reliable technology across the entire EcoTank line. It’s compact enough for any desk, supports Wi-Fi and the Epson Smart Panel app for easy setup, and delivers the same sharp 5760 × 1440 dpi output.

If you want a slight upgrade from the ET-2800 without jumping to the more expensive models, the ET-2850 hits that sweet spot perfectly.

4. Epson EcoTank ET-4800 – Best All-in-One with ADF

The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is the most feature-packed budget sublimation printer you can get. It includes a 30-page automatic document feeder (ADF), built-in fax, Ethernet connectivity, and a 2.4-inch color display. If your sublimation printer also needs to function as a serious office machine, this is the one.

For sublimation specifically, the ET-4800 delivers the same high-quality output as its siblings. The print resolution reaches 5760 × 1440 dpi, and the Micro Piezo Heat-Free technology ensures crisp text and vivid colors on every transfer. The paper tray holds 100 sheets, and the printer handles media up to 8.5″ × 14″ – slightly larger than the budget models.

The Ethernet port is a nice bonus if your Wi-Fi is unreliable, and the ADF makes scanning multi-page documents effortless. The ink tank system matches the rest of the line, producing up to 4,500 pages in black or 7,500 in color per fill.

Read the full ET-4800 review here

5. Epson EcoTank ET-15000 – Best for Large Format

The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is the only EcoTank model that prints up to 13″ × 19″ – and that changes everything. While the smaller printers limit you to standard letter-size transfers, the ET-15000 opens up large sublimation projects like oversized mugs, big cutting boards, pillow cases, and all-over print designs.

Beyond the wide-format capability, this printer also brings auto-duplex, a 35-page ADF, a 250-sheet front tray plus a rear specialty feed, Ethernet, and a 2.7-inch color touchscreen. It’s the most capable EcoTank for both sublimation and everyday office use.

The print quality is excellent at 4800 × 1200 dpi, and the four-color tank system delivers up to 7,500 pages in black or 6,000 in color. Print speeds are faster too – up to 17 ppm black and 9 ppm color (ISO).

The ET-15000 costs noticeably more than the budget models, but if you have any interest in large-format sublimation, it pays for itself by eliminating the need for a second printer down the road. Always think about what you’ll want to print six months from now, not just today.

See our guide on 13×19 sublimation printers

6. Epson SureColor F170 – Best Dedicated Sublimation Printer

The Epson SureColor F170 is a completely different approach. This isn’t a converted inkjet – it’s built from the ground up for sublimation printing. It comes with genuine Epson sublimation inks that are OEKO-TEX certified for safe use on textiles, a PrecisionCore print head with Precision Droplet Control, and a 150-sheet dust-resistant closed tray that keeps your paper clean.

The biggest advantage of a dedicated sublimation printer is simplicity. No conversion process, no voided warranty, no worrying about whether you flushed the original ink properly. You unbox it, fill the ink tanks, and start sublimating. The F170 also supports media up to 8.5″ × 14″ – and even longer sheets for oversized transfers depending on your driver settings – giving you more flexibility than the basic EcoTank models.

The trade-off is cost. The F170 runs about double the price of an ET-2800, and the genuine Epson sublimation inks cost more than third-party options. But for someone who values convenience and full manufacturer support, the F170 eliminates every headache of the conversion process.

My tip: if this is your first sublimation printer and the conversion process feels intimidating, the F170 is worth the extra investment. You’ll have Epson’s full warranty backing you up.

7. Sawgrass SG500 – Best Premium Option

The Sawgrass SG500 is the premium pick on this list – and the only printer here that isn’t made by Epson. Sawgrass has been the go-to brand for professional sublimation for years, and the SG500 is their entry-level model designed specifically for small businesses and serious hobbyists.

What sets the Sawgrass apart is the complete ecosystem. You get the MySawgrass online design platform with templates, the Sawgrass Print Utility for precise color management, and SubliJet UHD inks formulated in small batches for the most consistent color reproduction possible. The anti-clog technology and automatic print head maintenance mean less downtime and fewer wasted prints.

The SG500 prints on media up to 8.5″ × 14″ through the standard tray, or up to 8.5″ × 51″ using the bypass tray – that’s over four feet of continuous printing for banners and long designs. Wi-Fi connectivity is built in, and the overall print quality is noticeably more refined than converted EcoTank models.

This printer is not the cheapest option on this list, and the proprietary Sawgrass inks cost more than third-party sublimation ink. But if sublimation is a business for you – not just a hobby – the SG500 gives you professional-grade results and a support system that no converted EcoTank can match.

Converted vs. Dedicated Sublimation Printers – Which Saves You More?

This is the first question most beginners ask, and the answer depends entirely on what you value more: upfront savings or long-term convenience.

Converted EcoTank printers (ET-2800, ET-2850, ET-4800, ET-15000) start cheaper and use affordable third-party sublimation ink. The conversion itself is simple – you fill the tanks with sublimation ink instead of the included regular ink. The catch is that this voids your Epson warranty, and you need to make sure you follow the conversion steps properly to avoid issues down the road.

Dedicated sublimation printers (Epson F170, Sawgrass SG500) cost more upfront but come ready to print with no conversion, no warranty concerns, and manufacturer support specifically for sublimation. The downside is that their proprietary inks cost significantly more than third-party options, which adds up over time.

Here’s how to think about it: if you’re starting out and want to keep costs as low as possible, a converted ET-2800 with third-party ink is the smart move. You’ll spend less to get started, and the print quality is excellent. If sublimation is already your business and you need reliability above all else, a dedicated printer gives you peace of mind and professional support.

Most beginners start with a converted EcoTank and upgrade to a dedicated printer later as their business grows. That’s a perfectly valid path.

What to Avoid When Buying a Cheap Sublimation Printer

Not every cheap printer works for sublimation. This is where a lot of beginners waste money.

Most Canon and HP consumer inkjets use thermal print heads, which aren’t compatible with sublimation ink. Sublimation needs piezoelectric print heads – the kind that use electrical pulses instead of heat. Epson EcoTank models are the easiest beginner conversion because they’re piezo-based and cartridge-free. Some Brother inkjets use piezo print heads too, but because most are cartridge-based and compatibility is model-dependent, EcoTank is still the most straightforward path for beginners. If you want to understand this better, check out our guide on using a regular printer for sublimation.

Standard laser printers don’t work with traditional sublimation ink. They use toner powder and heat fusion, which is a completely different process. There are sublimation-toner setups out there, but it’s a different workflow entirely and usually not what beginners want.

Avoid discontinued EcoTank models like the ET-2720, ET-2760, ET-3760, and ET-4760. While these older models technically work for sublimation, they’re harder to find new, often overpriced by third-party sellers, and you won’t have reliable warranty or support options. Always go with a current model – you’ll get better availability and support.

And one more thing: be cautious of “sublimation printer bundles” from unknown brands on Amazon. If it’s not an Epson or a Sawgrass, verify that it uses piezoelectric print heads before spending your money. When in doubt, stick with the printers on this list.

How to Choose the Right Budget Sublimation Printer

With seven solid options above, here’s how to narrow it down based on what actually matters for your situation.

Think about what you’ll print. If you’re making mugs, keychains, phone cases, and standard-size t-shirt designs, any 8.5″ × 11″ printer (ET-2800, ET-2803, ET-2850, F170) handles that perfectly. If you want to do larger projects like full-size pillow cases, big tote bags, or all-over prints, you need the ET-15000.

Think about dual use. If this printer also needs to handle regular home or office printing, the ET-2850 (auto-duplex) or ET-4800 (ADF + fax) are the practical choices. Keep in mind that once you fill an EcoTank with sublimation ink, you can’t easily switch back to regular ink. Many crafters buy a separate cheap printer for documents and dedicate their EcoTank entirely to sublimation.

Think about your comfort level. Converting a printer is straightforward – pour sublimation ink into the tanks, run a few test prints, and you’re done. But if the idea of voiding a warranty makes you uncomfortable, or you just want zero hassle, the F170 or SG500 removes that concern entirely.

Think about growth. Starting with an ET-2800 is smart for testing the waters. But if you already know you’ll be selling sublimation products, consider starting with the ET-15000 or F170. The slightly higher cost now can save you from buying a second printer in six months.

Cheapest Sublimation Printer FAQs