Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners: A Complete Comparison Guide for 2025

If you’re interested in crafting stunning sublimated items, choosing a sublimation printer and heat press is your first big step. Whether you want to make sublimated tumblers, t-shirts, coasters, or other crafts, you’ll need a quality sublimation printer to create stunning, full-color designs. 

As a beginner, it can be challenging to know where to start when looking for the best printer for sublimation. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide comparing five of the best sublimation printers for beginners, including models from Sawgrass, Epson, and Brother.  

In this guide, we’ll help you choose the right printer based on what you plan to sublimate. Each listing includes the sublimation printing machine cost, specifications, and distinct features to help you choose the best device for your needs. 

If you’re ready to start creating high-quality sublimation prints and grow your creative side hustle or small business, this guide is for you. 

Considerations When Buying a Sublimation Printer

Before investing in your first sublimation ink printer, it’s essential to know what to look for, especially if you’re starting a crafting business. Not all sublimation printers are equal in quality, ease of use, and output size. The right one for you will largely depend on your budget and the size of your sublimation crafts. 

Here are the key features that matter most when shopping for the best printer for sublimation printing: 

Sublimation Printer Print Size and Media Compatibility

Are you planning to sublimate mugs, tumblers, t-shirts, or all of the above?

• Smaller projects (like tumblers, mugs, and keychains) typically use 8.5" × 11" or 8.5" × 14" prints, which most entry-level sublimation printing machines can handle.
  
• For printing on t-shirts or photo panels, you’ll need a printer for sublimation that supports larger sizes, such as 11" × 17" or 13" × 19."
  
  

Color Quality and Editing Tools

Color accuracy is essential in sublimation. Look for a sublimation ink printer that produces vibrant output and reliable color management software. While Brother and Epson printers also have great results, Sawgrass is often regarded as having the best sublimation print quality with unmatched color fidelity and vibrancy. 

In addition to sublimation print quality, consider the printer’s editing and coloring tools for achieving the perfect designs. Sawgrass, Epson, and Brother all feature excellent editing tools, including MySawgrass Print Manager, Epson Print Layout Software, and the Artspira App.

Sublimation Printing Machine Cost and Supplies

When shopping for a sublimation printer, you should consider the additional expenses involved in the printing process. Ink refills, sublimation paper, and maintenance can add up, so consider the ongoing costs when investing in a sublimation printing printer. 

For instance, Sawgrass ink is frequently more expensive than ink from Epson and Brother. Still, many consider the higher price point worthwhile due to the superior printing results of Sawgrass ink. 

Sublimation Printer Warranty and Customer Support

A reliable support team can be a lifesaver when using your first dye-sublimation printing machine, as they can answer questions and help you get started with your device. It’s also essential to get a solid warranty to protect your new sublimation printer, especially if you’re using it for business purposes. 

Sawgrass sublimation printers come with a 2-year warranty, as well as lifetime education and support. These benefits are particularly valuable for those new to sublimation printing. Epson and Brother also feature limited warranties and customer support services. 

Top Sublimation Printers for Beginners in 2025

Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer

Great for: Tumblers, mugs, coasters, and small to mid-sized custom items
Price: $579.95 (includes Install Kit with SubliJet UHD Ink)

If you’re searching for a powerful and beginner-friendly sublimation printer with the best results, you’ll likely want the Sawgrass SG500 sublimation printer. The SG500 ensures that each sublimation print is vibrant, consistent, and long-lasting, making it an exceptional choice for customizing tumblers and other small to mid-sized items. 

Sawgrass designed this sublimation printing machine for crafters and small businesses, providing high-definition results at an affordable price. Whether you’re creating crafts for your online shop or personal enjoyment, the Sawgrass dye-sublimation printer is the perfect choice for beginners, and it can fulfill your printing needs for years to come. 

Sawgrass SG500 Specifications:

• Maximum Media Size: 8.5" × 14"
  
• Print Resolutions: 
  • High Speed (600 × 600 dpi) – 15 seconds
  • High Quality (600 × 600 dpi) – 29 seconds
  • Advanced Photo (1200 × 600 dpi) – 48 seconds
  • Ultra Fine Photo (4800 × 1200 dpi) – 6 minutes 40 seconds
    
• Includes 20mL SubliJet UHD Ink Cartridges and Install Kit
  
• Compatible with Windows and Mac
  
• Connectivity: USB and built-in Wi-Fi
  
• Size: 15.75˝ × 17.25˝ × 8.5˝
  
  

Why It’s a Top Pick:

• Uses premium Sawgrass sublimation ink, engineered to prevent clogging and fading
• Paired with MySawgrass Print Manager for efficient color control and layout optimization
• High-fidelity sublimation prints with a maximum resolution of 4800 × 1200 dpi
• Comes with a 2-year warranty and lifetime technical support & education
  
  

The Sawgrass SG 500 Sublimation Printer offers reliability, color brilliance, and ease of use, all backed by Sawgrass’ warranty, support, and educational resources. It’s the ideal choice for beginners who want the best print quality available at this price point.   

Epson SureColor F170 Sublimation Printer

Great for: Tumblers, mugs, mousepads, and rigid sublimation blanks
Price: $449 (includes Epson sublimation ink)

The Epson F170 is a compact, high-performance sublimation printer that’s great for beginners. Epson designed this purpose-built sublimation printer with its signature PrecisionCore® technology, delivering high-resolution sublimation prints for various small to mid-sized crafts.

This sublimation printer from Epson is small enough to fit on a craft table but powerful enough for small business use, making it a reliable choice. 

Epson SureColor F170 Specifications: 

• Maximum Media Size: 8.5" × 14"
  
• Maximum Print Resolution: 1200 × 600 dpi
  
• Includes High-Capacity Epson T49M Dye-Sublimation Ink Bottles (CMYK)
  
• Compatible with Windows and Mac
  
• Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, and built-in Wi-Fi
  
• Size: 13.7″ × 14.8″ × 7.4″
  
  

Why It’s a Top Pick:

• Clean, mess-free ink refills with auto-stop bottles
  
• Energy-efficient, space-saving design perfect for home or small shop use
  
• Practical editing tools with Epson Print Layout Software
  
  

With its compact size, hassle-free setup, and Epson’s trusted engineering, the F170 is one of the best dye sublimation printers for crafters and small business owners. 

Brother SP‑1 Sublimation Printer

Great for: Tumblers, coasters, and small fabric or hard-surface projects
Price: $429.99 (includes ink cartridges and sublimation paper)

The Brother SP‑1 Sublimation Printer is a beginner-friendly sublimation printing machine that’s suitable for crafters with a limited budget. It comes ready to use right out of the box and comes with everything you need to get started with sublimation printing, including sublimation ink and paper. 

The printer also comes with access to the Artspira design app, allowing you to design, edit, and customize sublimation projects and send them to the Brother SP-1 printer wirelessly. This feature can help simplify your workflow as you get started with sublimation printing. 

Brother SP-1 Specifications:

• Maximum Media Size: 8.5" × 11"
  
• Maximum Print Resolution: 1440 × 1440 dpi
  
• Includes Four Full-Size Brother Genuine CMYK Sublimation Ink Cartridges and Ten Sheets of Sublimation Paper
  
• Connectivity: USB and built-in Wi-Fi
  
• Size: 10.8″ × 20.1″ × 19.1″
  
  

Why It’s a Top Pick:

• Seamlessly integrates with Artspira, Brother’s mobile design and editing app
  
• Includes 100+ free sublimation templates and AR tools inside the app
  
• Lower price point 
  
• Reliable printer performance with good color quality
  
  

The Brother SP-1 is a budget-friendly option for getting started with sublimation printing. It offers good quality printing and exceptional design tools through the Artspira app, making it a solid choice for beginners. 

Sawgrass SG1000 Sublimation Printer

Great for: T-shirts, sweatshirts, pillowcases, tote bags, signs, and larger sublimation blanks
Price: $1,549.95 (includes Install Kit with SubliJet UHD Ink)

The Sawgrass SG1000 Sublimation Printer delivers unmatched performance and versatility for crafting entrepreneurs. As the big sibling to the popular SG500, the SG1000 expands your printing capabilities with support for media up to 11" × 17" or even 13" × 19" with an optional bypass tray.

From custom tees and sweatshirts to home décor and signage, this dye sublimation printing machine is purpose-built for high-impact results on a wide variety of substrates.

Sawgrass SG1000 Specifications:

• Maximum Media Size:
• Standard: 11" × 17"
  
• With Bypass Tray: 13" × 19"
  
• Print Resolutions:
• High Speed (600 × 600 dpi): 15 sec
  
• Advanced Photo (1200 × 600 dpi): 48 sec
  
• Ultra Fine Photo (4880 × 1200 dpi): 2 min
  
• Includes 20mL SubliJet UHD Ink Cartridges and Install Kit
  
• Compatible with Windows and Mac
  
• Connectivity: USB and built-in Wi-Fi
  
• Size: 21″ × 14.25″ × 8.5″
  
  

Why It’s a Top Pick:

• Prints large-format designs for garments, home décor, signs, and soft goods
  
• Adjustable bypass tray for printing on irregular and oversized items
  
• Paired with MySawgrass Print Manager for efficient color control and layout optimization
  
• Access to Sawgrass Academy, Virtuoso Print Manager, and Sawgrass Training and Certification 
  
• Comes with a 2-year warranty and lifetime technical support
  
  

The Sawgrass 1000 sublimation printer is one of the best sublimation printers on the market for creators who want room to grow. It offers crafters exceptional print quality, along with improved speed and sizing options compared to the Sawgrass SG500 sublimation printer. It’s the best option for beginner crafters printing on larger substrates.  

Epson SureColor F570 Pro Sublimation Printer

Great for: Large-format shirts, signs, canvas, home décor, and batch production
Price: $2,795 (includes ink sets and media rolls)

If you want to get started with a professional-grade, large-format sublimation printer, the Epson SureColor F570 Pro is hard to beat. With a maximum media width of 24 inches and built-in support for roll paper, this dye-sublimation printer is ideal for customizing large-format apparel, canvas, signage, and more. The Epson is especially effective for those working with higher volumes.

Powered by Epson’s PrecisionCore® technology, the F570 Pro delivers great image clarity and color saturation with every sublimation print. It also comes bundled with Epson Edge Print Pro, a professional-grade software suite designed for efficient layout, color control, and productivity.

Epson SureColor 570 Pro Specifications:

• Maximum Media Size: 24" × 100' (rolls and sheets)
  
• Maximum Print Resolution: 2400 × 1200 dpi
  
• Includes Two Full Sets of Epson CMYK Dye-Sublimation Ink Bottles and Three Media Rolls
  
• Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, and built-in Wi-Fi
  
• Physical Dimensions: 32" × 38" × 10"
  

Why It’s a Top Pick:

• Quality printing for batch production
  
• Commercial-grade PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead with Nozzle Verification
  
• Built-in cutter for clean, consistent roll media handling
  
• Handles both soft and rigid materials
  
• Includes Epson Edge Print Pro for advanced job layout, nesting, and pattern repeat tools for maximum efficiency
  
  

Most beginners will not need the advanced features of the Epson F570 Pro, but it’s an excellent choice for those planning on taking on larger projects with high outputs. It’s engineered for consistent, long-run performance and is a dependable solution for a fast-growing operation. 

Which Sublimation Printer Should I Choose?

Choosing the best dye-sublimation printer ultimately depends on your product goals, budget, and desired volume output. Whether you’re starting a side hustle with custom tumblers or planning a full-scale small business, there’s a perfect fit for your workflow.

If you’re just starting out customizing drinkware, coasters, or other small to mid-sized crafts, the Sawgrass SG500 sublimation printer is likely your best choice. It’s compact, professional-grade, and delivers superior print quality compared to the Epson F170 and Brother SP-1. Its beginner-friendly software and lifetime support also make it an excellent choice for those new to crafting. 

Those who need to print on larger media can count on the Sawgrass SG1000. It features the same reliable color precision of the SG500, but with the ability to print larger designs. It’s perfect for those designing clothing, signs, and other large crafts. 

Finally, crafters who plan on running a high-volume operation should consider the Epson SureColor F570 Pro. The Epson sublimation printer is a professional workhorse that delivers reliable results on both rigid and soft surfaces. With 24" media support, roll feeding, built-in cutter, and pro-level software, it’s the go-to sublimation printing machine for production-focused crafters.

No matter where you’re starting from, there’s a sublimation printer for beginners that aligns with your needs. Focus on the type of products you want to create, choose a trusted brand, and invest in quality inks and paper to make the most of your new setup.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Sawgrass SG500 or the SG1000, you can check out these products on The Stainless Depot’s website. We offer affordable Sawgrass sublimation printer bundles and supplies, including replacement ink and sublimation paper. You can also check out our high-quality sublimation tumblers and other products to help you get started on your crafting journey.