PRINTERS

The Best Sublimation Printer For Beginners [Reviews] | Top Value in 2022

By ayed_amira , on 09/14/2021 , updated on 01/07/2022 - 18 minutes to read
Best sublimation printer for beginners

Trying to find the best sublimation printer for beginners?

Stop searching; this is the right guide for you!

I’ve reviewed the best sublimation printer for beginners, and in this guide, I share with you the top budget picks for your different applications.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase a product by using a link on this page, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

No Time to Waste? Here’s My #1 Favorite

The Best Sublimation Printer For Beginners – Comparison Table

Thumbnail
Top Pick
Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner and Copier - White
Best for Heat Transfer
WorkForce WF-7210 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer with Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
Best Budget
Canon Selphy CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer with AirPrint and Mopria Device Printing, Black (2234C001)
Best Instant Photo Printer
Kodak Dock & Wi-Fi Portable 4x6” Instant Photo Printer, Premium Quality Full Color Prints - Compatible w/iOS & Android Devices
Best for Event Photography
DNP Event Photo Printer DS-RX1HS 6" Dye Sublimation, for Booth Portrait Printing, 290 4x6"Prints Per Hour
Title
Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner and Copier - White
WorkForce WF-7210 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer with Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
Canon Selphy CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer with AirPrint and Mopria Device Printing, Black (2234C001)
Kodak Dock & Wi-Fi Portable 4x6” Instant Photo Printer, Premium Quality Full Color Prints - Compatible w/iOS & Android Devices
DNP Event Photo Printer DS-RX1HS 6" Dye Sublimation, for Booth Portrait Printing, 290 4x6"Prints Per Hour
Star Rating
Reviews
6,214 Reviews
1,112 Reviews
4,519 Reviews
5,373 Reviews
114 Reviews
Prime
-
-
-
Amazon Prime
-
Price
$299.00
$564.00
$109.95
$119.00
$952.00
Top Pick
Thumbnail
Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner and Copier - White
Title
Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner and Copier - White
Star Rating
Reviews
6,214 Reviews
Prime
-
Price
$299.00
Buy Button
Best for Heat Transfer
Thumbnail
WorkForce WF-7210 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer with Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
Title
WorkForce WF-7210 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer with Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
Star Rating
Reviews
1,112 Reviews
Prime
-
Price
$564.00
Buy Button
Best Budget
Thumbnail
Canon Selphy CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer with AirPrint and Mopria Device Printing, Black (2234C001)
Title
Canon Selphy CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer with AirPrint and Mopria Device Printing, Black (2234C001)
Star Rating
Reviews
4,519 Reviews
Prime
-
Price
$109.95
Buy Button
Best Instant Photo Printer
Thumbnail
Kodak Dock & Wi-Fi Portable 4x6” Instant Photo Printer, Premium Quality Full Color Prints - Compatible w/iOS & Android Devices
Title
Kodak Dock & Wi-Fi Portable 4x6” Instant Photo Printer, Premium Quality Full Color Prints - Compatible w/iOS & Android Devices
Star Rating
Reviews
5,373 Reviews
Prime
Amazon Prime
Price
$119.00
Buy Button
Best for Event Photography
Thumbnail
DNP Event Photo Printer DS-RX1HS 6" Dye Sublimation, for Booth Portrait Printing, 290 4x6"Prints Per Hour
Title
DNP Event Photo Printer DS-RX1HS 6" Dye Sublimation, for Booth Portrait Printing, 290 4x6"Prints Per Hour
Star Rating
Reviews
114 Reviews
Prime
-
Price
$952.00
Buy Button

The Best Sublimation Printer For Beginners – Product Reviews

Are you looking for a good-quality sublimation printer? Oh, then we have got you covered. Sublimation printers are the best source to get your favorite or desirable prints onto the piece of printing paper, glossy photo paper, fabric, or on other printing media which are supported by your sublimation printer. 

The sublimation printer won’t let the ink go to waste or get consumed fast. So, if you want to save ink and still get the maximum number of good quality prints with the minimum usage of ink then the sublimation printer can fulfill your demand. They do not compromise on the quality of prints but is very important to use good-quality print media for printing. 

So, to make simple things for you and make them clear, we have come up with this list of the top ten best sublimation printers for beginners. Your beginner essentials for buying a good sublimation printer would definitely be entertained through this article. 

Epson EcoTank ET-2720 – Top Pick for Sublimation Printer

  • Printing Technology: Inkjet
  • Connectivity Technology: Wireless, USB, Ethernet
  • Printer Output: Color 
  • Print Media: Printing paper 
  • Model Name: ET-2720
  • Compatible Devices: Smartphones, PC, Laptops

Here we have yet another printer from Epson, again it is not the official sublimation printer but can be converted to one by changing the cartridges. So it has dual characteristics, one of an inkjet printer and the other one of a sublimation printer. This fast, affordable, and easy-to-use photo printer is best for your home, office, and business. 

It has easily refillable ink tanks so you need to worry about ink refilling. It has a high-resolution flatbed scanner that provides high-quality pictures, and a vibrant color display which makes it an exceptional wireless printer. This saves your money which gets spent on buying the ink replacement bottles. So, you get a stress-free printing experience.

It has an EcoTank which helps in the reduction of cartridge waste. Its heat-free technology produces sharp and visible text, high-quality impressive colors, and graphics. This printer is often considered the best sublimation printer for beginners.

Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Review

PROS

CONS

  • Easily changeable to a sublimation printer
  • High productivity
  • Easy wireless connection
  • 90% of the ink usage is saved
  • Zero Ink Wastage
  • Easy to use
  • It can only scan one page at a time

Best for Heat Transfer – Epson WorkForce WF-7210 Sublimation Printer

  • Printing Technology: Dye Sublimation
  • Connectivity Technology: Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi (802.11n only), Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet
  • Printer Output: Color
  • Print Media: Paper
  • Model Name: WF-7210
  • Compatible Devices: Smartphones, PC, Laptops

Epson is again another best brand providing the best printers. It claims to give a performance beyond lasers, and we all know it is easy to play with words rather than providing what you claim. This workforce printer genuinely provides what it claims. You get a high-resolution, finest quality printer faster than usual. 

This color printer consumes less power than others which is a plus point to it. It also provides print shop quality color graphics and laser-sharp black text. The text does not fade away easily. Now you never run out of ink due to its Dash Replenishment feature which tracks the ink and demands more when the ink levels lower down the limit. 

This printer is designed for Epson cartridges only, if one falters then you will need to get an Epson cartridge only rather than any other. Similarly, it works the best with the Epson printing ink, as in, if you will you use different ink then it can decrease the life and efficiency of the printer. 

Epson WorkForce WF-7210 Review

PROS

CONS

  • 2 paper trays 
  • Nice quality print
  • Affordable
  • Connects with many devices for easy print
  • Can be used for transfers
  • They are not official sublimation printers but can be made into.

Best Budget – Canon Selphy CP1300 Sublimation Printer

  • Printing Technology: Dye Sublimation
  • Connectivity Technology: Wireless, Wi-Fi, USB
  • Printer Output: Color
  • Print Media: Paper
  • Model Name: CP1300
  • Compatible Devices: Android, Smart devices

Canon is a well-known brand giving out the best cameras. But they also make good quality and durable sublimation printers. It is that photo printer that is believed to be the most reliable, compact, and easily trusted sublimation printer. 

If you have a concern about the sustainability of the printer then this is the best option for you. Through this, not only do your prints get dried quality, but they remain water-resistant, intact, and vibrant for about 4 years. It provides you the experience of easy printing. You can connect your cameras, phones, laptops, or other smart devices through Wi-Fi to it and get your photos printed. 

It has a sleek 3.2 Inches LCD to help you navigate and set the printer for better photo prints. It becomes easy to choose, edit or print photos. It has a paper tray that can carry 18sheets with a postcard size paper cassette. Its Operating temperature is 5 – 40 degrees Celsius.

Canon Selphy CP1300 Review

PROS

CONS

  • It is easy to use
  • It has an easy 3.2 Inches navigation screen
  • The prints are water-resistant
  • Produces high-quality prints
  • Size is ideal
  • Sublimation cartridge has a high cost

Best Instant Photo Printer – Kodak Dock  Sublimation Printer

  • Printing Technology: Dye Sublimation
  • Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi
  • Printer Output: Color
  • Print Media: Printing Paper
  • Model Name: KOD-PD450WUS
  • Compatible Devices: Smartphones, PC, Laptops

The KODAK Sublimation printer is a small-sized printing dock that is used on a one-touch printing system. So, would you like to get your photos or prints with a simple? We are sure you will love this feature. You can get prints by simply connecting them with your android, iOS, or other smart devices with a single touch. 

It delivers fast prints of 4” x 6” which are brilliant, high-quality, and vibrant. The stunning details of the prints show up on the photo prints. It has a D2T2 thermal transfer technology which won’t let the prints fade away. This is best for people who love photography. 

Talking about its maximum device compatibility that is you can connect 5 pins micro USB for Android & USB host for printing from iPhone, iPad, Digital Camera, or USB memory stick. This supplies fast charging for Home, Business, Office, etc to power up your smart devices while you wait.

Kodak Dock Review

PROS

CONS

  • Gives out high-quality photos
  • One-touch printing
  • It is less expensive
  • Size is appropriate
  • Fast charging
  • Print size is small due to the small size of the printer

Best for Event Photography – DNP DS-RX1HS Sublimation Printer

  • Printing Technology: Dye Sublimation
  • Connectivity Technology:  USB
  • Printer Output: Color
  • Print Media: Glossy photo paper
  • Model Name: DS-RX1HS
  • Compatible Devices: Smartphones, PC, Laptops

The Event photo printer by DNP is among the affordable and reliable sublimation printers. It is a huge DS-RX1HS DNP printer that is best for photo printing with vibrant colors. It fulfills and supports your artistic side and skills.
If you are into Event photo printing, event photography, or photo boot business then this is photo printer under consideration would be the best for your business. It delivers high-quality, detailed, fine prints with vibrant colors. There are various features associated with it which won’t disappoint you.
The photo printer has a Wi-Fi connectivity feature in it so that you can easily connect it to your smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc. to get the print directly, easily, and fast rather than getting into connecting the devices through cables. It is economical and helps in bulk printing as well.

DNP DS-RX1HS Review

PROS

CONS

  • Fast printing technology
  • Nice compact design
  • Two catch trays are available
  • The printing ink is cheap
  • Good quality print
  • Heavyweight and large-sized

Best for Beginners – Mitsubishi CP-D90DW Sublimation Printer

  • Printing Technology: Dye Sublimation
  • Connectivity Technology: Wireless, Wi-Fi, USB
  • Printer Output: Color
  • Print Media: Glossy Photo Paper
  • Model Name: CP-D90DW
  • Compatible Devices: Smart devices

Mitsubishi is a name and one of the best and most demanding sublimation printers on our list. It has features which won’t disappoint you and you will enjoy working with it. The reason it made it to our list of top ten sublimation printers is speed.

Mitsubishi delivers good speed, fast, high-resolution printing is its main feature which we love the most and we are sure you will love it too. This photo printer allows you to recreate millions of colors and color combinations with a 256 color grading feature. 

So, if you are looking for a printer for your home or office, it would be the best choice for you. This serves as a good partner for your part-time photography career as well. Its speed makes it considerable for office work also.

Mitsubishi CP-D90DW Review

PROS

CONS

  • Good-quality print
  • Prints faster than any sublimation printer
  • Setup is easy
  • Gives 256 color gradation
  • Size is good for  home and office
  • It cannot be used to make transfers

Best Inkjet Printer – Epson WorkForce WF-7710

  • Printing Technology: Inkjet
  • Connectivity Technology: Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi (802.11n only), Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet
  • Printer Output: Color 
  • Print Media: Paper
  • Model Name: WF-7710
  • Compatible Devices: Smartphones, PC, Laptops

Here we have another Workforce photo printer. It is not officially the sublimation printer, however, sublimation ink cartridges are used to convert it to a sublimation printer and it works pretty well. This EPSON printer is an all-in-one printer. It can copy, scan, print, and fax providing you a variety of benefits. 

This printer has Precision Core technology which allows you to create borderless prints up to 13″ x 19″ in size. Its 250-sheet paper holder can hold up to 20 sheets of photo paper or 10 envelopes. It caters to a lot of jobs and helps you serve a bigger project. 

The printer has an auto-duplex system and can also provide two-sided print. As explained above, this machine is perfect to be kept in the office as it can handle all your office-related tasks like scanning, faxing, printing, etc. Its 4.3 Inches touch screen allows you to easily control and direct the printer.

Epson WorkForce WF-7710 Review

PROS

CONS

  • One paper tray with a capacity of holding 250 sheets
  • Design is modern and nice
  • Gives out fine and good-quality print
  • Connects with various devices
  • Easy to use
  • Comes with only one tray

Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Sublimation Printer

  • Printing Technology: Dye Sublimation
  • Connectivity Technology: Wireless, USB, Ethernet
  • Printer Output: Color
  • Print Media: Printing paper
  • Model Name: ET-15000
  • Compatible Devices: Smartphones, PC, Laptops

Epson photo printers have are among the most valued and demanded photo printers. They give you professional ultra HD quality and brilliant borderless 13 inches X 19 inches prints. Individual 6 color Claria photo ink includes red and grey inks for an ultrawide color gamut. They provide a wide range of vibrant colors for printing. 

It helps in your professional work and has a 50 sheet rear tray. The ultrawide A3 pus paper easily fits on the desktop and is 30% smaller than the predecessor. Moreover, it has a front 200 sheet tray for printing. It also supports auto 2-sided printing.

Epson printers should only be operated on Epson cartridges only and not the ones from any other brand. Only Epson printing inks should be used in these otherwise the efficiency of the printer can decrease.

Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Review

PROS

CONS

  • Easily changeable to a sublimation printer
  • High productivity
  • 90% of the ink usage is saved
  • Zero Ink Wastage
  • Easy to use
  • It might be pricey for some

HiTi P525L Compact Photo Printer

  • Printing Technology: Dye Sublimation
  • Connectivity Technology: Wireless, USB, Ethernet
  • Printer Output: Color
  • Print Media: Printing Paper 
  • Model Name: P525L
  • Compatible Devices: Smartphones, PC, Laptops

Hi-Ti P525L is the printer that provides you amazing and brilliant prints without much effort. This printer is lightweight and is of good quality. It is affordable and much accessible. Hi-Ti has made a beginner-friendly printer which will make your work easy. 

It is perfect for your photography and print shop business if you are interested in it. It brings out the prints fast and gives a good-quality finish to them. The scenes of theme parks, rivers, waterfalls, etc are printed with HD finish to them by this sprinter. 

It has a USB cable and a power cable as it is not a wireless printer. It requires power to operate but consumes less power. This printer is perfect for ON-site photo booths and event photography printouts. It brings compact and high-speed printings.

HiTi P525L Review

PROS

CONS

  • It is the best machine for  beginners
  • Affordable
  • High-quality printing
  • Easy to operate
  • High printing speed
  • It cannot print in various sizes

Brother MFC-J995DW Sublimation Printer

  • Printing Technology: Inkjet
  • Connectivity Technology: Wireless, USB, Ethernet
  • Printer Output: Color
  • Print Media: Printing Paper
  • Model Name: MFC-J995DW
  • Compatible Devices: Smartphones, PC, Laptops

Brother Photo printing company is also among the well-known printer manufacturing companies. It also instructs the users to use Brother’s own cartridges rather than any other company. It can decrease the efficiency of the printer.

This printer has cartridges to hold ink than the normal ones. So you do not get out of ink quickly. It helps to refill ink easily through the ink cartridges. The internal ink storage tank delivers uninterrupted printing quickly and easily.

The printer can access and connect to almost all the versions of Windows, Android, and iOS. This helps in easily printing the photos and other prints directly. The Brother Intelligent Page Guage lets you know the amount of ink left so you do not have to worry about refilling. 

Brother MFC-J995DW Review

PROS

CONS

  • High printing speed
  • Easy to use
  • Good-quality and fine prints
  • Affordable
  • Good size
  • Cannot print in various sizes
  • It has is heavy weighted

The Best Sublimation Printer For Beginners – Buying Guide

If you are struggling as a beginner to get the best sublimation printer for you then here we have jotted the mainstream features which you need to keep in mind while getting a new sublimation printer. All these features have their significance and they are very important when it comes to operating and buying a printer. 

So, keep all these points in mind. Let’s jump into the pool of information that needs to be with you while shopping for a good-quality sublimation printer as a beginner. 

Performance

The Sublimation printer should have high-performing and efficient technologies to give you fast and amazing results. Good-quality photo prints are only provided when the ink, the ink cartridges, and the printing technology of the printer are updated and are of good quality. 

If all this would be good then the printer will give you the photoshop quality prints with laser-sharp black printed text. All this is very important. So, when purchasing a sublimation printer always look for the reviews and videos so that you can get to know about the performance of the printer. 

Quality of Print

The quality of the print should be very good. It depends on two things, one is the cartridge ink and the other is the print media. So, these two are the base of a good print. Always go for good-quality glossy printing paper. It is better to go for printers that provide water-resistance film to the photo prints. So, the text or the print on the photo remains intact for years. Also, the thermal system of the printers makes the print intact and retain more on the paper. 

Connectivity

Best sublimation printer for beginners - Connectivity
The best sublimation printer for beginners: Connectivity

Connectivity matters especially the connectivity of Wi-Fi as when you connect various devices with the printer without cables then it becomes easy to transfer, copy, and print the photos. This also makes a one-touch system for some printers. So, if you are looking for such printers you can choose. It increases the efficiency of work. Moreover, connection to various devices and operating systems like Windows, Android, and MAC is also a plus point. Go for the options and features you want the most. 

Easy Navigation

Easy navigation indicates the easy operability of the printer. Some printers have LCD on them with buttons which helps in easy navigation. It allows you to copy, paste, select, transfer, and edit the photos easily to print them. So, go for the printers which are easy to work with and easy to use. 

Compatible Devices

best sublimation printer for beginners - device
The best sublimation printer for beginners: Devices

The printer should be compatible with almost all kinds of devices be it laptops, smartphones, tablets, other smart devices. This allows you to print the already selected photos or to transfer the photos and print them. 

Size of the Printer

The size of the printer also matters a lot. This is because, if the size of the printer will be huge then it would also be heavy which is not good and in case of any shifting, it becomes difficult to change its place. While if the printer will be small the photos will also be small and those will not be good for your photo-booth business. 

Cartridges

Best sublimation printer for beginners - Cartridges
The best sublimation printer for beginners: Cartridges

Go for the cartridges that are provided by the company itself with the printer. If there occurs any kind of damage or they have worn out still its recommended to prefer the company cartridges rather than using any local or other company’s cartridges. This could lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the printer. 

Also, go for the ink which is the brand’s own ink so that the print gets out in a fine quality rather than the faded print. It will affect the printer’s system and cartridges’ quality will also decrease. So, be careful while refilling. There are some printers that have internal alarm systems that inform you about the ink levels remaining so you don’t have to worry about refilling or turning ut of ink. They keep you aware so you can work without stopping and efficiently. So, it is recommended to go for those printers which have the modern and advanced printing technology to do your work effectively and efficiently.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sublimation printer?

The sublimation printers work on particular mechanisms which combine heat, pressure and ink to print. It works on the principle of the sublimation that is to say to transform a solid substance in a gaseous state (without passing by the liquid state).

Its main advantage is that it is possible to print a pattern on any type of material. This type of printer has revolutionized the world of fashion and interior design, particularly due to the quality and durability of these prints.

What materials can you use a sublimation printer on?

Dye sublimation printers can print on a wide variety of materials. For example, you can print on paper, fabric, fiberglass, ceramic or aluminum. However, some materials are not suitable for sublimation so it is best to refer to the printer’s documentation.

For which activities is it interesting to buy a sublimation printer?

If you are a fashion designer, an architect, a youtuber or a creative entrepreneur, it may be worthwhile to invest in a sublimation printer.

How much does a sublimation printer cost?

Entry level dye sublimation printers cost around $150 and can go up to several thousand dollars for high end printers.


Final Words

Beginners struggle in selecting good products for themselves. This is due to a lack of information and no experience. So, to give life to your prints and to make printing an easy and fun job for you we have created this list of the top ten sublimation printers. All the information regarding their features, pros, and cons is listed along with a detailed buying guide for your convenience. 

Now it would be easy for you to understand which sublimation printer you need as a beginner. We hope this has helped you a lot in making the right choice for yourself. Have fun printing colors!

Thank you for reading this article on the best sublimation printer for beginners.

Here are some articles that might be of interest to you:

ayed_amira

I'm a data scientist. Passionate about new technologies and programming I created this website mainly for people who want to learn more about data science and programming :)

Comments

Leave a comment

Your comment will be revised by the site if needed.