Best Sublimation Printers 2026 Epson, Sawgrass, Brother & Converted Printers Compared
Compare converted Epson EcoTank-style printers, Epson SureColor models, Sawgrass SG500/SG1000 and Brother SP-1 so you can choose the right sublimation printer for your workflow.
Quick overview: The best sublimation printer in 2026 depends on your budget, print size, ink cost, colour expectations, support needs and production volume. A cheap printer is not always the cheapest to run, and a purpose-built printer is not always the best choice for every beginner.
Choosing the right sublimation printer can make or break your workflow, print quality and long-term costs. In this guide, we compare the best sublimation printers you can buy in 2026, including converted Epson EcoTank-style printers, Epson SureColor models, Brother SP-1 and Sawgrass SG500/SG1000.
This article is written from a Print Geek perspective. We focus on real-world usability, ink costs, colour control, profile quality, warranty, maintenance, production scalability and whether a printer is suitable for hobby, small-business or production use.
Quick sublimation printer comparison
| Printer type | Best suited for | Main strength | Main limitation | Print Geek view |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Converted Epson ET-1810 style | Beginners, low-volume users and budget entry | Very low ink cost and low upfront cost | No Epson manufacturer warranty once converted | Best budget entry if supplied with proper ink and profile support |
| Epson SureColor F160 | Small businesses wanting a genuine sublimation printer | Purpose-built Epson dye sublimation workflow | A4 class only | Strong professional entry point |
| Epson SureColor F560 | Growing businesses and regular production | 24-inch output and bottle-based running economy | Higher upfront cost than desktop units | Best balance of production capability and running cost |
| Brother SP-1 | Crafters and light desktop sublimation use | Simple cartridge-based craft workflow | Small cartridge capacity and higher ink cost per ml | Convenient, but not ideal for low running cost or production |
| Sawgrass SG500 / SG1000 | Beginners wanting a supported sublimation ecosystem | Purpose-built ecosystem, support and warranty | Cartridge ecosystem and higher running cost than bottle systems | Good for supported simplicity, less attractive for ink economy |
| Epson F6460 / F6460H | Serious production, soft signage and high-volume sublimation | Production platform, speed and colour capability | Premium investment and workflow requirements | Best for established production environments |
How to choose the best sublimation printer in 2026
The best sublimation printer depends on how much you print, what you print, your budget, and whether you value lowest upfront cost, lowest running cost, warranty support, colour control or production capacity.
Compare these factors first
- Initial purchase cost
- Ink cost per ml
- Maximum print size
- Colour profile quality
- Warranty and support
- Printer maintenance requirements
- Production speed and scalability
Common buying mistakes
- Only comparing the printer purchase price
- Ignoring ink cost and capacity
- Buying too small for the products you want to make
- Using a converted printer without a proper ICC profile
- Confusing craft use with production use
- Assuming all sublimation printers run at the same cost
Important: A sublimation printer is only part of the workflow. Ink, paper, ICC profile, heat press, blank quality and software setup all affect the final result.
Converted Epson ET-1810 style sublimation printer package
If you are looking for the most cost-effective way to start sublimation printing in 2026, a converted Epson EcoTank-style package is still one of the strongest budget options. The low upfront cost and low bottle-ink running cost make it attractive for beginners, hobby users and small businesses learning sublimation.
Why profiles matter on converted sublimation printers
A converted printer is only as good as the ink, media and colour profile supplied with it. The printer itself was not originally engineered as a factory sublimation system, so the ICC profile becomes critical. A poor or generic profile can cause dull colours, strange skin tones, oversaturation, weak blacks, banding or inconsistent output.
Print Geek converted printer advantage: Our converted printer package is supplied with a profile designed for that printer and the inks we supply. That gives customers a controlled starting point instead of guessing with generic profiles, random ink and unsupported media combinations.
Pros
- Very low upfront cost
- Extremely low ink cost compared with cartridge systems
- Compact desktop footprint
- Good entry point for mugs, small blanks and learning
- Works well when paired with correct ink, paper and ICC profile
Cons
- No Epson manufacturer warranty once converted
- Not designed as a production sublimation printer
- Smaller format and slower output
- Requires correct profile setup and operator understanding
- Results can vary badly with poor third-party inks or generic profiles
Best for: beginners, hobby users, low-volume small businesses and customers wanting the lowest entry cost with very low ink cost.
Not ideal for: high-volume production, users needing manufacturer warranty, or customers who want a factory-supported sublimation workflow.
Epson SureColor F160
The Epson SureColor F160 is a purpose-built A4 dye sublimation printer. It is a strong option for small businesses that want a genuine sublimation printer with Epson’s supported dye sublimation ink system, rather than converting a standard desktop printer.
Pros
- Designed specifically for dye sublimation
- Purpose-built Epson ink and driver workflow
- Manufacturer support pathway
- More stable than a converted entry printer
- Good option for small merchandise workflows
Cons
- Higher upfront cost than a converted printer
- A4-class print size only
- Not intended for large-format production
- Still requires correct paper, profile and press workflow
Best for: small businesses wanting a genuine Epson sublimation printer without moving into large-format production.
Epson SureColor F560
The Epson SureColor F560 is a 24-inch dye sublimation printer and one of the strongest choices for growing businesses. It steps beyond desktop limitations by supporting larger media, better workflow capacity and more serious production use.
Pros
- 24-inch print capability
- Excellent for growing sublimation businesses
- Bottle-based Epson UltraChrome dye sublimation ink system
- Better production flexibility than desktop printers
- Strong balance of quality, workflow and running economy
Cons
- Higher upfront investment
- Larger footprint than desktop models
- More suitable for committed users than casual hobbyists
- Requires proper workspace and production planning
Best for: growing businesses producing larger sublimation blanks, apparel panels, signage, merchandise, gifts and regular production work.
Brother SP-1 sublimation printer
The Brother SP-1 is a compact sublimation printer aimed at craft users, hobbyists and light small-business use. It is simple, cartridge-based and easy to understand, but it has important limitations that should be considered before buying.
Brother SP-1 ink cost comparison
The Brother SP-1 uses SP01 cartridges. Each cartridge is 47 ml. At a typical Brother-listed price of $39 per cartridge, a full CMYK set costs around $156 for 188 ml total ink.
| Ink system | Typical set cost | Total ink | Approx cost per 100 ml | Running cost position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Converted Epson ET-1810 style sublimation ink set | $69.95 | 400 ml total ink | Approx $17.49 per 100 ml | Very low ink cost |
| Brother SP-1 SP01 cartridges | Approx $156 | 188 ml total ink | Approx $82.98 per 100 ml | Several times higher per ml |
Major Brother SP-1 limitation: The Brother cartridge system is convenient, but the ink cost per ml can be several times higher than a bottle-based converted Epson sublimation setup. That matters if you plan to print regularly.
Pros
- Compact desktop design
- Simple cartridge system
- Suitable for craft and light sublimation use
- Brother app-based ecosystem may suit beginners
- Can print A4, Letter and Legal-style media
Pitfalls and limitations
- Small 47 ml cartridges increase ink replacement frequency
- High ink cost per ml compared with bottle systems
- Limited to small-format desktop output
- Not a production sublimation printer
- Workflow may be too app-focused for professional users
- Consumable availability and pricing should be checked before buying
- Limited upgrade path if you outgrow the format or running cost
Best for: craft users who want a simple cartridge-based desktop sublimation printer.
Not ideal for: users focused on low running cost, larger print sizes, production work, or maximum ink economy.
Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000
Sawgrass printers are purpose-built desktop sublimation printers with a strong ecosystem around ink, software, profiles and support. They are popular with beginners who want a guided sublimation setup rather than converting a standard printer.
Pros
- Purpose-built sublimation printer ecosystem
- Supported software, ink and profile workflow
- Good beginner support pathway
- SG500 suits A4/Legal-style output
- SG1000 supports larger A3/Tabloid-style output
Pitfalls and limitations
- Cartridge ink system usually costs more than bottle-based Epson workflows
- SG500 is still limited in width and format
- SG1000 costs more mainly for larger media flexibility
- Best results usually come from staying inside the Sawgrass ecosystem
- Not always the lowest running-cost option for regular production
Best for: beginners wanting a supported purpose-built ecosystem and who are comfortable with cartridge-based running costs.
Not ideal for: users prioritising lowest ink cost per ml or those wanting larger production capability at lower operating cost.
Epson SureColor F6460 and F6460H
For established businesses, large-format sublimation and serious production environments, the Epson SureColor F6460 and F6460H move into a different class. These printers are designed for higher-volume output, production workflows, soft signage, apparel, fabric, merchandise and professional sublimation work.
Epson F6460
- Large-format CMYK sublimation production
- Strong option when extended colour is not required
- Built for speed, reliability and regular production
- Suitable for businesses scaling beyond desktop systems
Epson F6460H
- Production sublimation platform with extended colour options
- Best for colour-critical work and expanded gamut requirements
- Useful for fashion, soft signage and premium branding applications
- Premium investment for serious production users
Best for: established production businesses needing output capacity, workflow control and professional large-format sublimation capability.
Which sublimation printer should you buy?
Print Geek recommendation: If budget is the main concern, start with a correctly profiled converted Epson package. If reliability and manufacturer support matter more, choose Epson SureColor. If you want craft simplicity, Brother SP-1 is convenient but expensive to run. If you want an all-in-one supported desktop ecosystem, compare Sawgrass carefully against ink cost and size limits.
Frequently asked questions about sublimation printers
Is a converted sublimation printer worth it?
Yes, for many beginners and low-volume users. A converted printer can be excellent value when supplied with good sublimation ink, suitable paper and a proper ICC profile designed for that printer and ink combination.
Why is the ICC profile important for converted printers?
A converted printer is not factory-calibrated for sublimation. The ICC profile helps translate artwork colour into the correct output for the printer, ink and media combination. Without a good profile, results can be inconsistent or inaccurate.
Is Brother SP-1 cheaper to run than a converted Epson?
Usually no. The Brother SP-1 uses small 47 ml cartridges, while converted Epson EcoTank-style setups can use larger bottle ink systems. On a per-ml basis, Brother SP-1 ink can be several times more expensive.
Is Sawgrass better than Epson?
Sawgrass can be better for users who want a supported cartridge-based ecosystem. Epson is often stronger for users who want bottle-based ink economy, larger production options and a broader upgrade path.
Which sublimation printer is best for production?
For production work, Epson SureColor F560, F6460 and F6460H are stronger choices than small desktop cartridge systems because they are designed for higher-volume workflows and better running economy.
Need help choosing a sublimation printer?
Contact Print Geek with your budget, products, expected print volume and preferred workflow. We can help compare converted Epson, Epson SureColor, Brother, Sawgrass and production sublimation options.
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