A regular inkjet printer can make a colorful design look right on paper and still fail completely after heat transfer. The ink, paper, transfer settings, and blank material all have to work together. That is why choosing the Best sublimation printer is less straightforward than choosing an ordinary home printer.
This list includes purpose-built sublimation printers such as the Epson SureColor F170 and Brother SP-1, along with EcoTank models that are sold as standard document printers and one converted model bundled with sublimation ink. That distinction matters. A printer designed for sublimation is a simpler path, while a converted EcoTank can require more care to keep the printhead clear and the ink system reliable.
For most buyers, the Epson SureColor F170 is the single best pick. The other eight cover starter bundles, wider paper support, ordinary home printing, and lower-maintenance alternatives for different kinds of craft rooms.
Comparison table
| # | Product | Award | Format | Ink or bundle | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Epson SureColor F170 | Best overall | 8.5 by 11 inches | Genuine Epson sublimation ink | Dedicated crafters and small businesses |
| 2 | Brother SP-1 Bundle | Best complete starter bundle | Sublimation printer | CMYK ink, paper, blanks and tape | New users who need supplies |
| 3 | Epson F170 Starter Kit | Best for larger transfers | 8.5 by 11 and 8.5 by 14 inches | Genuine Epson ink, paper and tape | Mixed-size transfer projects |
| 4 | Pinckney Super-Tank | Best converted option | Up to 8.5 by 47.2 inches | Sublimation ink bundle | Experimenters who want an all-in-one |
| 5 | ORINOKIA F170 | Best F170 alternative | 8.5 by 11 inches | Genuine Epson sublimation ink | Buyers seeking the F170 format |
| 6 | Epson EcoTank ET-2803 | Best everyday color printer | Wireless all-in-one | Standard EcoTank ink | Home printing alongside crafts |
| 7 | Epson EcoTank ET-2400 | Best simple home all-in-one | Wireless all-in-one | Standard EcoTank ink | Documents, photos and copying |
| 8 | Epson ET-2800 White | Best basic EcoTank | Wireless all-in-one | Standard EcoTank ink | General home use |
| 9 | Epson ET-2800 Black | Best compact document option | Wireless all-in-one | Standard EcoTank ink | Home users who also need copying |
1. Epson SureColor F170: Best Overall
Pros
- Purpose-built dye-sublimation design
- Genuine Epson sublimation ink included
- Closed 150-sheet auto-feed tray
- Compact footprint for a dedicated transfer printer
- Wi-Fi and USB support for Windows and Mac
Cons
- Limited to an 8.5 by 11 inch format
- It is designed for sublimation rather than general scanning and copying
- The dedicated workflow is more specialized than an ordinary home printer
Best for: crafters and small businesses that want a purpose-built Epson sublimation printer.
The Epson SureColor F170 is the one we would choose when sublimation is the main job. It avoids the uncertainty that comes with converting a general-purpose EcoTank, and its compact body is easier to place in a craft room than many larger office machines. The printer measures 13.7 inches long, 14.8 inches wide, and 7.4 inches high, with a listed weight of 16 pounds. That is substantial enough to feel like dedicated equipment, but still manageable on a sturdy work surface.
The F170 prints on an 8.5 by 11 inch format, which covers the standard transfer size used for many shirts, mugs, mousepads, and small rigid blanks. Its 150-sheet auto-feed tray is one of the useful details here. The tray is enclosed and dust resistant, so paper is not left exposed on an open feeder between projects. For someone making repeated transfers, that means less paper handling and a cleaner routine than constantly feeding individual sheets.
Epson’s PrecisionCore printhead and Precision Droplet Control are the technical foundation. Those features matter because a transfer design needs clean edges and consistent coverage before it goes under a heat press. The included full set of genuine Epson sublimation ink is another important advantage. The ink is identified as ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX certified for use on textiles, apparel, mugs, mousepads, and similar products. Auto-stop bottles are intended to make refilling cleaner, which is welcome when four ink tanks are being filled in a small workspace.
Connectivity is flexible enough for a normal desktop workflow. The listing describes setup for Mac and Windows, with Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, and support for Epson Print Layout or Epson Edge Print. The F170 also supports the Epson iPrint app for sending designs from Android or iOS devices. It is a focused machine, though, not an all-in-one. There is no scanner or copier in the listed features, and the 8.5 by 11 inch limit makes it less suitable for larger shirt graphics than the Epson F170 Starter Kit.
The main weakness is format flexibility. The Brother SP-1 Bundle gives beginners more physical supplies, while the Epson F170 Starter Kit adds 8.5 by 14 inch paper and thermal tape. The standard F170 counters with the cleanest, most straightforward dedicated setup. Skip it if you need legal-size transfers, routine document scanning, or one machine for both household paperwork and sublimation.
For a buyer who wants a dedicated printer and does not need oversized transfer sheets, the Epson SureColor F170 is the most balanced choice here. It has the right ink, a sensible tray, a compact design, and manufacturer support without asking the buyer to guess whether a conversion was done correctly.
2. Brother SP-1 Bundle: Best Complete Starter Bundle
Pros
- Full CMYK sublimation ink set included
- 160 sublimation transfer sheets
- 50 sublimation blanks
- Four sizes of heat-resistant tape
- Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Windows, Mac and app compatibility
Cons
- Bundle contents can be more than an experienced owner needs
- The printer is less compact than the F170 in width and length
- The included supplies do not replace a heat press
Best for: beginners who want a printer and a substantial set of transfer supplies in one package.
The Brother SP-1 Bundle takes a different approach from the Epson SureColor F170. Instead of concentrating almost entirely on the printer, it gives a new user enough accessories to start learning the transfer process. The bundle includes the SP-1 printer, a full set of CMYK sublimation inks, 150 sheets of ProSub 8.5 by 11 inch paper, 10 Brother 8.5 by 11 inch sheets, 50 sublimation blanks, and four rolls of Prosub heat-resistant tape in widths from 0.125 inch to 1 inch.
That collection is useful because a first project rarely ends with pressing one perfect design. Having 50 blanks and 160 transfer sheets gives a beginner room to learn how artwork, paper placement, tape, temperature, and pressure interact. The listing also includes 500 SoFontsy design cards, 100 sublimation designs, and the Artspira design software app as a digital download. Those extras make this a more approachable starting point than buying a printer alone and then assembling every part of the workflow separately.
The SP-1 itself has a compact listed body measuring 17 inches long, 13.5 inches wide, and 6.3 inches high. The product information also gives a size of 17 by 13.5 by 7 inches, so buyers should leave a little clearance above the machine rather than planning around the shorter measurement alone. Wi-Fi and Ethernet are both supported, along with Windows, Mac, and app compatibility. Ethernet is a useful addition if the printer will stay in a workroom where a wired connection is easier to keep reliable.
Brother positions the SP-1 for designs on t-shirts, tote bags, ceramic mugs, metal tumblers, coasters, and other materials. The included paper and blanks are more meaningful than a vague promise of broad media support because they give the user a clear place to begin. The Epson SureColor F170 has the more purpose-specific reputation in this group, but the Brother is the more generous starting point for someone who has not yet accumulated tape, blanks, paper, and designs.
The trade-off is that a large bundle can become clutter for an experienced user. If you already have a heat press, a preferred paper, a supply of blanks, and a design library, the Brother package contains duplication. It also does not include the heat press needed to transfer designs, so the bundle is not a complete end-to-end workshop. Its 17 inch length takes more room than the F170’s 13.7 inch length as well.
The Brother SP-1 Bundle makes the most sense for a first serious foray into sublimation. It is the pick for someone who wants practical materials to practice with immediately, rather than a bare printer and a separate shopping list.
3. Epson F170 Starter Kit: Best for Larger Transfers
Pros
- Genuine Epson sublimation ink included
- Supports 8.5 by 11 and 8.5 by 14 inch paper
- Starter kit includes thermal tape
- Enclosed 150-sheet auto-feed tray
- PrecisionCore printhead with Precision Droplet Control
Cons
- Still not a wide-format printer
- The paper and tape bundle may not suit buyers with established supplies
- No scanner or copier is listed
Best for: makers who need both letter-size and legal-size transfer sheets.
The Epson F170 Starter Kit is essentially the most flexible version of the dedicated F170 setup in this roundup. The printer itself remains compact, measuring 13.7 inches long, 14.8 inches wide, and 7.4 inches high. The important difference is not the chassis. It is the collection of paper and accessories supplied with it, including 8.5 by 11 inch and 8.5 by 14 inch paper plus thermal tape.
That 8.5 by 14 inch support gives the F170 Starter Kit a useful advantage for designs that need more length than a standard letter sheet allows. It is not a giant format machine, and the maximum listed sizes should not be stretched into a promise of full-shirt printing. Still, the additional legal-size paper can make a difference for longer graphics, sleeves, signs, and projects where the artwork would otherwise need to be reduced or split.
The 150-sheet auto-feed tray is enclosed and dust resistant. That design is well suited to a printer that may sit in a craft room for days between projects. Epson also includes auto-stop ink bottles, which are intended to reduce spills during filling. The full set of genuine Epson sublimation inks is described as ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX certified, and the printer uses Epson’s PrecisionCore printhead with Precision Droplet Control for detailed transfer designs.
This bundle is a better fit for mixed project sizes than the standard Epson SureColor F170. The regular F170 remains the simpler choice when every design fits on 8.5 by 11 inch paper, while the Brother SP-1 Bundle gives beginners more blanks and design materials. The F170 Starter Kit occupies the middle ground: it keeps the dedicated Epson workflow but adds the paper size that can save a project from awkward resizing.
The weakness is that the kit does not turn the F170 into a general home office printer. The supplied information does not list a scanner, copier, or a larger media path, and there is no reason to buy this version if legal-size transfer paper has no role in your work. The kit also includes materials that may overlap with supplies already in an established craft room.
For makers who regularly move between standard and legal-size transfer sheets, the Epson F170 Starter Kit is the more useful F170 package. It retains the dedicated hardware and genuine ink while reducing the number of small accessories needed before the first project.
4. Pinckney Super-Tank: Best Converted Option
Pros
- Sublimation ink bundle included
- Built-in scanner and copier
- Wireless all-in-one design
- Easy-fill no-syringe ink system
- Supports several sheet sizes and long media
Cons
- Converted ET-2800 or ET-2803 rather than a purpose-built sublimation printer
- Requires nozzle checks and head alignment when print quality changes
- The listing gives a one-year limited warranty
Best for: experimenters who want sublimation capability plus scanning and copying in one converted machine.
The Pinckney Super-Tank is the outlier in this group because it combines an all-in-one Epson EcoTank base with a sublimation ink bundle. The listing identifies it as a converted ET-2800 or ET-2803 in white, with a scanner, copier, wireless connectivity, and a manual and CD-ROM for setup. That makes it more versatile on paper than the dedicated F170, especially for a home craft room that also handles documents.
Its ink bundle lists 127 milliliters of black ink and 85 milliliters each of magenta, cyan, and yellow. The auto-fill nozzle is designed to fit the printer inlet and fill without a syringe, squeezing, or ink leakage. Those details address one of the messier parts of working with refillable tanks. The printer is also listed with support for letter, legal, executive, A4, A6, 4 by 6 inch, 5 by 7 inch, and several other paper sizes, including media up to 8.5 by 47.2 inches.
The listed resolution is up to 5760 by 1440 dpi. That number alone does not guarantee a perfect pressed image, but it shows the machine is based on a fine-droplet inkjet platform rather than a low-detail device. Pinckney specifically advises that sublimation output can look dull on paper and become vivid after heat transfer. It also recommends a nozzle check and printhead alignment when output quality is inconsistent, which is advice buyers should take seriously.
That maintenance requirement is the central difference between the Pinckney and the Epson SureColor F170. The F170 is designed as a sublimation printer from the start, while the Pinckney relies on a converted EcoTank platform. The conversion provides a scanner and copier, along with broader listed media support, but it also means the buyer needs to follow the supplied instructions and pay attention to clogs and alignment. People new to the process may find the first steps that make sublimation less intimidating useful before committing to a converted setup.
The body measures 22.8 inches long, 14.8 inches wide, and 10 inches high, with a listed weight of 15.3 pounds. That length is notable. It needs more front-to-back space than the F170, and the all-in-one design leaves more physical equipment on the desk. The one-year limited warranty and dedicated customer service are useful, but this is not the same support proposition as buying a purpose-built printer with full manufacturer support.
Choose the Pinckney when scanning, copying, multiple paper sizes, and a bundled sublimation ink system matter more than the simplicity of dedicated hardware. Skip it if you want the least complicated path to consistent transfers. For that buyer, the Epson SureColor F170 is the safer recommendation.
5. ORINOKIA F170: Best F170 Alternative
Pros
- Genuine Epson sublimation ink listed
- PrecisionCore printhead
- 150-sheet enclosed auto-feed tray
- Wi-Fi and USB connectivity
- Compact 8.5 by 11 inch format
Cons
- Limited to 8.5 by 11 inch media
- No scanner or copier is listed
- The listing includes a warning about loaded ink and transport
Best for: buyers who want the F170 platform and its standard transfer format from an alternate listing.
The ORINOKIA F170 is another listing for the Epson SureColor F170, with a full set of ink, a user guide, and an AC power cable. The printer has the same essential dedicated-sublimation profile as the top-ranked F170: an 8.5 by 11 inch format, PrecisionCore printing, a 150-sheet auto-feed tray, and wireless and USB connectivity. The practical differences are in the supplied package and the listing details rather than a different printer design.
Its 13.7 by 14.8 by 7.4 inch body is compact enough for a small workspace, and the listed weight is 15.78 pounds. The auto-feed tray keeps paper in a dust-resistant closed area, which is useful for transfer sheets that should not be left exposed between jobs. The product description also says the printer works with Windows and macOS through Epson Print Layout or Epson Edge Print, and supports the Epson iPrint app on Android and iOS.
The F170’s PrecisionCore printhead uses Precision Droplet Control to place ink accurately. For sublimation, that means the quality of the printed transfer matters before the press ever touches the blank. The listing describes consistent color saturation and contrast from genuine Epson dye-sublimation ink. It also says the ink bottles have auto-stop filling, a small feature that can make regular tank maintenance less stressful.
The ORINOKIA F170 is difficult to separate from the Epson SureColor F170 in actual printer capability. The Epson-branded package from Johnson Plastics Plus emphasizes factory-sealed packaging, an authorized partner, documentation, and full manufacturer warranty support. This listing describes the original product and full manufacturer support, but it also carries a warning that the item cannot be returned once inks are loaded because leaks during transport may cause skin irritation. That makes careful inspection and setup especially important.
There are also clear limits. This is an 8.5 by 11 inch printer, so it does not have the F170 Starter Kit’s listed 8.5 by 14 inch paper option. It does not provide the Brother SP-1 Bundle’s blanks, tape, and design materials, and no scanner or copier is listed. For a buyer comparing nearly identical F170 options, the supplies needed beyond the printer itself are worth considering before choosing a bundle.
The ORINOKIA F170 is a credible alternative for someone specifically seeking the F170 format and dedicated sublimation workflow. It is not a different class of machine from the top pick, so the deciding factor should be the exact package and support terms the buyer is comfortable with.
6. Epson EcoTank ET-2803: Best Everyday Color Printer
Pros
- Wireless all-in-one design
- Built-in scanner and copier
- AirPrint and Epson Smart Panel support
- High-capacity refillable ink tanks
- Hands-free voice-activated printing support
Cons
- Standard EcoTank ink is not listed as sublimation ink
- It is designed for documents and photos, not dedicated transfers
- No legal-size or dedicated sublimation workflow is listed
Best for: homes that need everyday color printing and may explore craft projects separately.
The Epson EcoTank ET-2803 belongs in this roundup because it is often considered by people who want one refillable printer for home use and occasional crafts. It is important not to confuse that with a dedicated sublimation machine. The ET-2803 is listed as a wireless color all-in-one with scan, copy, AirPrint, and standard EcoTank ink features. The product information does not identify the supplied ink as sublimation ink.
For ordinary printing, the ET-2803 is much more practical than the F170. It has a high-resolution flatbed scanner, a color display, wireless connectivity, AirPrint, the Epson Smart Panel app, and support for hands-free voice-activated printing. Its Micro Piezo Heat-Free technology is described as producing sharp text and color photos and graphics on virtually any paper type. Those are useful home-office traits, but they do not establish compatibility with sublimation transfer work.
The refill system is the reason to choose this model over a conventional cartridge printer. Epson says each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges, and the supplied ink can cover up to 4, 500 black pages and 7, 500 color pages according to the listing. It also says the box can contain up to two years of ink. Those figures describe standard document printing, not the output of sublimation transfers, so craft buyers should not treat them as a transfer yield estimate.
The ET-2803 measures 22.8 inches long, 14.8 inches wide, and 10 inches high, with a listed weight of 8.8 pounds. It is lighter than the dedicated F170, though its 22.8 inch length makes it a long object for a shallow desk. The scanner and copier add flexibility, and AirPrint makes it easy to send casual jobs from an iPhone or iPad.
The weakness is fundamental for this category: this is not the direct route to sublimation. The Epson SureColor F170 comes with genuine sublimation ink and a tray designed around transfer sheets. The Pinckney Super-Tank is explicitly bundled with sublimation ink after conversion. The ET-2803 is better treated as a general home printer unless the buyer has a clear, manufacturer-supported plan for a different ink workflow. Epson also recommends genuine Epson ink and warns that non-genuine ink can cause damage not covered by its limited warranty.
Choose the ET-2803 if your main need is home printing, scanning, and copying, with craft experimentation as a secondary consideration. If sublimation is the reason you are shopping, move up to the F170 or Brother SP-1 instead.
7. Epson EcoTank ET-2400: Best Simple Home All-in-One
Pros
- Wireless printing, scanning and copying
- Refillable high-capacity ink tanks
- Micro Piezo Heat-Free printing technology
- Black finish for a less conspicuous setup
- Ink bottles reduce the need for small cartridges
Cons
- Standard home printer rather than a dedicated sublimation model
- The listing does not include sublimation ink
- No AirPrint support is listed in the supplied features
Best for: home users who need a basic wireless printer, scanner, and copier rather than dedicated sublimation equipment.
The Epson EcoTank ET-2400 is a straightforward home all-in-one, not a sublimation printer. Its inclusion is useful because many shoppers begin with a general-purpose EcoTank after seeing that it uses refillable tanks. The ET-2400’s listed package and features are aimed at everyday documents, photos, scanning, and copying, and they do not identify a sublimation ink system.
Its Micro Piezo Heat-Free technology is designed to produce sharp text and color photos and graphics on a broad range of ordinary paper. The wireless color printer also includes a scanner and copier, making it a more capable household device than the dedicated Epson F170 in one respect. It can handle routine paperwork without needing a separate scanner, while the F170 is focused entirely on making transfer prints.
Epson says the ET-2400 can print up to 4, 500 black-and-white pages and 7, 200 color pages with the appropriate ink supply, and that the box can include up to two years of ink. Again, these figures belong to its regular printing workflow. They should not be presented as evidence that the ET-2400 is ready for heat-transfer projects. The printer uses EcoFit bottles, and the refill process is intended to be easier than handling small cartridges.
The black chassis measures 22.8 inches long, 14.8 inches wide, and 10 inches high, with a listed weight of 8.6 pounds. It is relatively light to move, but the long body still needs proper desk depth. Wireless support helps keep the setup tidy. Compared with the Epson EcoTank ET-2803, the ET-2400 has fewer listed smart-printing features because AirPrint, the Smart Panel app, and voice-activated printing are not included in the supplied feature list.
For sublimation, the problem is the same as with the ET-2803, but the ET-2400 offers even less reason to select it as a craft machine. The Epson SureColor F170 provides genuine sublimation ink, an enclosed 150-sheet tray, and a dedicated print path. The Brother SP-1 provides actual transfer supplies. The ET-2400 provides a useful scanner and copier, but standard home-printing features are not a substitute for sublimation compatibility.
The ET-2400 is a sensible choice for a home that needs a simple wireless document printer and occasional color graphics. It should be skipped by anyone choosing a machine primarily for sublimation transfers.
8. Epson ET-2800 White: Best Basic EcoTank
Pros
- Wireless color printing, scanning and copying
- Refillable EcoTank design
- High-resolution flatbed scanner
- Color display for copying and navigation
- Micro Piezo Heat-Free technology
Cons
- Standard inkjet all-in-one, not a dedicated sublimation printer
- No sublimation ink is listed
- Larger and heavier than the lighter ET-2400
Best for: general home printing when scanning and copying matter more than transfer work.
The white Epson ET-2800 is a conventional EcoTank all-in-one with a useful set of home features. It prints, scans, and copies over a wireless connection, and it includes a color display for navigation and copying. It is a good example of why refillable tanks alone do not make a printer a sublimation printer. The supplied features describe standard EcoTank printing, not dye-sublimation ink.
Epson’s Micro Piezo Heat-Free technology is intended to produce sharp text and strong color photos and graphics on ordinary paper. The high-resolution flatbed scanner is handy for copying artwork, forms, and household documents. The color display is also more convenient for direct copying than the dedicated F170, which has no scanner or copier listed.
The ET-2800 is rated in the listing for up to 4, 500 black pages and 7, 500 color pages, with up to two years of ink in the box. Its EcoFit bottles are designed to make refilling easier and reduce the need for disposable cartridges. Those capabilities are relevant for regular printing, though they do not tell us how the printer would perform with sublimation ink or heat-transfer paper. The listing does not provide such a conversion or ink specification.
The body is 22.8 inches long, 14.8 inches wide, and 10 inches high, and the listed weight is 11.56 pounds. That makes it a relatively substantial home printer even though it is still easy enough to position on a desk. The white finish is the only meaningful distinction from the black ET-2800 in this list, so the two should be judged by workspace preference rather than expected print capability.
The Epson SureColor F170 is the far better match for dedicated transfer work because its full ink set is made for sublimation and its 150-sheet tray is enclosed. The Pinckney Super-Tank is a more direct choice for someone who specifically wants an all-in-one with sublimation ink, though its converted design needs more maintenance attention. The ET-2800 White should stay in consideration only when everyday home printing is the main job.
If your priority is a wireless scanner, copier, and document printer with refillable tanks, the ET-2800 White is a capable fit. If your priority is heat-transfer production, choose a machine whose listing explicitly supplies sublimation ink.
9. Epson ET-2800 Black: Best Compact Document Option
Pros
- Wireless all-in-one design
- Scanner and copier included
- Refillable high-capacity ink system
- Listed output of up to 10 ISO pages per minute
- Micro Piezo Heat-Free technology
Cons
- Not listed with sublimation ink
- Epson recommends genuine ink for performance and warranty coverage
- No dedicated sublimation paper path or workflow is listed
Best for: home users who need everyday documents and want a black ET-2800 configuration.
The black Epson ET-2800 is the closest companion to the white model, with the same general role and the same caution for sublimation shoppers. It is a wireless color printer, scanner, and copier for home use. The listing describes vivid, detailed documents and images through Micro Piezo Heat-Free technology, but it does not list sublimation ink or dedicated heat-transfer support.
The useful difference in the supplied details is the stated print rate of 10 ISO pages per minute. That makes the ET-2800 Black more relevant to a household that prints regular documents in batches, though it is still not an office production machine. Its scanner and copier make it more versatile than the F170 for schoolwork, forms, and household paperwork.
The tank system is the core EcoTank feature. Epson says each ink set can produce up to 4, 500 black pages and 7, 500 color pages, and that the printer can include up to two years of ink. It also warns that non-genuine ink may damage the printer in a way not covered by its limited warranty. That warning matters especially here because a buyer looking at sublimation may be tempted to change the ink system. The product information does not say that such a conversion is supported.
The listed dimensions are 17 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 9.25 inches high, with a weight of 11.4 pounds. Those measurements differ from the white ET-2800 listing, so buyers should use the dimensions attached to the exact configuration they are considering. Either way, this is a home all-in-one rather than the short, dedicated transfer chassis of the Epson F170.
Against the rest of this roundup, the ET-2800 Black is an ordinary printer with a sensible tank design. The Epson SureColor F170 is the clear choice for sublimation, and the Brother SP-1 Bundle is better for a new crafter who wants paper, blanks, tape, and ink. The ET-2800 Black wins only when standard printing, scanning, and copying are the real priorities.
Select it for home documents, color graphics, and copying in a black housing. Do not select it as a sublimation printer unless there is separate, reliable evidence that a particular conversion and ink system is supported.
How to choose best sublimation printer
The right Best sublimation printer depends on whether you want dedicated transfer hardware, a starter supply bundle, or a general home printer that happens to use refillable tanks.
Dedicated sublimation ink
This is the first filter. The Epson SureColor F170 and Brother SP-1 are listed with sublimation ink, while the EcoTank ET-2803, ET-2400, and ET-2800 models are listed with standard EcoTank printing features. The Pinckney is specifically sold as a converted machine with sublimation ink.
Do not assume that a refillable tank accepts sublimation ink simply because it can be filled. Ink chemistry, printer setup, warranty coverage, and cleaning requirements all matter. A dedicated model is usually the clearer route for a buyer who does not want to manage a conversion.
Transfer size
Most of the dedicated Epson models here use an 8.5 by 11 inch format. That covers many shirts, mugs, mousepads, and small rigid items, but it limits the dimensions of a single transfer.
The Epson F170 Starter Kit adds 8.5 by 14 inch paper, which is useful for longer designs. The Pinckney listing includes support for legal paper and media up to 8.5 by 47.2 inches. Treat those listed formats as capability boundaries, not a guarantee that every long design will feed or transfer without adjustments.
A larger paper option matters only when your actual blank needs more length than a standard letter sheet can provide.
Ink loading and maintenance
Auto-stop bottles on the F170 models and the auto-fill nozzle on the Pinckney are designed to make filling cleaner. That is helpful, but no refillable printer is maintenance-free. Sublimation work depends on clear nozzles and consistent color, especially when the printer is used intermittently.
The Pinckney listing specifically recommends a nozzle check and printhead alignment when quality changes. That is a sign of the hands-on care a converted machine may need. Buyers who want a less experimental workflow should favor the dedicated Epson or Brother models.
Paper handling
A 150-sheet enclosed auto-feed tray, as found on the Epson F170 listings, is a practical feature for repeated work. It protects the paper from dust and means fewer interruptions during a run.
The Brother SP-1 Bundle provides many sheets, but the supplied features do not describe the same 150-sheet enclosed tray. The Pinckney lists many supported paper sizes, including long media. Judge paper handling by both the tray design and the sizes you use most often, not by the number of supported formats alone.
Connectivity and software
Wi-Fi keeps a craft-room setup flexible. USB can be useful for a direct computer connection, while Ethernet on the Brother SP-1 provides another option for a fixed workroom. The Epson F170 listings mention Epson Print Layout, Epson Edge Print, and Epson iPrint, while the Brother bundle includes Artspira and Windows, Mac, and app compatibility.
A scanner and copier are useful if the machine will also handle home paperwork. They are not necessary for a dedicated transfer printer, and adding them can make the body longer or the workflow more complicated.
Frequently asked questions
Can a standard Epson EcoTank print sublimation transfers?
The EcoTank ET-2803, ET-2400, and ET-2800 listings supplied here describe standard ink, scanning, copying, and ordinary color printing. They do not identify those models as sublimation printers. A conversion may be possible in some situations, but the product data here does not establish support for converting these specific standard listings.
Which printer is easiest for a first sublimation project?
The Brother SP-1 Bundle is the most approachable package for a beginner because it includes sublimation ink, transfer paper, blanks, heat-resistant tape, designs, and design software. The Epson SureColor F170 is the simpler dedicated printer choice when you already have blanks and a heat press.
Does the Epson SureColor F170 print larger than 8.5 by 11 inches?
The standard F170 listings specify an 8.5 by 11 inch format. The Epson F170 Starter Kit includes 8.5 by 14 inch paper, giving that package a larger listed transfer option. It is still not a wide-format printer.
Do these bundles include a heat press?
The supplied product details do not list a heat press in any of the nine products. The Brother bundle includes paper, blanks, tape, ink, and design-related extras, while the Epson F170 Starter Kit includes paper and thermal tape. A separate press is still needed to transfer a printed design to a compatible blank.
Why can a sublimation print look dull before pressing?
The Pinckney listing specifically notes that sublimation printing can look dull on paper but become vivid after heat transfer. The appearance on the transfer sheet is therefore not the final appearance on the blank. Correct paper, ink, heat, pressure, and material compatibility still affect the finished result.
Is a scanner important on a sublimation printer?
A scanner is useful if you want to copy artwork, forms, or household documents. It is not required for printing digital transfer designs. The Epson F170 and Brother SP-1 focus on sublimation output, while the EcoTank and Pinckney models add scanning and copying for mixed home use.
What paper sizes does the Pinckney Super-Tank support?
The listing names letter, legal, executive, A4, A6, 5.5 by 8.5 inch, 4 by 6 inch, 5 by 7 inch, 8.5 by 47.2 inch, and 2.2 by 3.4 inch media. Actual results will depend on the paper, design, feed path, and transfer material used.
The bottom line
The Best sublimation printer for most dedicated users is the Epson SureColor F170. Its genuine Epson sublimation ink, PrecisionCore printhead, enclosed 150-sheet tray, compact format, and Windows and Mac support make it the clearest all-around choice. Choose the Epson F170 Starter Kit instead if 8.5 by 14 inch paper and included thermal tape will be useful.
The Brother SP-1 Bundle is the stronger beginner package because it includes paper, blanks, tape, ink, and design resources. The Pinckney Super-Tank is the more flexible converted option for someone who also wants a scanner and copier, but it asks for closer attention to nozzle checks and alignment. The standard EcoTank models belong on this list only for buyers whose main need is everyday home printing.
If you are undecided, choose a dedicated sublimation model unless scanning and ordinary document printing are equally important.