10 Best Sublimation Printer 2025 in the United States

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is a versatile all-in-one printer that excels in producing vibrant, lab-quality photos, making it a great choice for photographers, artists, and anyone interested in high-quality printing. One of its standout features is its cartridge-free printing system, utilizing high-capacity ink bottles that can significantly reduce printing costs—up to 80% savings compared to traditional ink cartridges. This printer also supports a variety of media sizes, including borderless prints up to 13" x 19", which is fantastic for creative projects and professional prints.

In terms of performance, it offers a decent print speed of up to 12 pages per minute for color prints, and it’s equipped with a user-friendly 4.3-inch touchscreen for easy navigation. The wireless connectivity options allow for mobile printing, which is a convenient feature for users who operate from multiple devices.

There are some drawbacks to consider. While the initial investment can be appealing due to the low cost of ink, the printer itself is relatively bulky and weighs 24.5 pounds, which may not be ideal for those with limited space. Additionally, the recommendation to use only genuine Epson inks could deter users looking for more economical alternatives. The printer also has a memory capacity of only 64 MB, which may limit its functionality for more extensive print jobs. If you’re looking for a sublimation printer that balances quality with cost-efficiency, the ET-8550 is a solid choice, particularly for home use or small businesses focused on photo printing. Just keep in mind its size and ink restrictions when making your decision.

The Liene M100 4x6'' Photo Printer offers a good mix of portability and quality, making it ideal for users who want to print photos directly from their smartphones, whether they use iPhone or Android. The thermal dye sublimation technology ensures vibrant, long-lasting prints that are resistant to water, scratches, and fading. However, its print resolution is relatively low at 300x300 dpi, which might not satisfy professional photographers seeking the highest detail levels. The maximum print speed is also not particularly fast, at 1 page per minute, making it less suitable for high-volume printing needs.

This printer is highly user-friendly with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, eliminating the need for additional networks or cables. It supports simultaneous connections from multiple devices, which is great for sharing with friends and family. The Liene App adds functionality by allowing users to customize photos before printing. On the downside, the printer's media size is limited to 4x6 inches, and its output capacity is only 20 sheets at a time, requiring frequent refills for larger projects. Maintenance is straightforward but limited to proprietary cartridges, which may limit cost-efficiency in the long run.

In terms of support, it comes with a one-year warranty, which is standard. This photo printer is best suited for casual users and families who want an easy, quick way to print and share memories from their smartphones.

The Brother Sublimation Printer is a compact and user-friendly option designed for those interested in DIY sublimation printing projects on fabrics and glossy photo paper. It offers a respectable maximum color print resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi, which ensures sharp and vibrant prints suitable for personal or small-scale creative work. One of its strengths is the fast printing speed, with color prints completed in about 45 seconds per sheet, helping you quickly finish your custom designs. The printer supports standard 8.5 x 11 inch media size, which works well for typical sublimation sheets but may limit larger projects.

Its 4-color CMYK dye sublimation ink system comes bundled with extra ink cartridges, providing good value and convenience for beginners. Connectivity is mainly through Wi-Fi and USB, allowing easy connection to iOS devices via the free Artspira app. This app is a standout feature, offering access to over 100 sublimation designs and creative tools to help users design and print directly from their phones or tablets. The printer is print-only with no scanning or copying features, and it lacks duplex (double-sided) printing.

Maintenance details are minimal, but being a dye sublimation printer, some care is needed to keep the print heads clean and ink flowing properly. Additionally, a separate heat press is necessary to complete sublimation transfers, which is not included. This printer serves as a solid choice for hobbyists and small business owners who want an accessible and creative sublimation solution without complex setup, though those needing larger format printing or faster production might look elsewhere.