Have you ever dreamed of creating vibrant, custom designs on t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases that just won’t fade? That’s the magic of sublimation printing! But when it comes to bringing those colorful ideas to life with your Cricut machine, choosing the *right* printer can feel like navigating a maze. You want brilliant colors and lasting results, but the sheer number of printer options can be overwhelming. What if you pick the wrong one and your projects turn out dull or the ink doesn’t bond properly?
Don’t let printer confusion dim your creative spark! In this post, we’re going to break down exactly what you need to know to find the perfect printer for your Cricut sublimation adventures. We’ll cut through the jargon and explain the key features that truly matter. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll feel confident and ready to make a smart choice, so you can start turning your amazing designs into stunning, permanent creations without the guesswork.
Top Printer For Cricut Sublimation Recommendations
No. 1
Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer – Compact 8.5" x 11" Format – Includes Genuine Epson Ink, User Guide & Power Cable – Original OEM Product with Full Manufacturer Support
- Confidence - Epson authorized partner. Original Epson Manufactured product delivered in Epson’s factory-sealed packaging with Epson documentation and Epson’s full manufacturer warranty.
- Genuine Epson Ink Included - Comes with a full set of OEM Epson sublimation inks, certified ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX for safe use on textiles, apparel, mugs, mousepads, and more.
- Astounding Print Quality - Epson's Surecolor F170 Sublimation printer boasts the PrecisionCore printhead which offers Precision Droplet Control for the most outstanding image clarity on the market. Included in the printer bundle: full set of Epson sublimation ink, user guide, AC power cable.
- Versatile Media Support - Includes a 150-sheet auto-feed tray for added efficiency. Epson SureColor sublimation printers house the paper in a dust resistant closed tray for the cleanest possible prints with less paper prep for professional sublimation transfers.
- Compact Reliable Solution - Space-saving design with user-friendly setup for Mac & Windows. Includes ink bottles with auto-stop technology for clean, mess-free refills. Perfect for hobbyists, crafters, and small business owners.
No. 2
Cricut Sublimation Paper - 100 Sheets (8.5" x 11") - Letter Size (120gsm)
- INCLUDES - 100 Sheets of 8.5 in x 11 of Sublimation Paper (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)
- FULL-COLOR PROJECTS - Produces vivid, brilliant, seamlessly smooth transfers that are peel-proof, flake-proof, and wash-proof.
- IDEAL PAPER THICKNESS - Designed with premium 120gsm paper weight to allow maximum ink holding and releasing while also being flexible enough to pass through your sublimation printer and used on a curved blank.
- DISHWASHER AND MACHINE WASHER FRIENDLY - Sublimation projects can be placed in the dishwasher or washing machine.
- PRINTING TIP - Print on white side of paper.
No. 3
Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer. Includes Full Set of Ink, User Guide, & AC Power Cable SCF170 - Compact 8.5" x 11" Format - Original Product with Full Manufacturer Support by ORINOKIA.
- 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Epson's Surecolor F170 Sublimation printer boasts the PrecisionCore printhead which offers Precision Droplet Control for the most outstanding image clarity on the market. Included in the printer bundle: full set of Epson sublimation ink, user guide, and AC power cable.
- 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝘆𝗲-𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆: Epson ink is well-known for its consistent delivery of extraordinary color saturation and high color contrast.
- 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Includes a 150-sheet auto-feed tray for added efficiency. Epson SureColor sublimation printers house the paper in a dust resistant closed tray for the cleanest possible prints with less paper prep for professional sublimation transfers.
- 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗸 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻: Our high-capacity sublimation ink bottles with auto-stop for easy, mess-free filling provide an economic solution to costly sublimation consumables. Be sure to get every drop of your sublimation ink which saves you money and gives you an edge in your sublimation business
- Versatile Wi-Fi and USB Connectivity: Easily print from Windows or macOS computers using Epson Print Layout or Epson Edge Print software. Compatible with the Epson iPrint app for sending designs directly from Android or iOS devices. Not compatible with direct email printing or camera connections
No. 4
Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer. Includes Full Set of Ink, User Guide, AC Power Cable, Sublimation Starter Kit, Thermal Tape, 8.5" x 11" & 8.5" x 14" Paper SCF170
- Astounding Print Quality - Epson's Surecolor F170 Sublimation printer boasts the PrecisionCore printhead which offers Precision Droplet Control for the most outstanding image clarity on the market. Included in the printer bundle: full set of Epson sublimation ink, user guide, AC power cable, thermal tape, 8.5" x 11" & 8.5" x 14" paper.
- Genuine Epson Ink Included - Comes with a full set of OEM Epson sublimation inks, certified ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX for safe use on textiles, apparel, mugs, mousepads, and more.
- Versatile Media Support - Includes a 150-sheet auto-feed tray for added efficiency. Epson SureColor sublimation printers house the paper in a dust resistant closed tray for the cleanest possible prints with less paper prep for professional sublimation transfers.
- Replace Ink Less Often - Our high-capacity sublimation ink bottles with auto-stop for easy, mess-free filling provide an economic solution to costly sublimation consumables. Be sure to get every drop of your sublimation ink which saves you money and gives you an edge in your sublimation business
- Tackle a variety of Print Jobs - Epson DS Multi-Use transfer paper produces amazing images on both soft and rigid materials. This paper is specifically designed for use in Epson SureColor printers but can also be used in SawGrass and Brother sublimation printers.
No. 5
Pinckney Cartridge-Free Super-Tank Printer with Sublimation Ink Bundle for Heat Transfers, Easy Fill, Built-in Scanner & Copier (White)
- 【Sublimation Printing】Wireless Super-Tank AIl-in-One Printer with Scanner and Copier. High-capacity ink tanks mean no more ink cartridges.
- 【Sublimation Ink Contents】Black 127mL; Magenta 85mL; Cyan 85mL; Yellow 85mL. Ink may be shipped in a separate package based on logistic optimizations.
- 【Easy to Fill】the auto-fill nozzle fits the printer ink inlet perfectly and allows easily ink fill. No syringe needed, no squeezing, no ink leakage.
- 【Supported Paper Sizes】Letter A Size (8.5 in x 11 in), Legal (8.5 in x 14 in), Executive (7.25 in x 10.5 in), A4 (8.25 in x 11.7 in), A6 (4.13 in x 5.83 in), 5.5 in x 8.5 in, 4 in x 6 in, 5 in x 7 in, 8.5 in x 47.2 in, 2.2 in x 3.4 in
- 【High-resolution printing】up to 5760 x 1440 dpi. Finer ink droplet size, Worry less about clogging.
No. 6
Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer Starter Bundle with Full Ink Set, 160 Sublimation Transfer Sheets, 50 Blanks, Tape and More
- Brother SP-1 Dye-Sublimation Printer with full set of CMYK inks, 160 sheets sublimation paper, 50 sublimation blanks, heat resistant tape and more
- BUNDLE INCLUDES: Full Set of Sublimation Inks - Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow 47ml Each, Prosub 50 Piece Sublimation Blank Set, 500 in SoFontsy Desgins Cards for Sublimation Designs, Monograms, SVGs, Commercial Use
- BUNDLE INCLUDES: 150 Sheets of ProSub 8.5" x 11" Sublimation Paper, 10 Sheets of Brother 8.5" x 11" Sublimation Paper, 4 Rolls of Prosub Heat Resist Tape - .125in, .25in, .50in, 1in
- BUNDLE INCLUDES: Artspira Design Software App (digital download), 100 Sublimation Designs, Quick Reference Guide, Wi-Fi & Ethernet Connectivity, Windows, Mac & App Compatible
- Transform your crafting and small business ventures with the Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer, a compact, high-performance printer designed to bring your imagination to life. Perfect for hobbyists, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs, this sublimation printer delivers professional-grade, vibrant, full-color designs on a variety of materials, including t-shirts, tote bags, ceramic mugs, metal tumblers, coasters, and more.
No. 7
Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper - 50 Sheets (8.5" x 11") - Letter Size - Compatible with Sublimation Printer and Sublimation Ink (120gsm)
- INCLUDES - 50 Sheets of 8.5 in x 11 of Sublimation Paper (21.5 cm x 27.9 cm)
- FULL-COLOR PROJECTS - Produces vivid, brilliant, seamlessly smooth transfers that are peel-proof, flake-proof, and wash-proof.
- IDEAL PAPER THICKNESS - Designed with premium 120gsm paper weight to allow maximum ink holding and releasing while also being flexible enough to pass through your sublimation printer and used on a curved blank.
- DISHWASHER AND MACHINE WASHER FRIENDLY - Sublimation projects can be placed in the dishwasher or washing machine.
- PRINTING TIP - Print on white side of paper.
No. 8
Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer Bundle with Anti-Clog Technology | Only Printer Designed Exclusively for Sublimation | Includes 31mL SubliJet UHD Inks & TruePix Paper | Wi-Fi
- Professional-Grade Print Quality: The Sawgrass SG500 delivers professional-grade sublimation printing, perfect for creating custom t-shirts, drinkware, signage, and promotional products; Ideal for small businesses and home-based entrepreneurs who demand vibrant, high-definition results
- Rich & Vivid CMYK Sublimation Printing Inkset: Includes a full set of SubliJet UHD inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), specially formulated in small batches to produce rich, consistent colors on both hard and soft substrates, ensuring every project stands out with vivid, sharp detail
- Compact Design with Big Potential: The SG500 offers desktop-friendly dimensions without compromising performance, printing on media up to 8.5” x 14”; This makes it perfect for small to medium-sized projects, while maintaining a high level of efficiency for busy businesses; if larger prints are needed, you can also use the bypass tray to fit prints up to 8.5" x 51"
- Powerful, User-Friendly Software: Gain access to our all-in-one MySawgrass platform, an intuitive online design tool packed with templates, allowing you to create stunning sublimation printed products with ease; Paired with Sawgrass Print Utility, you get precise color accuracy with Smart preset features and control over your printing process
- Built for Growth and Reliability: With features like Wi-Fi connectivity and print head auto-maintenance, the SG500 is engineered for durability and long-term use; Whether you're a hobbyist, entrepreneur, or scaling your business, this printer is designed to grow with you, providing superior reliability and support every step of the way
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Your Cricut Sublimation Printer Adventure
Ready to dive into the colorful world of sublimation printing with your Cricut? It’s an exciting way to create amazing custom designs on mugs, t-shirts, and more! But choosing the right printer can feel a little overwhelming. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you find the perfect printer for your sublimation projects.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for a sublimation printer, keep these important features in mind:
- Inkjet Printer: Sublimation printing uses special inkjet printers. You can’t use regular laser printers.
- High Resolution (DPI): Look for a printer with a high Dots Per Inch (DPI). A higher DPI means your printed images will be sharper and more detailed. Aim for at least 1200 DPI, but 2400 DPI or higher is even better.
- Color Accuracy: Good color reproduction is super important for sublimation. You want the colors on your screen to match the colors you see on your final product. Some printers have advanced color management systems that help with this.
- Paper Size: Think about what you want to print. Most sublimation printers handle standard letter or legal size paper. If you plan on making larger items, you might need a printer that can handle wider paper.
- Connectivity: Easy connection is key. Most printers offer Wi-Fi or USB connections. Wi-Fi is handy because you can print from anywhere in your home.
Important Materials for Sublimation
Sublimation printing requires specific materials to work its magic:
- Sublimation Ink: This is not your average printer ink. Sublimation ink turns into a gas when heated, allowing it to bond with polyester fibers. You must use dedicated sublimation ink.
- Sublimation Paper: This special paper holds the sublimation ink. It’s designed to release the ink effectively when heat is applied.
- Polyester Fabric or Coatings: Sublimation ink only permanently bonds to polyester. This means most t-shirts need to be at least 65% polyester. Hard surfaces like mugs or coasters need a special sublimation coating.
- Heat Press Machine: You’ll need a heat press to transfer your design. This machine applies the right amount of heat and pressure for the correct amount of time.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things can make your sublimation prints look amazing or a little disappointing:
-
Improving Quality:
- High-Quality Printer: A printer known for good color and sharpness will make a big difference.
- Good Sublimation Ink and Paper: Using reputable brands ensures the ink transfers well.
- Proper Heat Press Settings: Following the correct temperature, pressure, and time for your specific project is crucial.
- Clean Printer Heads: Clogged print heads can cause streaks or missing colors. Regular maintenance helps.
- High-Resolution Design: Starting with a clear, high-resolution design file is essential.
-
Reducing Quality:
- Using Regular Ink: This is a big no-no! Regular ink won’t sublimate.
- Low-Resolution Designs: Blurry or pixelated designs will look bad when printed.
- Incorrect Heat Press Settings: Too much or too little heat/pressure can ruin your transfer.
- Using Non-Polyester Items: The ink won’t stick properly to materials without polyester.
- Dust or Debris: Any specks on your paper or item can transfer as dark spots.
User Experience and Use Cases
Using a sublimation printer with your Cricut is a fantastic way to get creative.
- Easy Setup: Most modern printers are pretty straightforward to set up. You’ll connect them to your computer or Wi-Fi.
- Design Software: You’ll use Cricut Design Space or other design software to create your artwork. Then, you print it using your sublimation printer.
- Transferring: You place your printed design face down on your item and use the heat press. The heat turns the ink into a gas, which soaks into the polyester.
- What You Can Make: The possibilities are endless!
- Custom T-shirts and Apparel: Make unique shirts for yourself, gifts, or even a small business.
- Personalized Mugs: Create coffee mugs with photos, quotes, or fun graphics.
- Coasters and Mousepads: Design custom coasters for your home or office.
- Phone Cases: Add your own flair to phone cases.
- Banners and Flags: For events or decorations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cricut Sublimation Printers
Q: Can I use a regular Epson or Sawgrass printer for Cricut sublimation?
A: Yes, you can! Many people convert regular Epson EcoTank printers to sublimation printers by replacing the original ink with sublimation ink. Sawgrass printers are specifically designed for sublimation.
Q: Do I need a special printer for sublimation?
A: You need an inkjet printer that you fill with sublimation ink. You cannot use a laser printer or a standard inkjet printer with regular ink for sublimation.
Q: What’s the difference between sublimation ink and regular ink?
A: Sublimation ink turns into a gas when heated. This gas then infuses into polyester fibers. Regular ink just sits on top of the paper.
Q: How do I know if my t-shirt is suitable for sublimation?
A: Your t-shirt needs to be made of polyester or have a high polyester content (at least 65%). The higher the polyester, the brighter and more vibrant your colors will be.
Q: What is DPI and why is it important?
A: DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It measures how many tiny dots of ink the printer can place on an inch of paper. A higher DPI means a sharper, more detailed image.
Q: Can I use any paper for sublimation?
A: No, you must use special sublimation paper. This paper is designed to hold and release the sublimation ink properly during the heat transfer process.
Q: What happens if I use regular printer ink for sublimation?
A: Nothing will sublimate. The ink will not turn into a gas, and your design will not transfer to your item.
Q: How long does a sublimation print last?
A: When done correctly with the right materials, sublimation prints are very durable. They are permanent and won’t fade, crack, or peel easily, even after many washes.
Q: Is sublimation printing difficult to learn?
A: It takes some practice, but it’s not overly difficult. The main things to master are your design software, printer settings, and heat press settings.
Q: Can I use my Cricut machine with sublimation?
A: Your Cricut machine is used for cutting designs out of sublimation paper or for weeding excess paper away. The Cricut itself does not print; you need a separate sublimation printer for that step.