Choosing the right sublimation printer can make it easier to produce shirts, mugs, tumblers, signs, and other custom products consistently. The best option depends on your expected order volume, transfer size, budget, and willingness to manage supplies separately.
We’ve gathered 10 options ranging from dedicated Epson and Sawgrass printers to Brother models, converted-style EcoTank choices, and all-in-one starter bundles. Use the guide below to narrow the list based on your workspace and business plans.
Best 10 Sublimation Printer for Small Business Picks for 2026
Best Compact Epson
SureColor F170 Sublimation Printer
- Dedicated dye-sublimation printing up to 8.5 inches wide
- Includes genuine Epson ink and a 150-sheet enclosed tray
- Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet connectivity
Best For: Compact customization businesses and personalized-gift production
Best Versatile Workstation
- All-in-one printing, scanning, copying, and faxing
- Supports up to 11 by 17 inches with auto-duplexing
- Refillable tanks plus Wi-Fi, USB, and LAN
Best For: Small offices needing document and potential sublimation flexibility
Best Complete Bundle
- SP-1 printer with full CMYK ink set
- Includes sheets, 50 blanks, tape, and designs
- Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Windows, Mac, and app compatibility
Best For: New small businesses starting a sublimation product line
Budget Ink-Tank Alternative
- Refillable tank system
- Wi-Fi, scanning, and copying
- Not listed as a sublimation printer
Best For: Home offices needing economical everyday color printing
Dedicated Sublimation Pick
Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer
- Purpose-built dye-sublimation printer
- Includes SubliJet UHD CMYK inks and paper
- Supports standard and longer bypass-tray prints
Best For: Small businesses producing custom apparel and promotional products
Complete Startup Bundle
- Includes printer and 15 x 15-inch heat press
- Eight-in-one attachments for varied products
- Pre-filled chipless ink and setup videos
Best For: Beginners and startups launching a multi-product customization business
Versatile Fiber Decorator
- Prints on cotton, canvas, and untreated wood
- Includes VersiFlex inks and transfer paper
- Requires a manual heat press
Best For: Businesses decorating porous materials with soft-touch prints
Starter Project Bundle
Sublimation Heat Transfer Printer
- Works with shirts, mugs, and coated blanks
- Includes paper, tape, and cleaning kit
- OEM inks are not included
Best For: Beginners testing polyester-based personalized products
Scalable Business Workhorse
Sawgrass SG1000 Sublimation Printer
- Prints up to 11 x 17 inches
- Includes SubliJet UHD CMYK inks and paper
- Automatic maintenance supports reliable printing
Best For: Growing businesses producing larger sublimation designs
Best Compact Epson – SureColor F170 Sublimation Printer
The Epson SureColor F170 is a strong sublimation printer for small business owners who want a compact, dedicated machine for transfers up to 8.5 inches wide. Its PrecisionCore printhead, included Epson ink, wireless and USB connectivity, and 150-sheet enclosed tray make it practical for producing personalized gifts and promotional products.
Best For: Small customization businesses needing a compact, dedicated Epson sublimation printer.
Pros:
- PrecisionCore printhead with Precision Droplet Control for detailed output.
- Includes a full set of Epson sublimation ink, user guide, and power cable.
- 150-sheet dust-resistant auto-feed tray supports more efficient printing.
- Supports Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, and Epson mobile or desktop printing software.
Cons:
- Maximum media width is limited to 8.5 inches.
- Prints only and does not provide scanning or copying functions.
- Direct email printing and camera connections are not supported.
Choose the F170 if dependable color, contained paper storage, and a small footprint matter more than wide-format versatility. Its included supplies and refillable high-capacity ink bottles can also help simplify early setup and ongoing consumable management.
Best App-Based Starter – Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer
The Brother SP-1 is an approachable sublimation printer for small business users who prefer designing from a phone or tablet. Its Artspira app supports saved images, sublimation designs, and image conversion, while the included starter ink and paper help you begin making shirts, mugs, tumblers, bags, and hats.
Best For: Beginners and mobile-first crafters creating small batches of personalized products.
Pros:
- Artspira provides more than 100 designs and supports importing and saving images.
- Includes Brother Genuine black, cyan, magenta, and yellow sublimation ink.
- Designed for vibrant, durable transfers on polyester-coated items.
- Wi-Fi connectivity and a display screen support a straightforward workflow.
Cons:
- A heat press is required and must be purchased separately.
- The listed workflow is centered on the Artspira mobile app; desktop support was noted as forthcoming.
- Maximum media size is 8.5 by 11 inches.
The SP-1 makes sense when ease of creative setup is a priority and production needs are modest. It is less suited to buyers who need a broad-format workflow or want a printer that operates independently of a mobile design app.
Best Versatile Workstation – Epson EcoTank ET-15000
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is an all-in-one inkjet option for a small business that needs more than sublimation printing. It offers printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, along with wide-format support up to 11 by 17 inches, refillable tanks, automatic duplexing, and both wireless and wired connectivity.
Best For: Small offices that want an all-in-one printer and may use standard or sublimation ink.
Pros:
- All-in-one design combines printing, scanning, copying, and faxing.
- Supports media up to 11 by 17 inches for larger designs and documents.
- Refillable EcoTank system and included ink bottles support high-volume use.
- Offers auto-duplexing, a 250-sheet capacity, Wi-Fi, USB, and LAN connectivity.
Cons:
- It is an inkjet printer rather than a dedicated dye-sublimation model.
- Supplied notes list plain paper as the print media, so sublimation compatibility should be confirmed before purchase.
- Its larger 26.5-pound body takes more workspace than compact sublimation printers.
The ET-15000 is best viewed as a flexible office platform rather than a purpose-built sublimation printer for small business. Consider it when document handling and wide-format all-in-one features are as important as transfer work.
Best Complete Bundle – Brother SP-1 Starter Package
The Brother SP-1 Starter Bundle is a convenient sublimation printer for small business owners who want supplies ready for early projects. Alongside the SP-1 and full CMYK ink set, it includes transfer sheets, 50 sublimation blanks, heat-resistant tape, designs, and app access for making items such as shirts, mugs, tumblers, coasters, and tote bags.
Best For: New entrepreneurs who want a bundled path from design to finished sublimation products.
Pros:
- Includes the Brother SP-1 printer and a full 47 ml-per-color CMYK ink set.
- Provides 160 total listed sublimation sheets, including 150 ProSub and 10 Brother sheets.
- Includes 50 blanks, four tape rolls, design cards, and Artspira access.
- Supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet and is listed as compatible with Windows, Mac, and the app.
Cons:
- The bundle still requires a heat press to transfer designs onto blanks.
- Its 8.5-by-11-inch paper format limits larger transfer layouts.
- The package contains many starter supplies, which may be less useful for an already-equipped shop.
This bundle offers more immediate value than a printer-only purchase for someone building a product catalog from scratch. It is especially practical for testing multiple blank types before committing to larger quantities of supplies.
Budget Ink-Tank Alternative – Epson EcoTank ET-2800
If you are researching a sublimation printer for small business, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is worth considering primarily as a compact, cartridge-free color printer for general business printing. Its refillable tanks, wireless connectivity, scanner, and copier make it useful for everyday documents and basic creative work, though the supplied specifications do not identify it as a dedicated sublimation printer.
Best For: Home offices and new businesses needing economical everyday color printing, scanning, and copying.
Pros:
- Refillable ink tanks help reduce frequent cartridge replacement.
- Includes up to two years of ink in the box, according to the supplied product notes.
- Supports Wi-Fi, USB, mobile printing, scanning, and copying.
- Compact design with color resolution up to 5760 x 1440 dpi.
Cons:
- It is listed as an inkjet printer rather than a dye-sublimation model.
- Print speed is listed at up to 5 color pages per minute.
- Epson recommends genuine ink for performance and warranty support.
The ET-2800 makes the most sense when low-maintenance office printing is the priority. For direct sublimation production, compare it with a purpose-built model instead.
Dedicated Sublimation Pick – Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer
The Sawgrass SG500 is a strong match for shoppers seeking a sublimation printer for small business. It is designed for dye-sublimation printing, includes SubliJet UHD CMYK inks and paper, and combines a compact footprint with software and connectivity aimed at custom-product production.
Best For: Small businesses and home-based entrepreneurs making custom apparel, drinkware, signage, and promotional products.
Pros:
- Purpose-built dye-sublimation printer with professional-grade color output.
- Includes cyan, magenta, yellow, and black SubliJet UHD inks plus paper.
- Prints media up to 8.5 x 14 inches, with bypass-tray support for prints up to 8.5 x 51 inches.
- Offers Wi-Fi, automatic print-head maintenance, and access to MySawgrass design tools.
Cons:
- Maximum standard media size is 8.5 x 14 inches.
- Uses simplex printing rather than automatic duplexing.
- Designed for standard 110/120V US and North American outlets.
With dedicated sublimation ink, bundled supplies, and business-oriented software, the SG500 is the most directly aligned option here for producing customized products. Its desktop size suits small or medium projects, while the bypass tray adds flexibility for longer designs.
Complete Startup Bundle – 15×15 Sublimation Starter Kit
For shoppers comparing a sublimation printer for small business with a ready-to-use production setup, this starter kit takes a broader approach. It combines a printer, 15 x 15-inch heat press, and eight-in-one attachments for mugs, tumblers, hats, plates, and T-shirts, making it an equipment bundle rather than a printer-only purchase.
Best For: Beginners, Etsy sellers, and startup businesses wanting a bundled setup for multiple personalized products.
Pros:
- Combines a printer and 15 x 15-inch heat press in one package.
- Includes attachments for mugs, a 30-ounce tumbler, hats, and plates.
- Pre-filled chipless sublimation ink system avoids cartridge switching.
- Digital temperature control reaches up to 480°F, with setup and troubleshooting videos included.
Cons:
- The bundle includes multiple components, so it requires more setup space than a printer alone.
- Supplied notes do not specify the printer’s print resolution, speed, or maximum media size.
- The listed warranty is one year.
This kit is appealing when the goal is to start selling finished products quickly rather than assemble equipment piece by piece. Its included heat press and attachments provide more application flexibility, while the beginner-oriented guidance can help new operators get started.
Versatile Fiber Decorator – Sawgrass VersiFlex SG1000
The Sawgrass VersiFlex SG1000 is an alternative to a traditional sublimation printer for small business owners who want to decorate natural fibers, cotton, canvas, and untreated wood. Its included VersiFlex system requires no pre-treatment, but finished transfers do require a pressure-adjustable manual heat press.
Best For: Small businesses creating apparel, canvas goods, and untreated wood products with a soft-touch finish.
Pros:
- Prints on porous materials including natural fibers, cotton, canvas, and untreated wood.
- Includes four 31ml VersiFlex ink cartridges and 50 sheets of light heat-transfer paper.
- Offers 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a three-year/100,000-print warranty.
Cons:
- Requires a pressure-adjustable manual heat press.
- Its 8.5 x 11-inch maximum media size is smaller than the SG1000 sublimation model’s tabloid format.
- VersiFlex supplies are specialized for this printer.
Choose this bundle if material versatility and a soft feel matter more than conventional polyester sublimation workflows. It is a capable small-business option, provided you already have—or budget for—the required heat press.
Starter Project Bundle – Sublimation Heat Transfer Printer
This compact bundle can serve as an entry-level sublimation printer for small business projects involving light-colored polyester garments and polyester-coated blanks. It is designed for items such as T-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, and phone cases, though the listed package does not include OEM inks.
Best For: Beginners testing personalized apparel, mugs, and other polyester-compatible products on a limited initial budget.
Pros:
- Supports a range of customizable products, including T-shirts, mugs, bags, mouse pads, and phone cases.
- Package includes 100 sublimation paper sheets, heat-transfer tape, and a printhead cleaning kit.
- Designed to minimize ink usage for lower ongoing supply costs.
Cons:
- OEM inks are not included, despite the starter-oriented bundle description.
- Suitable primarily for light-colored polyester fabrics and polyester-coated items with no more than 30% cotton.
- The supplied specifications list a small 5 x 5 x 5-inch unit size without detailed resolution or connectivity information.
This bundle makes sense for experimenting with a small product line, but factor in compatible ink and the limits of sublimation substrates before using it for regular commercial production.
Scalable Business Workhorse – Sawgrass SG1000 Sublimation Printer
The Sawgrass SG1000 is a strong sublimation printer for small business owners moving from occasional orders toward larger, more repeatable production. It prints up to 11 x 17 inches out of the box and combines automatic maintenance, bundled SubliJet UHD inks, and business-focused software.
Best For: Growing apparel, signage, promotional-product, and hard-substrate businesses that need larger-format sublimation printing.
Pros:
- Prints up to 11 x 17 inches for banners, panels, apparel, mugs, and promotional items.
- Automatic maintenance helps reduce printhead-clogging concerns during periods of inactivity.
- Includes 31ml CMYK SubliJet UHD inks, paper, MySawgrass tools, and a two-year warranty with lifetime education and support.
Cons:
- It is larger and more business-oriented than an entry-level compact printer.
- Expansion to additional paper sizes and accessories may require separate purchases.
- Designed for standard 110/120V US and North American outlets.
For a growing operation, the SG1000’s tabloid-size output and automated upkeep provide useful headroom. Its bundled software and support also make it easier to build a more consistent production workflow.
How We Picked the Best Sublimation Printer for Small Business
We compared these models and bundles by looking at print size, intended workflow, included supplies, connectivity, ease of setup, and suitability for recurring business use. Dedicated sublimation printers generally offer a more straightforward setup, while bundles can include useful equipment such as heat presses, blanks, transfer paper, and heat-resistant tape.
Because small businesses vary widely, we also considered both entry-level products for testing demand and larger systems for sellers who expect frequent orders or oversized designs.
Quick Comparison
| Best For | What to Look For | Notable Options |
|---|---|---|
| Simple, compact setup | Dedicated printer, included ink, small footprint | Epson SureColor F170, Brother SP-1 |
| Lower-cost experimentation | All-in-one printer, manageable supply costs | Epson EcoTank ET-2800 |
| Wider prints | Large-format support and compatible transfer media | Epson ET-15000, Sawgrass SG1000 |
| Ready-to-start business kit | Printer, heat press, blanks, and accessories | Starter and heat-press bundles |
| Established sublimation workflow | Dedicated software, reliable consumables, support | Sawgrass SG500, SG1000, VersiFlex SG1000 |
Key Buying Factors for a Sublimation Printer for Small Business
Print Size and Product Range
Check the maximum paper width before buying. Compact models work well for smaller shirts, mugs, patches, and accessories, while wide-format printers are better for larger apparel graphics, banners, and multiple items printed in one pass.
Dedicated Versus Converted Workflow
A purpose-built sublimation printer is typically easier to configure and maintain. Some EcoTank models may appeal to budget-conscious users, but confirm compatibility, ink requirements, warranty terms, and the manufacturer’s intended use before relying on one for business production.
Ink, Paper, and Operating Costs
Compare the price and availability of replacement ink, transfer paper, and maintenance supplies—not just the printer’s purchase price. Bundles can lower initial setup costs, but check how much of each consumable is included and whether replacement supplies are easy to source.
Software and Connectivity
Wireless printing is convenient in a shared workspace, while included design or color-management software can reduce setup time. Confirm compatibility with your computer, design applications, and preferred file formats.
Heat-Press Compatibility
The printer is only one part of the process. Make sure your heat press reaches the required temperature evenly and is sized for your products. A bundle may be worthwhile if you also need a press, blanks, or accessories.
Who Should Buy Which Sublimation Printer for Small Business?
Choose a compact dedicated model if you are starting with mugs, small apparel designs, or limited inventory. A Sawgrass SG500 or Epson SureColor F170 is a practical fit for buyers who want a more focused sublimation workflow.
Consider a wide-format Epson or Sawgrass SG1000 when larger graphics and higher throughput are central to your product catalog. Choose a complete starter bundle if you need both printing and pressing equipment immediately, but verify the specifications of every included component.
Finally, budget-focused sellers who are still validating demand may prefer an EcoTank-style option, provided they understand the setup and maintenance requirements. Whichever route you choose, match the printer’s paper size, supply costs, and production capacity to the products you actually plan to sell.