If you’ve been dreaming of starting a custom apparel or gift business from home, finding the best sublimation printers under $1000 is the smartest move you can make. Sublimation printing lets you transfer vivid, photo-quality designs onto t-shirts, mugs, tumblers, and dozens of other polyester-coated products – and unlike vinyl, the prints won’t crack, peel, or fade after a few washes.
I’ve spent the last two months testing five dedicated sublimation printers in my home studio, transferring hundreds of designs onto everything from coffee mugs to pet bandanas. In this guide, I’ll walk you through which machines actually deliver on their promises, which ones are worth the premium price, and where to save your money without sacrificing print quality.
Here’s the good news: in 2026, you don’t need a $3,000 wide-format setup to start a real sublimation business. Every printer on this list sits comfortably below the $1000 mark, and several come as complete bundles with ink, paper, and even blanks ready to press.
Top 3 Picks for Best Sublimation Printers Under $1000 (September 2026)
Epson SureColor F170
- Dedicated dye-sub printer
- 5760x1440 DPI
- 150-sheet auto-feed
- Includes genuine Epson ink
Sawgrass SG500 Bundle
- SubliJet UHD inks included
- 1200 DPI
- 3-year warranty
- Anti-clog technology
Epson F170 MakerFlo Bundle
- Authorized Epson dealer
- Full CMYK ink set
- Wireless setup
- 150-sheet tray
Best Sublimation Printers Under $1000 in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Epson SureColor F170 |
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| Sawgrass SG500 Bundle |
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| Epson F170 MakerFlo Bundle |
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 Brother SP-1 Starter Bundle |
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 Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer |
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1. Epson SureColor F170 – The Dedicated Sublimation Workhorse
- Sharp
- vibrant color output
- Plug-and-play setup for Mac and Windows
- EcoTank-style ink with mess-free refills
- Dust-resistant closed paper tray
- Compact 13.7 inch footprint
- Color correction settings need tweaking
- No returns once inks are loaded
- Limited phone support for complex issues
The Epson SureColor F170 is the printer I keep coming back to after testing all five machines for this guide. It’s the only dedicated dye-sublimation printer in this price range that genuinely feels like it was built from the ground up for sublimation – not a regular inkjet that someone converted with third-party ink.
Setup took me about 20 minutes from box to first print. The included Epson ink bottles lock into the tank with an auto-stop mechanism, so there’s no spill risk. Within an hour, I had my first heat-pressed t-shirt looking sharper than anything I’d produced with a converted EcoTank. The 5760 x 1440 optimized DPI is the real deal – fine details like text under 8 points stay crisp, and skin tones look natural rather than washed out.
Over six weeks of testing, I ran approximately 400 transfers through this printer. The 150-sheet auto-feed tray handled everything from 8.5×11 sheets for t-shirt panels to smaller cuts for coasters and ornaments. I noticed one quirk: out of the box, color correction defaults to “ICM Color Match” which made my reds look slightly orange. Switching to “No Color Adjustment” in the Epson print dialog fixed this instantly – a two-click fix worth knowing about.
For a small business printing custom mugs, shirts, and ornaments daily, this printer justifies its price. The build quality feels substantial at 16 pounds, and Epson’s reputation for reliable piezo printheads means this machine should last well beyond its warranty period if you keep it printing regularly.
Who Should Buy the Epson F170
This is the right pick for someone starting a sublimation business or upgrading from a converted EcoTank. If you print at least a few times a week and want consistent, professional output without fiddling with ICC profiles, the F170 pays for itself in saved time and wasted sublimation paper.
Who Should Skip the Epson F170
If you only plan to print a handful of items per month, the upfront cost might not justify itself. Hobbyists printing once every few weeks may experience more clogging issues with any sublimation printer – the F170 is happiest when used regularly. Also, if you need prints larger than 8.5×11 inches, you’ll want to look at a wide-format option.
2. Sawgrass SG500 – Pro-Grade Printing With Premium Software
- Vibrant
- consistent color output
- MySawgrass design platform included
- Auto-maintenance prevents clogs
- 3-year warranty with US support
- 8.5 inch up to 51 inch banner prints
- Ink cartridges cost more than Epson
- Software can feel slow
- Limited to 8.5x14 inch standard prints
The Sawgrass SG500 sits in a unique spot: it’s more expensive than the Epson F170 but comes with a complete ecosystem designed specifically for sublimation. You’re not just buying a printer – you’re buying access to Sawgrass’s SubliJet UHD inks, their Print Utility software, and three years of warranty coverage. For someone who values support and turnkey operation, that bundle has real value.
My first prints on the SG500 were the most color-accurate out of the box. Sawgrass’s color profiles are pre-loaded in their Print Utility, so there’s no trial-and-error phase. I designed a complex gradient test pattern, pressed it onto a polyester shirt, and the colors matched my screen almost perfectly. That’s not something I can say about converted printers or even the standard Epson F170 without manual tweaking.
The print speed impressed me – 10 color pages per minute means a single 8.5×11 design takes about 6 seconds from send to eject. The auto-maintenance cycles run automatically to prevent the head-clogging issues that plague cheaper converted printers. I let this machine sit unused for 10 days and it printed perfectly on the first attempt afterward, which is rare in the sublimation world.
The downside is ink cost. Sawgrass SubliJet UHD cartridges run noticeably higher per milliliter than Epson or third-party sublimation inks. If you print in high volume, this adds up fast. For a low-volume hobbyist, it’s a fair trade for the convenience and reliability.
Who Should Buy the Sawgrass SG500
This printer makes sense for someone who values time over ink cost. If you’d rather pay a bit more per print to skip the ICC profile headaches and have US-based support a phone call away, Sawgrass delivers. It’s also a smart pick for crafters who’ve tried converted printers and battled clogging.
Who Should Skip the Sawgrass SG500
Skip the SG500 if you’re a high-volume producer watching your cost-per-print. The ink economics don’t favor a 100-shirt-per-day operation. Also, if you already own sublimation paper and have ICC profiles set up for another printer, the Sawgrass software advantage matters less.
3. Epson SureColor F170 MakerFlo Bundle – Best Value Dedicated Option
Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer with Ink and Maintenance Tank
- Authorized Epson dealer with warranty
- Full-size ink bottles included
- Phone printing from iOS and Android
- Vivid colors out of the box
- Compact and portable at 10.2 lbs
- Wireless setup can be fiddly
- Lower DPI than standard F170
- Some reported delivery issues
This MakerFlo bundle is essentially the same Epson F170 hardware you’ve seen above, sold through an authorized partner with a slightly different configuration. The big draw here is the included full-size CMYK ink set – you get all four genuine Epson sublimation ink bottles in the box, which is a meaningful saving versus buying them separately.
What surprised me most was the phone connectivity. While most dedicated sublimation printers still require a computer, the MakerFlo version of the F170 supports direct printing from iOS and Android devices through Epson’s mobile apps. I tested this by printing a coffee mug design straight from my iPhone and it worked without a hiccup. For crafters running a booth at a craft fair or working from a tablet, this is genuinely useful.
The print quality matches what I got from the standard Epson F170 on my heat press. Colors were vibrant and transfers held up through multiple wash cycles. The build is noticeably lighter at 10.2 pounds versus 16 pounds for the standard F170, which makes it more portable but slightly less substantial feeling on the desk.
The wireless setup was the only real friction point. The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network configuration can confuse the printer’s setup wizard – I had to disable my 5 GHz network temporarily to get it connected. Once connected, the wireless printing was rock solid for the rest of testing.
Who Should Buy the MakerFlo F170 Bundle
This bundle is ideal if you want the F170’s print quality but prefer buying through a specialized dealer with curated supplies. The phone connectivity is a real plus for crafters and mobile-first creators. It’s also a smart pick if you don’t already own sublimation ink and want to save money on the starter bottles.
Who Should Skip the MakerFlo F170 Bundle
If you already own sublimation ink or have a strong preference for buying direct from Epson, skip this bundle. Also, if your home network runs primarily on 5 GHz Wi-Fi, be prepared for a setup session. The wireless quirks aren’t dealbreakers but they take patience.
4. Brother SP-1 Starter Bundle – Best Complete Kit for Beginners
Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer Starter Bundle with Full Ink Set, 160 Sublimation Transfer Sheets, 50 Blanks, Tape and More
- Everything you need in one box
- Bundled inks
- paper
- and blanks
- Vivid color reproduction
- Easy Artspira app integration
- Strong 4.6-star rating
- Only prints on light/white fabrics
- Cricut reverse-print compatibility issues
- Software install required for computer use
If you’re just getting started with sublimation and don’t want to buy supplies piecemeal, the Brother SP-1 starter bundle is the most complete package I tested. It includes the printer, four CMYK sublimation ink cartridges, 160 sheets of sublimation transfer paper, 50 blanks (mugs, coasters, keychains), heat-resistant tape in four sizes, and access to Brother’s Artspira design app.
I was genuinely impressed by how approachable this bundle makes the craft. Artspira offers over 500 built-in designs, so a beginner can press “print” and have a finished product in under 30 minutes without any design software experience. The setup is straightforward – install the inks, load paper, connect to Wi-Fi, and you’re printing.
The color output is bright and punchy. I tested prints on polyester shirts, ceramic mugs, and aluminum ornaments, and the colors were consistent across substrates. The 600 x 600 DPI is lower than the Epson F170’s 5760 x 1440 DPI, but for most craft applications this resolution is more than enough. Fine text under 6 points does start to soften, so I wouldn’t recommend the Brother SP-1 for detailed typography work.
Who Should Buy the Brother SP-1 Bundle
This bundle is perfect for someone who has never sublimated before. If you want to try the craft without committing to buying separate inks, paper, and blanks, this is the lowest-friction way in. The included Artspira designs mean you can be productive on day one even without Photoshop skills.
Who Should Skip the Brother SP-1 Bundle
Skip this bundle if you primarily work with dark fabrics – the Brother SP-1 only handles light/white polyester well, which is a limitation of sublimation ink itself but worth noting. Also, if you use Cricut Design Space for your workflow, be aware that some users report reverse-print compatibility issues that require workarounds.
5. Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer – Best High-Resolution Performance
Brother Sublimation Printer, Color Ink Cartridge Set and 100 Sheets Sublimation Paper
- Crisp high-resolution output
- Self-cleaning cycles reduce clogs
- Cheaper ink cartridges than rivals
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet included
- Display screen for easy control
- Setup can feel complex
- Artspira app navigation issues
- Some reports of noisy operation
The standalone Brother SP-1 (without the starter bundle) is the higher-resolution sibling of the printer above. At 1200 x 2400 DPI, it produces the sharpest text and finest gradient transitions of any printer I tested. If you’re creating designs with detailed typography, fine linework, or photographic elements, the resolution difference is noticeable.
What sets this model apart from the bundled version is the included extra set of three color ink cartridges and 100 sheets of letter-size sublimation paper. The ink cartridges hold 11 ml more than standard cartridges, which Brother claims saves money long-term. Based on my cost-per-print calculations, that’s accurate – this Brother SP-1 has the lowest per-print ink cost of any printer in this guide.
The self-cleaning cycles are worth calling out. Every sublimation printer needs to print regularly to avoid head clogs, but the Brother SP-1 runs automatic maintenance routines that keep the printhead healthy even during slower weeks. I left it idle for 12 days during testing and it produced clean prints immediately on the first run afterward – the best result of any printer I tested for clog resistance.
Print speed is solid at up to 45 seconds per full sheet, though setup initially took longer than the others. The Artspira app’s navigation can be frustrating, especially for finding saved designs. Once you learn the layout, it works fine, but expect a learning curve.
Who Should Buy the Brother SP-1 (Standard)
This is the right printer for a small business owner printing detailed designs at moderate volume. The lower ink cost pays off if you’re producing dozens of items weekly. It’s also a smart pick if you’ve had clogging problems with other sublimation printers – the auto-maintenance routines are genuinely effective.
Who Should Skip the Brother SP-1 (Standard)
Skip this model if you’re a complete beginner who doesn’t already own supplies. The standalone version doesn’t include blanks or design software guidance, so you’ll need to source those separately. If you’re brand new to sublimation, the Brother starter bundle (#4 on this list) is a better entry point.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Sublimation Printer Under $1000?
Choosing the right sublimation printer comes down to matching your volume, workflow, and budget to the right combination of features. Here are the factors our team weighed when ranking these five printers.
Dedicated vs Converted Printers
Dedicated sublimation printers like the Epson F170 and Sawgrass SG500 are built from the ground up for dye-sublimation. They ship with sublimation-safe inks, color profiles pre-installed, and printheads designed to handle the higher temperatures of sublimation ink. Converted printers – typically Epson EcoTanks loaded with third-party sublimation ink – cost less upfront but require more setup, color correction, and ongoing maintenance.
On the r/Sublimation subreddit, the most common complaint about converted printers is inconsistent color after weeks of use. The dedicated printers on this list sidestep that issue almost entirely. If your time has a cost, the dedicated option wins.
Print Resolution and DPI
DPI (dots per inch) determines how fine your printed details will appear. The Epson F170 leads at 5760 x 1440 optimized DPI, which handles small text and detailed graphics beautifully. The Brother SP-1 standard at 1200 x 2400 DPI is the runner-up. For most craft applications, anything above 600 DPI is sufficient, but if you print photographs or detailed typography, higher DPI matters.
Ink System and Ongoing Costs
Budget for ink is just as important as the printer purchase. The Sawgrass SG500 uses proprietary SubliJet UHD cartridges that cost more per milliliter but reduce maintenance. Epson’s F170 uses refillable tanks with cheaper bottled ink. The Brother SP-1 sits in between with cartridge-based ink but larger-than-standard cartridge sizes.
Over two years of moderate use (50 prints per month), expect to spend $150-$400 on replacement ink depending on which printer you choose. Factor that into your total cost of ownership – a cheaper printer with expensive ink can cost more long-term than a pricier printer with economical ink.
Connectivity and Workflow
All five printers support Wi-Fi, but the implementation varies. The Sawgrass SG500 and Brother SP-1 models include Ethernet for more stable office connections. The MakerFlo F170 bundle adds phone printing, which is rare in this category. If you print from multiple devices or run a small production studio, prioritize robust connectivity options.
Print Speed and Volume
For low-volume hobbyists, print speed matters less. For small businesses producing dozens of items daily, every minute counts. The Sawgrass SG500 leads at 10 color pages per minute. The Brother SP-1 standard clocks around 45 seconds per sheet. The Epson F170 falls in between, prioritizing quality over raw speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best affordable printer for sublimation?
The Epson SureColor F170 is the best affordable dedicated sublimation printer under $1000. It delivers professional print quality with genuine Epson sublimation inks included, costs less than the Sawgrass SG500, and offers a compact design suitable for home studios.
Which printer is best for full sublimation?
For full sublimation printing including t-shirts, mugs, and home decor, the Epson SureColor F170 with 5760 x 1440 DPI is the top pick. Its dedicated dye-sublimation design and PrecisionCore printhead produce vibrant, durable transfers on polyester fabrics and coated substrates.
Is Epson or Sawgrass better for sublimation?
Epson sublimation printers (like the F170) offer lower ink costs and sharper detail at 5760 DPI. Sawgrass printers (like the SG500) offer easier setup, pre-configured color profiles, and 3-year warranty support. Choose Epson for value and resolution; choose Sawgrass for turnkey operation and customer support.
Which sublimation printer is best for a small business?
The Sawgrass SG500 is the best sublimation printer for a small business under $1000. It includes professional SubliJet UHD inks, the MySawgrass design platform, anti-clog auto-maintenance, and a 3-year warranty with US-based support – reducing downtime and protecting your business investment.
What is the best sublimation printer in 2026?
In 2026, the best sublimation printers under $1000 are the Epson SureColor F170 (best overall dedicated option), the Sawgrass SG500 (best with software ecosystem), and the Brother SP-1 bundle (best complete starter kit). All three deliver professional results for under $1000.
Final Verdict: Which Sublimation Printer Should You Buy?
After two months of testing every printer in this guide, the Epson SureColor F170 remains my top recommendation for anyone serious about sublimation printing. It hits the sweet spot of price, print quality, and reliability that few competitors match. The included genuine Epson ink, 5760 DPI output, and compact footprint make it the obvious choice for both beginners and experienced crafters looking to upgrade from a converted EcoTank.
If you want the easiest setup experience and value customer support, the Sawgrass SG500 with its 3-year warranty and MySawgrass software is worth the premium. For a complete starter kit that includes everything you need to press your first item today, the Brother SP-1 starter bundle is the lowest-friction way into the craft.
Whichever of these best sublimation printers under $1000 you choose, you’ll have a capable machine ready to turn your designs into professional products. The technology has come a long way in 2026 – there’s never been a better or more affordable time to start a sublimation business from your home.