Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
Getting into sublimation printing usually means shelling out for a high-end machine, but you do not have to spend a fortune to get vibrant, professional-looking transfers. The real trick is finding a printer that delivers sharp colors and reliable performance without constantly clogging, and at a price that does not crush your startup budget before you have sold your first mug.
I’m Mo Maruf — the founder and writer behind The Tools Trunk. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
We have lined up the top contenders that balance affordability with print quality, and each one is a solid entry point for your craft or small business. This is your practical rundown of the best cheap sublimation printer options that actually work.
Quick Picks
- Brother Sublimation Printer — Best Overall
- Pinckney Super-Tank with Sublimation Ink (Renewed) — Top Ink Value
- Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer Starter Bundle — Pro-Grade Starter
- Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer — Compact & Clean
- Pinckney Cartridge-Free Super-Tank Printer with Sublimation Ink Bundle (New) — Budget Champ
How To Choose The Best Cheap Sublimation Printer
A cheap sublimation printer is a trade-off between upfront cost and your long-term happiness with ink prices, print quality, and reliability. The key is knowing which corners you can safely cut and which features you need to hold onto for your projects to look professional.
Dedicated vs. Converted: The Right Starting Point
A purpose-built sublimation printer comes with the correct inks and printheads already tuned for heat transfer, so you avoid the risks of clogging and color shift that haunt converted inkjets. If you buy a model like the Epson SureColor F170, you know the hardware was designed for sublimation, not adapted for it.
Ink Costs and Cartridge Systems
The “cheap” sticker price can be misleading if the ink cartridges are tiny and expensive. Look for printers that use tank systems or larger cartridges—like the Pinckney Super-Tank models with 127mL black bottles—so your cost per print stays low over the long run. Avoid models where the proprietary ink costs more than the printer itself.
Print Resolution and Color Accuracy
Resolution is measured in dpi (dots per inch), and the higher the number, the finer the detail in your gradients. A spec like 5760 x 1440 dpi is great for smooth transitions on mugs and shirts, but remember that sublimation prints look dull on paper and only bloom into vivid color after heat pressing—so trust the spec, not the first look at the paper.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Max Resolution (dpi) | Max Print Speed (Color ppm) | Duplex Printing | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother Sublimation Printer | Eco-conscious small biz owners | — | Fast (not specified) | No | Amazon |
| Epson SureColor F170 | Hobbyists & crafters | — | 1 ppm | No | Amazon |
| Sawgrass SG500 | Professional start-ups | — | 10.0 ppm | No | Amazon |
| Pinckney Super-Tank (Renewed) | High-volume printing | 5760 x 1440 | 10 ppm | No | Amazon |
| Pinckney Super-Tank (New) | Entry-level budget | 5760 x 1440 | 5 ppm | No | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Brother Sublimation Printer
The Brother printhead that converts Sawgrass skeptics with cheaper, bigger ink tanks.
One reviewer who switched from a Sawgrass said, “I was skeptical about changing over from my Sawgrass to another brand of sublimation printers,” but now wishes they had started here from the start. That is because Brother uses genuine sublimation ink cartridges that are, according to that same owner, 11ml larger than the standard 30ml cartridges they were used to, which means fewer replacements and a lower cost per print. The printer also connects via Ethernet and USB, so you avoid the Wi-Fi dropouts that plague some other models in this price range.
The Artspira app lets you save up to 20 printing images and access over 100 built-in sublimation designs, which is handy if you do not want to buy separate design software. Buyers consistently praise the bold, bright results on shirts and mugs, and several note that the auto-clean cycles keep the printhead healthy without any manual effort on your part.
The ink value win: The 41ml per cart (11ml larger than the Sawgrass SG500) means you print more before hitting empty, and the Brother brand inks are crafted for vibrant results that stay bright after washing. The catch is that it uses cartridges rather than a tank, so you are still buying replacements—just less often.
Reach for this if: You are a small business or serious hobbyist who wants a dedicated sublimation printer with strong color, good paper size flexibility, and an app ecosystem to streamline your design work.
Keep walking if: You absolutely need automatic duplex (double-sided) printing, as this model is simplex only.
2. Pinckney Super-Tank with Sublimation Ink (Renewed)
The tank-fill workhorse that holds enough ink for hundreds of transfers.
This renewed Pinckney is a simplex printer, so it only prints on one side. It also packs a 250-sheet paper tray and an Auto Document Feeder (ADF), plus an Ethernet connection for a stable hardwired network connection that avoids Wi-Fi complaints. One reviewer noted the unit is “refurbished is working well,” though another reported frustration with the Wi-Fi dropping out, so using the Ethernet port is a safer bet.
The ink tank system gives you a 127mL black bottle and three 85mL color bottles, so your cost per refill is dramatically lower than any cartridge-based setup. A full fill should get you through hundreds of A4 prints before you need to refill, making this the pick for anyone who prints frequently and hates buying tiny cartridges.
Smart features
- 250-sheet paper tray handles heavy workloads
- Ethernet connection for stable networking
- 5760 x 1440 dpi for sharp detail
Hard truth
- It is a renewed unit, so condition may vary
- One reviewer called it “possibly the worse printer” due to Wi-Fi instability
Choose this if: You print often and want a tank system that slashes ink costs.
Pass if: You rely heavily on Wi-Fi and cannot use a wired Ethernet connection, as some buyers had connectivity trouble.
3. Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer Starter Bundle
The name-brand specialist that delivers crisp prints, but comes with a premium ink-tax you must know about.
Sawgrass is a household name in sublimation, and the SG500 is purpose-built for the job—no conversion, no guesswork. It prints on media up to 8.5″ x 14″ and even has a bypass tray for sheets up to 8.5″ x 51″, so you can do long banners or continuous patterns. Buyers consistently praise the print quality: one reviewer called it “easily higher quality than my inkjet” and another said prints were “sharp, vivid, and professional looking.” The included 20ml SubliJet UHD ink cartridges get you started, but several buyers warn that the “starter ink” immediately shows a low-ink warning, so you will need to buy a full set almost right away.
The biggest trade-off is the ink monopoly. Sawgrass uses a lock-in system where unauthorized ink makes the printer unusable, and replacement cartridges run expensive—one buyer mentioned spending an additional on ink immediately after setup. This makes the upfront cost the lowest point of entry for a premium brand, but the long-term ink cost is the highest in this roundup.
The speed edge: At 10.0 color pages per minute, the SG500 at 10.0 ppm compared to the Pinckney new Super-Tank’s 5 ppm and the Epson F170’s 1 ppm, so if you are running a busy shop, the time saved adds up fast. The catch is that the MySawgrass Print Utility (required for color management) adds extra steps to every print job, slowing down production compared to a direct driver.
Go for it if: You want a brand with a proven reputation for professional-grade sublimation and print speed matters more than ink cost.
skip it if: You need the absolute lowest cost per print, as the proprietary Sawgrass ink is expensive and the starter cartridges run out fast.
4. Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer
The Epson plug-and-play with OEM inks and a footprint that fits on any desk.
If you want a printer that comes ready to go from the start with genuine Epson sublimation ink and full manufacturer support, the F170 is your pick. It uses the PrecisionCore printhead with “Precision Droplet Control,” which delivers excellent image clarity on mugs, mousepads, and apparel. The included OEM inks are certified ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX, meaning they are safer for textiles and apparel—a nice reassurance if you are making items that touch skin. Buyers confirm it is easy to set up and prints great, with one saying “the quality of the prints have been fantastic.”
The downside is speed: at 1 color page per minute, the F170 is slow even by budget standards. That means you will wait for large transfer sheets to finish. It is also print-only, with no scanner or copier, and lacks duplex (double-sided) printing. The compact dimensions of 13.7″ D x 14.8″ W x 7.4″H and weight of 16 pounds make it easy to tuck into a corner, but the 150-sheet tray is dust-resistant and keeps your paper clean during long stretches between uses.
Why it stands out
- Genuine Epson sublimation ink included with factory packaging
- OEKO-TEX certified inks for safe use on textiles
- Dust-resistant closed tray keeps paper clean
- Compact, lightweight design at 16 lbs
The one catch
- Very slow at 1 ppm color—patience required for larger jobs
- No scanner, copier, or duplex—pure print machine
Ideal for: Hobbyists and crafters who value a simple, clean setup with official support and do not mind waiting for prints to finish.
Not for: Anyone running a high-volume shop where every minute counts—the slow speed will bottleneck your workflow.
5. Pinckney Cartridge-Free Super-Tank Printer with Sublimation Ink Bundle (New)
The all-in-one tank printer that gets you started for the lowest price, scanner included.
This is the cheapest way to get a dedicated sublimation setup with a full set of ink bottles—Black 127mL, Magenta 85mL, Cyan 85mL, and Yellow 85mL—plus a built-in scanner and copier, which none of the other entry-level printers offer. The resolution goes up to 5760 x 1440 dpi, which is the same top spec as the Pinckney Renewed model, so you get fine detail at the lowest price tier. Buyers report it prints “great with vibrant colors” and is easy to set up.
However, reliability is a concern. One reviewer gave it 1 star and called it the “Worst printer ever, worked for about 1 week then stoped printing.” Another described it as a “piece of crap printer.” The mixed reviews suggest a quality lottery—some units work great from the start, others fail quickly. The printer also lacks duplex printing and has a slower color speed of 5 ppm, and the color depth is listed at 24 bpp (bits per pixel), which helps with smooth gradients on shirts and bags.
Best risk/reward play: At the lowest upfront price, you get a complete all-in-one tank printer with scan/copy and a full bottle set. The catch is the hit-or-miss reliability, so make sure to test it immediately during the return window.
Grab it if: Your budget is extremely tight and you need scan/copy functionality, and you are willing to risk early troubleshooting in exchange for low entry cost.
Look elsewhere if: You cannot afford downtime—if this printer fails, you are stuck without a machine until a replacement arrives.
Understanding the Specs
Print Resolution (dpi)
Dots per inch (dpi) tells you how many tiny dots of ink the printer puts down in a one-inch line. The higher the number, like 5760 x 1440 dpi, the smoother your gradients and the sharper your fine text will look on the transfer. After heat pressing, this translates to crisp, professional-looking designs on mugs and shirts instead of blocky, pixelated ones.
Color Pages per Minute (ppm)
This number measures how fast the printer churns out color pages. A spec of 10 ppm means you get ten full-color sheets in one minute, while 1 ppm means you are waiting a full minute for each page. If you are printing dozens of transfers per day, a faster ppm saves serious time; for the occasional project, slower speeds are perfectly tolerable.
FAQ
What is a cheap sublimation printer and how is it different from a regular inkjet?
Can I use a cheap sublimation printer for regular paper documents?
Will a cheap sublimation printer work with any heat press?
How long does sublimation ink last in the printer before it clogs?
Is a refurbished or renewed sublimation printer a good idea for a beginner?
What paper size do I need for sublimation printing?
How many prints can I get from the included ink bottles on a tank printer?
Can I use third-party sublimation ink in a cheap sublimation printer?
What is the difference between 24 bpp and higher color depth in sublimation printing?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most people, the cheap sublimation printer winner is the Brother Sublimation Printer because it delivers excellent print quality with larger ink cartridges (41ml vs the Sawgrass 30ml) at a lower price, plus the Artspira app for design. If you want a tank system for high-volume work, grab the Pinckney Super-Tank (Renewed). And for the absolute lowest entry cost with a scanner included, the standout is the Pinckney Super-Tank (New).
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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