How Much Does a Sublimation Printer Cost? | Real Pricing for Every Budget

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Expect to spend between $173 for a converted inkjet printer and $1,800 for a dedicated desktop model, with a complete starter setup for most small-shop buyers falling in the $900 to $2,500 range.

Getting into sublimation printing means balancing two numbers: the printer’s price tag and the total setup cost. The cheapest route involves converting a standard Epson EcoTank printer with sublimation ink for under $200, but most home crafters and small businesses land on a dedicated machine from Sawgrass or Epson. Here is exactly what each tier costs, what you need to run it, and which path fits your budget.

The Actual Price Range Across All Printer Types

The cost of a sublimation printer spans three distinct brackets. Budget-focused beginners often convert an inkjet for roughly $173, while mid-range dedicated models like the Sawgrass SG500 hit $680. At the top end, industrial wide-format systems from Mimaki start around $21,000 and climb past $39,000.

Most home users and small-shop owners spend between $680 and $1,800 on the printer alone. Adding a heat press, sublimation paper, and ink boosts that initial investment to $1,000–$2,500.

Budget Entry: Converting a Standard Inkjet (Under $200)

The lowest-cost entry point is converting an Epson EcoTank printer. The Epson EcoTank ET-2400 retails for about $173, and when you replace its standard ink with sublimation ink (plus add a budget heat press), total setup lands under $400.

The catch: not every inkjet is convertible. You need a piezoelectric printhead model (most Epson EcoTank and Workforce series printers qualify). You also void the printer’s warranty by using third-party sublimation ink. YouTube conversion guides from budget sublimation printer conversion walkthroughs show the process step by step, but plan on losing standard-document printing if you dedicate the machine to sublimation.

Dedicated Desktop Sublimation Printers ($449–$1,800)

Dedicated machines ship pre-filled with sublimation ink and include specialized printhead drivers. These are the most popular choice for home crafters and small businesses, and they dominate our best cheap sublimation printer roundup for good reason.

  • Sawgrass SG500 – $679.95. Prints up to 8.5 × 14 inches. Comes with SubliJet UHD ink in the kit. Best for mugs, coasters, and tees. The most affordable premium dedicated option.
  • Sawgrass SG1000 – $1,799.95. Prints up to 11 × 17 inches. Better for larger panels and full-size shirt designs.
  • Epson SureColor F170 – $449. A compact dye-sublimation printer MakerFlo recommends as the best dedicated model for small businesses. Prints up to 8.5 × 14 inches.

Table #1 — Dedicated Sublimation Printer Comparison

Printer Model Retail Price Max Print Size
Epson EcoTank ET-2400 (converted) ~$173 8.5 × 14 in.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 (converted) Under $200 8.5 × 14 in.
Epson SureColor F170 $449 8.5 × 14 in.
Sawgrass SG500 $679.95 8.5 × 14 in.
Sawgrass SG1000 $1,799.95 11 × 17 in.
Uninet iColor 350 $1,495 – $4,249 (bundle) 8.5 × 14 in.
Epson SureColor F570 $2,499 24 in. wide

Starter Kits — The Smartest First Buy for Most People

Printer kits bundle everything you need in one box: the machine, a full set of sublimation ink cartridges, paper, and sometimes a heat press. They simplify the buying decision and often save you money over buying parts separately.

The VersiFlex All-in-One Kits from Craft Express start at $899.95 for the SG500 version and go up to $2,499.95 for the SG1000-based kit. Both include the printer, SubliJet UHD ink, media, and extras like a toolkit and training access.

Essential Additional Equipment You Must Budget For

Sublimation doesn’t work with just a printer. The ink transfers to polyester-coated products only under heat and pressure. You need a heat press before your first print.

  • Flat heat press (9×12 inches): $299.99
  • Flat heat press (15×15 inches): $399.99 – $499.99
  • Mug/tumbler press: ~$349.99
  • Sublimation paper: ~$19.99 per 100-sheet pack

Ink costs are a smaller ongoing expense. Entry-level models consume roughly $0.12 to $0.18 per ml of ink, per MakerFlo’s data.

Table #2 — Total Startup Cost Scenarios

Use Case Hardware Total Price
Starter at home SG500 ($679.95) + Flat press ($299.99) + Paper ~$1,000
Balanced creator SG500 VersiFlex Kit (from $899.95) + Mid-size press ($400–$500) ~$1,300–$1,500
Small shop build SG1000 ($1,799.95) + 15×15 press ($450) + Mug press ($350) + Paper ~$2,400–$2,800

Professional and Wide-Format Systems ($9,000+)

High-volume shops and businesses producing large-format panels or full rolls turn to industrial-grade machines. The Epson SureColor F570 (24-inch wide) lists at $2,499. Once you move to production-grade models, the jump is steep: Mimaki’s TS55-1800 starts at $20,995, and the TX330 Series reaches $39,250.

At this price tier, you’re paying for speed, reliability across thousands of prints, and continuous ink supply systems. These machines make sense only at volumes justifying a dedicated operator and production space.

Three Common Mistakes That Inflate Your Cost

Skipping research on print size is the most frequent error. Buyers who need 11×17 inches for full shirt designs but buy an 8.5×14 machine must upgrade within months, doubling their printer cost. The SubliGenius guide specifically flags this.

Choosing a low-priced model without checking durability also backfires — some budget units fail at higher volumes. The DisenPrinter 2026 buyer’s guide warns that the lowest-priced options often lack stable printheads for consistent output.

Ignoring total cost of ownership is the third trap. A $450 Epson SureColor F170 uses premium ink that may cost more long-term than a $680 Sawgrass SG500 with lower per-print ink costs.

Final Budget Checklist — Your Quick Path to a Purchase Decision

Choose the bracket that fits your operation and product size:

  • Under $400 total: Convert an Epson EcoTank ET-2400 or ET-2800 (mugs, coasters, small tees — 8.5×14 max).
  • ~$1,000 total: Sawgrass SG500 + flat press (versatile for any craft business).
  • ~$1,400 total: Sawgrass SG500 VersiFlex Kit + mid-size press (best balanced kit for beginners).
  • ~$2,500 total: Sawgrass SG1000 + full press set (serious small-shop production).
  • $9,000+: Wide-format Epson or Mimaki (high-volume or large-format output).

Whatever your budget, confirm the printer supports at least 1,440 dpi resolution for sharp transfer lines. Dedicated machines from Sawgrass and Epson hit this spec as standard.

FAQs

Is a heat press always required for sublimation?

A heat press is mandatory. Sublimation ink converts from a solid to a gas only under sustained heat and pressure applied by a dedicated press. Normal ironing does not work because it cannot maintain even temperature and pressure across the print area.

Can I use a standard inkjet printer for sublimation?

Only inkjet printers with piezoelectric printheads can be converted. Epson EcoTank and Workforce models are the most common candidates. You must flush out the factory ink and replace it with sublimation ink, which voids the original warranty. Laser printers and HP thermal-bubble printers cannot be converted.

What is the cheapest total setup for sublimation printing?

The cheapest total setup is converting an Epson EcoTank ET-2400 ($173) and pairing it with a small flat press ($299.99) and a pack of paper ($19.99), for under $500 total. This works best for small items like mugs and coasters printed up to 8.5 × 14 inches.

Do dedicated sublimation printers come with ink included?

Most dedicated models in the $449–$1,800 range, such as the Sawgrass SG500 and Epson SureColor F170, include starter ink cartridges in the box. The Sawgrass VersiFlex kits also include a full set of SubliJet UHD ink.

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