The Best Sublimation Printers for Home Crafters in 2025

If you’re a DIY enthusiast, small business owner, or creative soul looking to bring your designs to life on mugs, t-shirts, tumblers, and more, then you know that the heart of any sublimation setup is a reliable printer. With technology improving every year, 2025 brings a new wave of sublimation printers perfect for home crafters.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the top sublimation printers of 2025 that balance quality, affordability, and ease of use—so you can pick the perfect one for your crafting needs.

🌟 What Makes a Sublimation Printer Great for Home Use?

Before we dive into the list, here are the key things home crafters should look for:

• Print Quality: Crisp, vibrant colors that transfer beautifully.

• Ease of Conversion or Ready-to-Go: Some printers need to be converted for sublimation, while others come preconfigured.

• Ink System: Refillable vs. cartridge-based systems.

• Print Size: Standard 8.5"x11" or larger formats.

• Cost & Ink Availability: Budget-friendly options that won’t drain your wallet on refills.

🏆 Best Sublimation Printers for Home Crafters in 2025

1. Epson SureColor F170 – Best All-Around

Why We Love It:
This printer is built specifically for sublimation, so there's no conversion required. It’s compact, fast, and prints with Epson’s high-quality sublimation ink. Great for beginners and pros alike.

Pros:

• Plug-and-play for sublimation

• Excellent color vibrancy

• Official support and warranty for sublimation use

Cons:

• Limited to 8.5" x 14" prints

2. Sawgrass SG500 – Best for Business-Ready Results

Why We Love It:
Sawgrass is a big name in sublimation, and the SG500 is a workhorse that delivers premium quality. The software (CreativeStudio) is a big plus for crafters who want templates and design help.

Pros:

• Professional-grade results

• Sublimation software included

• Tech support geared toward crafters

Cons:

• Higher ink cost

• Initial investment is steeper

3. Epson EcoTank ET-2800/ET-2850 – Best Budget Conversion

Why We Love It:
If you’re willing to convert a printer yourself, the EcoTank line is the way to go. These printers use refillable ink tanks, which makes them affordable and ideal for custom sublimation ink.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly

• Large ink capacity

• Widely available

Cons:

• Requires manual conversion

• Voids warranty once converted

4. Epson Surecolor F570 Pro 24" Desktop Sublimation Printer – Best for Larger Format Crafting

Why We Love It:
If you’re scaling up your craft room and want to do banners, larger apparel, or high-volume output, this wide-format sublimation printer is a dream. Not necessary for beginners, but worth the investment for growing businesses.

Pros:

• Wide-format printing

• Great for apparel and bulk production

Cons:

• Expensive and large

• Overkill for hobbyists

5. Canon PIXMA G6020 (Converted) – Newcomer Favorite

Why We Love It:
While Canon hasn't officially entered the sublimation market, this refillable inkjet printer has become a new favorite among DIYers who don’t mind converting. Affordable and widely available.

Pros:

• Great value

• High print resolution

• Easy to convert with third-party ink

Cons:

• No official sublimation support

• Conversion voids warranty

🧰 What Else You'll Need:

Once you have your printer, don’t forget these sublimation essentials:

• Sublimation Paper – Special paper that holds the ink until heat-pressed.

• Heat Press – From flat presses to mug and tumbler presses.

• Blanks – Polyester-coated items like shirts, tumblers, mugs, and more.

• Design Software – Cricut Design Space, Canva, Photoshop, or Silhouette Studio.

✨ Final Thoughts

In 2025, there’s truly a sublimation printer for every type of home crafter—from total beginners to side hustle pros. If you want something easy and reliable, go with the Epson SureColor F170. On a tight budget? Try converting an EcoTank ET-2800. And if you're ready to go big, Sawgrass SG500 or even Epson Surecolor F570 are solid bets.

No matter which printer you choose, the world of vibrant, personalized sublimation projects is right at your fingertips. Happy crafting!

Have a favorite sublimation printer or setup you swear by? Let me know in the comments below—I love seeing what everyone’s using in their craft rooms!

I’ve linked all of the printers mentioned in this post in Our Favorite Crafting Tools & Must-Have Supplies — check it out!