8 Best Sublimation Printers for Heat Transfer 2022 | Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

With the rise in technology, there is no need to manually print designs and paint images on a shirt or any other surfaces now. Simply use the method of heat transfer to print vivid and striking images on your clothes and other decor items and get good results each time.

The usage of heat transferring images has become quite a norm these days as it is an easy method that also gets you good results. However, what might cause rain on your parade will be the use of a low-quality sublimation printer for heat transfer. To save you from that trouble and nuisance, I have listed the 8 best sublimation printer for heat transfer known to mankind in this article.

8 Best Sublimation Printers For Heat Transfer

1. HP Smart Tank Plus 551
2. HP Laserjet Pro M452dw
3. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
4. Epson EcoTank ET-2750
5.  Epson EcoTank ET-3760
6. Brother MFC-J5330DW
7. HP OfficeJet Pro 8035
8. Brother HL-L2320D Mono Laser Printer

Quick Summary: Our Top Five Picks

IMAGE	PRODUCT	RATING	PRICE
EDITORS CHOICE	HP Smart Tank Plus 551 Features: Laserjet technology, Auto 2 Side Print, Print speed 5 ppm, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet and SmartPhone printing with Android, iPhone, Tablet Benefits: Touch screen, Fast printing, wireless connectivity and 1 year warranty	9.5	Check on Amazon
RUNNER UP	Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Features:MicroPiezo® inkjet technology, auto 2 side print, Print Speed 9ppm color, Print size upto 13×19″, 4.3 inches touch screen, SmartPhone printing with Android, iPhone, Tablet, wi-fi and ethernet connectivity Benefits: Touch screen, Fast printing, wireless connectivity and 1 year warranty	9.2	Check on Amazon
	HP Laserjet Pro M452dw Features:HP Thermal Inkjet Technology, auto double side print, Print Speed 20ppm color, Print size upto 8.5×14″, 2.5 inches touch screen, SmartPhone printing with Android, iPhone, Tablet, wi-fi, ethernet an usb 2.0 connectivity Benefits: Touch screen, Fast printing, wireless connectivity and 1 year warranty	9.0	Check on Amazon
	Brother MFC-J5330DW Features:inkjet technology, Print Speed 20 ppm color, Print size upto 11 x 17″, 2.7 inches screen, SmartPhone printing with Android, iPhone, Tablet, wi-fi, ethernet connectivity, Copy, and Fax Benefits: wireless connectivity and fast printing	8.7	Check on Amazon
BUDGET PICK	HP OfficeJet Pro 8035 Printer Features:inkjet technology, Print Speed 20 ppm color, Print size upto 8.4 x 14″, 2.5 inches screen, SmartPhone printing with Android, iPhone, Tablet, wi-fi, ethernet connectivity, Copy, and Fax Benefits: wireless connectivity, Fast printing	8.7	Check on Amazon

1. HP Smart Tank Plus 551 – Sublimation Printer For Heat Transfer

The name HP is familiar for every user of technology due to their high-quality products. The HP Smart Tank Plus 551 is what people who are interested in heat transfer need in their lives. This sublimation printer comes with a sleek and compact body. There are no heavyweight and no excessively large parts attached to the body, just a simple and sleek design that will be easy to operate and look good in the room.

If we discuss the best attributes of this sublimation printer, it comes with the feature of scanning as well as printing and copying. This for sure adds a few more stars to the overall design, as it expands the usage of the printer. Furthermore, it can be connected to any device, such as a phone, tablet, or PC via Wifi or the HP Smart app. In addition to that, HP has added the voice control feature to this model, meaning you can control it through Alexa as well.

Moreover, the wide tank of this printer contains ink bottles. Furthermore, the package contains additional ink bottles worth two years of use. These extra perks justify the heavier price tag. This model can print up to 11 pages in a minute, and the printing size varies from 3×5 inches to a maximum of 8×10 inches. Thanks to the high-quality inks, the color and the quality of the images that I printed for heat transfer were amazing.

Any individual who is searching for the best sublimation printer for heat transfer without worrying about the cost should invest their money in this model. The HP Smart Tank Plus 551 is packed with every single feature that you might need in order to achieve a high-quality print for heat transfer.

2. HP Color Laserjet Pro M452dw

The HP Laserjet Pro M452dw is what I call a perfect sublimation printer for heat transfer. Whether it is going to be under the use of a single person or a larger group of people, this model will not disappoint. HP has incorporated some of their advanced and finest technologies in this printer, including the Wifi connectivity option. The perk is not only that it gets connected to a device through Wifi; the perk is that it can get connected to as many as 10 devices at a time.

The design of the HP Laserjet Pro M452dw is that of a traditional printer. It comes with a boxy body that has a 3 inches wide LCD screen at the top. This touch screen will help you operate the sublimation printer. Moreover, it also has a USB port, which means you can also connect a USB to this printer to print out vivid images.

In addition to that, the sheet tray at the bottom of the printer has a capacity for 300 papers at a time, which is definitely more than other models. It can print up to 28 pages per minute, so you do not even have to think about your work getting slowed. However, the feature that makes this model the best sublimation printer for heat transfer 2022 is that it comes with the original HP high yield color toner cartridges that deliver images of the best quality.

The Hp Laserjet Pro M452dw costs way more than other models available in the market, but it comes with perks that make it worth the money. It has a larger sheet capacity and can be connected to 10 devices through Wifi. For a larger office, this model is the ideal sublimation printer for heat transfer.

3. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000

The Epson HD XP-15000 is what every startup owner needs. From the design to the functionality of this model, everything is simple yet top-notch. This printer does not bear a large and heavy body that will occupy more than half of your tablespace. It comes with a compact matte black body that you can put in any corner.

The design of the Epson HD XP 15000 is very minimalistic and simple. It has a sheet tray at the bottom and a touch screen and navigation keys at the front of the body. The printer can be operated easily with the help of the keys and the touch screen. The star of the show is that this heat transfer printer can be hooked to any device via the help of Wifi.

The sheet capacity of this model is also notable; it can carry up to 200 sheets in the tray. Moreover, there is a small tray at the rear end that carries 50 sheets. In addition to that, this model can print both sides of the pages in bright and vivid colors. The sheet size varies from 4.6 inches to 13×19 inches. The feature of this model that really stood out to me was that it has a Dash Replenishment technology. This feature checks the amount of ink present in the primer and notifies when the printer is running low on ink.

Spend your bucks on the Epson HD XP 15000 if you are looking for high-quality prints to transfer on your projects. The printer comes with a high sheet capacity, a wireless connectivity option, and many other perks incorporated in its small and compact body.

4. Epson EcoTank ET-2750

The Epson EcoTank ET-2750 is a one in all kind of sublimation printer that every heat transfer enthusiast needs in their life. The printer itself has a very sleek and stylish design. It comes with a touch screen present at the front with some buttons. The presence of both the LCD screen and the buttons make this model quite easy to operate.

What makes this model the best printer for heat transfers is that it comes bearing 2 years’ worth of ink in the package. So, when the printer runs out of ink, you can fill it with the bottles present in the box instead of buying new replacement inks. Basically, it comes with more than enough ink to print out 5200 colored images or 6500 monochrome images.

Even if the time to replace the ink does arrive, Epson has added low-cost replacement bottles to this model, which will save 80% of ink and also save you many bucks. Moreover, you can connect the printer to any device of your choice through the help of Wifi technology added in its design. The maximum size of the printed image is 8.5 inches x 11.7 inches. Moreover, thanks to the auto duplex feature, it can print on both sides of the sheets. Lastly, my favorite feature is that it prints images with 5760 x 1440 dpi, which is quite a high resolution.

If you are not bothered by the slightly heavier price tag, then you need to invest your money in the Epson EcoTank ET2750. It comes with perks that will make sure you end up with images of high quality for heat transfer. Moreover, it comes with an LCD screen and buttons for easy operation.

5. Epson EcoTank ET-3760

The simple and easy-to-use design of the Epson EcoTank Et-3760 is what landed it a position among the 8 best sublimation printer for heat transfer. This model comes with an exterior of chalk white color, which looks in any setting, whether it is an office or for home use. This model is loaded with perks and features that make it a good fit for heat transfer.

Moreover, the technical attributes of this model are also noteworthy. There is an auto-feed present at the top of the printer where the paper goes for printing. The exit tray is at the bottom, and that is where the paper emerges after being printed with vivid images. Moreover, it also comes with the additional perk of a scanner. Connecting this model to any device is like child’s play, thanks to the presence of Wifi, ethernet, and USB port.

In addition to that, controlling this model is a piece of cake. Due to the presence of an LCD screen at the front along with touch buttons, anyone can control and operate the printer easily. This model is cartridge-free and comes with a higher-capacity ink tank. So, know that it will be a long time before your printer runs out of ink. In addition to that, Epson has included 2 years’ worth of ink in the package, so you do not even have to worry about purchasing ink soon after getting the printer.

The Epson EcoTank ET 3760 sublimation printer is ideal for someone who uses a sublimation printer quite frequently. The larger sheet capacity and the large ink tank will make sure you can use the printer for weeks without any refilling session.

6. Brother MFC-J5330DW – Sublimation Printer

The Brother MFC-J5330DW is a staple for everyone who wants to take their heat printing to another level. The quality of the images printed with this sublimation printer is exceptionally good and vivid. The all-black matte exterior of the printer looks good in any setting. There is an auto-feed present at the top of the printer and a sheet tray at the bottom. Moreover, it comes with an auto-duplex feature, which prints on both sides of the sheets.

In addition to that, this model comes with a sheet tray that has a capacity of a maximum of 250 sheets at a time. Moreover, there is a single sheet bypass tray for printing envelopes and cards. There is a small LCD screen present at the front of the sublimation printer that controls the functions of the printer. Moreover, there are buttons right next to the screen for giving commands. My favorite perk of this printer is that you can connect it to Alexa and then control the actions through your voice.

The addition of Wifi and a USB port is a thoughtful inclusion as you can use any one of the two means to connect the printer to your device. The best feature of this model is that it comes with the Amazon Dash Replenishment, which keeps the quantity of toner in check. When the printer is low on toner, it automatically orders some from Amazon.

This model is one of the 8 best sublimation printers for heat transfer, that too at a comparatively low cost. The presence of both the LCD screen and touch buttons makes operating the printer easy. In addition to that, the wide sheet tray and the other advanced and automatic features of this model make it worth the money and will definitely make heat transfer easier.

7. HP OfficeJet Pro 8035

HP is known for providing its users with the best products, and this model of sublimation printer is an attestation of that fact. Whether you talk about that design and the style of the printer or its functionality, every feature has been added after keeping the needs of their audience in mind. The sleek design with stylish cuts makes it appealing to the eye.

Moving towards the features of the printer, it has an auto-duplex feature that enables the machine to print on both sides of the pages. This not only saves money but also saves sheets. In addition to that, the printing speed of this model is also remarkable; it is capable of printing up to 20 pages in a minute. With this speed, you can finish many projects in a day.

Moreover, it offers Wifi connectivity, USB, and ethernet. Basically, every type of connectivity option has been added to the HP OfficeJet Pro 8035. Moreover, my favorite feature of this sublimation printer is that it supports the HP Smart app, which means that you can control and operate the printer remotely via the app on your phone. Moreover, it even works with Alexa so that you can control it through your voice.

This model truly is one of the best sublimation printers for heat transfer. Due to the presence of advanced technology and its simply operable design, this model can be operated by anyone effortlessly. From multiple means of connectivity to the HP Smart app, this model has everything that will make sublimation printing easier.

8. Brother HL-L2320D Mono Laser Printer – Best for Monochrome Printing

The Brother HL-L2320D comes with a small body that can be stashed in any part of the room. However, do not underestimate the functionality and features of this sublimation printer by its smaller design. It carries all sorts of perks that are required for heat transfer, even in a small body. The only thing to keep in mind is that this is a laser printer, so you will need to use laser transfer paper for a successful heat transfer.

The printer comes with a feed tray present at the bottom of its body. The feed tray is capable of carrying up to 250 sheets at a time. So, once you have stacked the tray, you will not run out of sheets so soon. In addition to that, what makes it the best laser printer for sublimation is that it has the capability of printing 30 pages per minute, which is a remarkable printing speed. Whether you want to print a single side of the page or both sides, both options are available in the Brother HL-L2320D.

There are buttons present at the left side of the printer; you can use these buttons to give commands to the printer. For connectivity, you have the option of USB. This is a monochrome laser printer, so you can not print colored images with it. However, to make up for that, the manufacturers have added a 2600 page toner cartridge to this model. This means that it can print 2600 pages without requiring a refill of ink. So, you can print for weeks without needing to refill the ink of this printer.

If you are just starting a business of heat transfer products, then you need a good quality sublimation printer for monochrome printing; get your hands on the Brother HL-L2320D Laser printer. It comes at a low price and still bears a high sheet capacity and higher printing speed.

Buying Guide

Using a sublimation printer for heat transfer is a good way to start a business. You can design and print stunning images on different surfaces, from textiles to ceramics, and the result will always come out great. If you want to step into the art of heat transferring images, then getting a best sublimation printer for heat transfer will be a good call.

However, before you step into the world of printing, there are a few things that you need to be aware of. Sublimation printing for heat transfer is different from normal printing. I have shared a few factors below that will help you identify the right model of sublimation printer.

Size Of The Printer

The size of a sublimation printer is the first thing that you need to check. This factor depends upon your work setting and whether you are going to use the printer in an office or at home. If you have quite a spacious working area, then getting a large sublimation printer should not be an issue. However, if you are working in a smaller space, then it is best if you go for a model that comes with a compact and small body.

Size Of The Printed Image

Each sublimation printer is different from its competition when it comes to the size of the sheets and the printed images. There are few models available in the market that only print images of 3 inches x 5 inches. However, there are some models that can print 8 inches x 10 inches. In addition to that, there are a few models that offer both sizes along with some others in between these two sizes.

The size of the printed image depends upon each person’s preference and usage. If you want to print larger designs, then go for a model that prints larger images. Likewise, if you want to only print smaller designs, then getting a model with a small size of the printed image should not be an issue for you.

Quality Of The Printed Image

For heat transfer, this factor is highly crucial. If the quality of the printed image is low, then the design transferred on the fabric or any other surface will be of low quality too. So, it is best if you go for a model that prints images in high and exceptional quality. You can judge the quality of the printed image by its resolution. The resolution of the image can be judged by two methods; DPI (dots per inch) or PPI (pixels per inch).

Easy Refilling Of Ink

If you are running a business of getting images heat transferred to various products, then you will use the sublimation printer for many hours. As you will be using the sublimation printer for a prolonged period of time, the ink present in it will also be used more than usual. This is why it is crucial that you go for a model that allows easy refilling of ink. If a model has placed the ink cartridge or the ink tank in a hard to locate part of the printer, then refilling the ink will become a headache. Always go for a model of sublimation printer that allows easy refilling of ink.

Sheets Capacity Of The Printer

This is another factor that affects the usage of a sublimation printer. Each model of sublimation printer comes with a different number of sheet capacity in the sheet tray. There are a few models that offer as low as 50 sheets. On the other hand, there are a few models that allow you to stock up to 300 sheets at the same time. For heat transfer, the printer gets used quite a lot, and hence, more sheets will be used. So, it is best to get a model that comes with a wider sheet capacity so that you do not have to restock sheets after every few hours.

Cartridge Or Ink Tank

This is another key factor that often gets neglected by buyers while they are selecting a sublimation printer for heat transfer. A sublimation printer that comes with cartridges has smaller bottles of ink in the cartridge. However, the models that come with ink tanks do not have cartridges and have wide tanks for inks.

If you want to use the sublimation printer for hours every day, then it is best that you should go for a model that comes with an ink tank so that you are not stuck with refilling and replacing the ink cartridge every day. However, if the use of a sublimation printer is going to be occasional, then getting a cartridge printer will be a wise decision.

Tasks Required From The Printer

Another factor that you should keep in mind before you go out to get a sublimation printer is what type of tasks do you require from your printer. A sublimation printer is capable of printing, faxing, scanning, and copying images. However, not every model offers all of these tasks. There are a few models that only allow printing, while some also give you the freedom to scan images. Before you spend your money, you must be aware of what tasks you require from your printer and whether the model you are opting for offers those functions or not.

Means Of Connectivity

This factor does not directly affect the usage of a sublimation printer, but it does bring ease to the user’s life. There are various means of connecting the printer to your device. You can connect it through Wifi, Ethernet, USB, or even command it through Alexa. Not every model present in the market offers all of the above-stated methods of connectivity.

Some only offer USB connection, while some also add the perk of Wifi to the design. The option of Wifi lets you connect the printer to your phone, which is why most people prefer this means of connectivity in their sublimation printers. Whichever method you are going to use is up to you; however, you should be aware of the means of connectivity that you want and what your printer offers.

Price Of The Printer

Sublimation printers come at various prices. There are a few that will cost you an arm and a leg, and there are also a few models that come at a low price. The price of the sublimation printer is not an issue for those who are not bound by a budget. However, the ones who are on a budget need to spend their money on a less expensive model. I have shared models of various price ranges in this article.

Printing Speed

Comparison of color printing speed

FAQs

Can you sublimate with a laser printer?

Yes, you can use a laser printer as well as an inkjet for sublimation and to heat transfer images on shirts and other materials. However, for a laser printer, make sure to use laser transfer paper for transferring the image to image to any material.

Conclusion

Whether you want to start a clothing business or simply enjoy wearing printed shirts, getting a sublimation printer for heat transfer will be a good idea. I have shared some of my personal favorite models of sublimation printers for heat transfer in this article. Furthermore, I am also sharing my top 3 recommendations to help you further.

1. HP Smart Tank Plus 551 comes with a voice control feature and Wifi connectivity in a small and compact body.
2. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 has an LCD screen, Wifi connection option, and a wider sheet capacity.
3. HP Laserjet Pro M452dw – Best Sublimation Printer Printer has high printing speed, 250 sheet capacity, and comes at a meager price.

If you are an alien in the sublimation printing industry you can select a printer from best sublimation printer for beginners.