Best Cheap Sublimation Printer 2023 (Affordable for Heat Transfer)

It’s not a secret that getting started with cheap sublimation printing can be quite a challenge. So you want to break into the world of sublimation printing but aren’t sure where to begin. Many people were worried due to the printer’s high cost. Therefore, we come with pocket-friendly printers used in many industries.

Thomas John – CEO of a famous printing company, says it is OK to invest low for sublimation printers as they all have the same purposes. The good news is that you can get all of it at an affordable price. In this article, we review the products to help you find what the best cheap sublimation printer are.

7 Best Cheap Sublimation Printer

With so many best cheap sublimation printers out there, it’s hard to tell which one will take your business to the top. Even if you do find a good product, you may run into several issues down the line when you try to run larger projects. We’ve put together a list of 7 items that will make printing your ideas a breeze.

Editor Product of Choice

1. Epson EcoTank ET-2760 (Cartridge-Free) – Best Cheap Epson Printer for Sublimation

With vast, easy-to-fill color tanks, the EcoTank ET-2760 delivers Cartridge-Free Photocopying. As a result, in 2021, it will be the most excellent sublimation printer. You may potentially save up to 90% by using lesser penetration ink bottles. In addition, users may get up to two years of ink with the included or additional ink set.

This sublimation printing equipment can generate 6000 color prints & 7500 black prints with a single ink tank instead of a cartridge. Thus, switching to an ink tank rather than an ink cartridge can save you up to 90% on ink.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2760 comes with a comprehensive operating system that is easy to understand & learn for a layperson. In addition, beginners choose printers that are easy to use and don’t have a lot of functions. So, here’s a printing machine that’s simple, straightforward, but devoid of complications.

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Thus, the print quality of this cheapest sublimation printer for heat transfer is outstanding. A high-resolution flatbed scanner, colorful display, and auto duplex printing capability are just a few of the options available, making it one of the best printers for home use.

2. Brother MFC-J1215W (Inkjet) – Best Cheap Sublimation Printer

The Brother MFC-J1215W INKvestment best cheap sublimation printer is perfect for small businesses, homes, and classrooms. Its compact design and affordable technology make it easy to add to your workstation. Further, additional replacement inks are necessary to keep it functioning correctly.

Produce exceptional quality prints with 1200 x 600 dpi print resolution and ink droplets as tiny as 2pl. Moreover, it has a 2400 page monthly duty cycle and print speed up to 16 ppm. Plus, use up to 5% less ink when compared to previous INKvestment Tank printers.

Boasting wireless connectivity, direct printing, and built-in WPS, this printer is perfect for home or small office use. A 128 MB of RAM  1GB processor helps you print wirelessly. It is via 802.11b/g/n at speeds up to 16 pages per minute black and 10 pages per minute color.

The scanning is powered by a 1200 x 600 dpi resolution to provide clear documents for all your needs. INKvestment Tank uses a combined high yield of about 14,000 pages per color for each color. Thus, it produces quality photos and professional documents using only the printer’s 4 integrated ink tanks. The Brother J1215W is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, and XP.

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3. Epson ET-16600 (All-in-One Super Tank) – Best Affordable Sublimation Printer

The Epson Pro ET-16600’s PrecisionCore heat-free technology provides for fast print speeds. Lower penetration ink bottles might save you up to 80% compared to same color laser ink cartridges. Inkjet printers feature resolutions of up to 4800 x 2400 dpi for optimal reading.

The ET-16600 cheap sublimation printer comes with more than enough ink to produce 4,500 black copies & 2,800 color documents without worrying about ink refill costs. Refill bottles include enough ink to print 7,500 black sheets and 6,000 colored sheets2.

Consumers may now transmit colorful faxes from their laptops using the included PC-Fax. In addition, faxing takes as little as 3 seconds for each page, and you may store up to 550 pages and 200 telephone numbers. It’s a fantastic way to save both time and paper.

The ET-16600 built a 4.3″ touchscreen with a keyboard and gesture navigation to guide clients through ordinary and advanced procedures. Customers may save up to 50% on sheet materials using the EcoTank ET-16600. Furthermore, it offers features like automatic two-sided printing and copying.

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4. Sawgrass SG500 (SUBLIMAX) – Best Budget Sublimation Printer

With a 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution, the Sawgrass 500 creates high-quality prints. This quality is sufficient to produce stunning pictures on t-shirts. This sublimation device works with a total of 220 pages of SUBLIMAX brand sublimated paper and a total quantity of Sublijet-UHD inks.

Color schemes and combinations are crucial in art, design, and clothing printing. So because item is the greatest dye-sublimation printer for t-shirts and other media like image wall clocks, mugs, or sheets. Furthermore, this Best cheap sublimation printer generates prints that are energy-efficient.

On the other hand, the best edition includes advanced designs and machinery for creating stunning designs suitable for t-shirt printing. Furthermore, the superior sublimation ink produces an even color display with excellent results. Sawgrass also has color management technology.

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You should choose this item from Sawgrass if you want the cheapest sublimation printer. That uses UHD ink and good customer care after you acquire it. This Sawgrass sublimation model comes with a 2-year assurance, as well as a Sawgrass relationship and support.

5. Epson EcoTank ET-2720 (Super Tank) – Best Inexpensive Sublimation Printer

Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Supertank affordable sublimation printer prints up to 4,500 pages black/7,500 color using individual ink bottles. Each ink bottle can produce up to 300 pages. Savings on replacement ink bottles can quickly add up to dramatic savings.

This Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Supertank is a WiFi-enabled device that uses special SuperTanks containing up to 2 years’ worth of ink. So, whether you are hard at work or in line at the bank, low or empty, won’t be a factor in your day. With stress-free consistent printing, you can enjoy a more productive home office

Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges. Epson’s latest innovation eliminates the constant hassle of buying new inkjet cartridges and helps preserve the environment by reducing waste.

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With its 5 individual ink tanks, this quality sublimation printer is perfect for digital photos. Providing vivid prints at an affordable price, the ET-2720 produces spectacular images. Plus, it’s simple to use and has a sleek design that fits in almost any space.

6. Brother HL-L2320D (Mono Laser) – Best Cheapest Printer for Sublimation

The Brother L2320d is a good laser printer that quickly handles multiple print tasks. Also, it delivers exceptional print quality and provides a wide variety of innovative features to simplify common business tasks. This printer features a 250 sheet paper tray and a manual feed slot for envelopes and specialized standard-sized paper.

The HL-L2320D is a monochrome laser printer with a print speed of 30 pages per minute. Its 250-sheet paper capacity offers adequate space for printing documents. While a high-capacity toner cartridge allows you to print approximately 3,000 pages between replacements.

In addition, the HL-L2320D Mono Laser Best cheap sublimation printer provides the ability to print, scan, and copy. This laser printer can produce up to 30 pages per minute with a maximum resolution of 1200 dpi x 600 dpi (dots per inch) for high-quality printing. The printer features hi-speed USB 2.0 connectivity and is duplex capable.

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The Brother HL-L2320D Printer is a complete office solution to enhance your daily productivity. It offers network connectivity, mobile printing capability. Moreover, the fast print speeds you need-all in an easy-to-use, space-efficient design.

7.  WorkForce WF-7210 (Wireless Inkjet) – Best Cheapest Sublimation Printer for Heat Transfer

In comparison to other large-format inkjet printers, it is relatively quick. Printing at a pace of up to eighteen images per minute is quick (monochrome). If color prints are required, it can print at a rate up to 10 ISO ppm. For more temporary print rates, go with the Brother HL-L2350DW inkjet.

In fact, it uses Epson’s DURABrite Ultra pigment-based laser toner rather than dye-based toner cartridges. As a result, color accuracy and consistency are nearly sure to be good. 4800 x 2400 DPI is the maximum print resolution available.

Moreover, this inexpensive sublimation printer has a lot of tricks on its sleeve. Ethernet communication linkages, WiFi Convey, and NFC for quick pairing are available for starters. It also has an extensive paper capacity of over 500 sheets. It also includes a rear feedback tray and a double input tray.

The print pixel density is appropriate for printing on high-priced picture paper without borders. Thus, the output tray can hold 125 sheets of paper. As a result, it is the best sublimation laser printer.

Furthermore, the printer’s ink cartridge efficiency is excellent. Nonetheless, the Brother MFC-L3770CDW LaserJet Printers, which is the oldest, surpasses in terms of ink toner efficiency. It’s an inkjet printer, and it’s already a lot more energy efficient than any laser printer on the market.

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8. Canon PIXMA G1220 – Best MegaTank Sublimation Printer

The Canon Pixma G1220 Single Function MegaTank Inkjet Printer is one of the cheapest sublimation printers on the market. It’s a versatile multifunction printer that allows you to print documents, photos, and more. It’s a perfect way to save on ink costs.

The large ink tanks can hold up to 7,700 printed pages and the cartridge refills itself automatically. It’s a great product for those who want to cut down on the cost of printing but it lacks Wi-Fi connectivity and does not support cloud printing.

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If you want to save on ink, then this is the perfect sublimation printer for you.

Buying Guide for the Best Cheap Sublimation Printer

 Budget and Warranty

Never spend too much money on your first smartphone. The reason for this is that a novice acts carelessly. As a result, restrict your spending to a minimum and invest intelligently in your required product.

Look for the best budget sublimation printer that comes with a solid warranty and support. Professional mechanics are frequently required to repair printers with limited warranties. The annual maintenance and repair cost often outweighs the printer’s purchase price.

Furthermore, sublimation for novices necessitates time, skill, and trial and error, which frequently results in the destruction of essential components.

The Printer’s Frame

The first noticeable element of every piece of machinery you go out to buy is its body and construction. The first point you should look for in a model is that it has a solid and durable structure. A plastic frame may break down within a few years, while a sturdy steel frame can survive for decades. Sublimation printers are in the same boat.

Quality of Printing

The print quality of the picture is the most critical element that determines whether a printer is the best or the worst in sublimation printing. Most printers have a 1200 x 2400 dpi resolution, which is suitable for sublimation printing.

A few versions can print photos at a 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution. Ensure you obtain a relatively high sublimation printer since the picture quality must not diminish. As,  after it is transferred from the paper to another surface; otherwise, the sublimation printer will be useless.

Speed of Printing

For many individuals, this characteristic may not seem necessary. Still, the printing speed of a sublimation printer impacts its functioning. As a general rule, try to ensure that the printer’s peak printing speed is around 7-9 ppm.

If you have a printer that takes hours to print a few photographs, trust me when I say you will never use it again. The printing speed is critical for you, primarily if you operate a sublimation printing firm.

Capacity of Sheets

The number of sheets that a sublimation printer can store impacts how helpful it is. If a printer only has 50 sheet capacities, no company owner in their right mind would choose. That model in the office since it would necessitate continuous sheet restacking.

Many versions on the market include two sheet trays, allowing you to store up to 500 sheets at once, which is a fantastic feature. If you plan on using the sublimation printer regularly, you should invest in a device with a larger sheet capacity.

Options for Connectivity

Contrary to widespread assumption, a sublimation printer’s networking choices typically limit its use. You can’t utilize a model with a phone or tablet if it’s only compatible with PC and laptops and only has wired connectivity.

However, suppose a cheap Epson printer for sublimation includes wireless and cable connectivity, such as WiFi. In that case, it will be pretty simple to link it to any computer you choose. You may connect it to a computer, a laptop, a phone, or an iPad with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

a.  What is the cheapest sublimation printer in the market?

Here are the top 5 cheapest sublimation printers are as follows:

1.       Epson EcoTank ET-2760 Cartridge-Free

2.       Brother MFC-J1215W Inkjet

3.       Epson ET-16600 All-in-One SuperTank

4.       Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Supertank

5.       Brother HL-L2320D Mono Laser

b.  What distinguishes sublimation printing from those other printing methods?

Sublimation printing, like any other printing technology, has advantages and disadvantages. Generally, we believe the central point for the best cheap sublimation printer is that it is more expensive to set up than others. Suppose you’re considering starting a print-on-demand firm. In that case, it’s also faster to scale up and brings fewer workers to complete each unit from beginning to end.

c.   What type of good materials to use with a sublimation printer?

Certain materials perform better with sublimation printing than the others. It’s particularly effective on polyester materials that are 80 percent to 100 percent polyester. It performs well on pottery, metal, and glass as well. While it is fade-resistant on polyester, it is not suitable for use on cotton.

d.  Is Automatic Document Feed Worth It for EPSON Printers?

You can put numerous sheets into a fold-out type tray and afterward push the copy or scan button on an ADF-enabled best cheap sublimation printer. It’s a significant time-saver for individuals who really need to often copy & print multi-page papers as well as booklets.

If you intend to utilize an EPSON printer as a dedicated sublimation printer and want to save money, ADF technology is basically useless. Therefore it’s not worth the extra money if you’re on a tight budget.

Final words

When it comes to finding a top-quality and yet cheap sublimation printer, there’s no better way to do so than looking at the products that have proven themselves worthy under pressure over and over.

 This article simply looks at some of the leading printers on the market today, how they compare against each other, and what you should be spending on them.

In our review, Epson EcoTank ET-2760 Cartridge-Free is the best cheap sublimation printer because of its high performance at affordable prices.

This list of the best cheap sublimation printers excludes the most expensive models since they can already provide exceptional results. These all products are designed to make basic printing simple. So you can focus on creating unique pieces in a short period.