If you want to get into sublimation printing (and who wouldn’t?), that doesn’t mean you need to spend a tonne of money on your new hobby.
And for that matter, you don’t need to spend an excessive amount of money if you want to start a small business in sublimation printing services either.
And as with any hobby or interest, it literally pays to source or seek out the cheapest equipment.
When you’re a newbie, it’s just too easy to get suckered into paying more money on your equipment than is absolutely necessary.
But at the same time, you don’t want to end up spending any amount of money on a sublimation printer that’s next to useless and doesn’t do what you want it to do.
However, by reading articles like this one, you can learn a lot about the most affordable options, and whether they will do for you and actually meet your needs.
In this article, we’re going to cover the two different routes of getting into sublimation printing in an affordable way, with a particular focus on Epson printers (because they are excellent quality as well as relatively affordable).
We will go into sufficient detail so that by the end of the article at the wrap up, you will be in a position to not only know which route you want to take but also how to go about it.
Please feel free to scroll ahead to any section that jumps out at you.
Let’s kick things off with the basics…
You can get into sublimation printing by either buying a dedicated sublimation printer, or buying a regular printer that can be converted to a sublimation printer.
The cheapest way to get into sublimation printing is by buying a regular printer that can be converted to a sublimation printer.
The Cheapest Yet Great Quality Sublimation Printer: Epson EcoTank 2720
It is my view, and in fact the view of a great many others, that the most affordable yet worthwhile printer to use for sublimation is the Epson EcoTank 2720.
But, it’s important to note at this point that the Epson EcoTank 2720 isn’t actually marketed as a sublimation printer. And if you want to use it as one, you have to convert it to a sublimation printer.
Why I Love The Epson EcoTank 2720 For Sublimation Printing
Of course, one of the reasons I love the Epson EcoTank 2720 is because of just how much more affordable it is for a sublimation printer.
When this article was written, you could usually pick one up for under $400, whereas the Epson SureColor F570 Pro Dye-Sublimation Printer had a price tag of almost $2,895! You have to admit that’s quite the difference!
Despite not actually being marketed as a sublimation printer, it makes such a good sublimation printer when converted that it even gets used by small businesses offering sublimation services. And you have to admit that’s pretty impressive.
What’s more, despite the much lower price point, it has the sort of features that you’d expect to get in a more high-end sublimation printer…
For example, it offers wireless printing, so you can send images for printing via your smartphone or tablet, and it even offers voice-activated printing! It also provides scanning facilities, so you can replicate an image without having to send it to the computer first. And it can print any image on sublimation transfer paper up to A4 in size.
I have used it myself for sublimation on t-shirts, and I can testify to the results – impressive color on photo images and graphics, with sharp, easy to read text.
And whereas most products you buy tend to come with a warranty of 12 months at the max, this printer comes backed by a lengthy 2-year manufacturer warranty.
The only real drawback to investing in this printer specifically for sublimation printers is that if you were to use the accompanying ink instead of sublimation ink (available separately), you will not then be able to do sublimation printing on it. You have to convert it to a sublimation printer first.
Elsewhere on this website, I have written a much fuller review on this printer.
It’s titled “Epson ET 2720 Sublimation Printer Review” and it’s available to view on this link. It covers everything you need to know, and it has a handy FAQ section.
Now, I bet you’re wondering where you can get one from, which leads us nicely onto our next section.
Where To Buy The Epson EcoTank 2720
I don’t know about you, but I just love the convenience of buying through Amazon.
My card and address details are already stored there, and you can have it delivered in no time at all.
And it usually works out cheaper than buying directly from the manufacturer.
It also gives you the chance to check out other customer reviews, which are sometimes loaded with handy hints and tips.
If you want to check out the product page on Amazon, simply click on this link.
If you want to buy the printer from Amazon, be careful what you click on because there are other Epson printers available on the same product page, and I wouldn’t want you to accidentally order the wrong one.
(On the product page, you will see that there are well over 10,000 individual customer ratings for it, and it still comes out with an impressive 4 and a half star out of 5 rating, which speaks volumes for its popularity.)
As I mentioned earlier (it bears repeating here) you shouldn’t use the ink that comes with the printer, and you will need to purchase sublimation ink separately, which you can find on this link.
How To Convert The Epson EcoTank 2720 To A Sublimation Printer
The good news is that converting the printer to a sublimation one is incredibly easy.
The key thing to remember is NOT TO USE THE ACCOMPANY INK – NOT EVEN ONCE!
If you were to use the wrong ink, you will never be able to use the printer as a sublimation printer, you won’t be able to convert it.
All you need to do is put compatible sublimation inks in the printer, and then you can just go straight ahead and set it up as you would any other printer.
Which is to say that you install the software on your computer, using the installation wizard, and follow the step-by-step instructions.
As for then using the printer for sublimation, I would suggest that you brush up on everything to know before you begin. Here are some of my other articles that you might find helpful in that regard:
So, there is no question about what is the cheapest printer on the market for sublimation printing.
It has to be the Epson EcoTank 2720, which is available for a fraction of the cost of some of the high-end sublimation printers. And I’m talking less than 15%!
So, if you’re looking to get into sublimation printing without breaking the bank, that’s the way to do it. And it’s a great quality sublimation printer, too.
Hi, my name is Michael Moore, and I have been 3D printing for a number of years now. I have created many cool gadgets over the years, but my current passion is creating one of a kind jewelry pieces. They can be so intricate and beautiful that many people wouldn't believe they are 3D printed.
Through Love and Robots, I hope to share my knowledge with others, and provide advice about everything 3D printer related.
