Sublimation Printers Compared: Dedicated vs Converted EcoTank
Sawgrass SG500 leads for owners who want sublimation ink and colour profiles included from the start. Epson SureColor F170 costs less to run thanks to refillable tanks built for dye sub ink. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 gives budget minded crafters a proven conversion path at the lowest entry point.
Sawgrass SG500 suits crafters who want ink and colour profiles included from the first print. Epson SureColor F170 lowers running cost once volume increases, using refillable tanks built for dye sub ink. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 remains the cheapest entry point for testing sublimation before buying dedicated gear.
Two very different paths exist here, a dedicated dye sub printer or a converted EcoTank running third party ink. Each affects warranty coverage, colour accuracy and long term ink cost differently. We compared print width, ink delivery, bundled colour software and reported material compatibility across all seven listings to match machines with realistic project needs.
The top picks, ranked
Sawgrass SG500
Sawgrass built the SG500 as a sublimation printer, not a conversion project. SubliJet UHD cartridges and Sawgrass Print Manager ship together, so a red on screen prints as a red on polyester. Owners cite the bundled colour software as the reason they skipped converting a cheaper inkjet.
Pros
- No conversion or ink flushing needed before first print
- Bundled colour management skips trial and error swatches
- Sublimation use is covered under warranty
Cons
- Cartridge ink runs more per millilitre than bottled ink
- Output limited to 8.5 inch letter width
Epson SureColor F170
Epson engineered the F170 for dye sublimation from the ground up, skipping cartridges for refillable tanks. Running cost drops noticeably once print volume climbs. Based on specifications, it fits a craft desk rather than a dedicated workshop bench.
Pros
- Ink cost per print stays low with refillable tanks
- Purpose built for sublimation, so no warranty ambiguity
- Small footprint suits home craft rooms
Cons
- Print width caps at 8.5 inches
- Bundled software offers fewer features than Sawgrass Print Manager
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
Crafters convert the ET-2800 more than any other EcoTank model. Its tanks accept third party sublimation ink straight from new, with no cartridge chip to bypass. Owners report that starting with a brand new, ink free unit avoids the clogs that plague converted printers.
Pros
- Lowest entry cost among the seven printers here
- Tanks fill directly with sublimation ink, no cartridges
- Doubles as a flatbed scanner and copier
Cons
- Sublimation ink voids Epson’s standard warranty
- Colour accuracy needs manual profiling after conversion
Sawgrass SG1000
SG1000 scales the Sawgrass approach up to 11 by 17 inch sheets. A bypass tray extends usable length further, up to 13 by 51 inches, for banners and long panels. Weight and footprint grow substantially, so measure bench space before ordering.
Pros
- Prints full front adult shirt graphics without tiling
- Long bypass tray handles banners and oversized panels
- Shares the SG500’s included colour management software
Cons
- Footprint and weight exceed most desktop printers
- Cartridge ink costs add up at higher volumes
Epson SureColor F570
F570 steps into roll fed territory at 24 inches wide, the width most cut and sew shops need. A combined roll feeder and sheet path means short runs skip the roll entirely. This is a production printer, not a hobby desk unit.
Pros
- Roll feed suits repeat production runs
- 24 inch width covers cut and sew panels and banners
- 140 ml ink bottles keep per print cost down
Cons
- Requires dedicated floor space, not desk space
- Setup and profiling add real complexity
Epson EcoTank ET-15000
ET-15000 converts like smaller EcoTanks but reaches 13 by 19 inch prints. That size covers tumbler wraps, large mouse pads and most shirt front graphics. Owners report a slower print speed setting improves ink laydown across the wider carriage.
Pros
- Large format output at EcoTank conversion pricing
- Scanner bed matches the wide print carriage
- Ethernet connectivity suits shared workshop networks
Cons
- Conversion still voids the manufacturer warranty
- Bulky footprint for a home craft space
Epson EcoTank ET-4800
ET-4800 doubles as an office machine between craft sessions, adding a 30 sheet automatic document feeder and fax to the EcoTank system. Converted to sublimation ink, it prints letter width transfers like smaller EcoTank models. Ordinary document printing suffers once that conversion happens.
Pros
- Document feeder and fax handle office tasks
- Same straightforward tank conversion as other EcoTanks
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity both included
Cons
- Cannot serve office and sublimation roles at once
- Warranty gap applies after ink conversion
Before you buy
Should you buy dedicated or convert an EcoTank? Sawgrass SG500 and Epson SureColor F170 arrive ready to print, with sublimation ink and matched colour profiles from the factory. A converted EcoTank costs far less upfront, but colour profiling becomes your job. Manufacturer warranty ends the moment third party ink enters an EcoTank’s tanks. Decide on a route before ordering ink, not after a failed first print.
How print width limits your project size Letter width, around 8.5 inches, covers mugs, coasters, keyrings and youth size shirt graphics. Stepping up to 11 by 17 or 13 by 19 inches opens full adult shirt fronts without tiling artwork. A 24 inch roll printer functions like a small production line. Volume sellers recover that cost; occasional crafters rarely do.
Which ink, paper and substrate combinations work? Sublimation dye only bonds to polyester or a polymer coated surface. Cotton shirts and uncoated ceramic mugs will not hold the printed image at all. Dedicated sublimation transfer paper matters just as much as the printer, since its release coating pushes dye into the substrate under heat. Plain copy paper absorbs ink instead of releasing it.
Why does sublimation colour shift after pressing? Printed sheets often look dull compared to the finished product. Heat converts sublimation ink to gas, and colour only reaches full saturation once it bonds with the polymer coating. Sawgrass Print Manager and Epson Edge Print both apply profiles that account for this shift automatically. Converted EcoTank owners should run a swatch test on the actual substrate before promising a customer a specific shade.
How they stack up
| # | Model | Max print width | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sawgrass SG500 | 8.5 inches | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Epson SureColor F170 | 8.5 inches | Best dedicated compact | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Epson EcoTank ET-2800 | 8.5 inches | Best value | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Sawgrass SG1000 | 11 by 17 inches | Best for large transfers | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Epson SureColor F570 | 24 inches | Best for wide format | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Epson EcoTank ET-15000 | 13 by 19 inches | Best for tabloid conversions | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Epson EcoTank ET-4800 | 8.5 inches | Best all in one | 8.0 | Check price |
Questions worth asking
Can a regular inkjet printer do sublimation?
Only refillable tank models qualify in practice. Cartridge printers with chipped cartridges reject third party ink. Printers that already ran pigment ink clog once sublimation ink enters. A brand new EcoTank remains the standard conversion route.
Does converting an Epson EcoTank void the warranty?
Yes, filling the tanks with third party sublimation ink ends Epson’s ink system coverage. Many crafters accept that trade for the lower entry cost. That warranty gap is the main reason some choose Epson SureColor F170 instead.
What fabrics work best with sublimation printing?
Polyester and high polyester blends hold colour best. Blends under roughly 65 percent polyester fade the design to a vintage look. Pure cotton will not accept sublimation dye without a specialist coating.
Do sublimation printers need special paper?
Yes. Sublimation transfer paper carries a coating that holds ink until heat releases it into the substrate. Plain copy paper absorbs the ink and produces a weak, blotchy transfer.
Why do sublimation prints look dull before pressing?
That dullness is normal, not a fault. Colour only reaches full intensity once heat converts the ink to gas and it bonds with the polymer coating. Judge colour on the pressed item, never on the printed sheet.
How often should a sublimation printer be used?
Print something at least once a week. Sublimation ink dries inside the print head faster than standard ink. Idle machines are the most common cause of clogged nozzles that owners report.
Can sublimation printers print white ink?
No, sublimation has no white ink option. Any area meant to stay white simply shows the substrate’s base colour. That is why sublimation blanks are almost always white or very light coloured.
Is a wide format sublimation printer worth buying for a hobby?
Rarely, unless output volume is high. Epson SureColor F570 and similar 24 inch roll printers earn their cost through repeat production runs. Occasional shirts and mugs suit a letter or tabloid width machine better, at a fraction of the footprint.
Sawgrass vs EcoTank: which sublimation printer is better for beginners?
Sawgrass SG500 suits beginners who want colour management handled automatically. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 suits beginners on a tighter budget willing to profile colour manually. Both print sublimation transfers reliably once set up correctly.
What is the difference between letter and tabloid sublimation printers?
Letter width printers max out around 8.5 inches, enough for mugs and youth shirts. Tabloid printers like the Sawgrass SG1000 or Epson EcoTank ET-15000 reach 11 by 17 or 13 by 19 inches. That extra width fits full adult shirt fronts without piecing artwork together.
The bottom line
Sawgrass SG500 stays the simplest answer for anyone who wants to print rather than troubleshoot colour, since ink and profiles come included. Epson SureColor F170 rewards frequent printing with lower bottle ink costs over time. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 remains the cheapest way to find out whether sublimation fits your workflow before committing further.
Jake Monroe
Jake worked as a residential contractor for over a decade before shifting to full-time writing. He evaluates power tools, hand tools and workshop gear through the lens of someone who has actually used them on job sites, not just read the box.
