The best full dye sublimation machine depends on print size, workflow, and whether you need a printer bundle or a wider-format setup. The Epson SureColor F170 is best for compact projects, while its starter-kit bundle adds paper and thermal tape. Brother’s SP1 suits app-based DIY crafting, the Sawgrass SG500 targets small businesses, and the Epson SureColor F570 is the choice for prints up to 24 inches wide. A heat press is a separate requirement for the Brother SP1 workflow.
| Printer | Best for | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Epson SureColor F170 | Compact projects | Includes genuine Epson ink |
| Epson F170 Starter Kit | Getting started with supplies | Adds sublimation paper and thermal tape |
| Brother SP1 | App-guided DIY crafting | Uses the Artspira app |
| Sawgrass SG500 | Small businesses | Prints up to 8.5 × 14 inches, with bypass-tray capacity up to 8.5 × 51 inches |
| Epson SureColor F570 | Wide-format printing | Supports media up to 24 inches wide |
Epson SureColor F170 For Compact Projects
The Epson SureColor F170 is best for home creators and small workspaces that need a compact sublimation printer. It prints on formats up to 8.5 × 11 inches, making it better suited to smaller projects than wide-format production.
This bundle includes a full set of genuine Epson sublimation inks, a user guide, and a power cable. The printer’s PrecisionCore printhead uses Precision Droplet Control, a feature intended to support image clarity. The seller identifies itself as an Epson authorized partner and describes the printer as an original Epson product with manufacturer support.
Choose this if you want an Epson printer with ink included and do not need the additional starter supplies in the other F170 bundle. Limitation: its listed format is limited to 8.5 × 11 inches.
Epson F170 Bundle With Starter Supplies
This F170 bundle is best for first-time sublimation users who want paper and thermal tape included with the printer. It includes genuine Epson ink, a user guide, and an AC power cable, plus sublimation paper in 8.5 × 11-inch and 8.5 × 14-inch sizes and a roll of brown thermal tape.
Like the other F170 option, it uses a PrecisionCore printhead with Precision Droplet Control. The product listing describes the included OEM inks as certified ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX and identifies the seller as an Epson authorized partner.
Choose this if the listed paper sizes and thermal tape are useful for your initial projects. Limitation: the printer itself is still an 8.5-inch-wide model; the included 8.5 × 14-inch paper does not make it a wide-format printer.
Brother SP1 For Artspira-Based Crafting
The Brother SP1 is best for DIY crafters who want to create and manage designs through Brother’s Artspira app. The app can import and save up to 20 printing images, provides access to more than 100 sublimation designs, and can convert images into poster-style drawings.
The listed workflow is to create a design in Artspira, transfer it, print it, and then heat press the result. This makes the printer a practical option for people who prefer an app-centered design process for custom clothing and other crafts.
Choose this if Artspira’s design tools fit your workflow. Limitation: a heat press is required and must be purchased separately. The listing also says users must download the Artspira app to get started.
Sawgrass SG500 For Small Businesses
The Sawgrass SG500 is best for home-based entrepreneurs and small businesses making custom apparel, drinkware, signage, or promotional products. Its bundle includes 31 mL inks and paper. The SubliJet UHD CMYK set contains cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks, which the listing describes as formulated for hard and soft substrates.
The desktop printer supports media up to 8.5 × 14 inches. A bypass tray can accommodate prints up to 8.5 × 51 inches, which is useful when a longer print is needed without moving to a 24-inch-wide printer.
Choose this if you want a compact printer with a longer-print option through its bypass tray. Limitation: its standard listed media width is 8.5 inches, so it is not the choice for projects requiring media up to 24 inches wide.
Epson SureColor F570 For Wide Formats
The Epson SureColor F570 is best for users who need wider sublimation prints or a higher-capacity paper workflow. It accommodates rolls and sheets up to 24 inches wide and includes a 50-sheet auto-feed tray and built-in cutter. The bundle listing also specifies two full ink sets, sublimation paper, a user guide, and remote installation.
Its PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead includes Precision Droplet Control and Nozzle Verification Technology, according to the product details. These features distinguish it from the smaller-format printers in this guide.
Choose this if your projects call for media wider than 8.5 inches. Limitation: the listing says this shipment uses LTL freight and requires a valid phone number to schedule delivery.
Buying Guide: How To Choose A Sublimation Printer
What print size do your projects require?
Start with the widest transfer you expect to make. The F170 and Brother SP1 listings are aimed at compact-format crafting, while the SG500 offers a bypass-tray option for prints up to 8.5 × 51 inches. Choose the F570 when you need media up to 24 inches wide.
Do you need a printer bundle or a broader setup?
Compare included supplies before choosing. Both F170 packages include genuine Epson ink, but the starter-kit version also lists paper in two sizes and thermal tape. The SG500 bundle includes inks and paper, while the F570 listing includes two ink sets and sublimation paper. Check the product listing for the exact components you need.
What else is needed to finish a transfer?
A sublimation printer produces the printed transfer; the Brother SP1 listing explicitly says a heat press is required and sold separately. Consider your complete workflow and equipment needs rather than treating the printer alone as a ready-to-use press system.
Which workflow fits your experience?
Artspira makes the Brother SP1 a fit for app-based design and image management. The Epson and Sawgrass options may suit buyers comparing included inks, paper sizes, and print capacity. Match the software and supplies described in each listing to the way you plan to prepare designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best full dye sublimation machine for beginners?
The Epson F170 starter-kit bundle is a practical option for beginners who want ink, sublimation paper, and thermal tape listed together. The Brother SP1 is another option for app-guided crafting, but it requires a separate heat press.
Which printer in this guide supports the widest media?
The Epson SureColor F570 supports rolls and sheets up to 24 inches wide, the widest stated media capacity among these five products.
Does the Epson F170 bundle include a heat press?
No heat press is listed in either F170 product bundle. The listed contents include printer-related items and, for one bundle, paper and thermal tape.
Can the Sawgrass SG500 print long designs?
The listing says the SG500 bypass tray can accommodate prints up to 8.5 × 51 inches. Its standard media capacity is listed as up to 8.5 × 14 inches.
Is the Brother SP1 ready to use without an app?
The Brother listing says users must first download the Artspira app to start using the printer for DIY crafts.