If you run (or plan to start) a small business selling custom T-shirts, hoodies, or apparel, the heart of your operation is your sublimation printer. Unlike standard inkjets, sublimation printers use special dye-sublimation inks that fuse directly into polyester fabrics or coated blanks. This means:
- Vibrant, permanent designs that won’t crack or peel.
- Low cost per print for higher profit margins.
- Flexibility to print not just shirts, but also mugs, hats, keychains, and more.
For small businesses, choosing the right sublimation printer is critical. You need:
- Consistent color accuracy for professional-quality shirts.
- Low operating costs (ink + paper).
- Easy Mac/Windows integration for design software like Photoshop, Canva, or CorelDRAW.
- Scalability — a printer that grows with your business.
👉 In this guide, we’ll review the best sublimation printers for small businesses making custom shirts, compare their features, and help you pick the right one for your budget and goals.
Quick Comparison – Best Sublimation Printers for Custom Shirt Businesses (2026)
| Printer | Print Size | Ink System | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother Sublimation Printer | Up to 8.5″ x 14″ | Dedicated Sublimation Inks | Beginners & small shops starting out | 👉 Check Price on Amazon |
| Epson EcoTank ET-15000 | Up to 13″ x 19″ | EcoTank Refillable Inks | Small businesses needing wide-format sublimation | 👉 Check Price on Amazon |
| Sawgrass SG500 Bundle | Up to 8.5″ x 14″ | SubliJet UHD Inks | Professional-level sublimation with included software & paper | 👉 Check Price on Amazon |
(Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.)
Best Sublimation Printer for Small Business
1. Brother Sublimation Printer
Best Entry-Level Sublimation Printer for Custom Shirts
- Compatible with Artspira: Import and save up to 20 printing images easily with the Artspira app. With access to printing patterns and designs, plus the ability to convert images into poster-style drawings, Artspira will have you creating on the go
The Brother Sublimation Printer is one of the easiest ways for small businesses to start producing custom shirts. Unlike converted inkjets, this printer is designed with sublimation in mind — ensuring smooth color transfer, reliable results, and minimal setup hassle.
Why It’s Great
- Beginner-friendly setup → perfect for small business owners new to sublimation.
- Dedicated sublimation ink system → no messy conversions.
- Compact size fits in home offices or small shops.
- Consistent print quality for vibrant T-shirt transfers.
Real-World Performance
- Produces bright, vivid designs that transfer well onto polyester shirts.
- Handles logos, text, and colorful graphics reliably.
- Works seamlessly with heat press machines for transfers.
Build & Design
- Compact and lightweight for small spaces.
- Simple control panel for easy navigation.
- Reliable Brother brand support and warranty.
Who It’s For
- Small business owners starting with low to medium shirt volumes.
- Home-based entrepreneurs.
- Anyone wanting an easy sublimation setup without conversions.
✔ Strengths
- Beginner-friendly and reliable
- Compact, space-saving design
- Dedicated sublimation ink support
✘ Weaknesses
- Limited to smaller print sizes (letter/legal)
- Not ideal for high-volume production
👉 Check Price for Brother Sublimation Printer on Amazon
2. Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Supertank Printer
Best Wide-Format Sublimation Printer for Growing Small Businesses
- Keep your business running smoothly with this high-performance Epson EcoTank printer. An all-in-one printer, scanner and copier makes it easy to accomplish a wide variety of tasks in 1 quick trip to the printer. Grab printed flyers, scan contracts to your email and make a copy for a coworker with ease.
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is a popular choice for small businesses because of its large-format support (up to 13″ x 19″) and refillable EcoTank ink system. While sold as a standard inkjet, many businesses convert it into a sublimation printer by using sublimation inks, making it one of the most cost-effective printers for scaling operations.
Why It’s Great
- Wide-format support → print larger transfers (great for XL shirts and full-front designs).
- EcoTank refill system → dramatically lower ink costs than cartridges.
- Wireless + Ethernet connectivity → easy Mac/Windows setup.
- Multi-function → print, copy, scan, fax.
Real-World Performance
- Perfect for medium to large shirt orders.
- Consistently praised for low running costs (ideal for growing businesses).
- Works well with popular sublimation papers for shirt transfers.
Build & Design
- Sturdy design for office or shop environments.
- Large refillable ink tanks reduce downtime.
- Touchscreen control for easy navigation.
Who It’s For
- Small businesses scaling production.
- Shops needing larger prints (13×19).
- Entrepreneurs wanting low per-print costs.
✔ Strengths
- Large-format support (up to 13×19)
- Refillable EcoTank = lower ink costs
- Versatile all-in-one functions
✘ Weaknesses
- Requires sublimation ink conversion
- Larger footprint than Brother printer
👉 Check Price for Epson EcoTank ET-15000 on Amazon
3. Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer Bundle
Best Professional-Grade Sublimation Printer for Small Businesses
- Professional-Grade Print Quality: The Sawgrass SG500 delivers professional-grade sublimation printing, perfect for creating custom t-shirts, drinkware, signage, and promotional products; Ideal for small businesses and home-based entrepreneurs who demand vibrant, high-definition results
The Sawgrass SG500 is the industry standard for professional sublimation. Unlike converted printers, it is purpose-built for sublimation and comes with SubliJet UHD inks and TruePix sublimation paper included. With built-in Wi-Fi and Sawgrass CreativeStudio software, it’s the most reliable option for small businesses focused on apparel printing.
Why It’s Great
- Professional sublimation system → built specifically for sublimation, no conversions needed.
- High-quality SubliJet UHD inks → sharp, vibrant transfers every time.
- CreativeStudio software included → design and print workflow made easy.
- Bundle includes inks + paper → start printing immediately.
Real-World Performance
- Produces retail-quality shirts with accurate color reproduction.
- Consistent output for logos, gradients, and high-resolution graphics.
- Reliable long-term support and firmware updates.
Build & Design
- Compact but professional-grade.
- Wi-Fi + USB connectivity for flexible setups.
- Designed for high-quality transfers, not general printing.
Who It’s For
- Small businesses that want professional, ready-to-sell custom shirts.
- Shops scaling beyond hobby level.
- Entrepreneurs wanting hassle-free sublimation with pro support.
✔ Strengths
- Professional sublimation workflow
- Bundled with ink and paper
- Excellent print quality for apparel
✘ Weaknesses
- Higher upfront cost
- Limited to smaller media sizes compared to Epson
👉 Check Price for Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer Bundle on Amazon
Performance Comparison – Sublimation for Custom Shirts
- Best for Beginners → Brother Sublimation Printer (simple, affordable).
- Best for Scaling Production → Epson EcoTank ET-15000 (wide-format + low running cost).
- Best Professional Choice → Sawgrass SG500 Bundle (industry-standard quality).
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Sublimation Printer for Shirts
1. Print Size
- Letter/Legal (8.5×14) → Brother & Sawgrass.
- Wide-format (13×19) → Epson ET-15000 for large shirt designs.
2. Print Volume
- Low volume → Brother.
- Medium → Epson.
- High-quality + frequent jobs → Sawgrass.
3. Ink System
- Dedicated Sublimation (Sawgrass, Brother) = simple + reliable.
- Converted (Epson) = cheaper long-term, but requires setup.
4. Cost Considerations
- Upfront cost: Sawgrass > Epson > Brother.
- Running cost: Epson EcoTank lowest per print.
- Value for quality: Sawgrass wins for professional shirts.
5. Business Fit
- Hobby → Brother.
- Scaling → Epson.
- Professional small business → Sawgrass.
Who Should Skip These?
- Home users just making a shirt or two → cheaper craft solutions may work.
- Non-polyester fabric users → sublimation works best on polyester blends.
- Shops focused on cotton only → consider DTF or screen printing.
FAQs – Sublimation Printers for Small Businesses
Q1: Can I use these on cotton shirts?
Sublimation works best on polyester or poly-coated blanks. For cotton, use DTF or heat transfer vinyl.
Q2: Do these printers work with Macs?
Yes — all three support Mac + Windows. Sawgrass offers the easiest workflow for Macs.
Q3: What’s the average cost per print?
- Brother: ~$0.60–$0.80 per shirt.
- Epson EcoTank: ~$0.20–$0.30 per shirt.
- Sawgrass: ~$0.70–$1.00 per shirt (higher, but professional quality).
Q4: Can I expand production with these printers?
Yes — many small businesses start with one printer and scale by adding a second as demand grows.
Q5: Which is best for selling shirts online (Etsy, Shopify, Amazon Merch)?
Sawgrass SG500 → professional quality + reliable consistency.
Final Verdict – Best Sublimation Printers for Small Shirt Businesses (2026)
- Best for Beginners → Brother Sublimation Printer
- Best for Scaling with Wide Prints → Epson EcoTank ET-15000
- Best Professional Choice → Sawgrass SG500 Bundle
👉 Check Price for Brother Sublimation Printer on Amazon
👉 Check Price for Epson EcoTank ET-15000 on Amazon
👉 Check Price for Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer Bundle on Amazon
Bottom line: If you’re just starting your T-shirt business, the Brother Sublimation Printer keeps things simple and reliable. For small businesses looking to scale with larger designs, the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 offers unbeatable value. And if you want professional, retail-ready prints, the Sawgrass SG500 remains the gold standard in sublimation.
With the right sublimation printer, your small business can produce custom shirts that customers love — vibrant, durable, and profitable.
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