Best Sublimation Printers for Mugs- Ultimate Choice of 2022

Sublimation printers are inevitable if you have to imprint a design on any print media. As you are looking for a dedicated sublimation printer and thinking of scaling up your home-based business, using the printer for transferring images and graphics on mugs indicates your healthy business goals. That’s why it is reasonable to buy the best sublimation printer for mugs to maximize your productivity with accuracy.

Best Sublimation Printer for Mugs

With the help of a fine sublimation printer, the job of printing designs on solid material is not only easy but also time-efficient. Several brands offer sublimation printers, but their quality is not of the caliber that a business owner demands. We have done a lot of research and selected some sublimation printers by examining their operation cost and user-friendly attributes so that you can reap maximum revenue.

Top 5 Best Sublimation Printer for Mugs

IMAGE PRODUCT Rating PRICE
HP ENVY Pro 6475 HP ENVY Pro 6475
9.5
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HP Smart Tank Plus 551 HP Smart Tank Plus 551
8.7
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Epson Expression XP-15000 Epson Expression XP-15000
9.5
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HP ENVY Photo 7155 HP ENVY Photo 7155
9.5
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Epson EcoTank ET-3760 Epson EcoTank ET-3760
9.5
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1- HP ENVY Pro 6475

Our Top Pick
HP ENVY Pro 6475

HP ENVY Pro 6475

Specifications:

  • Item weight: 12.78 pounds
  • Dimensions: 17.03 × 14.21 × 7.64 inches (L × H × W)
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Color: White and Black
  • Brand: HP

HP ENVY Pro 6475 is a choice for enterprise and homely use thanks to its light body, letting users carry it wherever they want. In short, it has a spectacular color, fast printing speed, and intelligent control panel.

HP ENVY Pro 6475 enables you to carry the sublimation printing task with ease and precision. There is a no better option to learn using it than take the mug out of the cupboard and print the design. If you have to print images on paper, the two-way automatic printing technology will let you do this with full command.

The best part is it comes with a massive stock of sublimation ink which will save you from spending money on it. With this free ink, you can print 100 standard-size pages per month for the next two years. You can also install the HP app on your device and connect it with ENVY Pro 6475 for hassle-free printing. Borderless printing is the plus of HP ENVY 6465, along with a Flatbed Scanner.

HP ENVY Pro 6475 INFO Graphic

Moreover, the involuntary control panel and wireless connectivity option make it effortless and the best sublimation printer for mugs simple.  For excellent quality prints, always use the finest sublimation paper to ensure maximum ink transfer rate. Incredibly, with a 35-page automatic document feeder, scanning has not been arduous at all.

HP ENVY Pro 6475 is a choice for enterprise and homely use thanks to its light body, letting users carry it wherever they want. In short, it has a spectacular color, fast printing speed, and intelligent control panel. Therefore, a new user finds it worthwhile. The only thing lacking in this printer is a separate photo tray.

Pros
  • Incredible color accuracy
  • Wireless connectivity
  • Great design-printing quality
  • Flatbed scanning technology
Cons
  • No support for external storage
  • It has LCD

2- HP Smart Tank Plus 551

Our Top Pick
HP Smart Tank Plus 551

HP Smart Tank Plus 551

Specifications:

  • Item weight: 11.33 Pounds
  • Dimensions: 17.6 × 14.7× 6.2 inches (L × H × W)
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Color: White and Black
  • Brand: HP

HP Smart Tank Plus 551 comes with a bunch of handy software that helps the user accomplish the task flawlessly. Moreover, the operational cost is meager, which makes it a prime choice for enterprise-scale usage. Up to 2 years of ink is covered in the pack, ample enough to print 6000 pages.

HP Smart Tank Plus 551 sublimation printer is the cost-effective option to create designs on mugs at a mass scale. Moreover, its control panel is colorful and user-friendly, allowing the user to control the process independently. The latest Gen USB port is there so you can take a design from computer and laptop at a lightning-fast speed.

It supports all kinds of print sizes, which means if you have to print design on a more prominent media, then it is sufficient for the job. Amazon Alexa feature allows the user to operate this compact size printer with the use of voice. Other than that, the user can also print designs by pairing them with their tablet and smartphone.

A flatbed scanner is also an additional feature in this best sublimation printer for mugs, which infers that you can print designs on both sides of the paper. The dual-band wifi technology will not slow down the internet connectivity speed over it. Further, it weighs just above 11 pounds now shuffling its position is not a big deal.

HP Smart Tank Plus 551 comes with a bunch of handy software that helps the user accomplish the task flawlessly. Moreover, the operational cost is meager, which makes it a prime choice for enterprise-scale usage. Up to 2 years of ink is covered in the pack, ample enough to print 6000 pages.

Pros
  • Excellent volume rating
  • Compact footprint
  • Incredible print quality
  • Low operational cost
  • Small and lovely desig
Cons
  • Lacks auto doc feeder
  • None duplexing printing engine

3- Epson Expression XP-15000

Our Top Pick
Epson Expression XP-15000

Epson Expression XP-15000

Specifications:

  • Item weight: 18.7 Pounds
  • Dimensions: 30.9 × 18.7× 16.2 inches (L × H × W)
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Color: Black
  • Brand: Epson

Epson Expression XP-15000 is a mid-range mug sublimation printer that can print as small as four by 6 inches to as large as 13 by 19 inches. In addition, the weight of this wireless printer is 18.7 pounds. The automatic doc feeder can scan 200 pages at one repetition.

Epson Expression XP-1500 has a front paper tray so you can store your sublimation paper there. The ideal size, elegant design, and unique features are enough to make you an expert in printing characters on mugs. Note that you can only use Epson Cartridges with it. If you make the blunder of using an incompatible cartridge, you will halt it.

It delivers pro-level and high-resolution prints on every print media, but the printing speed is not appreciable. If you are not ready for settlement on quality, then it is for you. Just imagine the beauty of borderless 13 by 19 inches print on an oversized t-shirt which can only be done with it.

Epson Expression XP-15000 Info Graphic

The rear tray can hold as much as 50 sublimation paper at a time. It does not imply which type of paper you have. Load it in the tray and get HD designs on it. Six ink cartridges imply how much charm it will add to the images it will produce.

Epson Expression XP-15000 is a mid-range mug sublimation printer that can print as small as four by 6 inches to as large as 13 by 19 inches. In addition, the weight of this wireless printer is 18.7 pounds. The automatic doc feeder can scan 200 pages at one repetition.

Pros
  • Utilizes latest Clara HD inks
  • Print quality is excellent
  • Perfect weight and size
  • Borderless printing
  • Print as large as 13 by 19 inches
Cons
  • High running cost
  • Printing speed is fair

4- HP ENVY Photo 7155

Our Top Pick
HP ENVY Photo 7155

HP ENVY Photo 7155

Specifications:

  • Item weight: 16.72 Pounds
  • Dimensions: 17.87 × 7.6 × 19.33 inches (L × H × W)
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Color: Black
  • Brand: HP

HP ENVY Photo 7155 permits you to print instantly from an SD card or USB flash. For this, you have to insert the SD card in a card reader or USB flash in the USB port. Moreover, you can use the colorful touchscreen panel to transfer the design on print media effortlessly.

HP ENVY has everything a user demands in an economical printer, such as low operation cost, stunning design, reasonable weight, and much more. At printing monochrome designs, the speed of this best dye-sublimation printer for mugs is 14 PPM. Besides that, the operation cost is only 10 cents per monochrome print that goes to 16.4 cents for colorful images.

Not only does this budget-friendly sublimation printer have wireless connectivity, but it also has a color touchscreen display. It is very straightforward to print designs and images like using social media apps on a smartphone.  In addition, the fleet scanner can produce images on both sides of the paper.

Wireless connectivity with built-in Bluetooth boosts the user experience as you can pair it with your smartphone or tablet for printing. An Ethernet port is also offered in HP Envy Photo 7155, so you can use wired internet over it. Other than that, you can operate it through your voice, thanks to Alexa Voice technology.

HP ENVY Photo 7155 permits you to print instantly from an SD card or USB flash. For this, you have to insert the SD card in a card reader or USB flash in the USB port. Moreover, you can use the colorful touchscreen panel to transfer the design on print media effortlessly.

Pros
  • Economical price
  • With flatbed scanner functionality
  • Decent image print quality
  • Incredible color accuracy
Cons
  • Slow printing speed

5- Epson EcoTank ET-3760

Our Top Pick
Epson EcoTank ET-3760

HP ENVY Photo 7155

Specifications:

  • Item weight: 19.31 Pounds
  • Dimensions: 13.7 × 14.8 × 9.1 inches (L × H × W)
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Color: White
  • Brand: Epson

Epson EcoTank ET-3760 is the best dye-sublimation printer for mugs, without any doubt. It works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Voice Assistance. You can control the printing procedure with your voice, which is impressive.

Epson EcoTank ET-3760 is the best dye-sublimation printer for mugs, without any doubt. It works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Voice Assistance. You can control the printing procedure with your voice, which is impressive. A single monochrome print costs one 1 cent, which is 90 percent less than its rivals are.

The high-density chip integrated into this printer creates 40 million dots in a second with utmost perfection. A 2 years extensive product warranty offered by it gives users the confidence to pick it. Mobile printing is the key feature of Epson EcoTank ET-3760, letting the user print character wirelessly.

Epson EcoTank ET-3760 Info Graphic

Auto document feeders can scan 30 pages in a single trip and save a lot of time. The 2.4-inch color touchscreen display is given in this printer as a control panel. The revolutionary cartridge-free technology kept the user from the irritant of changing or refilling cartridges.

Zero waste cartridges reduce the ink waste making it an eco-friendly printer for sublimation. The unique PrecisionCore heat-free technology produces crisp and clear texts resulting in HD photos. With this Epson printer, you do not care about handing your sublimation papers as it has 250 paper trays.

Pros
  • Auto document feeder
  • Meager running costs
  • High page yield
  • With two years official warranty
Cons
  • No duplex scanning

Buying Guide For The Best Sublimation Printer for Mugs

Picking the best sublimation printer for mugs is not less than a hassle, especially when you are a newbie. You need to evaluate various parameters to get the right one for your business. These are:

1- Do you want your printer connection to be wireless?

If you want to buy a device that allows wireless connectivity, then shortlist the printers mentioned above, and now the decision is easy for you.  Wired printers are a good option for those with a limited budget as the prices are comparatively low compared to wireless ones. Moreover, the wireless connectivity enables the user to take designs from tablets and smartphones, which is very convenient.

2- Things to Consider before the final decision

The following are some essential features you should check in a mug sublimation printer before buying it.

3- Print Media

Most of the sublimation printers in the market are not good at transferring designs on solid objects like mugs. All the sublimation printers in the list are made to create prints on the hard stuff. The question is, are they efficient on other print media, too? Then the answer is yes. Apart from that, the maximum print size capacity should be checked as it defines how big prints you can produce.

4- Weight

The weight of the best sublimation printer for mugs UK has nothing to do with the quality of designs if you have to use it at the enterprise level. In contrast, if you are a hobbyist and have to do DIY sublimation printing, then the weight of a printer is a decision-making factor because a bulky device resists you from carrying it without you.  Again, I say that weight has no link with the productivity and performance of the sublimation printer.

5- Cartridges

The cartridge is simply an ink tank whose purpose is to store sublimation ink for utilization by the printer. Mainly sublimation printers have 4 or 6 cartridges, so it is easy to understand that the more ink cartridges in the printer will produce a unique design. Moreover, you should also check whether the ink cartridges are fixed or detachable because fixed cartridges are very problematic.

6- Print Resolution

For a business, quality is everything. Therefore, you need to invest in a printer that gives the ultimate print resolution because the images with top-notch resolution look bright and catchy to the eyes. However, keep in mind that devices with excellent print resolution tend to be expensive, which will demand you to spend more.

7- Cost Per Impression

No matter which business you are doing, the fundamental principle is to buy equipment with a low cost of operation to maximize profits. Similarly, if you are purchasing the best sublimation printer for mugs for business, then check out how many prints it will produce over some specific amount of sublimation. There is no sense in picking a sublimation printer that requires you to spend a lot to run it.

8- How to use a sublimation printer?

Using a sublimation printer is not heft, as the whole process is described in detail in the user manual. Moreover, with a few experiments, you will become an expert in it. A newbie should buy a touchscreen sublimation printer because it is easier to use than a standard one. If you are an expert in it, you can go for a simple sublimation printer which can be tricky for the first-timer.

FAQs About Top Rated Best Sublimation Printer for Mugs

Q1- Infusible ink vs. sublimation ink, which is better?

Both these links are preferred by printing enthusiasts when they have imprint designs on fabric. However, sublimation ink is everlasting on solid print media like ceramics, including mugs. In the sublimation printing process, the design crafted from the ink becomes the permanent part of the object you are going to print images. 

Q2- How does sublimation printing work?

The sublimation printing process involves the transfer of motifs to a wide range of print media, for example, ceramic, fabric, metal, wooden stuff. In the process, the sublimation printer transfers design on the material by converting the solid ink into a gaseous form at excessive temperature. After that, the gaseous ink becomes solid and comes out as the lasting design on the material.

Q3- Can any printer be used for sublimation?

Most of the home-use printers are not capable of doing sublimation printing. They must have Piezo Print Technology if you want to use your routine printer for sublimation printing. Among all brands, Epson has instilled Piezo Print Technology in all their printers, making its printer a good-to-go choice.

Q4- What do you need for sublimation printing?

The apparatus you need to accomplish sublimation prints on any material you are the following:

  1. A sublimation printer
  2. High-quality sublimation ink
  3. Best sublimation paper for mugs with excellent transfer rate
  4. Teflon sheets and pillows
  5. Adhesive spray for sublimation

Final Verdict

The idea of purchasing the best sublimation printer is going to be an excellent decision. Sublimation printers mentioned above are very productive. By utilizing them, you will be able to complete a large consignment in no time. Moreover, if I need to choose a sublimation printer for myself, my take would be.

But it does not mean you should have to pick these because my preferences cannot be similar to your requirements and budget. After thoroughly assessing your needs and priorities, you will be able to get the right one from the list. It would be best to answer what you want in a printer for sublimation before making a deal.

Edward Brown

NETGEAR C6 Gigabit MU-MIMO Wireless Router

Edward Brown is a seasoned expert when it comes to testing tech. From playing a prototype PlayStation One to meeting a man called Steve about a new kind of phone in 2012, he’s always hunting the next big thing at the bleeding edge of the electronics industry. After editing the tech section of Wired UK magazine, he is currently specialising in IT.

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