The Ultimate Pros & Cons of Epson EcoTank vs. Sawgrass Sublimation Printer

Sublimation printing has become increasingly more popular in recent years, with many crafters and small business owners taking the dive into sublimation. One of the most common questions asked is which printer is best for sublimation printing, the Epson EcoTank or the Sawgrass Sublimation printer. It's important to look at more than just the price.

In this blog post, I am sharing my personal experience of owning both printers so we will explore the top considerations so you can determine which printer is best for you. There are a lot of different factors to consider depending if you want to use a large format sublimation printer to which sublimation printer is the best for beginners.

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Sublimation Printer Set Up

The first thing to consider is the printer set up. EcoTank printers, such as the Epson, are designed for regular printing, but can be converted into sublimation printers by adding sublimation ink. Setting up an EcoTank printer requires adding the sublimation inks to the printer which you will need to do as part of the set up process. This can be a bit messy as you might need to use a syringe to get the sublimation ink out of the bottle and into the cartridge. Sawgrass Printers, on the other hand, are simpler to set up since the ink is a cartridge that can be inserted into the printer, but there’s no mess possible!

Both printers will walk you through the standard set up steps to get it connected to your computer.This process is a bit easier with the Sawgrass printer than the Epson (but it’s not impossible).

Sublimation Printer Size

The next consideration is printer size. Standard printers will print up to 8.5”x 11” wide, which is suitable for smaller sublimation items like tumblers, mugs, and ornaments. However, for bigger sublimation projects like apparel, bags, and socks, you will need a bigger printer. You can also use a sheet of legal size paper which is slightly large at 8.5” x 14” and I found that with this size I could make the majority of things that were on my sublimation projects to try list!

Upgrading to a larger printer size is really impacted by the type of projects you want to make like a 30 ounce tumbler, any type of apparel like bags and socks you are going to want a bigger printer. If you want the bigger print size, the Epson EcoTank 15,000 or the Sawgrass SG 1000 are the printers for you.

It really depends on what your goals are and what you're going to be printing, but I just want you to keep in mind that if you go with a smaller printer, you may find you want the larger one down the line and then you're buying a second printer!

The best question to ask yourself is, what is the most common project type that I want to create with my sublimation printer?

Your Computer Settings and Color Correction

Lastly, you need to consider the computer settings and color correction. Adjusting the color settings in an Epson printer for sublimation printing requires more effort than setting up a Sawgrass printer. You will need to change a few settings on your computer and make color corrections to ensure that your prints turn out correctly. I know personally I had a hard time with specifically reds and yellows. Sawgrass printers have pre-built color profiles that make this process easier.

Investing in Sublimation Equipment

It is a no lie that getting started with sublimation is expensive. It does require a lot of money upfront to get your setup going, get your presses, your printers, your supplies, and your paper. It is an investment upfront to get started.

But I will say if you're looking to start a business and make money selling things that you make, sublimation is a really great way to go. I sell custom sublimation tumblers locally, and I have made my money back easily with these custom Tumbler orders.

If you are just starting out with sublimation, my free Sublimation Checklist is perfect for you to get all the supplies you actually need to become a sublimation pro in no time. Grab it down below.

Best Sublimation Printer for You

In conclusion, the decision on which printer to get for sublimation printing will depend on your specific needs, goals and of course, your budget. While Sawgrass printers are easier to set up and have pre-built color profiles, they are also more expensive than EcoTank printers.

If you do have a higher dollar amount budgeted for new equipment, I do recommend starting off with the larger printer. In my years of teaching crafts and DIYs, I can tell you that most people want the easiest path to success. And in my opinion that is going with a Sawgrass printer, especially if you are not tech savvy,

As you can see there are many factors to consider when choosing to go with either the Epson EcoTank or the Sawgrass Sublimation printer.

Catch my full video on YouTube that walks you through these factors and more in even more detail to make sure you feel super confident and empowered to purchase the right sublimation printer for you!