How to Choose a Printer for Vinyl and Sublimation

On this page (9 sections)

1. What does a vinyl and sublimation printer need to do?
2. Can one printer handle sublimation and printable vinyl?
3. How wide do your designs need to be?
4. Which printer size fits your craft workflow?
5. What should you check before buying printable vinyl?
6. How do you match sublimation paper to the printer?
7. What other equipment belongs in the setup?
8. How do you choose between the three workflows?
9. What is the best way to start?

Choose a sublimation printer for heat-transfer designs and a separate inkjet or wide-format printer for printable vinyl. The ink and media have to match: sublimation ink is used with sublimation paper, while printable vinyl must be made for the printer's ink type.

Start with the finished item and largest design you plan to make. For broader selection criteria, see our printer buying guide.

Then compare printer width, media handling, ink system, and whether the printer is built for your workflow or needs careful compatibility checks.

If you’re weighing a home craft setup against a business, first consider whether buying a printer for a home business is worth it.

What does a vinyl and sublimation printer need to do?

A printer for vinyl and sublimation projects must support the specific ink and media pairing you plan to use. There is no universal printer setting or ink that makes every printer handle both workflows.

Sublimation printing makes a design on transfer paper. Heat transfers the dye onto compatible items, such as polyester textiles or coated hard goods.

For a closer explanation, read what a sublimation printer does.

Printable vinyl is a sheet or roll designed to receive inkjet or another specified ink type. You print the image on the vinyl, then use it as directed by its manufacturer.

Some projects also need a separate cutter to trim the printed design.

A printer can support one craft well without supporting the other. Decide whether you want one workflow or both before comparing models.

Can one printer handle sublimation and printable vinyl?

A dedicated printer for each ink system is the clearest choice when you plan to do both crafts regularly. Compare Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank printers when evaluating refillable tank options for a separate inkjet workflow.

Switching ink systems can require procedures and compatibility support from the printer maker, so don't assume you can refill or change inks without consequences.

Some printable vinyl is designed for dye-sublimation workflows, but the media must state that it works with your ink and transfer process. For other vinyl, check which ink system it supports and whether your printer can feed that material safely.

Before choosing a shared setup, confirm:

• The printer supports the ink you intend to use.
• The vinyl or transfer paper is compatible with that ink.
• The printer can feed the material's size and thickness.
• Your design software supports the workflow.
• The finished item suits the transfer or application method.

If any of those points are unclear, choose a printer dedicated to the craft you do most. You can explore the best inkjet printers for sublimation if you want to compare that particular route.

How wide do your designs need to be?

Choose printer width by the largest design you expect to make, including room for margins and trimming. Small projects may fit letter-size paper, while banners, apparel panels or larger transfers can call for a wide-format printer.

A printer's maximum width does not guarantee that every media type is supported at that width. Check both the printer's accepted media and the craft material's instructions.

Which printer size fits your craft workflow?

Pick a compact printer for smaller projects and a wide-format model when your designs need more width. These examples show different workflows, so compare their stated media handling with your actual projects.

Epson SureColor F170: compact sublimation projects

The Epson SureColor F170 is a dedicated dye-sublimation printer for smaller transfers. Its bundled kit includes sublimation ink, 8.5 x 11 in and 8.5 x 14 in paper, thermal tape and starter blanks.

Its maximum media width is 8.5 in, making it a fit for projects that stay within that width. It supports MacOS and Windows, and mobile device connections aren't supported.

Choose it for smaller sublimation crafts such as mugs, mousepads or apparel transfers that fit its media. It isn't the pick for wide designs or printable vinyl workflows that need another ink type.

Epson SureColor F570: wide sublimation transfers

The Epson SureColor F570 supports roll and sheet media up to 24 in wide. Its features include a 50-sheet auto-feed tray, a built-in cutter and professional software with job layout and color controls.

This model is designed around dye-sublimation ink and can work with media such as polyester fabrics and coated ceramics. The bundle includes a printer stand, and shipment requires freight delivery scheduling by phone.

Choose it for larger sublimation work when you can use its width, software and workspace needs. It is a substantial setup, so check the delivery route and available floor space before deciding.

Epson SureColor T2170: wide-format inkjet printing

The Epson SureColor T2170 is a wide-format inkjet printer for posters, line drawings, blueprints and similar prints. It handles rolls up to 24 in wide and sheets up to 11 x 17 in through its auto sheet feeder.

Its UltraChrome XD2 pigment ink produces instant-dry prints, and wireless and Wi-Fi Direct support lets you print from tablets and smartphones. Media isn't included.

Choose it for wide-format inkjet output, not as a sublimation printer. If you want to print on vinyl, confirm that the specific vinyl supports this ink and feed path before buying.

What should you check before buying printable vinyl?

Check the vinyl's ink compatibility and feed instructions before choosing a printer. A printable surface may be made for a particular ink type, and a printer that accepts ordinary paper may not feed every sheet or roll.

Look for clear guidance about:

• Ink type and printer compatibility
• Sheet or roll dimensions
• Material thickness and feed direction
• Drying time before cutting or handling
• Whether the vinyl needs lamination or another finish
• Whether the design needs a separate cutter

For craft cutting, account for registration marks and any software or cutter requirements. A printer produces the printed design; it doesn't cut the vinyl into shapes unless the machine is specifically built to do both.

How do you match sublimation paper to the printer?

Use sublimation paper intended for your printer's ink and transfer process. Check the paper size, coated side and transfer instructions, then make sure the printer can feed that size.

Paper affects how you print and transfer a design, but it cannot turn a standard inkjet into a sublimation printer. The ink system, transfer surface and heat process all have to work together.

For apparel, consider whether the garment material suits sublimation. For hard goods, confirm that the surface has a compatible coating.

Follow the item and paper instructions for temperature, time and pressure because those requirements vary.

What other equipment belongs in the setup?

A complete workflow can require more than the printer. Sublimation commonly needs transfer paper and a heat press or another suitable heat source; printable vinyl may need a cutter and finishing supplies.

Plan for the whole work area:

1. Printer and the clearance needed to load media.
2. Computer or device with compatible design and print software.
3. Storage for paper, vinyl and ink.
4. Heat press and transfer supplies for sublimation.
5. Cutter, mat and tools if your vinyl designs need trimming.
6. A safe surface for handling hot items and finished transfers.

If you plan to sell what you make, estimate the work and space each order requires. Our guides on starting a printing business from home and choosing a printer for a small print shop can help you think through capacity and setup needs.

For a broader business model comparison, see whether starting a print on demand business is worth it.

How do you choose between the three workflows?

Choose by matching the printer to the process you use most. The F170 fits smaller sublimation transfers, the F570 fits wider sublimation work, and the T2170 fits wide-format inkjet printing on compatible media.

• Choose the F170 if your sublimation designs fit within 8.5 in wide and you want a compact setup with starter supplies.
• Choose the F570 if you need sublimation media up to 24 in wide, roll support and a built-in cutter.
• Choose the T2170 if you need wide inkjet prints and your media is compatible with its Epson cartridges.

For printable vinyl, don't choose by printer width alone. Confirm the vinyl's ink compatibility, thickness and feed requirements before you commit.

What is the best way to start?

Start with one craft and one typical finished item, then buy the printer and media that support that workflow. Pick the F170 for small sublimation transfers, the F570 for wide sublimation, or the T2170 for wide inkjet output on compatible media.

If you want both sublimation and printable vinyl, verify every ink and media pairing before buying. A small test print on the intended material can reveal feed or layout problems before you make a larger project.

Frequently asked questions

Can one printer print both vinyl and sublimation designs?

Usually, plan on separate printer workflows. Sublimation requires dye-sublimation ink and compatible transfer paper, while printable vinyl must match the ink type and printer.

Check the vinyl maker's compatibility instructions before printing, and don't switch a printer between ink systems unless the manufacturer supports that change.

Can I use a sublimation printer for printable vinyl?

Only if the printable vinyl is made for sublimation ink and the printer's media path can handle it. Many printable vinyl products are made for inkjet or another specific ink type, so check the media instructions and test a small piece before making a finished project.

Do I need a wide-format printer for sublimation?

You need wide format only when your transfers exceed the sheet size of a smaller printer or you want roll media. For small items and modest designs, a compact printer can be enough; compare the widest design you actually make with each printer's supported media.

What should I check before buying sublimation paper?

Match sublimation paper to the printer ink and the item you plan to transfer. Check paper size, coated side, transfer instructions and compatibility with your press or transfer method.

The right paper supports the workflow, but it does not make ordinary ink compatible with sublimation.

Do I need a cutter for printable vinyl?

A cutter helps when your vinyl designs need shaped edges, lettering or separate pieces. A printer makes the printed image, while a compatible cutter trims the material; confirm that your design software, registration marks and vinyl type work with your cutting setup.