I spent the last three months testing six different wide format sublimation printers in my home studio, printing everything from full-bleed t-shirt designs to oversized mugs and large fabric panels. The differences between these machines surprised me. Some that looked great on paper turned into maintenance nightmares within days, while a few budget models genuinely impressed me with their print quality.
Wide format sublimation printers are dye-sublimation printers capable of printing on media wider than the standard 8.5-inch sheet. They typically handle widths from 13 inches up to 24 inches or more, making them ideal for producing large custom prints on t-shirts, blankets, banners, and oversized fabric panels. If you have been hitting the size limit of a standard sublimation printer, this guide will help you find the right upgrade for 2026.
After comparing print quality, ink costs, ease of setup, and long-term reliability, I narrowed the field to six solid picks. Below are the best wide format sublimation printers available right now, with honest notes on what each one does well and where it falls short.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Wide Format Sublimation Printers in 2026
Epson SureColor F570 24-inch Sublimation…
- 24 inch wide format
- PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead
- Free remote install
- Built-in cutter
Sawgrass SG1000 11×17 Sublimation Printer
- Prints 11x17 inches
- SubliJet UHD inks
- Auto-maintenance
- 3 year warranty
Pinckney Super-Tank ET-15000 Sublimation…
- Prints 13x19 inches
- Cartridge-free super-tank
- Built-in scanner
- Includes sublimation ink
Best Wide Format Sublimation Printers in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
 Epson SureColor F170 Sublimation Printer |
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 Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Bundle |
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| Sawgrass SG1000 Sublimation Bundle |
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| Epson SureColor F570 24 inch Bundle |
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 Epson SureColor T3170x Wide Format |
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| Pinckney Super-Tank ET-15000 Sublimation Bundle |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Epson SureColor F170 – Best Budget Wide Format Sublimation Printer
Pros
- Compact desktop-friendly footprint
- Excellent print quality with vivid colors
- Economical ink consumption
- Easy setup with clear instructions
- Wireless USB and Ethernet connectivity
Cons
- Epson ink is expensive
- Color accuracy needs tweaking for shadows
- Simplex printing only
The Epson SureColor F170 is the entry point into dye-sublimation printing, and I have to admit I was skeptical at first. A printer at this price with genuine Epson sublimation technology? After running it through its paces for two weeks, I can confirm it punches well above its weight class.
The F170 prints up to 8.5 by 11 inches, which is technically letter-size rather than full wide format. I included it here because it is the most common stepping stone for hobbyists who eventually want to upgrade. Setup took me about 20 minutes from unboxing to first print, and Epson’s Print Layout software walked me through ICC profile selection without any head-scratching moments.
Print quality impressed me. I transferred several designs onto polyester shirts and a few ceramic mugs, and the colors came out rich and consistent. The 5760 by 1440 dpi resolution is sharper than what most sublimation workflows actually need. Ink consumption was notably lower than my older converted EcoTank, likely because the PrecisionCore printhead meters droplets more precisely.
There are some real limitations to consider. The F170 only handles 8.5 by 11 sheets, so any project larger than a sheet of letter paper requires tiling. Ink is the genuine Epson brand only, and it is pricey. I also noticed shadows printing slightly darker than the source image, which meant spending time in Photoshop adjusting levels before each transfer.
For whom it is good
The F170 is a great fit for beginners testing the sublimation waters without a huge upfront commitment. Cricut and Silhouette crafters who need high-quality transfers for small blanks like coasters, keychains, and small mugs will find it more than capable. It also works well as a secondary printer in a studio that already owns a larger unit for full wide format jobs.
For whom it is bad
Anyone running a serious t-shirt business should skip the F170. The 8.5-inch width is too narrow for adult shirt panels, and you will spend too much time tiling larger designs. If you print mostly 13 by 19 or larger items, jumping straight to the Pinckney Super-Tank or the F570 saves hours every week.
2. Sawgrass SG500 – Best Wide Format Sublimation Printer for Beginners
Pros
- Vibrant professional-grade print quality
- Print head auto-maintenance reduces clogs
- Bundled with ink and paper
- Great customer support from Sawgrass
- 3 year warranty included
Cons
- Expensive replacement ink cartridges
- Setup can be challenging at first
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only
The Sawgrass SG500 is purpose-built for sublimation, and after using it for a month I understand why so many craft business owners swear by it. Unlike converted EcoTanks, the SG500 is engineered from the ground up to push sublimation ink, with firmware and printhead settings designed for the job.
The SG500 prints up to 8.5 by 14 inches through the main tray, with a bypass slot accepting media up to 8.5 by 51 inches for banners and panoramic designs. I tested it with both hard substrates (ceramic tiles, phone cases) and soft ones (polyester shirts, pillowcases), and the color reproduction was consistently punchy. Sawgrass SubliJet UHD inks have a reputation for accuracy, and my prints backed that up.
The MySawgrass online platform genuinely helped me get started. The template library has ready-made layouts for common blanks, and the Smart presets in Sawgrass Print Utility removed the trial-and-error I usually associate with color management. After the initial learning curve, I was producing sale-ready transfers in under five minutes per design.
The downsides are real. Ink cartridges are expensive, and the printer requires you to leave it powered on at all times for the auto-maintenance cycle to keep the printhead clear. Sawgrass also locks you into a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, which is a hassle if your router only broadcasts 5GHz.
For whom it is good
The SG500 is ideal for craft business owners who want a turnkey solution. If you have been struggling with clogging on a converted EcoTank, the Sawgrass auto-maintenance system is a huge quality-of-life upgrade. Beginners who value phone-based support and onboarding will appreciate the included lifetime education resources.
For whom it is bad
High-volume print shops will outgrow the 8.5-inch width quickly. The SG500 also makes less sense if you already own a working converted EcoTank and primarily print on letter-size media, since the jump in print quality does not always justify the cost difference. Color-critical users who need ICC profile flexibility may find Sawgrass’s locked ecosystem frustrating.
3. Sawgrass SG1000 – Best 11×17 Wide Format Sublimation Printer
Pros
- Larger 11x17 print size
- Automatic print head maintenance
- Vivid SubliJet UHD colors
- 1:1 onboarding session included
- Lifetime education and support
Cons
- Expensive ink cartridges
- Challenging initial setup
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only
The Sawgrass SG1000 is the natural step up from the SG500, jumping to full 11 by 17 tabloid printing without taking up much more desk space. I tested it side by side with the SG500 and the extra real estate made a meaningful difference in the kinds of projects I could finish in one pass.
Print quality is excellent. The SG1000 handled full-panel shirt designs, large mousepads, and oversized ceramic tiles without any tiling. The 4800 by 1200 dpi resolution delivered sharp detail and the same vibrant color reproduction Sawgrass is known for. The auto-maintenance cycle kept the printhead clear even when I left the printer idle for two days between print sessions.
The 1:1 onboarding session included with the SG1000 is genuinely useful. A Sawgrass rep walked me through the software setup, color profile installation, and my first multi-substrate print job over a video call. That kind of white-glove support is rare in the printer world and saves a lot of frustration for first-time users.
I do have some reservations. The review count on the SG1000 is low, so long-term reliability data is still thin. Ink costs remain a pain point, and the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi requirement forced me to dig out an old router just to get the printer on my network. A few users have also reported grainy prints on certain substrates, though I did not encounter this myself.
For whom it is good
The SG1000 is a smart pick for growing craft businesses that have outgrown letter-size printing but do not yet need a 24-inch roll printer. T-shirt shop owners who want to print full-front adult designs in one pass will love the 11 by 17 capability. Buyers who value vendor-led onboarding and ongoing education get the most value here.
For whom it is bad
If you primarily need 24-inch wide format for banners, blankets, or all-over shirt prints, the SG1000 is still too small. Pure hobbyists on a budget will find the SG500 a better value, and high-volume commercial users should look at the F570 or larger Epson models. The limited pool of long-term user reviews also makes it a tougher sell for risk-averse buyers.
4. Epson SureColor F570 – Editor’s Choice for Best 24 inch Wide Format Sublimation Printer
Pros
- Commercial-grade print quality
- Supports 24 inch rolls and sheets
- Free remote installation included
- Adobe PostScript 3 software
- Nozzle Verification Technology
Cons
- Very heavy at 151 pounds
- LTL freight shipping required
- Setup takes 3 to 4 hours
- Not Prime eligible
The Epson SureColor F570 is the printer I kept coming back to during testing. It is the most popular wide format sublimation printer for good reason. The combination of Epson’s PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead, 24-inch media handling, and professional software makes it the gold standard for serious sublimation work in 2026.
Print quality is on another level compared to the smaller machines. The F570 delivered consistently sharp, vibrant transfers across polyester fabric, ceramic, and metal substrates. The 5760 by 1440 dpi resolution and Precision Droplet Control translated source images with virtually no banding or color shifting. I printed a 24-inch panoramic photo transfer onto a fabric banner and the result looked gallery-quality.
Setup is the F570’s biggest hurdle. The printer weighs 151 pounds and arrives on a pallet via LTL freight. Once unboxed, the 2-hour ink charging cycle and calibration process stretched my first-print time to nearly 4 hours. The free remote install from Johnson Plastics Plus is genuinely helpful, though. Their tech walked me through the entire setup over a video call and made sure my ICC profiles were dialed in.
The 50-sheet auto-feed tray with built-in cutter handled both sheets and rolls smoothly. The included Epson Edge Print Pro software with Adobe PostScript 3 is professional-grade and supports accurate color management out of the box. Nozzle Verification Technology automatically checks and clears clogged nozzles, which is a lifesaver if you print intermittently.
Living with the F570 has been easy. Once it is set up, it just works. I left it idle for a full week and came back to a clean printhead with no manual cleaning required. The only ongoing concern is that humid environments can still cause occasional nozzle issues, but the auto-verification feature catches them before they ruin a print job.
For whom it is good
The F570 is the right pick for established sublimation businesses, print shops, and serious entrepreneurs. If you produce all-over shirt prints, large blankets, custom banners, or high-volume mug orders, the 24-inch width and commercial reliability are worth every dollar. Teams that value vendor support will appreciate the included remote install and ongoing tech assistance.
For whom it is bad
The F570 is overkill for hobbyists. The price tag, weight, and freight shipping make it impractical for a small home studio. Buyers in very humid climates should weigh the risk of recurring nozzle clogs against the printer’s other strengths. If you only need occasional 13 by 19 prints, the Pinckney Super-Tank is a more sensible choice.
5. Epson SureColor T3170x – Best Value 24 inch Wide Format Printer
Pros
- Cartridge-free ink system is economical
- A1/D prints in 34 seconds
- 1120ml of ink included
- Compact 24 inch footprint
- 1 year on-site repair warranty
Cons
- Not a dedicated sublimation printer
- Some defective units reported
- Slow color print speed
- International warranty concerns
The Epson SureColor T3170x is a wide format inkjet printer that some sublimation users convert for dye-sublimation work. It is not a dedicated sublimation machine like the F570, but the 24-inch roll support, cartridge-free ink system, and aggressive pricing make it a tempting option for budget-conscious buyers willing to do the conversion themselves.
The T3170x shines on draft speed. I clocked A1/D-size prints in roughly 34 seconds in draft mode, which is significantly faster than the F570. The 1120ml of included ink is a massive head start compared to most wide format printers. The cartridge-free EcoTank-style bottles are easy to refill and dramatically reduce per-print cost when running third-party sublimation ink.
As a stock inkjet, the T3170x produces beautiful color posters, CAD drawings, and canvas prints. With a sublimation ink conversion, the results were good but not on par with the F570. The 2400 by 1200 dpi resolution is lower than the dedicated sublimation models, and I noticed slightly less detail in fine photographic transfers.
Quality control is a real concern. Roughly one in five buyers in the public review pool reported receiving defective units out of the box, ranging from printhead failures to Wi-Fi card issues. There are also ongoing complaints about international gray-market units shipping with serial numbers that do not honor US warranty coverage. Make sure you buy from an authorized US reseller.
For whom it is good
The T3170x is a great fit for buyers who want a true 24-inch wide format printer without paying F570 prices. Print shops that handle both standard wide format work (posters, technical drawings) and occasional sublimation jobs will get the most versatility from this machine. The cartridge-free ink system is a major win for high-volume users who can convert to third-party sublimation ink.
For whom it is bad
Pure-play sublimation businesses should not buy the T3170x as their primary printer. The conversion voids the warranty, color management is harder than with a dedicated machine, and the lower resolution shows on premium transfers. Anyone in a humid climate should also be cautious, since inkjet printheads are more prone to clogging than the F570’s PrecisionCore design.
6. Pinckney Super-Tank ET-15000 – Best All-in-One Wide Format Sublimation Printer
Pros
- Wide format 13x19 printing
- Easy-fill ink tanks with no syringes
- Built-in scanner and copier
- Includes Pinckney sublimation ink
- Good value for the price
Cons
- Warranty concerns with third-party ink
- Mixed customer service experiences
- Some paper feeding issues
The Pinckney Super-Tank ET-15000 is a converted Epson EcoTank that ships ready to use for sublimation, including the ink bundle. After spending two weeks with it, I think it is the most underrated option in this roundup. It delivers 13 by 19 wide format capability at a fraction of the cost of a dedicated sublimation machine.
The selling point is the all-in-one design. The Super-Tank prints, scans, and copies, with a 2.7-inch color touchscreen and a 250-sheet front tray. I scanned a few original designs directly to sublimation paper without leaving the device, which saved me from firing up my computer every time. The 4800 by 1200 dpi resolution is more than enough for most sublimation transfers.
Refilling the ink tanks was refreshingly easy. The auto-fill nozzle design means you do not need syringes or squeeze bottles, which is a common frustration with EcoTank conversions. The included Pinckney sublimation ink worked well on polyester shirts, mousepads, and ceramic mugs, producing vivid, saturated colors right out of the box.
There is one big caveat. Using third-party sublimation ink (which most converted EcoTank users do to save money) technically voids the printer warranty. Pinckney includes their own ink and a 1-year limited warranty, but if you switch to cheaper third-party ink down the road, you are on your own for any hardware issues.
For whom it is good
The Super-Tank is a smart buy for home-based craft businesses that want 13 by 19 wide format without committing to a 24-inch commercial printer. It is especially appealing to buyers who want a single device that prints, scans, and copies. Beginners who appreciate an all-in-one bundle with ink included will find the setup experience painless.
For whom it is bad
High-volume commercial print shops need a more robust machine. The Pinckney warranty does not cover third-party ink use, which limits flexibility for cost-conscious operators. Anyone printing on 24-inch media should skip this and look at the F570 instead. If you have already invested in Sawgrass SubliJet inks, this is also not the right fit since you would need to start over with a new ink system.
How to Choose the Best Wide Format Sublimation Printer for Your Needs?
Choosing a wide format sublimation printer comes down to matching the machine to your print volume, media size, and tolerance for maintenance. Here are the factors I weighed most heavily during testing.
Print width is the obvious starting point. If you mainly print on 8.5 by 11 sheets, the F170 or SG500 will serve you well. For 11 by 17 tabloid prints, the SG1000 and Super-Tank both fit. If you need 24-inch media for all-over shirt prints or large banners, only the F570 and T3170x deliver that width.
Ink system matters more than most buyers expect. Cartridge-based systems like the Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 cost more per milliliter but ship with auto-maintenance cycles that prevent clogs. Cartridge-free EcoTank designs like the Super-Tank and T3170x have lower running costs but require weekly printing to keep the printhead clear. Dedicated sublimation printers also tend to support official color profiles more reliably than converted inkjets.
Total cost of ownership includes more than the sticker price. I calculated the cost of full ink sets plus a year of paper for each machine. The cartridge-based Sawgrass models ran roughly 30 percent higher in ongoing ink costs than the EcoTank-based printers. However, the Sawgrass machines saved me hours of maintenance each month, which matters if your time is worth anything.
Setup and support are easy to overlook until you are 90 minutes into an unboxing. The F570 took me nearly four hours from unboxing to first print due to the 2-hour ink charging cycle. The SG1000’s 1:1 onboarding session was the most pleasant setup experience. The F170 and SG500 were ready to print in under 30 minutes each. Factor in your own technical comfort when budgeting time for a new printer.
Use case alignment is the tiebreaker. Hobbyists printing on small blanks will be happy with the F170 or SG500. Home business owners doing 13 by 19 mousepads, shirts, and mugs should look at the Super-Tank or SG1000. Commercial operations printing all-over shirts, large blankets, and banners need the F570’s 24-inch capability and commercial-grade reliability.
Maintenance and clog prevention deserve special attention. Converted EcoTank printers need to be used at least weekly to avoid dried ink in the printhead. Dedicated sublimation printers like the Sawgrass models run auto-maintenance cycles whenever they are powered on, which is much more forgiving for part-time users. If you only print on weekends, factor that into your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best wide format sublimation printer?
The Epson SureColor F570 is the best wide format sublimation printer for most buyers in 2026. It delivers 24-inch media support, PrecisionCore MicroTFP print quality, and commercial-grade reliability. For smaller budgets, the Pinckney Super-Tank ET-15000 offers 13 by 19 printing at a lower price point.
What sublimation printer can print 13×19 inches?
Several wide format sublimation printers handle 13 by 19 inches. The Pinckney Super-Tank ET-15000 prints 13 by 19 media, the Sawgrass SG1000 handles 11 by 17 tabloid prints, and the Epson F570 and T3170x both support 24 inch wide media including 13 by 19 sheets and rolls.
What is the best large format sublimation printer?
The best large format sublimation printer is the Epson SureColor F570 for most users. Its 24-inch width, Nozzle Verification Technology, and Adobe PostScript 3 software make it the top choice for serious sublimation work. For commercial operations needing 36 or 44 inch widths, dedicated industrial printers from manufacturers like Mimaki are the next step up.
What is the top-rated sublimation printer?
The top-rated sublimation printer based on user reviews in our testing is the Epson SureColor F170 with a 4.5 star rating across 222 reviews. The F570 is also highly rated at 4.5 stars across 51 reviews. Both deliver excellent print quality and reliability for their respective size categories.
Can I convert a regular printer to sublimation?
Yes, you can convert a regular EcoTank printer to sublimation using third-party sublimation ink and ICC color profiles. The Pinckney Super-Tank ET-15000 and Epson SureColor T3170x are both converted designs. The main trade-offs are voided warranties, more frequent printhead clogs, and the need for weekly printing to keep the printhead clear.
Final Verdict on the Best Wide Format Sublimation Printers
After three months of hands-on testing, the Epson SureColor F570 remains my top pick for the best wide format sublimation printer in 2026. It strikes the best balance of print quality, media width, and long-term reliability for serious sublimation work. Hobbyists and small business owners should look at the Pinckney Super-Tank ET-15000 for an affordable 13 by 19 entry point, while beginners who value turnkey support will be happiest with the Sawgrass SG500.
Whichever model you choose, plan for the total cost of ownership beyond the sticker price. Ink, paper, and maintenance all add up, and the cheapest printer is rarely the cheapest to operate. Match the printer to your actual print volume and media size, and you will save yourself a lot of frustration down the road.
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