8 Best Sublimation Inks for Out-Of-This-World Color in 2024

Sublimation printing can be challenging, especially when faced with numerous options for the best sublimation inks. We're here to help you navigate through these choices. Ink isn't cheap, and nobody wants to waste money on sublimation ink that doesn't perform well. We all seek the perfect ink for vibrant, true-to-life colors that make our projects pop! To help you find the best sublimation ink, we've compiled a list of top picks on the market. We'll explore the pros and cons, pricing, and recommendations for achieving the best results.

What's the Best Sublimation Ink Brand?

Best Sublimation Inks

Our Favorite: Epson® F6070/F7070/F7170 inks
Runner Up: Epson® UltraChrome DS Sublimation Ink
Honorable Mention: Sawgrass Sublijet-HD SG800
Honorable Mention: Epson® SureColor F170/F570 Inks-Individual Bottles
Honorable Mention: Hiipoo Sublimation Inks
Honorable Mention: HTVRONT Sublimation Inks
Honorable Mention: Printers Jack Sublimation Inks
Best for Sawgrass Printers: Sawgrass Sublijet-UHD SG500/SG1000

Top Sublimation Inks

Epson and Sawgrass sublimation inks are designed for vibrant, long-lasting prints, ensuring exceptional quality for your sublimation projects. These inks offer superior color accuracy and saturation, resulting in stunningly vivid images. Whether you're printing apparel, signage, or promotional items, sublimation inks provide consistent results with every print.

Epson® F6070/F7070/F7170 inks

Designed to work exclusively with SureColor F-Series printers, these inks utilize advanced CMYK ink technology to deliver exceptional print quality. They produce vibrant colors, intense blacks, sharp contours, and smooth gradations, ensuring stunning and detailed prints. With extremely fast drying times, these inks enhance productivity and efficiency. Additionally, the new ink refill packs help reduce the total cost of ownership, making them a cost-effective choice for high-quality printing needs.

Pros

• Delivers vibrant colors and intense blacks.
• Provides sharp contours and smooth gradations for detailed and stunning prints.
• Extremely fast drying times enhance productivity and efficiency.
• Reduces the risk of smudging and allows for quick handling of prints.
• New ink refill packs help reduce the total cost of ownership.
• Prints are fade-resistant with high wash-fastness and rub resistance.
• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
• Formulated to be environmentally friendly with low VOC emissions.
• Meets industry standards for eco-solvent inks.
• Suitable for a variety of substrates, including textiles, signage, and promotional items.
• Ideal for diverse printing applications.
• Delivers consistent results across different print runs.
• Ensures reliable color reproduction for brand and product consistency.

Price: You can buy it for $115.00 from Joto Imaging Supplies. Shop now.

Epson® UltraChrome DS Sublimation Ink

If you explore other sublimation options, consider Epson UltraChrome DS Sublimation Ink for your printing needs. It's a top choice among sublimation enthusiasts who use high-performance printers like the Epson F6470 and F6470H. This ink delivers vibrant and consistent results for your projects. The brand offers sublimation ink for professional-grade printers, ensuring you get the best quality prints every time. They also provide a range of products like sublimation shirts, paper, and more.

Pros

• Delivers vibrant colors and intense blacks.
• Produces sharp contours and smooth gradations for detailed and stunning prints.
• Extremely fast drying times enhance productivity and efficiency.
• Reduces the risk of smudging and allows for quick handling of prints.
• New ink refill packs help reduce the total cost of ownership.
• Efficient ink usage lowers printing costs over time.
• Designed to work exclusively with SureColor F-Series printers, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.
• Offers a broad range of colors, enhancing the visual appeal of prints.
• Prints are fade-resistant with high wash-fastness and rub resistance.
• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
• Formulated to be environmentally friendly with low VOC emissions.
• Meets industry standards for eco-solvent inks.
• Suitable for a variety of substrates, including textiles, signage, and promotional items.
• Ideal for diverse printing applications.
• Delivers consistent results across different print runs.
• Ensures reliable color reproduction for brand and product consistency.

Cons

• The upfront cost of the ink and compatible printers can be high.
• Designed exclusively for SureColor F-Series printers, limiting use with other printer models.
• Requires regular maintenance to prevent clogs and maintain print quality.
• May not be suitable for all printing applications or industries.
• Optimal performance is closely tied to the specific printer model, potentially limiting flexibility in printer choice.

Price: The cost is $365.00. Shop now.

Epson® SureColor F170/F570 Inks-Individual Bottles

The Epson® SureColor F170/F570 Inks in individual 140mL bottles are designed specifically for use with Epson SureColor F170 and F570 printers. These inks are part of the dye-sublimation printing process, ideal for producing high-quality prints on a variety of substrates, including fabrics, mugs, and other promotional items.

Pros

• The inks provide vibrant, long-lasting colors and sharp details, essential for professional-quality sublimation prints.
• The 140mL capacity reduces the need for frequent ink replacements, lowering the cost per print.
• Designed by Epson, these inks ensure compatibility and reliability with the SureColor F170 and F570 printers, reducing the risk of printer malfunctions.
• Suitable for various sublimation projects, including textiles, ceramics, and other promotional items.
• Epson's ink refill system reduces waste compared to traditional cartridge systems, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
• The inks are engineered to provide consistent color output, ensuring that your prints maintain a uniform appearance over time.

Price: The price is $39.99. Shop Now.

Hiipoo Sublimation Inks

Hiipoo Sublimation Ink is designed for use in various inkjet printers for sublimation printing. It is known for its vibrant colors and high transfer rate.

How to load this ink: To load Hiipoo Sublimation Ink, refill the printer's ink tanks or cartridges following the printer's specific instructions, ensuring no air bubbles are trapped.

How this ink looks when printed: When printed, Hiipoo Sublimation Ink produces bright and vivid images with excellent color accuracy and detail, making it ideal for transferring onto fabrics, ceramics, and other sublimation-friendly surfaces.

Pros

• Hiipoo sublimation ink is known for producing bright and vibrant colors, ensuring high-quality prints.
• The ink is easy to use, with a user-friendly design that allows for smooth and hassle-free refilling of printers.
• It is compatible with a wide range of Epson EcoTank printers, making it versatile for different printing needs.
• Hiipoo sublimation ink is often more affordable compared to other brands, providing a cost-effective solution for sublimation printing.
• Prints made with Hiipoo ink are known to be long-lasting and resistant to fading, which is essential for items like custom apparel and mugs.
• The ink has a non-clogging formula that helps in maintaining the printer’s performance and reducing the frequency of cleaning cycles.

Cons

• Some users have reported issues with color accuracy, where the printed colors do not exactly match the screen colors.
• While it is compatible with many printers, there have been occasional reports of compatibility issues with certain printer models.
• The drying time can be longer compared to other inks, which might affect the workflow, especially in fast-paced production environments.
• There have been a few instances where users experienced inconsistency in the quality of the ink, such as slight variations in color from one batch to another.
• Some users have found the packaging to be less secure, with occasional leaks during shipping.

Price: You can see it on Amazon.

HTVRONT Sublimation Inks

HTVRONT Sublimation Ink is a popular choice for sublimation printing, offering consistent quality and color richness.

How to load this ink: To load HTVRONT Sublimation Ink, carefully fill the printer's sublimation ink tanks or cartridges, ensuring a smooth and bubble-free process according to your printer's manual.

How this ink looks when printed: HTVRONT Sublimation Ink delivers sharp, vibrant prints with high color fidelity, ensuring that the final transferred designs are striking and long-lasting on various substrates.

Pros

• HTVRONT sublimation ink delivers sharp and vibrant prints, ensuring professional-grade results.
• The ink bottles are designed for easy and mess-free refilling, making it user-friendly even for beginners.
• This ink is compatible with a range of Epson EcoTank printers, adding versatility for different sublimation projects.
• HTVRONT ink has a quick-drying formula, which helps in speeding up the production process and reducing the risk of smudging.
• Prints made with HTVRONT ink are known to be durable, resistant to fading, and maintain their vibrancy over time.
• The ink is formulated to be environmentally friendly, which is a plus for eco-conscious users.

Cons

• Some users have reported challenges with achieving perfect color matching, requiring adjustments in printer settings or additional color correction steps.
• Initial setup and installation of the ink may require some trial and error, especially for those new to sublimation printing.
• HTVRONT sublimation ink can be on the pricier side compared to other brands, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
• While it is widely compatible, there have been occasional reports of issues with specific printer models, necessitating thorough compatibility checks before purchase.
• Depending on the region, the availability of HTVRONT sublimation ink might be limited, making it harder to source consistently.

Price: You can see it on Amazon.

Printers Jack Sublimation Inks

Printer Jack sublimation ink is a high-quality ink designed for use in sublimation printing. This type of ink is formulated to produce vibrant, long-lasting colors on a variety of substrates, such as polyester fabrics, mugs, and other coated materials. The ink works by turning from a solid to a gas when heated, allowing it to bond with the substrate at a molecular level, resulting in permanent, vivid prints.

How to Load This Ink: To load Printers Jack sublimation ink into your printer, follow these steps:

• Ensure your printer is compatible with sublimation ink and has been properly converted if it was not originally designed for sublimation printing.
• Power off the printer and open the ink compartment.
• Remove the existing ink cartridges if present.
• Insert the Printers Jack sublimation ink cartridges into their respective slots, ensuring they are securely in place.
• If using refillable cartridges or a Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS), carefully fill each cartridge or tank with the corresponding ink color using a syringe or the provided refill tool.
• Close the ink compartment and run a few test prints to ensure the ink is flowing correctly and the colors are printing as expected.

How This Ink Looks When Printed: When printed, Printer Jack sublimation ink produces exceptionally vibrant and crisp colors. The prints are sharp with high resolution, capturing fine details and gradients beautifully. On polyester fabrics, the colors appear bright and rich, with excellent color fidelity and minimal fading over time. On hard substrates like mugs or phone cases, the ink results in glossy, professional-looking finishes that are both scratch-resistant and dishwasher-safe. The final output is visually striking, making it ideal for both personal and commercial use.

Price: You can see it on Amazon.

Sawgrass Sublijet-UHD SG500/SG1000

Sawgrass Sublijet-UHD Ink is a top pick among sublimation enthusiasts. This ink is designed for Sawgrass printers like the SG500 and SG1000 and comes in easy-to-use cartridges.

Pros

• Produces bright, vivid colors with excellent accuracy and consistency.
• Delivers professional-grade graphics.
• Provides sharp and detailed images, ideal for high-quality prints.
• Quick drying formula enhances productivity and reduces the risk of smudging.
• Suitable for a wide range of substrates, including fabrics, ceramics, and metals.
• Ideal for both small and large-scale projects.
• Designed specifically for Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 printers.
• Simple installation and maintenance.
• Water-based inks with low VOC emissions, environmentally safe.
• Prints are resistant to fading and wear, ensuring long-lasting quality.
• High yield per cartridge reduces the need for frequent replacements.
• Economical for both hobbyists and professionals.

Cons

• Higher upfront cost for ink and compatible printers.
• Specifically designed for Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 printers, limiting use with other models.
• Requires regular maintenance to prevent clogs and ensure consistent print quality.
• Optimal performance is closely tied to using the specified printer models, limiting flexibility.
• May not be suitable for all types of printing applications or industries.

Price: Individual 31 ml cartridges are around $25. Shop now.

Sawgrass Sublijet-HD SG800

Sawgrass SubliJet-HD inks for the SG800 deliver high-quality, vibrant prints with excellent color accuracy and quick drying times, ideal for high-speed printing. These versatile inks work on various substrates like fabrics, ceramics, and metals, making them suitable for small and large projects. Designed for easy use with SG800 printers, they are eco-friendly, water-based, and low in VOC emissions. The inks produce durable, long-lasting prints and offer high yield per cartridge, reducing the need for frequent replacements, making them cost-effective for hobbyists and professionals alike.

Pros

• Delivers bright, vivid colors with excellent color accuracy.
• Produces professional-grade, high-definition images.
• Quick drying formula enhances productivity and minimizes smudging.
• Ideal for high-speed printing environments.
• Suitable for a wide range of substrates including fabrics, ceramics, metals, and more.
• Perfect for both small and large-scale projects.
• Specifically designed for Sawgrass SG800 printers.
• Simple installation and user-friendly operation.
• Water-based inks with low VOC emissions, ensuring environmental safety.
• Prints are resistant to fading and wear, ensuring long-lasting quality.
• High yield per cartridge reduces the need for frequent replacements.
• Economical for both hobbyists and professionals.

Cons

• Higher upfront cost for ink and compatible printers.
• Specifically designed for Sawgrass SG800 printers, limiting use with other models.
• Requires regular maintenance to prevent clogs and ensure consistent print quality.
• Optimal performance is closely tied to using the specified printer model, limiting flexibility.
• May not be suitable for all types of printing applications or industries.

Price: The price is $131.00. Shop now.

How Much Does Sublimation Ink Cost?

You've seen the details of each major brand of sublimation ink and how much it’ll cost for a starter package. Here's a quick summary:

• Epson® F6070/F7070/F7170 inks - $115.00
• Epson® UltraChrome DS Sublimation Ink - $365.00
• Epson® SureColor F170/F570 Inks-Individual Bottles - $39.99
• Sawgrass Sublijet-UHD SG500/SG1000 - $25 (31 ml cartridges)
• Sawgrass Sublijet-HD SG800 - $131.00

Pay Attention to Ink Quality for Long-Lasting Prints

The cheapest ink might not be the best option for you. It really comes down to your printer and the color performance of the ink brand you choose. If you're still shopping for a printer, we recommend the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500. It’s affordable while still creating professional-quality prints expected from a true sublimation printer. Plus, you won’t void your warranty by loading it with sublimation ink, unlike converted inkjet printers. 

Ultimately, the best sublimation ink brand for you comes down to personal preference. If you’re undecided, your best bet is to do some testing yourself.

Visit Joto Imaging Supplies for all your printing needs, including high-quality inks and printers.

Getting the Best Results From Your Sublimation Printer

The best results come from using sublimation ink and sublimation paper from the same brand, as they're designed to work together. Even better is to have a printer designed for sublimation, plus ink and paper designed for that printer.

Learn More About Sublimation With Other Helpful Guides

Our goal is to provide you with all the essential information to excel in sublimation printing and product creation. Check out these related guides:

• The Best Sublimation Blanks: What Works and What Doesn't
• Common Mistakes in Sublimation Printing in 2024: Solutions
• Heat Transfer Papers Vs. Sublimation Printing: Pros & Cons

FAQs

How long will sublimation ink last?

A printer's sublimation inks have a shelf life. Leaving them in the printer too long will cause issues such as color shifting, head clogs, and banding.

Do you have to use the same sublimation ink?

No, but as with everything in life, you get what you pay for. It is always advised to research the printer and/or sublimation ink you are planning to use.