6 Best Sublimation Printers for Small Businesses (November 2026)
The best sublimation printers for small businesses include the Johnson Plastics Plus Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer. for steady transfer printing, the Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer Starter Bundle for a ready-to-start workspace, and the Liene PixCut S1 Color Sticker Printer for custom labels and stickers.
On this page (5 sections)
The best sublimation printer for most small businesses is the Epson SureColor F170, with a 150-sheet tray, genuine sublimation ink and a compact design. Choose a Brother bundle if you want paper and blanks included, or a Liene PixCut S1 if your shop makes custom stickers and labels.
Small business workloads vary. A shop producing a few batches each week may value a simple, compact setup, while frequent orders can make paper capacity and supply planning more important.
This roundup compares the stated features and included supplies for each pick. For a basic explanation of the process, start with [What Printer Do I Need for Sublimation?
What Really Happens](/what-printer-do-i-need-for-sublimation/).
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for steady transfer printingJohnson Plastics Plus Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer.
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for a ready-to-start workspaceBrother SP-1 Sublimation Printer Starter Bundle
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for custom labels and stickersLiene PixCut S1 Color Sticker Printer
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Best for sticker production suppliesCheck it - 5
Check itJohnson Plastics Plus Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer
Best for a compact Epson setup - 6
Best for an Artspira-led workflowCheck it
How we chose sublimation printers for small businesses
The best sublimation printers for small businesses match the kind of work you sell, the volume you expect and the supplies you can store. We compared paper capacity, media size, included ink and materials, and the described computer or app workflow.
A 150-sheet tray can help reduce reloads, but it does not tell you how quickly a full order can be completed. Plan around the size and number of designs you print, and leave room for paper, blanks and transfer tools.
The product scores reflect fit for this search, based on stated features and available buyer feedback. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
| Product | Best for | Paper capacity | Maximum media size | Connection | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson Plastics Plus Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer. | steady transfer printing | 150 sheets | 8.5 in wide | USB | 9.7 |
| Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer Starter Bundle | a ready-to-start workspace | 160 sheets | Legal, 8.5 x 14 in | Wi-Fi and Ethernet | 9.6 |
| Liene PixCut S1 Color Sticker Printer | custom labels and stickers | Bluetooth | 9.6 | ||
| Liene PixCut S1 Inspire Kit | sticker production supplies | 4 x 7 in | Bluetooth | 9.6 | |
| Johnson Plastics Plus Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer | a compact Epson setup | 150 sheets | 8.5 in wide | Ethernet and USB | 9.5 |
| Brother Sublimation Printer | an Artspira-led workflow | 8.5 x 11 in | Ethernet and USB | 8.8 |
Which printer fits your shop's workload?
The Epson SureColor F170 is the strongest general fit here for recurring transfer work, while Brother's bundles include more startup materials. The Liene printers suit a separate product line built around compact stickers and labels.
Johnson Plastics Plus Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer.: Best for steady transfer printing
- 150-sheet auto-feed tray
- Genuine Epson sublimation ink
- Mac and Windows setup
- Starter kit, paper and thermal tape included
A closed 150-sheet tray and genuine Epson ink make this F170 bundle a practical base for repeat transfer work. The bundle also includes paper, thermal tape and starter supplies.
Pros
- 150-sheet dust-resistant tray
- Genuine Epson ink included
- Compact design
Cons
- Mobile device connection is not supported
- Prints only
The Johnson Plastics Plus Epson SureColor F170 bundle is the top pick for a small shop that prints transfer sheets regularly. Its 150-sheet auto-feed tray holds more paper than the other standard transfer printer options listed here.
The package includes genuine Epson sublimation ink, a user guide, power cable, sublimation starter kit, 8.5 x 11 in and 8.5 x 14 in paper, and thermal tape. Having those basics together can help a new shop move from setup to sample making with fewer separate orders.
Epson's F170 uses a dust-resistant closed tray, and the printer has a compact design. It supports Mac and Windows, but mobile device connection is not supported.
Best fit: a small business that wants a compact, dedicated transfer printer and starter materials in one package. Check the exact bundle contents against your planned blanks before ordering, since the included paper and supplies shape which first projects you can make.
Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer Starter Bundle: Best for a ready-to-start workspace
- Full CMYK ink set
- 160 sheets of sublimation paper
- 50 sublimation blanks
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
This SP-1 bundle combines the printer with paper, blanks, heat-resistant tape and design resources. It suits a new shop that wants several launch supplies together.
Pros
- Paper and 50 blanks included
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet
- Windows, Mac and app compatibility
Cons
- Bundle includes many supplies to organize
- Prints only
The Brother SP-1 starter bundle is a good fit when you want a broad set of supplies for early product trials. It includes a full CMYK ink set, 160 sublimation transfer sheets, 50 blanks, heat-resistant tape, design cards and app resources.
Its listed workflow supports Windows, Mac and the Artspira app, with Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. The maximum media size is legal, or 8.5 x 14 in, which gives you room to prepare larger sheets than a letter-only workflow.
The bundle can help a new business test different items, including shirts, tote bags, mugs and tumblers. Before you set up a production schedule, organize the included blanks by type and confirm the transfer steps for each material.
For more bundle-focused options, see our best sublimation printer starter bundle guide. Best fit: a new maker business that wants a printer, starter paper and a varied supply of blanks together.
Liene PixCut S1 Color Sticker Printer: Best for custom labels and stickers
- Prints and cuts in one device
- 300 dpi color output
- Bluetooth app control
- Waterproof, scratch-resistant stickers
The PixCut S1 is for shops whose work centers on stickers and labels. Its thermal dye-sublimation system prints and cuts small-format designs in one device.
Pros
- Integrated printing and cutting
- Bluetooth app control
- Sticker paper and photo paper included
Cons
- Maximum media size is 4 x 7 in
- Not a standard transfer printer for apparel blanks
The Liene PixCut S1 is a different kind of small business printer: it combines color sticker printing and cutting in one compact device. The 300 dpi thermal dye-sublimation system works with media up to 4 x 7 in, so it suits small labels and custom stickers rather than full-size apparel transfers.
The device connects to the Liene app by Bluetooth, and the system can edit, print and cut from a phone. Liene says its four-layer process automatically laminates stickers, which it describes as waterproof and scratch-resistant.
That workflow can save space if you sell small custom labels, gifts or sticker packs. It won't replace a standard transfer printer for shirts, mugs or other larger sublimation blanks.
Best fit: a shop whose orders center on labels and stickers. Keep it as a dedicated small-format tool if your catalog also includes larger transfer products.
Liene PixCut S1 Inspire Kit: Best for sticker production supplies
- Prints and cuts in one device
- 300 dpi color output
- 36 photo sheets and 144 sticker sheets
- Bluetooth app control
This PixCut S1 kit adds a larger supply of sticker and photo sheets for a business making small-format custom labels or gifts. It shares the device's compact print-and-cut workflow.
Pros
- 180 sheets included
- Integrated printing and cutting
- Bluetooth app control
Cons
- Maximum media size is 4 x 7 in
- Sticker-focused workflow
The Liene PixCut S1 Inspire Kit uses the same print-and-cut approach but includes more media for sticker work. Its package has 36 photo sheets and 144 sticker sheets, which can help a small shop prepare a larger batch of samples or orders before restocking paper.
Like the other PixCut S1, it prints at 300 dpi and supports media up to 4 x 7 in. The app connects over Bluetooth, and the printer combines printing and cutting in one device.
The larger paper supply is useful when you have a defined sticker workflow, but it does not change the printer's small media size. Best fit: a sticker business that wants more paper included with the cutting and printing machine.
Johnson Plastics Plus Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer: Best for a compact Epson setup
- 150-sheet auto-feed tray
- Genuine Epson sublimation ink
- Mac and Windows software
- Compact design
This F170 package includes the printer, genuine Epson ink, a user guide and power cable. It keeps the setup focused if you already have suitable sublimation paper and other supplies.
Pros
- 150-sheet dust-resistant tray
- Genuine Epson ink included
- Compact design
Cons
- Mobile device connection is not supported
- Paper and starter supplies are not part of this package
This Johnson Plastics Plus F170 package is a focused option for a business that already has its paper and starter materials. It includes the printer, a full set of genuine Epson sublimation inks, a user guide and a power cable.
The F170's 150-sheet dust-resistant tray supports batch work, while the compact body can fit a smaller studio. Mac and Windows software is included, and mobile device connection is not supported.
Compared with the other F170 package in this roundup, this version has fewer listed starter supplies. That can make sense if your shop has a preferred paper and tape routine and wants to keep the purchase centered on the printer.
Best fit: an established small shop that wants the F170 setup and already sources transfer supplies separately.
Brother Sublimation Printer: Best for an Artspira-led workflow
- Artspira app design access
- Up to 45 seconds per sheet
- 100 sheets of sublimation paper included
- Extra color ink cartridges included
Brother's sublimation printer pairs with the Artspira app and includes paper plus extra color cartridges. It can fit a small shop that prefers to prepare designs in that app.
Pros
- 100 sheets of paper included
- Artspira design access
- Automatic duplex listed in printer specs
Cons
- Heat press is a separate purchase
- App setup is required
The Brother Sublimation Printer is built around the Artspira app, with access to more than 100 sublimation designs and tools for preparing images. It includes 100 sheets of letter-size sublimation paper and an extra set of color ink cartridges.
Brother says the printer can produce a sheet in up to 45 seconds. The product details describe Ethernet and USB connections, and the maximum media size is 8.5 x 11 in.
A heat press is required for the transfer step and is a separate purchase. Best fit: a small shop that wants to build designs in Artspira and make letter-size transfers, while sourcing blanks and pressing equipment separately.
What production needs should you plan before buying?
Estimate your weekly order mix before choosing a sublimation printer for small business work. Count the designs you expect to print, the paper sizes each product needs and the blanks you must keep on hand.
A 150-sheet tray is useful for recurring jobs, but a tray does not determine the printer's overall production rate. Leave time for design preparation, print checks, transfer setup and pressing, and avoid promising order volumes until you understand your own workflow.
Small shops also need a place for paper and blanks. Keep paper protected from dust and moisture, sort blanks by project, and leave enough surface space to prepare transfers without bending or smudging them.
If your product line includes tumblers, compare printer choice with the blank size and press setup you plan to use. Our best sublimation printers for tumblers guide focuses on that workflow.
Is a printer bundle worth it for a new business?
A bundle can make startup easier when it includes supplies you plan to use for samples and first orders. The Brother SP-1 package includes paper, blanks and tape, while the Epson F170 bundle includes paper and a starter kit.
Bundles can also add materials that don't match your product plan. Before choosing one, list the blanks you intend to sell and compare those with the supplies included, then budget space for storing the extras.
If you already own a heat press, design tools and blanks, a printer-only package may be a cleaner fit. For app-based crafting, compare the best sublimation printer for Cricut options with your preferred design and cutting steps.
Which sublimation printer should a small business choose?
Choose the F170 bundle for regular transfer printing and a 150-sheet tray, or the Brother SP-1 bundle if included paper and blanks are central to your launch. Pick the PixCut S1 for a sticker-focused catalog, and the Artspira Brother if you want to design in its app.
Match your choice to the items you can produce consistently and the supplies you can store. Once you know your blanks, print sizes and weekly order target, the right printer is the one that fits that routine.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for steady transfer printing
Johnson Plastics Plus Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer.
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for a ready-to-start workspace
Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer Starter Bundle
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for custom labels and stickers
Liene PixCut S1 Color Sticker Printer
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What should a small business look for in a sublimation printer?
Match the printer to your order volume, media size and production routine. A larger paper tray can reduce how often you reload, while a bundle with ink, paper and blanks can help a new shop start making samples sooner.
Also check the computer or app workflow and the space available for the printer and supplies.
Is the Epson SureColor F170 suitable for small business use?
The F170 has a compact design, genuine Epson sublimation ink and a 150-sheet auto-feed tray. Those features suit repeat small-format transfer jobs for items such as mugs, mousepads and apparel.
It prints only, and mobile device connection is not supported, so check that your computer setup fits.
Should a small business buy a printer bundle?
A bundle can reduce the number of separate supplies you need to source at startup. The Brother SP-1 bundle includes ink, paper, blanks, heat-resistant tape and design resources.
If you already have paper and blanks, a printer package with fewer extras may fit your workspace and workflow better.
Can a sticker printer replace a sublimation transfer printer?
No. The Liene PixCut S1 is built to print and cut small-format stickers and labels, with media up to 4 x 7 in.
It does not serve the same role as a printer for transfers onto larger apparel or blanks.
Choose it as a separate tool if custom stickers are part of your shop's product line.
How do I choose a printer for tumblers or Cricut projects?
Start with the blank size and the transfer sheet your project needs, then check printer media limits and your design workflow. A small sticker printer is for labels and stickers, while standard sublimation printers handle transfer paper for compatible blanks.
See our best sublimation printers for tumblers and best sublimation printers for Cricut guides for those specific workflows.
