Best Sublimation Ink for Stunning Designs! Ultimate Guide!
The ink used in sublimation printers is referred to as the blood, which circulates through the lines and printheads of the printer. Do you know what will happen if you select a non-compatible sublimation ink that clogs your printer’s printhead? For flawless transfers with vivid outputs, you need to choose the best sublimation ink compatible with your sublimation printer before you begin sublimation printing.
To help you select the best sublimation ink, we tested and tried a wide range of sublimation inks and selected the top 10 from a wide range of options that produced vibrant, durable prints that would not fade or wash off.
What is Sublimation Ink?
Sublimation ink is a type of ink specifically designed for sublimation printing. The ink is dye-based and has the ability to change from a liquid to a gas when heated. As a result, the gas is absorbed by the printing material, where it solidifies again. The result is a permanent print that will not fade, crack, or peel over time.
What are the Types of Sublimation Ink?
It is important to note that there are two types of sublimation ink – dye sublimation ink and pigment sublimation ink. The most commonly used type of sublimation ink is dye sublimation ink. The ink is water-based ink that is best suited for printing on polyester fabrics. On the other hand, pigment sublimation ink is an oil-based ink that is most suitable for printing on most cotton fabrics and other natural fabrics.
As the result of thorough research and review, I have prepared a comprehensive buyer’s guide that you cannot afford to miss. So after reading all our product reviews from this list, make sure to CHECK OUT our guide for even more valuable information.
Our Recommendation for the Best Sublimation Ink
We picked sublimation inks that work with Workforce, Ecotank, and a whole bunch of sublimation Epson printers. Please make sure that the sublimation inks you intend to purchase are compatible with your printer before purchasing them.
1. Hiipoo Sublimation Ink 580ML for EcoTank Supertank Inkjet Printer
Sublimation inks, such as Hiipoo’s top pick, are versatile enough to print DIY projects on many different types of substrates such as polyester, hard surface substrates, acrylic keychains, mugs, and almost any other substrate which can be sublimated. As a result of the quality of the print, especially on the polyester fabric, I was extremely impressed with the vibrancy and detail of the graphic.
The ink is an ideal medium for bringing my artistic imagination into reality, and I frequently use it in a variety of projects. This product provides long-lasting and non-fading color even after hundreds of washings. Additionally, the UV rays had no effect on its intense colors.
I did not observe any clogging in the printer’s printhead due to the smooth texture and moderate viscosity of the inks.
With the excellent page yields, I was able to print a decent number of pages before it was necessary to refill the cartridge. And yes, of course! Using the provided ink bottles in the Ecotank printers, refilling was very straightforward, and no syringes were required.
It has been observed that the ink is not suitable for high printing demands. Also, the printer and pressure settings must be appropriately configured otherwise the vibrancy of the ink may be diminished.
No matter how inexperienced you are with sublimation, the Hiipoo sublimation ink will prove convenient in your creative endeavors.
2. Printers Jack Sublimation Ink
The second top pick sublimation ink is not only an all-in-one solution for almost all Epson sublimation printer series, but it is also easy to use without a syringe. There is no need to manually fill the bottle due to its nozzle-based design.
It is suitable for ceramic, metal, tumblers, and almost any polymer-coated substrate that I desired to print on. I also obtained superior results when using poly-blended fabric that contained more than 70% polyester.
As the prints it produces are UV-resistant, you do not have to worry about drying them in direct sunlight. You can also create your own DIY hats, face masks, socks, and much more for wearing outdoors. Due to the water-resistant printer jack, your DIY apparel prints will last for many years to come as a result of these anti-UV sublimation inks.
You can create fun for a long time since they do not need to be refilled frequently. If the prints appear slightly light on the sublimation paper, you might get nervous. I also got nervous and thought I had messed up with my custom ICC profile. However, after transferring to the appropriate temperature, the color became pleasing and accurate.
I found the viscosity of the ink to be satisfactory and did not experience any clogging of my printer’s printhead as a result. As a result, it is important to keep a running cleaning kit on hand in order to avoid any possible clogging of print heads.
3. LNKCOS 600ML Sublimation Inks for Epson EcoTank Printer ET-8500
Would you like to know which ink will provide the enhanced colors to produce vivid gradients if you have Epson ET-8550 and 8500? One of my favorite series of Epson inks that I often use with LNKCOS is the best sublimation ink for Epson 8550, I also enjoy using L&C sublimation ink on mugs.
Sublimation inks with six colors are specifically designed for the Epson ET-8500 and 8550 in order to produce long-lasting, durable, vibrant prints. I have also recently tested 6-color Hiipoo sublimation ink, which is also suitable for a variety of substrates.
Print your creative dreams using the six colors and two black colors in order to enhance the depth of color. Prints produced by this company are resistant to water and UV rays, and will also not fade over time. You will not have to squeeze the bottles to fill and refill the Ecotfit ink tanks, as the nozzle design is convenient for filling and refilling them.
As far as apparel and DIY substrates are concerned, the results were robust and the sublimated mugs were durable enough to be washed in the dishwasher without any fear of fading. In comparison to the CoYlBod 6 Colors Sublimation for Epson Artisan 1430, the LNKCOS produced more precise dot prints.
While the inks are not ICC-compliant, I created my own ICC profile using the LNCKOS, A-sub paper, and ET-8550 and installed it on Windows 10. To be honest, I also recommend you use these three combinations, and I am confident you will not be disappointed.
As well as printing mugs, tumblers, and phone cases with LNKCOS sublimation ink, I have also tried printing them with L&C sublimation ink. It was necessary to perform a purge cleaning before using another brand of sublimation ink. The results were almost identical for both, but I prefer LNKCOS for small substrates because of its great page yields. If you plan on printing 13 x 19 prints, which Epson 8550 is capable of printing, you might experience a low page yield.
Ink tanks with more colors are known to cause clogs and other problems, but I had no problems with the printhead due to the smooth texture of the ink. Nevertheless, it may be difficult for you to use if you are a novice.
4. Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Ink Cartridge Sublijet UHD
If you wish to invest a significant amount of money in a dedicated sublimation printer, you will also need to purchase the necessary equipment recommended by the company. Sawgrass sublimation printers cannot be used with third-party inks or cartridges. As a result, Sawgrass UHD ink cartridges filled with original sublimation ink are required.
This package is quite expensive, but you will get an additional pack of heat-resistant tapes and sublimation paper as part of the package.
I also obtained EASYSUBLI sublimation cartridges and used them to print black color polyester and cotton fabric, rather than traditional substrates, because the Sawgrass print manager allowed me to select the material of the substrate, although you can also use Sawgrass UHD for those purposes.
However, EASYSUBLI printables are more specific to them. However, the Sawgrass UHD is a perfect choice for mugs, tumblers, polyester, and other substrates.
Additionally, Sawgrass print manager eliminated the need to use ICC profiles since it automatically corrected the colors.
There was a rapid drying of the ink on the sublimation paper. After printing, there was no smearing of ink, and the quality of the finished product on both hard and soft substrates was satisfactory. You will be able to print the highest quality images on HTV with these inks, but you might be annoyed by the high running costs incurred due to their poor page yield.
UHD inks are also compatible with the SG1000 and SG500; however, do not use them with the SG800 or 400.
5. Tonha Sublimation Ink Refill
The cheapest yet well-maintained sublimation ink on our list. Because it is compatible with almost every Epson series, it is an excellent choice for those who are just starting out. It should be noted that the air-tight bottles do not provide automatic filling and stop like the sublimation inks discussed above.
The Tonha sublimation ink is available in simplified bottles and should be used with either the syringes that are included with the ink or the washed bottles that are provided with the Epson printer.
In addition to the high-quality images because of the filling, I was impressed with the quality of the printing, the colors of my tumblers were true to life. Moreover, the t-shirt printing also turned out nicely, which cannot be ignored.
In spite of the fact that I found it suitable for almost any substrate that I was interested in sublimating, such as ceramics, wood, apparel, DIY gifts, decorations, pet tags, and even cotton, I discovered it was also very effective.
As a result of its low viscosity, it was suitable for all Ecotank printer models’ printheads, and the printing process was smooth. For the first time, I tried Tonha and was not expecting the colors to be so vivid, however, I am pleased with the color accuracy so far.
It may be difficult to refill into the printer if you are a novice due to syringe headaches, however, you are required to make some compromises in order to keep the cost down.
6. INKXPRO 4 X 100ml Professional True Color Sublimation Ink
As another best sublimation ink on our list, this ink provides a great printing experience. Although they do not come with auto-refill bottles, so you might have to engage with the syringes, you may also be able to use original Epson bottles instead. Because of the high quality of the print, it is impossible to ignore the quality of the transfer.
In addition, it can be used for ET series and other series as well. However, I have achieved superior results with my WF series and I have also purchased the CISS ink system. In spite of the fact that they provided me with their ICC profiles with Photoshop, some colors appeared to be a bit muddy.
Would you mind telling me what the most surprising aspect of this story is? There was a greater degree of vibrancy in colors without ICC profiles available. There was an amazing density to the black color that it printed. In general, the image quality was better, especially on mugs.
There is excellent page yield and it is worth the price, even if you intend to use it continuously for two years, depending on the size of the substrate.
For those using the CISS system, it is necessary to perform weekly maintenance on the printhead. In addition, the ink has a smooth texture, so there is no possibility of clogging.
7. Xcinkjet Sublimation Ink
Another inexpensive option is to offer wide applications on a variety of substrates. Despite this, there are alternative options, such as syringes and Epson’s original bottles, for filling the ink. The Ecotank and WF series are the most suitable for use with this product.
With this sublimation ink, you can print on mugs, mousepads, t-shirts, pillows, and almost every type of apparel made of polyester with a hard surface coated with polymer. Comparing the colors with my cheap sublimation ink option Tonha, they were less vibrant.
As far as color accuracy was concerned different inks though, I was not particularly impressed. In order to avoid getting horrible prints, you will need to create ICC profiles for the ink. To achieve the best results, keep an eye on the pressure settings, the time, and the type of substrate you are using.
The only thing that impressed me was the page yield, which provided me with a decent amount of printing. Aside from the low viscosity, the inks come in air-tight containers. With the ink bottles, you will not have to worry about any ink spills.
In addition, the ink is eco-friendly and will not harm the environment when used. There is, however, a cheaper alternative called Tonha sublimation ink, which is a great alternative.
8. E-Z Ink (TM) Autofill Sublimation Ink
Can’t seem to find the best sublimation inks that you were looking for. If you are looking for affordable sublimation ink, you should consider the E-Z sublimation ink. Even if you are a beginner, filling and refilling the auto ink bottle is effortless.
A three-layer printing filter on the E-Z ink ensures accurate heat transfers on a variety of substrates. It is important to note that the sublimation ink contains UV and water-resistant properties that make it durable. In fact, even if the print is washed hundreds of times, the sublimation ink will not fade until the substrate is worn and torn.
Despite the intense smoothness of the ink, the printhead will not clog, although weekly maintenance will be required if you intend to print regularly. It is important to maintain a close eye on the pressure and time settings, but the ink provides a decent rate of transfer.
The Ink can be used with Epson WorkForce and Ecotank printers, but custom ICC profiles may be required, even though the ink is ICC-free. Among the items that can be customized are polyester shirts, ceramics, metal, wood, and acrylic keychains, bags, socks, and DIY gifts.
9. TBTeek 400ML Sublimation Ink for Inkjet Sublimation Printer
This sublimation ink is available in four colors and weighs approximately 1.1 pounds. You will receive black, magenta, cyan, and yellow sublimation inks in this package. Additionally, syringes are included in the box, which simplifies refilling.
Additionally, it is suitable for refillable cartridges as well as CISS. When sublimation ink gets clogged during printing, it ruins the print as well as the item’s quality. It is important to note, however, that low-viscosity liquid technology avoids this problem. This is because it prevents the printer head from clogging. Additionally, a nozzle head further facilitates the user and ensures that there will be no clogging.
It can be used on a variety of items, including shirts, mugs, tents, and phone cases. Moreover, if you are planning to surprise your friend with a gift, this will be helpful to you.
Refillable sublimation ink with anti-UV properties. Sometimes printing on hard surfaces is difficult, but don’t worry, with TBTeek sublimation ink, you won’t have to worry about this. It’s good for soft and hard surfaces.
This ink produces the most colorful and high-quality designs. If you are seeking a perfect print effect with the help of sublimation ink, your texts will be sharp and clear. If so, then the best features of this sublimation ink may be of great assistance to you. Now you can create vibrant, smudge-free prints.
10. WOKOK Sublimation Ink Refill for EcoTank
WOKOK sublimation ink can be used for printing on fabrics, usually using a heat press machine. You will use different types of fabric depending on what you are printing. You can print sublimation ink on a variety of products, such as quilts, pillows, and coasters.
With this item, I would be able to enhance my home decor with beautiful images of our family gatherings. One of the best aspects of this product is that it is printed with precision and will not fade no matter how many years pass. Additionally, there is no risk of smudging or smearing.
In the box, you will find syringe needles and gloves for injections of cartridges or ECTs. It is actually an excellent addition for those who enjoy needlepoint as it works very smoothly on cotton and polyester fabrics when sublimated.
We recommend WOKOK sublimation ink for laser and inkjet printers that are capable of performing sublimation printing. As far as sublimation inks are concerned, WOKOK sublimated inks are the best since they are the most compatible and provide the best value. All EP Workforce, Expression, and EcoTank printers may use this ink.
When Choosing Sublimation Ink, What Factors Should You Consider?
There are several factors to consider when choosing sublimation ink for your printer.
- Printer compatibility
- Material compatibility
- Ink color range
- Ink drying time
- Ink price
How to Choose the Best Sublimation Ink for Your Needs?
It is important to take into consideration the factors listed above when choosing a sublimation ink for your needs. Additionally, you should read reviews and perform research on the different brands available on the market. Choosing the right ink for your printer and the materials you will be printing on is essential.
1. Is Black Going to be a Frequent Printing Color?
Some sublimation ink sets include additional bottles of black ink if you plan to print a lot of blacks. You may find this useful if you require more coverage or darker shades when printing or if you have a large number of all-black sublimation projects in mind. In order to avoid running out of the product mid-project, it is beneficial to have an extra bottle on hand.
2. Does Your Printer Have Cartridges or Can You Fill It Directly With Ink?
Due to the fact that sublimation inks come either in cartridges or in bottles that can be refilled directly into the printer, this is an important consideration. Sublimation inks made specifically for your printer model are recommended if you have a printer that uses cartridges. These are usually Sawgrass printers or stand-alone sublimation printers.
However, there are printers that can be converted to sublimation printers that also use cartridges. There are still refillable cartridges available and you can purchase just the ink, however, you will want to ensure you choose ones that fill with a syringe.
It is possible to use either syringe or autofill type inks if you are able to fill the ink directly into the printer.
3. Are You Looking For More Control Or Do You Prefer An Easy Solution?
Choosing sublimation inks that use syringes will give you greater control over the ink-filling process. Using the syringe-equipped sets, you will be responsible for filling each cartridge or printer yourself and monitoring the levels throughout. With this method, you will be able to control the exact amount you add at a time, giving you a bit more control over the sublimation process.
However, sublimation inks that connect directly to the printer are much simpler to use since a syringe is not required. When using these inks, you simply turn the bottles upside down and connect them to the printer, which automatically fills up the ink reservoir. As soon as the reservoir is full, they should cease dripping ink on their own. As a result, accidents can occur as you do not have complete control over the process.
4. Looking For The Cheapest Sublimation Ink?
In order to keep your costs low, some brands (such as Hiipoo) should be avoided as they are more expensive. It is more affordable to use brands such as A-Sub and Printers Jack.
Furthermore, you should stick to the types which require syringes rather than those that require auto-filling. It is true that autofill bottles are more convenient, but you will have to pay a little more for that convenience.
What Is The Best Way To Use Sublimation Ink?
It is important to note that sublimation ink can only be used in a special type of printer known as a sublimation printer. Ink is heated in the printer, resulting in a gas, which is absorbed by the printing material. Here are the steps you need to follow in order to use sublimation ink:
- Select the design you would like to print.
- Place the sublimation paper in the printer.
- Load the printing material into the printer.
- Print the design onto the sublimation paper.
- The design should be transferred to the printing material using the heat presses.
How Should Sublimation Ink Be Stored?
A cool, dry environment is recommended for the storage of sublimation ink. The container should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat. Also, it is important to keep the sublimation ink bottles in their original packaging until it is time to use it.
What Are The Common Problems With Sublimation Ink?
If you are using sublimation ink, you may encounter a few common problems. The following are among them:
- Prints that are blurry or washed out
- Color output is inconsistent
- The printer head is clogged
- Heat transfer is uneven during the transfer process
In order to avoid these problems, it is essential to use high-quality sublimation ink and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Keeping your printer and equipment clean and well-maintained is also important.
Final Thoughts
A key component of the sublimation printing process is the sublimation ink. Choosing high-quality ink that is compatible with your printer and the materials you intend to print on is crucial. This article provides you with tips and advice to help you choose the best sublimation printer ink for your needs and achieve high-quality, long-lasting prints.
