9 Best Heat Transfer Printers for Your Creative Workplace

Pick up the heat transfer printer offering top-quality color reproduction

The best heat transfer printer is a specialized inkjet printing device for your designs, drawings, and branding elements on a wide range of surfaces including clothing, paper and cardboard, vinyl, and more. With this device, you can print your design to see how it looks live before transferring it directly to your chosen surface.

If you own a pro-level creative studio, then such a device will come in handy. If you work from home and want to be able to check your creative work, then you can also look for a suitable option. I have collected the best models in this list, the cost of which ranges from $84.99 to $699.99.

To choose your printer for sublimation and heat transfer, you need to decide on the type of device you need – inkjet or laser one. Besides, pay attention to ink life, maximum print resolution, supported surface range, and connection type. In addition to the price of the printer itself, I also took into account the cost of consumables – ink and cartridges.

Type: Inkjet | Max print speed (B&W): 14.5 ppm | Function: Print | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, AirPrint, mobile app | Paper size: Up to 13” x 19” | Paper capacity: 150 sheets | Dimensions: 13.1 x 23.3 x 6.3 inches | Weight: 18.6 pounds

This sublimation printer for heat transfer features automatic loading of paper sheets up to 150 pc. at a time. It configures six ink colors, including gray, which greatly improves the color reproduction and tone of your custom designs. As for the max print resolution, it is 9600 x 2400 DPI. I also like that there is a borderless printing option for your designs up to 13 x 19 inches. What’s more, it only takes 36 seconds for it to print 4″ x 6″ colorful photos for you.

Another benefit of the Canon IP8720 is the disc tray, which allows you to print your designs directly onto CDs. I like that the device independently regulates its power during inactivity. You can work with your printer through your mobile phone by installing the PIXMA Printing Solutions app on it.

You can print your designs directly from Gmail and Google Docs through this app. As for computers, it is compatible with Mac, Chrome, Windows, and Linux and is available to work through Google Chrome.

Type: Inkjet | Max print speed (B&W): 10.5 ppm | Function: Print, Scan & Copy | Connectivity: wireless, mobile app | Paper size: Up to 8.5” x 14” | Paper capacity: 100 sheets | Dimensions: 14.8 x 22.3 x 10.2 inches | Weight: 16.15 pounds

This all-in-one photo printer is a real find for home production or small businesses. As an entry-level member of the EcoTank line, this printer for heat press boasts decent page performance, low-cost printing, and a flatbed-type scanner. I like that it’s a pretty cost-effective option thanks to the replaceable ink bottles. By printing about 7,500 B&W or 6,000 color designs with them, which is equal to 90 separate cartridges, you save about 90%.

The hallmark of this device is the Heat-Free Technology paired with The Epson Micro Piezo. This involves the use of piezo crystals that pulsate while receiving a signal from the printer. Further, the formation of coordinated droplets begins, which gives the user stunning clear patterns on the surface as a result.

Another advantage of this printer is its Epson Smart Panel app. Its interface is user-friendly and clear, compatible with both Android and iOS, and gives you a pleasant user experience when operating your EcoTank.

Type: Inkjet | Max print speed (B&W): 16 ppm | Function: Print, Scan & Copy | Connectivity: USB, wireless, mobile app | Paper size: Up to 13" x 19" | Paper capacity: 120 sheets | Dimensions: 20.6 x 29.8 x 16.9 inches | Weight: 31.9 pounds

This device may very well be your best heat transfer printer as it covers a wide range of your print needs from photos to super tabloids. At the same time, one cannot but rejoice at its low cost of printing – up to 1 cent per design. I also want to note the innovation – the sixth ink color, which improves color accuracy and print detail.

This printer can print in wide formats and perform several printing functions at once. I love the stunning images this printer produces, including the grayscale designs, and the decent detailing that comes with deep, rich blacks.

In terms of paper capacity, this Epson printer may be a little behind other models on this list, holding only 120 sheets. You can also use 20 sheets of premium photo paper. They are located in a liner inside the main paper tray. If you are an amateur designer or an intermediate photographer and are willing to pay more, then this option will please you with its set of features and parameters.

Type: Laser | Max print speed (B&W): 33 ppm | Function: Print | Connectivity: USB, wireless, Ethernet, mobile app | Paper size: Up to 8.5” x 14” | Paper capacity: Dual paper trays — 250-sheet and 500-sheet | Dimensions: 17.4 x 19.5 x 17.5 inches | Weight: 62.70 lbs

The Brother Business HL-L8360CDWT has every chance of becoming your best printer for sublimation and heat transfer due to amazing output quality and fast operation. I love that it offers multiple connectivity options – wireless via WiFi, via Ethernet to print files from your cloud, and via a USB port or a smartphone that can be plugged into it.

This printer comes with toner cartridges that will last you up to 6,500 pages, making it one of the most productive printers on the market today. When the cartridge runs out, you can seamlessly replace it with a new one, the low cost of which will pleasantly surprise you. Additional features that make this color laser printer even better include automatic two-sided printing, a 2.7-inch color touch screen that makes it easier to navigate, and enhanced security.

Type: Laser | Max print speed (B&W): 30 ppm | Function: Print | Connectivity: USB | Paper size: Up to A4 | Paper capacity: 250 sheets | Dimensions: 14.2 x 7.2 x 14 inches | Weight: 15 pounds

Being a black-and-white printer with multiple color options, this sublimation printer for heat transfer handles large volumes of paper perfectly. Its speed is also on point – 30 single-sided pages per minute, which will surprise you with its top quality and amazing clarity of black and white designs.

This Brother printer also boasts a large paper tray, making it a great choice for large print volumes. One of its advantages is the ease of use and configuration achieved through a wired connection. I am delighted with how crisp, top-quality, and detailed the designs on my T-shirts made with this device are.

Type: Inkjet | Max print speed (B&W): 19 ppm | Function: Print, Copy, Scan | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Paper size: Up to 8.5” x 14” | Paper capacity: 60 sheets | Dimensions: 15.86 x 6.97 x 5.55 inches | Weight: 5.13 lbs

The HP DeskJet 3755 takes the place of the most affordable and smallest printer for heat press in my review. However, it is very easy to use and highly portable thanks to its compact size and wireless connectivity. Scanning, copying, and printing your designs is a breeze with it.

This printer features AirPrint functionality, which allows me to print my designs not only from a PC or laptop but also from a mobile phone. What’s more, to replace your empty cartridge, you can use HP’s Instant Ink service, allowing you to get and install a new one right at your home. Manufacturers have also taken care of the user experience as well, equipping this cheap printer with a seven-segment LCD to make it easy for everyone to use.

Type: Inkjet | Max print speed (B&W): 22 ppm | Function: Print, Copy, Scan, Fax | Connectivity: USB, wireless, mobile app | Paper size: Up to 11” x 17” | Paper capacity: 250 sheets/60 sheets | Dimensions: 17.3 x 13.48 x 10.94 inches | Weight: 20.43 lbs

Able to meet all your printing expectations, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9018e can easily become your best heat transfer printer. With HP thermal inkjet technology applied in this printer, you can enjoy top-quality prints with an enhanced resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi.

This device is a real boon for small industries, as it cannot offer huge print volumes. The monthly duty cycle is about 25 thousand pages, which means that about 1.5 thousand per month are available for printing. If your creative studio doesn’t need more than 50 pages per day, then take a closer look at this option, which can cover all your needs.

Type: Inkjet | Max print speed (B&W): 15 ppm | Function: Print, Copy, Scan | Connectivity: USB, wireless, mobile app | Paper size: Up to 8.5” x 14” | Paper capacity: 120 sheets | Dimensions: 14.2 x 14.7 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 13.6 pounds

This device has every chance to be your best printer for sublimation and heat transfer, as it managed to fit more than 4 thousand printing nozzles and 5 separate ink cartridges into its small design. What’s more, it pleases its users with unsurpassed print quality even at such high resolutions as 4800 x 1200 dpi. It’s a great option for small printing operations, and if you install a dedicated feed tray, it’ll handle transfer media just fine too.

Compactness is not the only advantage of this printer. I like that it provides a lot of wireless printing options including via Bluetooth, Google Cloud Print, and AirPrint to name a few. It also features the manufacturer’s ChromaLife100 technology, allowing you to enjoy your prints for years to come and be sure they won’t fade. This is exactly what is needed during the heat transfer process.

Type: Laser | Max print speed (B&W): 27 ppm | Function: Print | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet | Paper size: Up to 8.5” x 14” | Paper capacity: 300 sheets, 150 sheets | Dimensions: 18.5 x 16.2 x 11.6 inches | Weight: 41.70 lbs

The advantages of this laser printer are its large capacity and high-speed printing, however, like many analogs. This sublimation printer for heat transfer is a must-have for large productions with their high order volumes as it is capable of printing over 28 pages without sacrificing design quality.

I love that it offers multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB, or Ethernet. What’s more, installing this laserjet printer for crafters as the main one for the whole office is also available. It may seem too big at first glance, but given all its functionality, this is a fairly compact option that will fit perfectly in the corner of your office. During the initial installation, you may experience some difficulties, but they are easily solved, you just need to follow the instructions.

To find your best heat transfer printer, you need to pay attention to several critical parameters, such as print quality and speed, as well as compatibility with your other devices. All of these play an important role in the efficiency and service life of your printer.

Be sure to also check the range of media your device can print on to make sure it will work for your purposes. Check out my detailed guide on what to look for when buying an inkjet printer to choose a convenient and high-performance device.

Today’s market offers 2 types of printers – inkjet and laser. In order not to make a mistake when choosing, you need to decide on the tasks assigned to you. The first type uses ink cartridges, and the principle of printing is to spray microdrops on paper. Its cost is significantly lower than the opponent, but not everything is so simple here. Its cartridge will last for about 350 pages, which means you will have to install new ones quite often.

The second type comes with toner, which is enough for 1,500 to 5,000 sheets. It works based on laser technology, and accordingly frees you from ink micro-scratches on your designs and pleases the eye with clearer and brighter prints. This is a great choice for those who print quite a lot of documents.

Be aware of ink consumption as it is quite expensive to replace them. Most devices come with 3 colors of ink – yellow, cyan, and magenta – when properly mixed, you get the desired design. You can also find models that come with a black cartridge separately, as well as devices with 4-color CMYK cartridges, which give stunningly attractive results. Check that your printer for heat press allows you to replace one of the cartridges separately without removing all the others.

If you mainly print designs in black, then you can continue to use the remaining cartridge. In the case of color-centric prints, make sure you can remove the individual cartridges and the ink for them is inexpensive.

Print speed is measured in pages per minute (ppm) or copies per minute (cpm). Start with the number of pages you typically print per day.

For large businesses and handling many print jobs, you will obviously need a decent print speed – starting from 15 pages per minute (ppm). Don’t forget to check the color and duplex print speed.

If a USB connection seems inconvenient for you, then you can easily find options with a Wi-Fi connection that will allow you to send prints even from another room. Be prepared for the fact that you have to tinker a little with the settings and installing drivers.

If you want to print on the go, look for smartphone app-controlled options like the Canon IP8720 and Epson EcoTank ET-2850. In some of these applications, you can set up ink-low notifications, which will allow you to buy ink in advance.

If you plan to do thermal transfers, then obviously your device must support heat transfer paper. This is an unusual specialized paper required for heat press fabric printing. Consider all the above factors to choose your best printer for sublimation and heat transfer.