Best Sublimation Printer for Mugs (2026): 4 Picks Compared

A mug that comes out faded or patchy usually starts with a print that was never fully transferred, and a bundle that leaves out ink or paper stops a mug project before it starts. That is the job the best sublimation printer for mugs is built for: a printer and bundle that puts a full-color design onto a coated mug, with the paper, blanks and tape a first run needs.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This article is a comparison of items from different listings, and no listing was used in person. We rely on the listing descriptions, specs and features, and independent checks. For more, see our Affiliate Disclosure. How We Pick page explains the weights.

Compare

These four printers and bundles cover the full bundle route and the title-only route: a Brother starter bundle with a full ink set and blanks, a Generic bundle with paper and a cleaning kit, a Sawgrass bundle with inks and TruePix paper, and a compact Epson format. The table below lines up bundle contents, paper, connectivity and warranty so a mug project can be matched to what is actually included.

Printer	HQ Score	Bundle	Paper	Connectivity	Safety	Warranty
Brother SP-1 Bundle	9.6/10	Full inks, 50 blanks, tape	160 sheets, 8.5 x 11	Wi-Fi and Ethernet	Not stated	Not stated
Generic Printer Bundle	9.5/10	Printer, cleaning kit, tape	100 sheets	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated
Sawgrass SG500	9.7/10	4 pack inks, TruePix paper	TruePix paper	Not stated	Not stated	3 year warranty
Epson SureColor F170	9.7/10	Ink, user guide, power cable	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated

Picks

Each pick below is scored on the same five weights: performance, build, value, safety and warranty. A pick scores on warranty only where the listing states a term, and on safety only where it states a safety feature. Where a listing states no figure, the field says Not stated rather than guessing.

How we scored

Each printer is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty. Performance follows how well the listing fits mug printing: a full bundle with ink, paper and blanks scores higher than a printer with only a title to go on. Build follows the bundle and format the listing states. Value follows what the bundle includes for the price a buyer pays, without any price claim in this article. Safety scores only where a safety feature is stated, and warranty scores only where a term is stated. How We Pick page explains the weights in full.

What the listings tell you

The Brother bundle carries the fullest listing here: a full CMYK ink set, 160 transfer sheets, 50 blanks, tape and design software, with Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. Its warranty description reads as a date, not a term, so no warranty term is counted for it. The Generic bundle is less clear: its package list says OEM inks are not included, while another line says the starter kit includes high-quality sublimation ink, so ink inclusion cannot be settled from the listing alone. The Sawgrass title states a 3 year warranty and a 4 pack of 31 mL inks, which is the clearest warranty term in this set. The Epson title states a compact 8.5 x 11 format with genuine Epson ink, a user guide and a power cable, and nothing further.

Buying guide: choosing the best sublimation printer for mugs

A mug printing bundle is judged first on what arrives in the box, because a missing item stops a project. Ink, paper, blanks and tape are the parts that matter most, and a bundle that includes all of them leaves fewer gaps than a printer sold on its own.

Bundle contents and ink

Start with ink: the Brother bundle includes a full set of CMYK inks, 47 ml each, so a first design can be printed without a separate ink order. The Generic bundle is less certain, because its package list says OEM inks are not included while another line says the starter kit includes high-quality sublimation ink. The Sawgrass bundle includes a 4 pack of 31 mL SubliJet UHD inks, and the Epson title includes genuine Epson ink. Paper matters next: the Brother bundle includes 160 sheets, 150 sheets of ProSub paper and 10 sheets of Brother paper, while the Generic bundle includes 100 sheets. Blanks matter too: the Brother bundle includes 50 sublimation blanks, which covers a run of mug designs without a separate blank order.

Paper size and mug printing

Paper size sets what a design can cover: the Brother sheets are 8.5 x 11 inches, and the Epson format is 8.5 x 11, so both suit the small designs a mug carries. The Generic bundle gives a sheet count of 100 sheets but no sheet size, and the Sawgrass title gives TruePix paper with no sheet count or size. For mug work, a coated mug is the surface the design transfers to, and the Generic listing notes its printing tip for light colored polyester fabrics and polyester coated items with up to 30% cotton content, which covers coated mugs and light colored polyester items. A mug press machine is the companion item for pressing a printed design onto a mug, and it is worth checking separately, since none of these listings includes one.

Connectivity and software

Connectivity decides how a design reaches the printer: the Brother bundle lists Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, with Windows, Mac and app compatibility, and the Artspira design software app as a digital download with 100 sublimation designs. The other listings state no connectivity and no software, so a buyer who wants a phone or tablet workflow should weigh the Brother bundle more heavily. The Generic listing also advises storing sublimation paper in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity, which is a practical note for keeping paper usable between projects.

Project Match

• If you need a complete starter bundle, look at the Brother SP-1 Bundle with its full CMYK ink set, 160 sheets and 50 blanks.
• If you need a printer with paper and a cleaning kit, look at the Generic Printer Bundle with 100 sheets and a printhead cleaning kit.
• If you need a bundle with inks and paper and a stated warranty, look at the Sawgrass SG500 with its 4 pack of 31 mL inks and 3 year warranty.
• If you need a compact format printer, look at the Epson SureColor F170 with its 8.5 x 11 format and genuine Epson ink.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

How does sublimation printing work for mugs?

A sublimation printer prints a design onto sublimation transfer paper, and the design then transfers onto a coated mug surface. The bundles here include the paper for that step, and the Brother bundle adds 50 sublimation blanks and heat resistant tape.

Do these bundles include ink?

The Brother bundle includes a full set of CMYK inks, 47 ml each. The Sawgrass bundle includes a 4 pack of 31 mL SubliJet UHD inks. The Generic bundle is unclear: its package list says OEM inks are not included, while another line says the starter kit includes high-quality sublimation ink.

What paper size do these printers use?

The Brother sheets are 8.5 x 11 inches. The Epson format is 8.5 x 11. The Generic bundle gives 100 sheets with no sheet size stated. The Sawgrass title gives TruePix paper with no sheet count or size stated.

Which printer has the longest warranty term stated?

The Sawgrass SG500 lists a 3 year warranty in its title. The Brother warranty description gives a date, not a term. The Generic bundle and the Epson title state no warranty term.

Related lists

For more on the companion gear and the wider craft range, see the mug press machine guide, the sublimation tumblers guide, the sublimation printer versus inkjet printer comparison, and the laser engraver versus sublimation printer comparison. The heat presses and sublimation category page lists more items in this range.