Best sublimation Ink 2024: our top picks for vivid prints

Sublimation ink is essential for achieving long-lasting and high-quality prints on various surfaces. Regardless if you are a seasoned professional looking for a top-up or a sublimation beginner, choosing the best sublimation ink is crucial for brighter prints. To ensure you walk away with the right ink, we will be looking into factors such as color accuracy, compatibility with different substrates, and resistance to fading.

With over five years of experience with sublimation printing, I know how difficult it is to pick the right sublimation ink. Some are affordable but have subpar print longevity, whereas some bring in the best color vibrancy and last a lifetime but can burn a hole in your pocket.

To make things simple, we will list the various recommended sublimation ink brands, along with their immediate features and compatibility. This will allow you to quickly pair the right ink with the best sublimation printer.

Sublimation Ink Brands	Color Management	Color Vibrancy	Drying Time	Fade Resistance	Compatibility
Hiipoo	Requires ICC	Bright, vivid colors	Fast (2 minutes)	Good	Wide range
Cosmos	ICC-Free Printing	Accurate color reproduction	Average	Excellent	High compatibility
Printers-Jack	May require ICC profile	Enhanced black density	Average	Good	Wide range
Sawgrass Sublijet HD	May require ICC profile	Exceptional color vibrancy	Average	Excellent	Sawgrass printers only
Epson UltraChrome DS	May require ICC profile	Exceptional color vibrancy	Fast (2-3 minutes)	Excellent	Epson SureColor printers only

Best sublimation ink

I tested over ten sublimation ink variants, sequencing them per the color quality, price, and a wide range of metrics. In the end, I decided that only five there actually fit in — focusing perfectly on the balance between affordability, quality, availability, and ease of usage. While Cosmos ink ticks a lot of compatibility boxes, the value from Hiipoo is hard to beat.

1. Cosmos Ink: Best in terms of color accuracy and vibrancy

Pros

• Water-based eco-friendly formulation
• Excellent printer and heat press compatibility
• Meant for almost every type of substrate
• Enhanced color longevity

Cons

• Compatibility suffers with non-Epson printers.
• Requires high maintenance and frequent print head cleaning

Cosmos ink comes widely recommended, with excellent compatibility, color accuracy, and color vibrancy. This ink type makes sense if you are interested in printing promotional DIY items, apparel, and even home decor essentials. 

Key features

• High ink consistency
• A sub-$100 price point for the entire set
• Requires minimal maintenance
• Compatible with Workforce and Epson EcoTank inkjet printers

Compatibility and technical specs

While this sublimation ink works like magic with a handful of Epson Ecotank printers, it is also compatible with different heat presses like the draw-style and clamshell ones.

The ink comes across as a water-based mix known for eco-friendliness and excellent print quality.  This ink can be used in WF-77220 and other cheap workforce models too, but you need to use refillable cartridges which are not so easily available on the market.

Why is it on the list?

There are two reasons to specifically put this on our list. First of all, the price tag for a set of 6 120ml bottles is reasonable.

2. Hiipoo Sublimation Ink: Best value

No products found.

Pros

• Smudge resistant
• Doesn’t require ICC profiles to print the best designs
• Affordable
• Works well with Epson’s convertible pieces

Cons

• Not recommended for non-Epson printers

Not many sublimation ink picks are as affordable as the Hiipoo sublimation ink. But the best part about Hiipoo is that the ink quality is top-notch and doesn’t depend on the printer’s ICC profiles. Simply put, it supports ICC-free sublimation printing. 

Key features

• High print transfer rate
• Compatible with a wide range of substrates
• Water-based formulation with a quick drying time

Compatibility and technical specs

Hiipoo ink variants are compatible with Epson printers — preferably the EcoTank and even Workforce variants. As for the heat press compatibility, I liked using the same with a handful of clamshell variants, including the Cricut EasyPress. The design transfer percentage was as high as one could expect.

Other ink-specific technical traits include high saturation for improved color accuracy, zero ink fading, excellent permeability that leads to better transfers, and the waterproof nature of the prints. Also, the diameter of the ink particles is only 50% of that of the ink outlet, ensuring zero instances of printer head blockages. 

Why is it on the list?

Firstly, it is the well-balanced ink formulation that places it on the list. Next, this ink variant can work with a wide range of substrates — ceramics, metal, textiles, and more. Finally, the drying time of under 2 minutes makes it worth every dime you spend on it.

And yes, if you are unsure about the pricing, you can either get the 4-bottle deal or the 6-color ink set. Do note that the prices might vary depending on deals and availability.

You can check out the Hippo Ink on Amazon right here.

3. Printers Jack Ink: Best in terms of ink durability

No products found.

Pros

• Compatible with a wide range of substrates
• Eco-friendly ink
• Affordable without quality compromises

Cons

• It might require additional cleaning and maintenance.

If you prioritize vibrant, high-saturation designs, the Printer Jack sublimation ink can be a lifesaver. While the color reproduction is top-notch, you can use this ink for a wide range of substrates, including home decor items, custom apparel, and whatnot. 

Key features

• Waterproof finish
• Smudge resistant
• Affordable
• Works well with almost every heat press machine

Compatibility and technical specs

For starters, you can use the Printers Jack Ink with Epson’s workforce and EcoTank inkjet printers. I tested the prints with the Geo Knight DK20S heat press, and the results came out as excellent, making this sublimation ink a great choice for most swing-away and drawer-style heat presses.

Even the Printers Jack Ink is water-based but boasts excellent print longevity. What works even better is the waterproof finish. Plus, the ink boasts excellent permeability and can quickly dry out in under 2 minutes for some designs. Also, the ink is moderately smudge-resistant and hardly bleeds. 

Why is it on the list?

While it boasts several premium traits, it is the price point for a set of 6 that makes it appear on the list. Plus, the prints made using the Printers Jack Ink lasted just as long as the others. 

You can check out the Printers Jack Ink on Amazon right here.

4. Sawgrass Sublijet HD Ink: Best for professionals

No products found.

Pros

• Offers professional-grade print quality
• Widest possible heat press compatibility
• Smudge resistance
• Dries faster than most other inks on the market

Cons

• Doesn’t work as well with non-Sawgrass printers

If you seek premium sublimation ink that works wonders with Sawgrass sublimation printers, the Sublijet HD Ink is the one to get. What sets it apart from the rest is the exceptionally wide color gamut, allowing you to use the same for a wide range of printing jobs. Also, this ink scales above the rest in terms of sharpness, detail, and color vibrancy. 

Key features

• High substrate composability
• Quick drying ink
• Consistent performance with SG-series printers

Compatibility and technical specs

The Sublijet HD Ink works well with almost every Sawgrass sublimation printer, including the SG-500, SG-1000, and even the Sawgrass Virtuoso picks like the SG800 and SG400. Also, this ink type is compatible with almost every type of heat press around, including the likes of clamshell and drawer-style.

Why is it on the list?

It is the quick drying time of less than 180 seconds that makes it one of the more sought-after sublimation inks. Plus, it is smudge and bleed-proof, allowing you to get the best possible designs and subsequent clean transfers without breaking a sweat.

5. Epson UltraChrome DS Ink: Best image quality

Pros

• Color consistency is impeccable.
• Best for image printing on t-shirts and other apparel types
• Works with multiple substrates
• Water-based eco-friendly formulation

Cons

• Limited compatibility with non-Epson printers
• The price is still on the higher side.

If you want a sublimation ink that is great at printing images and presenting colors the best possible way, courtesy of the rich and deep blacks, the Epson UltraChrome DS Ink is the name to consider. 

Key features

• The black ink from the set of 6 stands out
• Wide heat press compatibility
• Excellent color accuracy

Compatibility and technical specs

The Epson UltraChrome DS Ink is compatible with Epson’s SureColor printers, especially the ones from the F-series. I tested the same with the F9200, and the results were exemplary. The ink formulation is such that the color accuracy stands out, followed by the best-in-class saturation.

I tested it with a wide range of heat presses, and the design transfer percentage was always above 95%, easily. The water-based ink formulation makes it eco-friendly, all while keeping the prints last longer than ever. Finally, while the ink responds the best to textiles as the choice of substrate, you can even use the same with mouse pads, metallic surfaces, and even ceramics, with exceptional results.

Why is it on the list?

The ink is smudge-resistant and dries in under 120 seconds. But the primary reason for having this one on the list is the price point for a set of six massive cartridges. Therefore, despite the premium quality, the Epson UltraChrome DS Ink is cheaper than the Sublijet HD variant. 

Hippoo vs Printers Jack vs Cosmos Ink: Comparing the best

As a beginner, you might want to go in-depth into the top inks, especially when the likes of Hiipoo, Cosmos, and even Printers Jack hardly offer a wide range of differences to go with. With compatible printers and almost similar drying times, it can get a tad overwhelming to choose the right ink.

But I have you covered as I have tested each ink separately, obviously using the Epson EcoTank 4700 and the ASUB sublimation paper, and have located the differences for you. Here is how the top three printers differ based on the tested parameters:

1. Color vibrancy

• Hiipoo: Mostly bright colors with high permeability for better absorption and high saturation.

• Cosmos: The black density ensures that the color contrast is the best

• Printers Jack: Focuses more on offering the exact color reproduction and the widest possible color gamut

2. Color management

• Hiipoo: Can print without reliance on ICC profiles and is very easy to use

• Cosmos: Might need ICC profiles to achieve color accuracy and contrast

• Printers Jack: Might need ICC color profiles to make use of the color gamut

3. Smudging and drying time

• Hiipoo: Dries the fastest in under 2 minutes, and there is no smudging whatsoever.

• Cosmos: Does smudge all that easily and takes close to 3 minutes for the ink to dry. 

• Printers Jack: Might smudge a bit and also has the longest drying time.

4. Clogging and eco-friendliness

• Hiipoo: Water-based ink formulation with the least chance of clogging

• Cosmos: Water-based but requires maintenance and cleaning of the printer head

• Printers Jack: Water-based and less likely to clog, but not as good as Hiipoo

5. Shelf life

• Hiipoo: Average

• Cosmos: Longest (almost two years)

• Printers Jack: Average

6. Printer compatibility

• Hiipoo: Compatible with a wide range of convertible Epson printers 

• Cosmos: Can work with printers other than Epson, high compatibility

• Printers Jack: Mostly compatible with Epson printers

7. Fade resistance

• Hiipoo: Decent fade resistance

• Cosmos: Decent fade resistance

• Printers Jack: Excellent fade resistance and longevity

If you are in the market for some easy-to-use sublimation ink variants with excellent drying time, Hiipoo sublimation ink makes sense. However, for greater color contrast, multi-printer compatibility, and excellent shelf-life, I would recommend Cosmos over anything else. And if you view accurate color reproduction as a priority along with the widest possible color gamut, you can pick Printers-Jack inks. 

Things to consider when buying sublimation ink

If you are new to sublimation printing, we have put together a few key factors to think about before purchasing your chosen ink. Most of the topics below have been discussed above but hopefully, these will help clear up any uncertainties before you start printing.

Printer compatibility

Before you go ink shopping, make sure that the type is compatible with the sublimation printer you are using. While some inks are widely compatible with a lot of different printers, others are better suited for specific types or brands.

Color accuracy and vibrancy

If you want true-to-life colors over anything else, Cosmos Ink variants make more sense. Therefore, it is advisable to check the accuracy and vibrancy of the colors, preferably by testing a few prints in real-time, before buying. Color accuracy can be a bit subjective but our top selections all offer pretty good accuracy and vibrant results.

Ink formulation

Before you pick sublimation ink for printing, you need to check the ink formulation. There are water-based ink types like Hiipoo boasting excellent print quality and eco-friendliness, whereas some solvent-based ink types might offer a higher level of color longevity while not being that environment-friendly. At the end of the day, it is your choice to make.

Substrate compatibility

You might want to go with an ink type that works well across substrates. The UltraChrome DS from Epson is one such variant, allowing you to work well with the likes of metal, fabric, ceramics, and more. 

Drying time and smudging 

It is important that the ink you use dries quickly and does not smudge. We have listed the drying times above to give you a rough idea. Always check if there is ink ghosting or bleeding involved by taking out a few demo prints.

Value

If you are starting out and have a basic sublimation printer — even a convertible — to work with, going budget-friendly is advisable. Affordable inks are of a decent standard these days and an option such as Hiipoo sublimation ink will yield excellent results for less.

Sublimation ink FAQs

Final word

And that’s everything you need to know when it comes to picking the best sublimation ink. Just to reiterate, always double-check your personal requirements and printer ink alignment before buying any type of sublimation ink. Rest assured that you generally can’t go wrong with either Cosmos, Hiipoo, or Printers Jack ink, just make sure you check compatibility first.