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.
Pressed for time! Here is a quick rundown of the sublimation inks that I will be reviewing. Each of these ink sets works very well for vibrant prints.
- Hiipoo Ink: Dries fast and doesn’t smudge at all
- A-SUB Ink: Budget-friendly set with great results
- Cosmos Ink: Best shelf life and excellent color accuracy
- Printers Jack ink: Widest color gamut and true reproduction
- Epson UltraChrome DS Ink: Best for a textile-based image printing
With over five years of experience with sublimation printing, I know how difficult it can be to choose the right sublimation ink as a beginner. 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. Hiipoo Sublimation Ink: Best value
- [Wide Compatibility] Hiipoo Sublimation Ink transfer printing ink refills for Stylus C88 C88+ ET-2720 ET-2760 ET-2800 ET-2803 ET-2830 ET-2850 ET-15000 ET-3760 ET-4800 ET-4700 ET-3830 ET-3850 ET-8550 ET-2710 ET-3710 ET-4760 ET-16600 ET-16650 printer; WorkForce WF3620 WF3640 WF7620 WF3540 WF3520 WF7010 WF7110 WF7210 WF7510 WF7520 WF7610 WF7710 WF7720 printer ect.
- [Great For DIY And On Demand Printing] The sublimation ink is ideal for mugs, T-shirts, cloth, pillowcases, shoes, caps, ceramics, boxes, bags, quilts, cross-stitched items, decorative clothes, flags, banners, etc. Bring your creations to life printing for every occasion, especially great as gifts for friends family, and more. (Note: Sublimation ink can only be used in fabrics containing less than 30% cotton.)
- [Colorfully Vibrant] Hiippo sublimation ink offers the most vibrant Intense colors that stand out and are sure to get noticed in any situation, the colors do not fade are long lasting and are wonderfully resilient. The water-based dye sublimation ink is of the finest texture and gradient for a smooth even coat of printer inks every time that will last as well as be wonderfully vivid. This ensures no print-head clogs with a stronger color reduction to offer intense and vibrant color images.
- [Professionally Certified Offering The Highest Quality Standard] This product holds the following certifications ISO-9001 and MSDS.The product has undergone rigorous scrutiny and quality checks to ensure the highest quality standards are met before delivery, in order to deliver the most potent, high-quality, stable, durable, and vibrant colors on the market today
- [Included Items] 1x100ml black sublimation ink; 1x100ml cyan sublimation ink; 1x100ml magenta sublimation ink; 1x100ml yellow sublimation ink; 4 x syringes; 4 x needles; 2 x gloves; 1x tape. This package makes it simple and easy to refill, making it wonderfully user & eco-friendly. This is a product that you will come to love as soon as you receive it.
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.
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.
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.
2. Printers Jack Ink: Best in terms of ink durability
- High quality sublimation ink for printer 15000 C288 C68 C88 C88+ ET4760 ET2650 ET2720 L3110 ET2750 ET2760 ET3760 ET3710 ET5800 ET7700 WF2860 WF2760 WF7710 XP200 XP300 XP310 XP320 XP400 XP4100 XP434 XP6000 XP6100 XP7100 XP8500 XP8600 XP970etc printer
- Free ICC Profile & DIY Your Life and Gifts. ICC profile can be free downloaded from Printers Jack. The heat transfer printer ink is suitable for T-shirt, cloth, pillow case, mug cup ,quilt, cross-stitch, shoe, cap, ceramics, box, bag, decorative cloth, flag, banner etc. Put your idea on your life and gifts.
- Vibrant Colors & Custom For Heat Transfer Ink. The water based dye sublimation Ink provides high heat transfer printing rate, and produces bright and vivid color. 3 layer filtered ink is formulated for heat press transfer printer. No clogging and print smoothly.
- Fade Resistant & Easy to Install and Refill. The refillable sublimation ink kit has strong stability and durability. It’s water resistant and light fastness, and no fading. Very easy to use.
- For Polyester . The dye sub inks is for polyester or products with coating; not for cotton. ISO 9001 Certified. We value our customers ‘s using experience.
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.
Compatibility and technical specs
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.
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.
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.
3. A-SUB Sublimation Ink: Best budget set
- A-SUB sublimation ink has always insisted on using premium raw materials and performing strict manufacturing processes, aiming for excellent sublimation results. The microfiltration process ensures smooth printing with no clogging issue. No harm to your printer.
- ASUB sublimation paper can perfectly work with this sublimation ink and allow you every project with vibrant and vivid colors, no fading.
- Compatible with EPSN desktop Inkjet printers, such as ET-2800 2803 2850 4760 2720 2760 15000 3710 3760 4700; WF-2830 3520 3640 3620 7510 7520 7610 7620 7710 7720 7210; C68 C88 C88+ and more
- Large volume, 120ml x 4 pack(Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), total 480 ml. Come with 4 syringes, allowing you to refill the ink tank easily
- Perfect for both home and business users to make customized T-shirts, Mugs, Mouse Pad, Pillow Case, etc. Great idea for making unique presents for Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year, Birthday
Pros
- Compatible with a wide range of substrates
- Eco-friendly ink
- Affordable
Cons
- Results may not be as premium when compared to a higher-end ink
Sublimation Ink Honorable Mentions
Below are more tired and tested sublimation ink sets that produce vibrant results, however, they are slightly harder to get hold of.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 may worry about which ink is best for your needs, however, the likes of Hiipoo, A-SUB, and even Printers Jack only offer negligible differences. 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, using the Epson EcoTank ET-15000, ET-2800, ET-2820, and even Epson’s SureColor F170, along with A-SUB sublimation paper.
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.
Sublimation ink FAQs
For the said Epson printers, I would recommend you go with Hiipoo or even the Printers-Jack inks. You can even go with Cosmos inks if a longer shelf-life is something that you seek.
No, every sublimation ink isn’t the same. They vary when it comes to the formulation — water or solvent-based, shelf-life, color accuracy, printer compatibility, and other factors.
No, it isn’t recommended to mix two ink variants. It might lead to color shifts, inconsistent prints, printer head clogging, and even hardware damage.
Yes, there are different types of sublimation ink, mainly segregated as water-based and solvent-based dye sublimation inks. Apart from the formulation, you can differentiate inks based on application and compatibility.
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.
