Best Sublimation Ink for Vibrant and Durable Prints: Top 5 Picks (2024)

Printing your high-resolution design on a substrate requires the best sublimation ink. Quality ink will not only produce vibrant photos, it won’t peel off or fade anytime soon. An efficient sublimation printing process using good sublimation ink will result in a high level of consistency, which will directly impact the quality of the finished product and your business.

When it comes to applying inks to substrates, such as your T-shirts, mugs, and other transferable items, it’s crucial to find the right ink that will produce the best results. Knowledge is power, but without the right equipment or supplies, even the most seasoned printing expert will struggle to achieve the results they need. Here, we’ll review the top sublimation inks of 2024 that deliver bright results, and advise the printer compatibility.

Also, see the top sublimation printers for beginners in 2024.

Top 5 Best Sublimation Inks

After multiple sublimation testing on different substrates, we found that the “Printers Jack is the best ink for sublimation”!

We tested over a dozen sublimation inks based on consumers’ reviews and found these 5 producing high-definition prints. In addition, these links did not decolorize or peel off after a few washes!

1. Printers Jack – Best for Epson EcoTank

2. Hiipoo – Best Selling among Professionals

3. Sawgrass Sublijet HD – Best for Sawgrass Sublimation Printers

4. WOKOK – Cheap Sublimation Ink

5. AOPANE Anti-UV – Best Anti UV Sublimation Ink

Top Picks

1. Printers Jack

Best for Epson EcoTank

Printers Jack sublimation ink is best suited with Epson EcoTank printers. We like the fact that this ink prints a realistic printing effect on a range of substrates with a long-lasting retention time.

The Printers Jack ink adopts the latest three-layer filtering technology to produce vivid colors without clogging. And, it is eco-friendly, water-resistant and light-resistant, so your prints will look great and last a long time.

This ink is formulated to provide high-definition prints with easy installation and refill-ability, with no hasty hassles involved. So, if you are looking for an efficient and high-quality sublimation ink for EcoTank printer, then the Printers Jack sublimation ink is the perfect option!

Best Suited Substrates

• Cotton and polyester fabric shirts, bags, pillowcase, caps, face masks, flags, banners, etc.
• Ceramic and porcelain mugs
• Metal tumblers and cans
• Glass
• Wood ornaments

Compatible Printers

The Printers Jack sublimation ink is compatible with the following printer models;

• Epson EcoTank ET-2760, ET-2750, ET-2700, ET-2650
• Epson EcoTank ET-3700, ET-3710, ET-3750, ET-3760
• Epson EcoTank ET-4700, ET-4750, ET-4760
• Epson EcoTank ET-5800, ET-5850, ET-5880
• Epson EcoTank ET-7750, ET-7700
• Epson EcoTank ET-15000, ET-16600, ET-16650
• Epson EcoTank L3110
• Epson WorkForce WF-2860, WF-2760, WF-7710

2. Hiipoo

Best Selling among Professionals

The Hiipoo sublimation ink is one of the best-selling inks among professionals. This water-based dye sublimation ink provides high heat transfer printing rates and produces bright and vivid colors with high saturation, and without any ICC profiles. Best of all, it is fast drying, waterproof and does not fade over time.

Our sublimation printing team like Hiipoo’s syringe-free design of the bottles, which makes them easy to refill to avoid the trouble of cleaning any spilled ink, and it prevents ink overflow and leakage.

Plus, the ink is certified in ISO-9001 and MSDS, meaning you can be confident in its quality and durability.

Read features of best sublimation printers for heat transfer in 2024.

Best Suited Substrates

• Cotton and polyester T-shirt, pillowcase, mask, cap, cross-stitch, banner, sock, etc.
• Ceramic mug and cup
• Flip flop
• Metal tumbler

Compatible Printers

• Epson EcoTank ET-2720, ET-2760, ET-2710, ET-2700, ET-2750
• Epson EcoTank ET-2800, ET-2803, ET-2830,, ET-2850
• Epson EcoTank ET-3710, ET-3760, ET-3700, ET-3750
• Epson EcoTank ET-4760, ET-4750, ET-4700
• Epson EcoTank ET-7750, ET-7700
• Epson EcoTank ET-15000
• Epson EcoTank ET-16600 ET-16650
• Epson Stylus ST-2000, ST-3000, ST-4000

3. Sawgrass Sublijet UHD

Best for Sawgrass Sublimation Printers

The Sawgrass Sublijet UHD inks are some of the best sublimation inks on the market. They are made in the USA and offer vibrant, high-quality prints that are sure to impress your customers.

The standard capacity ink cartridges come in cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and they produce beautiful, consistent prints every time.

The only downside to these inks is that they are not compatible with all Sawgrass sublimation printers, so be sure to check the compatibility before purchasing. We highly recommend Sublijet UHD if you are looking for high-quality sublimation inks.

Best Suited Substrates

• Wide range of polyester, cotton, and blended fabric items
• Hard surfaces such as metal and glass
• Ceramic mugs, jars and cups

Compatible Printers

• Sawgrass SG400, SG500, SG1000

4. WOKOK

Cheap Sublimation Ink

The WOKOK sublimation ink is relatively affordable and a great choice for anyone who owns an EcoTank printer. The ink is designed specifically for these printers and is easy to use, with no clogging.

The colors are bright and clear, and the ink has strong stability against fading. Because the ink is ISO-9001 and MSDS certified, you can be sure of its quality and durability.

We recommend WOKOK sublimation ink if you are looking for ink that is perfect for sublimation printing on polyester or polyester-coated items. It produces high-quality prints with vibrant colors that will last- you won't be disappointed!

Best Suited Substrates

• Polyester, polyester coated items (T-shirt, cloth, pillowcase, quilt, cross-stitch, shoe, cap, bag, flag, banner, etc.)
• Polyester coated ceramic mugs

Compatible Printers

• Epson EcoTank ET-2720, ET-2760, ET-2750
• Epson EcoTank ET-2800, ET-2850, ET-2803
• Epson EcoTank ET-3700, ET-3710, ET-3750
• Epson EcoTank ET-4750
• Epson EcoTank ET-5800, ET-5850, ET-5880
• Epson EcoTank ET-7700, ET-7750
• Epson EcoTank ET-16600 ET-16650, L3110

5. AOPANE Anti-UV

Best Anti UV Sublimation Ink

We all suffer from faded prints on t-shirts and often wonder what is anti-UV sublimation ink to prevent the fading for long-lasting colors. The AOPANE sublimation ink offers fade resistance and vibrancy.

It has anti-UV protection to help keep your prints looking great for longer, is easy to install and refill, and dries quickly so you can get back to work fast.

And if that’s not enough, it comes with a 1-year manufacturer satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure you are making a quality purchase.

Hence, if you are looking for an ink that will offer your prints the best possible protection and vibrancy, then this will suit best to your needs!

Best Suited Substrates

• Polyester, cotton, blended fabrics and other natural fibers
• Ceramic mugs, plate
• Mouse pad
• Glass
• Metal tumblers

Compatible Printers

• Epson Stylus C68, C88, C88+, C288
• Epson WorkForce WF-3540, WF-3520, WF-3640, WF-3620
• Epson WorkForce WF-7010, WF-7110, WF-7510, WF-7520, WF-7610, WF-7620, WF-7710, WF-7720, WF-7210, WF-2750
• Epson EcoTank ET-2650, ET-2750
• Epson ET-3700
• Epson EcoTank ET-4750

Here's a guide to do sublimation on nylon.

Things to Consider Before Buying Sublimation Ink

It has become a nightmare to find a quality sublimation ink that is best suited for your printer because the market is saturated with multiple choices. However, there are a few features you should consider before purchasing the right sublimation ink:

Quality of the Ink: Make sure to choose an ink that produces vibrant colors and doesn’t fade away easily. The colors of the ink should be eye-catchy and attractive to the viewers.

Compatibility:It is important to select an ink that is compatible with your printer type. Otherwise, it will not fit in your printer and will be wasted. Also, compatible inks ensure high-print quality and performance.

The Cost:Consider the price of the ink and also how much you will be spending in the long run on replacement inks. Some inks are more expensive but may last longer.

Ease of Use: Choose an ink that is easy to install and doesn’t require much effort. The ink should be easy to use, so that you don’t have to spend a lot of time trying to get it to work.

Clogging: Clogging can cause serious damage to the printer's head and buying the best sublimation ink can prevent this problem. Check if the ink is prone to clogging your printer’s heads. Clogging can cause serious problems and lead to a lower quality print.

Read the comparison of sublimation printer and regular printerto choose your ink accordingly.

Conclusion: Which Sublimation Ink Is Best?

So, without a doubt, it is clear that you need the best sublimation ink to get impressive results. The best sublimation ink will not only provide you with vibrant prints, it won’t peel off or fade anytime soon. However, with so many choices on the market, it may be difficult to find the one that is perfect for you.

Printers Jack is our top priority due to their true color and reliable prints, plus these inks are Anti-UV. The Hiipoo is our second recommendation, it is most popular among professionals because of vibrant and accurate color printing. Our third recommendation is the WOKOK sublimation ink, it works best with Epson printers, however, you can use it with other sublimation printers as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which sublimation ink is best?

Printers Jack is the best sublimation ink. The best sublimation ink is the one that is compatible with your printer, produces vibrant colors, and doesn’t fade away easily. It is also important to find an ink that is easy to use and doesn’t clog your printer’s head.

What is the best Amazon sublimation ink?

We believe Printers Jack is the best sublimation ink on Amazon. However, there is no definite answer to this question as different people have different opinions. Some inks may work better with some printers than others. It is important to do your research before purchasing ink and to read the reviews to get an idea of what others have thought about it.

Are all sublimation inks the same?

No, all sublimation inks are not the same. Each ink has its own unique set of features that you should take into account before purchasing. It is important to do your research and find the ink that is best suited for your needs.

Can I switch brands of sublimation ink?

Yes, you can switch brands of sublimation ink as long as the ink is compatible with your printer. However, it is important to do your research to make sure that the ink is the best fit for your printer. Inks vary in price, quality, and compatibility, so it is important to find the one that is perfect for you.

Does clogging damage the printer?

Yes, clogging damages the printer. Clogging can damage the printer's head, so it is important to find ink that doesn't clog your printer's head. Clogging can cause a lower quality print and serious damage to the printer.

Where can I buy sublimation ink?

You can buy sublimation ink from a variety of places, such as Amazon, eBay, or your local printer store.