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An Epson EcoTank sublimation printer is a brand-new EcoTank that you fill with sublimation ink instead of Epson's ink, from day one. It works because EcoTanks use piezo printheads, which fire ink without heating it, and their refillable tanks make cheap sublimation ink easy to load. It's the lowest-cost way into sublimation.
It's also a one-way, warranty-voiding decision. Epson says non-genuine ink can cause damage not covered by its warranty, and once sublimation ink has gone through the printer, you can never go back to regular ink. Read the trade-offs below before you open a bottle, and compare with Epson's own sublimation printers, which avoid both problems.
The honest trade-offs
Most conversion guides bury this. We'll put it first.
- You lose warranty protection. Epson's EcoTank product pages state: "Use of non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered under the printer's limited warranty." If a converted printer's head fails, Epson won't cover it.
- There's no going back. Sublimation ink fills the tanks, tubes, dampers and printhead. You can't flush it out well enough to return to regular ink. The printer is a sublimation printer for life.
- Color is your job. Epson's drivers are tuned for Epson ink. With third-party sublimation ink, you'll rely on the ink maker's ICC profile or "no-profile" settings, and a few test presses.
- No manufacturer support for sublimation. Epson support won't troubleshoot ghosting, banding or color shifts on a converted printer. Your help is the ink maker and crafting communities.
- Clogs are on you. Sublimation ink is less forgiving of long idle periods. Print a nozzle check or small design weekly.
- Resale value drops. A converted printer can only be sold to another sublimation user.
If any of that is a dealbreaker, skip to Epson's official sublimation printers.
Quick picks
- Epson EcoTank ET-2400 – Best letter-size EcoTank to convert. Small, currently sold by Epson, listed by Hiipoo.
- Epson EcoTank ET-15000 – Best 13 x 19-inch EcoTank to convert, for adult shirt fronts.
- Hiipoo Sublimation Ink (Upgrade Version) – Best budget ink, sold as "Free ICC Printing."
- Cosmos Ink 2.0 EcoTank Sublimation Ink – Best for good color without profiles, in 140 mL bottles.
- A-SUB Sublimation Ink for Epson EcoTank – Best value ink volume, with autofill nozzles.
- Epson SureColor F170 – The official Epson alternative: factory sublimation with a warranty.
Comparison table
| Product | Type | Best for | Key spec | Warranty for sublimation use | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2400 | Printer to convert | Letter-size crafts | Epson 522 bottle system | No | Check price |
| Epson EcoTank ET-15000 | Printer to convert | Shirts up to 13 x 19 | 13 x 19 rear feed, 250-sheet front tray | No | Check price |
| Hiipoo Sublimation Ink | Ink | Budget | 127 mL black + 70 mL C/M/Y | n/a | Check price |
| Cosmos Ink 2.0 | Ink | Color without profiles | 140 mL per color | n/a | Check price |
| A-SUB EcoTank Ink | Ink | Volume | 150 mL black + 100 mL C/M/Y | n/a | Check price |
| Epson SureColor F170 | Factory sublimation printer | Warranty and simplicity | 8.5 in wide, 140 mL Epson bottles | Yes, 1 year | Check price |
The best EcoTanks to convert
Epson EcoTank ET-2400: Best Letter-Size EcoTank to Convert
Who it's for: hobbyists making mugs, tumblers, coasters and small shirt prints on the lowest budget.
The ET-2400 is a compact EcoTank all-in-one that Epson currently sells, and it uses the 522 bottle system. Hiipoo lists it by name for its sublimation ink, and its near-twin, the ET-2800 (also a 522-bottle printer), appears on the compatibility lists of Hiipoo, Cosmos Ink and A-SUB. If you find an ET-2800 new, it converts the same way.
It's a basic home printer, so expect letter-size work only and modest speed. For mugs and tumblers, that's all you need.
Pros
- Lowest upfront cost of any route into sublimation
- Compact enough for any craft desk
- Widely supported by EcoTank sublimation inks
Cons
- Letter-size only
- Warranty protection gone once you use sublimation ink
- Basic paper handling
Epson EcoTank ET-2400
by Epson
Epson EcoTank ET-15000: Best 13 x 19 EcoTank to Convert
Who it's for: side-hustle shirt makers who need adult fronts on one sheet.
The ET-15000 prints 13 x 19 inches through its rear specialty feed, with a 250-sheet front tray for everyday letter-size jobs. It connects by Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet, and Cosmos Ink, Hiipoo and A-SUB all list it as compatible. It's the cheapest way to get 13 x 19-inch sublimation prints.
Its Epson ink is the 502 system, but that doesn't matter for conversion: you'll never put Epson ink in it. It's bigger and pricier than the ET-2400, and oversized sheets feed one at a time.
Pros
- 13 x 19 prints for adult shirt fronts, totes and pillow covers
- Two paper paths: front tray and rear specialty feed
- Large tanks
Cons
- Mid-range price, all of it at risk without a warranty
- One sheet at a time for oversized prints
- Larger footprint
Epson EcoTank ET-15000
by Epson
The best sublimation inks for EcoTank
Pick one brand and stay with it. Mixing sublimation inks in the same printer can shift color and cause clogs. For a deeper comparison, see our sublimation ink guide.
Hiipoo Sublimation Ink (Upgrade Version): Best Budget Ink
Hiipoo's EcoTank sublimation ink comes as 127 mL black plus 70 mL each of cyan, magenta and yellow, and is sold as "Free ICC Printing," meaning Hiipoo says you don't need a separate color profile. Its compatibility list includes the ET-2400, ET-2800, ET-2850 and ET-15000. Hiipoo also sells a bundle with 110 sheets of 125 gsm paper, Teflon sheets and heat tape, which suits a first conversion.
Pros
- Low cost and widely available
- Lists both of our recommended EcoTanks
- Bundle option with paper and accessories
Cons
- Smaller color bottles (70 mL) than some rivals
- "No ICC needed" claims still require test presses to dial in
Hiipoo Sublimation Ink for EcoTank (Upgrade Version, Free ICC Printing)
by Hiipoo
Cosmos Ink 2.0 EcoTank Sublimation Ink: Best Color Out of the Box
Cosmos Ink's 2.0 formula comes in 140 mL bottles of each color, and the company says it's formatted for EcoTank printers so no color profiles are necessary. It markets the 2.0 version on improved color accuracy, "better reds and darker blacks," and says it's fully sourced and made in the USA. The compatibility list covers the ET-2800, ET-2850, ET-15000 and many more.
Pros
- 140 mL in every color, matching Epson's factory bottle size
- No-profile workflow, per Cosmos
- Long compatibility list
Cons
- Bottles don't include syringes (fine for EcoTank, not for cartridge printers)
- Usually costs more than budget brands
Cosmos Ink 2.0 EcoTank Sublimation Ink Refills
by Cosmos Ink
A-SUB Sublimation Ink for Epson EcoTank: Best Value Ink Volume
A-SUB's EcoTank ink set has a 150 mL black bottle and three 100 mL color bottles with autofill nozzles, and A-SUB says it's ICC-free and anti-UV (fade-resistant). Its list includes the ET-2800, ET-15000 and many other EcoTanks. A-SUB is also a big name in sublimation paper, which makes it easy to keep ink and paper from one brand.
Pros
- Large bottles for the price tier
- Autofill nozzles for clean refills
- Pairs naturally with A-SUB paper
Cons
- The ET-2400 isn't on its published list (the ET-2800 is)
- Fade-resistance claims are the maker's own
A-SUB Sublimation Ink for Epson EcoTank
by A-SUB
How to set up an Epson EcoTank sublimation printer, step by step
- Buy a brand-new EcoTank. Never one that has had Epson ink in it. Don't let the printer's included Epson bottles anywhere near the tanks.
- Unbox and set it up without ink. Remove packaging tape and connect the printer, but don't fill anything yet.
- Fill each tank with the matching sublimation color. Match colors carefully; a cyan bottle in the magenta tank is permanent. Use one ink brand only.
- Run the initial ink charge. Follow the printer's on-screen setup to prime the lines. It takes several minutes and uses a lot of ink.
- Print a nozzle check. Missing lines mean a clean is needed. Run a head cleaning, then check again.
- Install the driver and any profile. Use the ink maker's recommended settings or ICC profile. Some inks are designed to print without one.
- Set print settings. Typical starting point: high quality, the paper type your ink maker recommends, and mirror image on.
- Print on sublimation paper, then press a test. Colors look dull on paper and come alive in the press. Judge only the pressed result.
- Dial in. Adjust time, temperature and pressure from your blank supplier's settings, not the printer's. Our sublimation paper guide covers paper choice.
- Label the printer. Put a "SUBLIMATION INK ONLY" sticker on it so no one ever tops it up with regular ink.
Epson's official sublimation printers: the alternative
If the trade-offs above bother you, Epson sells factory sublimation printers that solve them. They ship with Epson's own dye-sublimation ink, drivers tuned for that ink, and a warranty that covers sublimation use.
| Epson model | Max width | Ink | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SureColor F170 | 8.5 in | T49M, 140 mL bottles | Sold through Epson and resellers |
| SureColor F370 | 13 x 19 in | T49M ink | Announced Sept. 2026, available November 2026 |
| SureColor F570 | 24.4 in roll | T49M, 140 mL bottles | Sold through Epson resellers |
The F170 is the direct competitor to a converted ET-2400. It's 8.5 inches wide, refills from 140 mL bottles like an EcoTank, and includes a 1-year unit-exchange warranty. It costs more than a converted EcoTank, but you keep the warranty, factory color and the option of calling Epson.
Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer
by Epson
Converted EcoTank vs Epson F170, side by side
| Converted ET-2400 | Epson SureColor F170 | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Budget | Mid-range (higher) |
| Ink | Third-party sublimation ink, cheapest per bottle | Epson T49M, 140 mL bottles |
| Color setup | Ink maker's profile or "no-profile" settings, plus testing | Epson driver tuned to Epson ink |
| Warranty | Epson won't cover damage from non-genuine ink | 1-year unit exchange that covers sublimation use |
| Support | Ink maker and online communities | Epson phone support |
| Can it go back to regular ink? | No | Not applicable: it's sublimation-only by design |
| Best for | Testing the hobby, low-stakes gifts | Anything you sell or rely on |
The real question is what a failure costs you. On a hobby printer, a dead head means buying another cheap EcoTank. On a printer filling paid orders, it means missed deadlines with no warranty to fall back on. That's why we suggest a conversion for experiments and a factory printer for income.
Epson F370 and F570 for bigger prints
The F370 is Epson's answer to the converted ET-15000: 13 x 19-inch prints, a 150-sheet 8.5-inch cassette plus a 15-sheet 13 x 19 tray, and a 1-year limited warranty. Epson says it uses genuine Epson ink only. The F570 is the production option at 24 inches. Read our Epson F170 review for the full picture.
Buying guide: choosing an Epson printer for sublimation
Only piezo printheads work
Sublimation ink must be fired without heating it, which is what Epson's piezo heads do. Most HP and Canon inkjets use thermal heads that boil the ink to fire it, and they aren't suitable; our HP printer for sublimation explainer goes into detail. That's why conversion guides are almost all Epson.
Bottles beat cartridges
EcoTanks are the easiest to convert because you just pour ink into tanks. Cartridge printers like some Epson WorkForce models can be converted with refillable cartridges (Cosmos Ink sells kits for specific WorkForce models), but it's fiddlier.
Size for your products
Letter-size covers mugs, 20 oz skinny tumblers and small shirt prints. Adult shirt fronts need 13 x 19, which means the ET-15000 among EcoTanks.
Budget for waste
Expect to use a meaningful share of your first ink set priming the lines, and to burn paper and blanks on test presses. Run the numbers on cost per print before deciding a conversion is "cheaper."
Sublimation cost-per-print calculator
The numbers filled in are examples only. Replace them with the prices on your own receipts and bills.
This adds up materials and press electricity only. It leaves out packaging, shipping, selling fees, equipment and your time, and it is not a price, income or profit estimate. Electricity uses the press's rated wattage, which overstates real use, because a press cycles its heater once it reaches temperature.
Common mistakes
- Converting a used printer. Leftover Epson ink contaminates the sublimation ink.
- Mixing brands. Pick one sublimation ink and stay with it.
- Skipping the mirror setting. Every sublimation print must be mirrored.
- Letting it sit. Long idle periods cause clogs; print weekly.
- Blaming the printer for ghosting. Ghosting is usually a pressing problem. See our sublimation ghosting fixes.
How we chose
We did not convert these printers ourselves. We used Epson's product pages for printer specs and warranty language, ink makers' own product pages for bottle sizes and compatibility lists, and recurring patterns from conversion threads and owner feedback. Every printer listed is currently sold in the US, and each ink lists the recommended printers (or a close sibling) as compatible.
FAQ
Can I convert my used Epson EcoTank to sublimation?
Not reliably. Regular Epson ink remains in the tanks, lines and printhead, and mixing it with sublimation ink muddies colors and can clog the head. Start with a brand-new printer.
Can I switch an EcoTank back to regular ink after sublimation?
No. Once sublimation ink has gone through the tanks, lines and head, you can't fully flush it out. The printer stays a sublimation printer for life.
Does converting an Epson EcoTank void the warranty?
In practice, yes. Epson states that use of non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered under the printer's limited warranty, and sublimation ink is non-genuine ink.
Does Epson make a sublimation printer?
Yes. Epson sells the 8.5-inch SureColor F170 and the 24-inch SureColor F570, and has announced the 13 x 19-inch SureColor F370 for November 2026. All ship with Epson sublimation ink and a warranty that covers sublimation.
Which Epson printer is best for sublimation conversion?
A new EcoTank: the ET-2400 or ET-2800 for letter-size work, or the ET-15000 for 13 x 19-inch prints.
Do I need ICC profiles for a converted EcoTank?
It depends on the ink. Cosmos Ink and A-SUB say their inks are formulated to print without a profile; others supply one. Follow the ink maker's settings either way. Our explainer on sublimation ink vs regular ink covers why the inks behave differently.
Verdict
A converted EcoTank is the cheapest way into sublimation, and an ET-2400 or ET-15000 with one quality ink brand works well for hobby use. But it's a permanent, warranty-free choice. If the printer will earn money, Epson's own SureColor F170, F370 or F570 is the safer buy; compare everything in our best sublimation printers guide.