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Short verdict: the Epson F170 sublimation printer is the best value factory sublimation printer for anyone who works at 8.5 inches wide or less. It ships with Epson's own dye-sublimation ink, refills from 140 mL bottles, and skips the warranty and color headaches of a converted EcoTank. Its one real limit is width: it won't print a full adult shirt front.
This review is based on Epson's published specifications, authorized-retailer listings and recurring owner feedback. We haven't run the printer ourselves; where the evidence is thin, we say so.
Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer
by Epson
At a glance
Best for: mugs, tumblers, coasters, mouse pads, ornaments, phone cases, chest logos and youth shirts.
Skip it if: you need adult shirt fronts on a single sheet, want to use cheap third-party ink, or need to print regular documents on the same machine.
Pros
- Factory sublimation ink and matched drivers: no conversion, no guesswork
- 140 mL refillable bottles with auto-stop filling keep cost per print low
- 150-sheet auto-feed tray, plus USB, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet
- Small and light (10.2 lb), with a 2.4-inch color LCD
Cons
- 8.5-inch maximum width
- Designed for Epson ink only
- 1-year standard warranty
- Epson's own store has shown it out of stock at times; supply comes through resellers
Epson F170 sublimation printer specs
All figures are from Epson's product page.
| Spec | Epson SureColor F170 |
|---|---|
| Model | C11CJ80201 |
| Printhead | PrecisionCore MicroTFP, variable-sized droplets |
| Nozzles | 784 (400 black, 128 each cyan, magenta, yellow) |
| Max resolution | 1200 x 600 dpi |
| Max sheet size | 8.5 x 47.2 in |
| Min paper width | 3.5 in |
| Margins | 3 mm left and right |
| Paper capacity | Up to 150 sheets (Epson DS Multi Use transfer paper) |
| Ink | Epson T49M bottles, CMYK, 140 mL each |
| Ink shelf life | 2 years from production, or 6 months after opening |
| Connectivity | Hi-Speed USB, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet |
| Display | 2.4-in color LCD |
| Size (printing) | 14.8 x 19.8 x 7.4 in |
| Size (storage) | 13.7 x 13.7 x 7.4 in |
| Weight | 10.2 lb |
| Warranty | 1-year unit exchange, toll-free phone support |
What stands out
It's a real sublimation printer, not a conversion
This is the F170's biggest selling point. Before it launched, the cheap way into sublimation was buying an EcoTank and filling it with third-party ink, which meant gambling the warranty and tuning color by trial and error. The F170 arrives with Epson's sublimation ink in the box and drivers built for it. Epson describes it as the first 8.5-inch desktop dye-sublimation printer from the company for home and small business, and the price tier put factory sublimation within reach of hobbyists.
For a beginner, that changes the learning curve. Your first failures will be about pressing time and pressure, not about whether your ink and profile match.
The ink system is cheap to run for a factory printer
The F170 refills from 140 mL T49M bottles that use auto-stop filling, like an EcoTank. That's far more ink per refill than the 47 mL cartridges in Brother's SP-1 or the 20–31 mL cartridges in Sawgrass's SG500. Exact cost per print depends on coverage, but bottle-fed ink is the cheapest way to run a factory sublimation printer.
Two things to plan for. The ink lasts 2 years from production or 6 months after opening, so don't stockpile. And sublimation inkjets like steady use, so print something every week or so to keep the head healthy.
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.
Print quality: good for the purpose, not a photo printer
The F170's head is rated at 1200 x 600 dpi with variable droplet sizes. That's lower than the 4880 x 1200 dpi Sawgrass retailers quote for the SG500, and lower than the F570's 2400 x 1200 dpi. On a mug or shirt, though, the quality of the blank, the paper and the press usually matter more than the dpi number. Sublimation dye also spreads slightly as it turns to gas, which softens the gap between resolutions on fabric.
The complaints that come up in owner feedback are color accuracy, plus occasional wireless connectivity hiccups. The color issue is partly a sublimation trait (colors look dull on paper and change when pressed) and partly about using the right paper setting in Epson's driver. Press test strips before blaming the printer.
Media handling covers more than letter size
The 8.5-inch width is fixed, but Epson lists a maximum sheet size of 8.5 x 47.2 inches. Long, narrow designs such as wraps and banners are possible. Minimum width is 3.5 inches, which is handy for pre-cut mug sheets like 3.5 x 9-inch papers. The 150-sheet tray is generous for a printer this size.
Epson recommends its DS Multi Use transfer paper, but third-party sublimation papers are widely used. See our sublimation paper guide for picks.
Connectivity and setup
USB, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet cover every setup. The 2.4-inch LCD with buttons is basic but enough. Epson ships Mac and Windows print software tuned for dye-sublimation. Its product page lists older operating systems, so check Epson's support page for current driver support before you buy.
What size can the Epson F170 print? Real projects
| Project | Typical transfer size | Fits on the F170? |
|---|---|---|
| 11 oz mug | about 3.5 x 9 in | Yes |
| 15 oz mug | about 4 x 9.5 in | Yes |
| 20 oz skinny tumbler | about 8.2 x 9.3 in wrap | Yes, on letter paper |
| Coaster, ornament, keychain | under 4 in | Yes, many per sheet |
| Mouse pad | about 9 x 7.5 in | Yes |
| Left-chest logo, youth shirt front | 3–10 in wide | Yes |
| Adult shirt front | 10–12 in wide, 12–14 in tall | No, too wide |
| Pillow cover, tote front | 14–16 in | No |
Mug paper sizes above match the pre-cut sheets A-SUB sells for 11 oz and 15 oz mugs. Shirt sizes are common decorator conventions.
Ink: can you use third-party ink in the F170?
Epson designs the F170 for Epson ink only, and that's the safe answer. Some third-party ink makers, including Cosmos Ink and A-SUB, now list the SC F170 as compatible with their sublimation inks. That's tempting, because third-party ink usually costs less.
The trade-off is the same as with an EcoTank conversion: you risk the warranty, Epson's driver settings no longer match your ink, and mixing inks in the lines can cause problems. If cheap third-party ink is the goal, it's more honest to convert an EcoTank and keep the F170 on Epson ink.
Warranty and support
The F170 comes with a 1-year unit-exchange warranty and toll-free phone support on weekdays. Epson offers paid extensions through its Preferred Plus plans. That's shorter than Sawgrass, which gives SG500 and SG1000 printers bought on or after October 1, 2025 a 3-year or 100,000-print warranty, and shorter than the 2-year limited warranty US retailers list for the Brother SP-1.
Epson F170 vs the alternatives
| Printer | Max width | Ink | Warranty | Choose it if | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson SureColor F170 | 8.5 in | 140 mL Epson bottles | 1 year | You want the cheapest factory sublimation printer | Check price |
| Brother SP-1 | 8.5 in (8.5 x 14) | 47 mL cartridges | 2 years (US retailers) | You want an app-guided workflow | Check price |
| Sawgrass SG500 | 8.5 in (8.5 x 14) | 20/31 mL cartridges | 3 yr / 100K prints* | You want color management and support | Check price |
| Epson SureColor F370 | 13 x 19 in | Epson T49M ink | 1 year | You need adult shirt fronts (ships November 2026) | |
| Converted EcoTank ET-2400 | Letter-size | Third-party bottles | None for ink damage | You want the lowest cost and accept the risks |
*For printers bought on or after October 1, 2025.
Brother SP-1
The SP-1 is the closest rival. It prints legal-size at up to 1200 x 2400 dpi and its Artspira app includes 100+ sublimation designs and AR previews, which makes it friendlier for phone-first beginners. But its 47 mL cartridges cost more to run than the F170's bottles. Our Brother SP-1 vs Epson F170 comparison goes point by point.
Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer
by Brother
Sawgrass SG500
The SG500 costs more up front and per milliliter of ink, but adds Sawgrass Print Utility color management, a VersiFlex option for light cotton, and the longest warranty in the class. If you're starting a business and want someone to call, it's the better buy. Our Sawgrass SG500 vs SG1000 page breaks it down.
Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer
by Sawgrass
Epson SureColor F370 and F570
If 8.5 inches feels tight, Epson's SureColor F370 prints 13 x 19 inches, with a 150-sheet 8.5-inch cassette plus a 15-sheet 13 x 19 tray. Epson announced it in September 2026, with availability in November 2026. For production widths, the 24-inch Epson F570 is the next step.
A converted EcoTank
An ET-2400 filled with sublimation ink costs less than the F170, and refills are cheaper. But you lose warranty protection for ink damage, can never return to regular ink, and handle color profiles yourself. For a first printer, we'd pay the difference for the F170.
Epson EcoTank ET-2400
by Epson
Setting up the Epson F170: what to expect
Setup is closer to a regular home printer than to a conversion project.
- Unpack and place it with room behind and above for the paper tray. In use, Epson lists it at 14.8 x 19.8 inches.
- Fill the tanks from the included T49M bottles. Match each bottle to its color-marked tank; Epson's auto-stop filling stops the flow when the tank is full.
- Let it charge the ink through the system. This uses some of the first bottles, which is normal for any tank printer.
- Connect by USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and install Epson's sublimation print software for Mac or Windows.
- Run a nozzle check before your first transfer.
- Print a test design on sublimation paper with mirror turned on, and press it on a cheap blank before you judge color.
Expect to spend your first session on a few test presses. That's sublimation, not the printer: time, temperature and pressure decide how the color lands.
Common Epson F170 problems and quick fixes
| Symptom | Likely cause | First thing to try |
|---|---|---|
| Lines or gaps across the print | Partially clogged nozzles | Nozzle check, then a head cleaning |
| Print looks dull on paper | Normal for sublimation ink | Press a test; judge only the pressed result |
| Pressed colors look faded | Wrong paper side, too little time or heat, or uncoated blank | Print on the coated side; check supplier settings and blank coating |
| Blurry double image | Paper shifted while pressing (ghosting) | Tape the transfer, peel in one motion |
| Text reads backward | Mirror setting off | Turn on mirror in the driver or design app |
| Wireless drops mid-job | Network issues | Use USB or Ethernet for big jobs |
| Paper won't feed | Paper too narrow, curled or stuck together | Check the 3.5-inch minimum width; fan and flatten the stack |
Clogs are the problem to prevent rather than fix. Print a small design every week or so, and keep the printer covered from dust.
Epson F170 vs F370: wait or buy now?
The F370, which Epson says will be available in November 2026, shares the F170's headline print specs (784 nozzles, up to 1200 x 600 dpi, T49M ink) but adds a 13 x 19-inch tray alongside a 150-sheet 8.5-inch cassette, a guided touchscreen setup, and transfer paper modes for fabrics and hard goods. It's priced in a higher tier.
If your work is drinkware and small items, the F370's extra width is money you won't use, so buy the F170. If adult shirts are on your roadmap, the F370 is the more sensible Epson.
Who should buy the Epson SureColor F170
- Hobbyists and gift makers doing mugs, tumblers, ornaments and small shirt prints.
- Etsy and craft-fair sellers whose bestsellers are drinkware and small items.
- Schools and makerspaces that need a safe, factory-supported sublimation setup.
Who should skip it
- Adult t-shirt sellers. You'll outgrow 8.5 inches fast; see our sublimation printers for shirts guide.
- Ink bargain hunters. If you want third-party ink, a converted EcoTank is the honest route.
- Anyone needing one printer for everything. The F170 is sublimation-only.
How we evaluated
We didn't test the F170 ourselves. This review draws on Epson's published specifications and product pages, authorized-retailer listings, ink and paper makers' compatibility notes, and recurring patterns in owner feedback from crafting communities. We compared it against printers currently sold in the US at similar widths and price tiers.
FAQ
Can the Epson F170 print on regular paper?
It's a dedicated dye-sublimation printer that ships with sublimation ink, so it isn't meant for everyday documents. Anything printed on plain paper with sublimation ink won't look like a normal print.
Can I use third-party sublimation ink in the Epson SureColor F170?
Some third-party brands list the F170 as compatible, but Epson designs it for Epson T49M ink only. Other ink puts the warranty at risk, and Epson's color settings won't match it.
What is the largest print the Epson F170 can make?
Width is limited to 8.5 inches. Epson lists a maximum sheet size of 8.5 x 47.2 inches, so it handles long, narrow designs, but not 11 x 17 or 13 x 19.
Does the Epson SureColor F170 come with ink?
Yes. Epson says it ships with genuine dye-sublimation ink. Replacements are T49M bottles (T49M120 black, T49M220 cyan, T49M320 magenta, T49M420 yellow), 140 mL each.
Is the Epson F170 good for sublimation shirts?
For chest logos, sleeves and youth sizes, yes. For a full adult front, it's too narrow; look at the Sawgrass SG1000 or Epson's upcoming SureColor F370.
Verdict
The Epson SureColor F170 is the easiest recommendation in desktop sublimation: factory ink, low running cost and a price that makes sense for hobbyists and small sellers. Buy it if your work fits within 8.5 inches. If you need adult shirt fronts, skip it and go 13 x 19. See all the options in our best sublimation printers roundup.