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Sublimation paper is a coated transfer paper that holds sublimation ink on its surface and releases it as a gas in the heat press. The coating decides how much dye reaches your blank, so a cheap paper with a weak coating means duller colors and wasted blanks. A good one gives you brighter prints with the same ink.
The best sublimation paper for you depends on three things: your printer (desktop Epson, Sawgrass or wide-format), your size (letter, legal or 13 x 19), and your blanks (fabric or hard goods). Here are seven real papers currently sold in the US, with the trade-offs.
Quick picks
- A-SUB 125gsm 8.5 x 11 – Best overall. The everyday paper for EcoTanks and Epson F-series.
- A-SUB 3.5 x 9 Mug Paper – Best for mugs. Pre-cut 3.5 x 9-inch, 125gsm sheets for 11 oz mugs.
- Hiipoo 120gsm 8.5 x 14 – Best legal size, for tumblers and longer wraps.
- Cosmos Ink Sublimation Paper 13 x 19 – Best 13 x 19 for adult shirt fronts.
- TexPrint DT/light – Best pro paper for Epson piezo printers.
- Epson DS Multi-Use Transfer Paper – Best for Epson SureColor F170 and F570.
- Sawgrass TruePix – Best for Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000.
Comparison table
| Paper | Best for | Weight | Sizes | Best with | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-SUB 125gsm | Overall | 125 gsm | 8.5 x 11 in, 110 to 2,200 sheets | Epson EcoTank, Epson F-series | Check price |
| A-SUB 3.5 x 9 Mug Paper | Mugs | 125 gsm | 3.5 x 9 in, 100 sheets | Any sublimation inkjet | Check price |
| Hiipoo 8.5 x 14 | Legal-size wraps | 120 gsm | 8.5 x 14 in, 110 sheets | Inkjets with sublimation ink | Check price |
| Cosmos Ink | 13 x 19 prints | 100 gsm | 8.5 x 11 in, 13 x 19 in, 100 sheets | Epson and Sawgrass | Check price |
| TexPrint DT/light | Pro Epson work | 105 gsm | Sheets and rolls | Epson piezo printers | Check price |
| Epson DS Multi-Use | Epson SureColor | Not listed here | Sheets for F-series trays | Epson F170, F570 | Check price |
| Sawgrass TruePix | Sawgrass printers | Not listed here | Desktop sheets | Sawgrass SG500, SG1000 | Check price |
The best sublimation papers, reviewed
1. A-SUB 125gsm 8.5 x 11: Best Overall
Who it's for: most desktop sublimators, especially converted EcoTanks and the Epson F170.
A-SUB is the name most people mean when they search for "a sub sublimation paper," and for good reason. Its 8.5 x 11-inch, 125 gsm paper is rated by A-SUB at a transfer rate of at least 98%, dries instantly, and prints on the white side. A-SUB says it works on light-colored polyester with up to 30% cotton, plus mugs, mouse pads, phone cases, metal plates, bags and pillows. You can buy it in 110-sheet packs, three-packs of 330, or bulk boxes of 1,100 and 2,200 sheets.
A-SUB doesn't sell this one as a tacky paper, so on stretchy fabrics use heat tape or a light spray adhesive to prevent shifting.
Pros
- Proven, widely used paper at a budget-friendly price
- Bulk sizes bring the per-sheet cost down
- Heavy enough to hold dense designs
Cons
- Letter size only in this listing
- Not marketed as tacky; plan on tape for fabric
A-SUB 8.5 x 11 Inch Sublimation Paper 125gsm, 110 Sheets
by A-SUB
2. A-SUB 3.5 x 9 Mug Paper: Best for Mugs
Who it's for: anyone making mugs in volume.
Pre-cut sheets save time and paper. This A-SUB pack holds 100 sheets of 125gsm paper cut to 3.5 x 9 inches, the usual wrap size for an 11 oz mug, so you print and press without trimming. A printer like the Epson F170, which accepts paper as narrow as 3.5 inches, can feed these directly. A-SUB also sells a separate 4 x 9.5-inch size for 15 oz mugs; buy that one if most of your blanks are the larger mug.
Pros
- No trimming, no waste for 11 oz mug runs
- Same 125gsm weight as A-SUB's letter-size paper
- 100 sheets per pack
Cons
- Only useful for mugs
- 15 oz mugs need the separate 4 x 9.5-inch size; no tape included
- Check your printer's minimum paper width before buying
A-SUB Sublimation Paper 3.5 x 9 Inch 125gsm, 100 Sheets
by A-SUB
3. Hiipoo 8.5 x 14, 120gsm: Best Legal Size
Who it's for: tumbler makers and anyone printing longer wraps on a legal-capable printer.
Legal size (8.5 x 14) gives you more length for tumbler wraps and lets you fit more small designs per sheet. Hiipoo's 110-sheet pack is 120 gsm and claims a transfer rate over 98%. It pairs naturally with Hiipoo's EcoTank sublimation ink, and with legal-capable printers like the Brother SP-1 and Sawgrass SG500.
Pros
- Legal size for longer wraps
- Good value from a brand most EcoTank users already know
- Slightly lighter than A-SUB, which some printers feed better
Cons
- Confirm your printer feeds legal paper
- Transfer-rate figures are the maker's own
Hiipoo Sublimation Paper 8.5x14 Inch, 110 Sheets, 120gsm
by Hiipoo
4. Cosmos Ink Sublimation Paper: Best 13 x 19
Who it's for: shirt makers with a 13 x 19-capable printer such as the Sawgrass SG1000 (with bypass tray) or a converted ET-15000.
Cosmos sells its 100 gsm paper in 8.5 x 11 and 13 x 19-inch packs of 100 sheets. It says the paper helps reduce printhead strikes on the edges and paper jams, releases ink strongly, leaves no residue, and works on both hard and soft blanks with Epson and Sawgrass printers. It's the natural partner for Cosmos Ink's own EcoTank ink.
Pros
- 13 x 19 size for adult shirt fronts
- Designed to work without color profiles alongside Cosmos ink
- Hard and soft blanks
Cons
- Lighter 100 gsm paper can cockle under very heavy ink coverage
- Performance claims are the maker's own
Cosmos Ink Sublimation Paper 13x19
by Cosmos Ink
5. TexPrint DT/light: Best Pro Paper for Epson
Who it's for: production shops and serious sellers on Epson piezo printers.
Beaver Paper's TexPrint is a long-standing professional dye-sub paper. The DT/light version is a 105 gsm paper with a coating designed for Epson desktop sheet and roll printers, for soft and hard substrates, in a wide range of sheet and roll sizes. Note the sibling: TexPrint DT/H (120 gsm) is designed for Ricoh and Virtuoso gel-ink printers, so pick the right one.
Pros
- Professional paper designed specifically for Epson piezo heads
- Sheet and roll formats
- Soft and hard substrates
Cons
- Usually costs more than Amazon-brand papers
- Easy to buy the wrong version (DT/light vs DT/H)
TexPrint DT/light Sublimation Paper
by Beaver Paper
6. Epson DS Multi-Use Transfer Paper: Best for Epson SureColor
Who it's for: Epson SureColor F170 and F570 owners who want a matched system.
Epson lists DS Multi-Use transfer paper as the paper for the F170's 150-sheet tray, and its driver settings are built around Epson's own papers. If you want the fewest variables when matching color, use Epson ink, Epson paper and Epson's driver settings together.
Pros
- Matched to Epson's ink and driver settings
- Easiest way to troubleshoot color on an F-series printer
Cons
- Typically pricier than third-party paper
- Only worth the premium on an Epson F-series printer
Epson DS Multi-Use Transfer Paper
by Epson
7. Sawgrass TruePix: Best for Sawgrass Printers
Who it's for: SG500 and SG1000 owners.
Sawgrass recommends TruePix sublimation paper with its inks and color profiles, including for standard sublimation jobs on VersiFlex-configured printers. Because Sawgrass Print Utility manages color for its own system, staying with TruePix removes a variable when something looks off. (For cotton with VersiFlex, you'll use VersiFlex Light paper instead.)
Pros
- Matched to Sawgrass ink and color management
- Simplifies support conversations with Sawgrass
Cons
- Sawgrass-only advantage
- Premium price tier
Sawgrass TruePix Sublimation Paper
by Sawgrass
Buying guide: how to choose sublimation transfer paper
Match the paper to your printer and ink
The coating is designed around a type of ink. TexPrint makes this explicit with separate papers for Epson piezo printers (DT/light) and Ricoh/Virtuoso gel printers (DT/H). Factory systems (Epson F-series, Sawgrass) work best with their own papers. For converted EcoTanks, the ink maker's recommended paper is the safest start; our EcoTank conversion guide covers ink and paper pairings. Still choosing a printer? See the best sublimation printers.
Paper weight (gsm)
Most desktop sublimation paper is between about 100 and 125 gsm. Heavier papers hold more ink and resist curling under heavy coverage, which suits dense designs and full shirt fronts. Lighter papers feed easily and cost less, and are fine for mugs and small designs. If your prints show wavy cockling or head strikes, try a heavier paper.
Tacky or non-tacky
Most everyday desktop papers, including the ones above, aren't sold as tacky, which is fine for hard goods taped in place. Tacky papers grip polyester when heated so the paper doesn't move as the press opens, which prevents ghosting on stretchy fabrics and all-over prints. If you're fighting doubled images on shirts, see our sublimation ghosting fixes.
Size
| Paper size | Best for |
|---|---|
| Pre-cut mug sheets | 11 oz and 15 oz mugs |
| 8.5 x 11 in | Most crafts, 20 oz skinny tumblers, coasters, chest prints |
| 8.5 x 14 in | Longer tumbler wraps, more designs per sheet |
| 11 x 17 / 13 x 19 in | Adult shirt fronts, totes, pillows |
| Rolls | Wide-format printers such as the Epson F570 |
Printable side
Always print on the bright white, coated side. A-SUB states its white side is the printable side. A print on the wrong side looks faded and transfers poorly. When loading a new pack, check which way your printer feeds (face up or face down) and mark the stack so you don't waste sheets.
Storage
Sublimation paper absorbs moisture from the air, which can cause blotchy transfers. Keep packs sealed, store flat, and pre-press fabric blanks for a few seconds to remove moisture.
Transfer-rate claims
"98% transfer rate" figures come from the manufacturers. They're useful for comparing a brand's own papers, but between brands, judge by your pressed results.
Sheets vs rolls
Sheets suit every desktop printer and make it easy to switch between sizes. Rolls only make sense on wide-format printers such as the Epson F570, where you can gang many designs together and cut automatically. Roll paper saves waste at volume but ties you to one paper width per roll.
How much sublimation paper do you need?
Plan by project, not by sheet, and add a buffer for tests.
| Project | Typical layout | Sheets per item |
|---|---|---|
| 11 oz or 15 oz mug | One pre-cut mug sheet, or two wraps per letter sheet | 1 pre-cut, or about half a letter sheet |
| 20 oz skinny tumbler | One wrap per letter sheet | 1 |
| Coasters (about 4 in) | Several per letter sheet | A fraction of a sheet |
| Youth shirt or chest print | One per letter or legal sheet | 1 |
| Adult shirt front | One per 13 x 19 sheet | 1 large sheet |
For a first month of practice and small sales, a 110-sheet letter pack is plenty. Move to 1,000-sheet bulk boxes once you know which paper you like, since buying in bulk usually lowers the cost per sheet.
Troubleshooting sublimation paper problems
| Problem | Likely paper-related cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Faded, weak transfer | Printed on the wrong side, or a paper with a weak coating | Print on the bright coated side; try a better-coated paper |
| Wavy paper, ink smears at edges | Heavy ink coverage on light paper (cockling) causing head strikes | Use a heavier paper, lower ink density or let prints dry before pressing |
| Blotchy patches | Paper or blank absorbed moisture | Store paper sealed; pre-press fabric for a few seconds |
| Blurry double image | Paper moved when the press opened (ghosting) | Tape securely, peel in one motion, or try tacky paper on fabric |
| Paper residue on the blank | Low-quality coating or excess heat | Switch paper; check time and temperature |
| Colors wrong compared with screen | Paper not matched to ink or profile | Use the ink maker's recommended paper and settings |
If ghosting keeps coming back, it's usually a pressing problem rather than the paper; our sublimation ghosting guide walks through every cause.
How we chose
We didn't test these papers ourselves. We compared manufacturers' and sellers' product pages (A-SUB, Hiipoo, Cosmos Ink, Beaver Paper, Epson and Sawgrass) for weights, sizes and compatibility, and weighed recurring owner feedback from sublimation communities. Where a maker didn't publish a spec, we left it blank rather than guess.
FAQ
Can I use regular paper for sublimation?
No. Regular paper absorbs ink into its fibers and won't release it under heat. Sublimation paper's coating holds the dye on the surface so it can turn to gas and transfer.
Which side of sublimation paper do you print on?
The bright white, coated side. A-SUB, for example, says its white side is the printable side. If a brand prints a logo on the back, use the other side.
Is A-SUB sublimation paper good?
It's one of the most widely used papers for converted EcoTanks and Epson F-series printers. A-SUB rates its 125 gsm paper at a transfer rate of at least 98%, in packs from 110 sheets up to 2,200-sheet bulk boxes.
What is the difference between sublimation paper and sublimation transfer paper?
Nothing; they're the same product. Don't confuse it with inkjet heat transfer (iron-on) paper, which works with regular ink and leaves a film on the fabric.
Do I need tacky sublimation paper?
For mugs, tumblers and small shirt prints, standard paper and heat tape are fine. Tacky paper helps prevent ghosting on stretchy polyester and all-over prints.
Does sublimation paper go bad?
Not quickly, but humidity is its enemy. Paper that has absorbed moisture can print and transfer unevenly. Keep packs sealed in their bag, store them flat in a dry room, and use opened packs within a reasonable time. If old paper gives blotchy results, a brief pass in the heat press before printing can help drive out moisture.
Verdict
A-SUB's 125gsm paper is the best sublimation paper for most desktop users: proven, affordable and available in bulk. Move to TexPrint DT/light for professional Epson work, and stay with Epson DS or Sawgrass TruePix if you run a factory system. Pair your paper with the right ink using our sublimation ink guide, and dial in your settings with the sublimation temperature chart.