Machines we research
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Lab status: every product page is marked researched until a machine we bought has been through the test protocol.
Research hub
Printers, inks and the true cost per print.
Every page here is research-stage: specs come from manufacturer documentation and are cited. Lab results appear as we test each machine. How we research & test
Picks come from our research guides (spec sheets, documentation and cited owner reports) — not lab results yet.
| Best for | Research pick | Why | From guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best researched 13-inch starter | Procolored F13 Panda (L1800) | 13 in roll-fed DTF with white-ink circulation and auto head cleaning at $2,399 (printer only) or $2,799 with oven, per Procolored. It publishes an ink figure (3.75 ml per A4) and a speed (about 10 min per A4). Windows-only software; powder is applied by hand. | Best DTF Printer for a Small Business: Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched pick for an automated workflow | xTool Apparel Printer Plus | 14 in, two Epson i1600 heads, and a bundle option with xTool's OS1 Shaker Oven that automates powdering, shaking and curing. $5,399 standalone; bundles $8,099 and $8,999. Printheads carry a 6-month warranty. | Best DTF Printer for a Small Business: Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched big-brand hybrid (DTG + DTF) | Epson SureColor F1070 Standard Edition | Epson's desktop hybrid prints directly on garments or on film, with Epson service and Garment Creator 2 software on Windows and macOS. $4,995 list. Sheet-fed, not roll-fed, and you still supply powder and curing for DTF. | Best DTF Printer for a Small Business: Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched pick for small designs on a budget | Procolored F8 Panda (L800) | 8.2 in wide A4 DTF at $1,599 (printer only) or $1,999 with oven, per Procolored. Good for left-chest logos, kids' sizes and small transfers. Too narrow for most adult full-front designs. | Best DTF Printer for a Small Business: Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched value for beginners | Epson SureColor F170 | Purpose-built by Epson for sublimation at $399, with 140 ml refillable bottles instead of small cartridges and a 150-sheet tray. Prints up to 8.5 × 47.2 in. Epson ink only; 1-year unit exchange warranty. | Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners: Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched for guided setup and support | Sawgrass SG500 | Sawgrass Print Utility with TruePix color management, free 1-on-1 setup training and a 3-year / 100,000-print warranty. Also runs Sawgrass's VersiFlex ink system for cotton. $275 printer only; $659.95 printer + ink + paper bundle. | Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners: Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched for larger prints | Sawgrass SG1000 | Prints up to 11 × 17 in (13 × 19 in with the optional bypass tray) for full-front polyester shirts and larger panels. Same Sawgrass software and warranty as the SG500. $1,699.95 bundle. | Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners: Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched step-up to roll printing | Epson SureColor F570 | 24.4 in roll-to-roll sublimation at $2,495 for all-over prints, blankets and batches of gang-printed mug wraps. 84 lb and 38.2 in wide without a stand, so it's a room-sized commitment. | Best Sublimation Printer for Beginners: Research Picks (2026) |
Status: researched — specs from manufacturer sources, not yet measured in our lab.
Production-class 13-inch DTF printer with dual Epson i1600 heads, timed white-ink stirring and neoStampa RIP.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Hybrid printer that prints directly on garments (DTG) or on transfer film (DTFilm) with Epson CMYK + white ink.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Factory dye-sublimation desktop printer with refillable ink bottles, 8.5 in paper width and a 150-sheet tray.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
24-inch desktop dye-sublimation printer with roll feed, cutter and refillable ink bottles.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
13-inch 6-channel DTF printer with white-ink circulation and stirring; oven kit adds HTVRONT’s DO1 oven.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
13-inch roll-fed DTF printer with a single Epson L1800 head and white-ink circulation; oven sold in bundles.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Entry A4 roll-fed DTF printer (8.2 in / 210 mm width) on an Epson L800 head; about 22 lb.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
13-inch beginner DTF printer with Procolored’s LH-600 head, timed white-ink circulation and a touchscreen.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Tabloid-size (11 x 17 in) version of Sawgrass’s purpose-built sublimation printer; 13 x 19 in with bypass tray.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Purpose-built desktop sublimation printer for prints up to 8.5 x 14 in, with Wi-Fi and a 3-year warranty.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
DTF printer with dual Epson I1600 heads and 14-inch width; auto powder, shake and cure need xTool’s shaker oven.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Newsletter
New research, price changes and test results as they land. Written for people who make things to sell.