7 Reasons Why You Should Buy a White Ink Sublimation Printer in
A white ink sublimation printer allows full color printing on light fabrics, mugs, wood, and more. Learn why a white ink printer is perfect for t-shirts, apparel, decorations, signs, and unlimited customizable products.
Reviews of the best sublimation printers like the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG400 that use white ink for vibrant prints.
I recently decided to invest in a white ink printer for my home business, and it was one of the best purchases I’ve made. As a crafter and entrepreneur, the ability to print full-color designs onto white or light-colored fabrics and hard goods has opened up many new product possibilities.
What Is a White Ink Sublimation Printer?
A white ink sublimation printer is designed to print a layer of white ink underneath your design, creating a solid base for vibrant colors to sit on. This makes it possible to print full-color images on light fabrics, coated hard surfaces, and even dark substrates when used with the right materials.
It works just like regular sublimation, but the added white underbase makes your designs pop with extra brightness and detail.
Check comparison that how it stacks up against regular sublimation:
| Feature | White Ink Sublimation | Regular Sublimation |
|---|---|---|
| Print on dark substrates | ✅ Yes (with white underbase) | ❌ No |
| Supported fabrics | Polyester, cotton blends (with prep) | White/light polyester only |
| Vibrancy | High | Medium |
| Typical use | Apparel, mugs, signage, decor | Apparel, mugs |
7 Reasons To Buy White Ink Sublimation Printer
After doing lots of research, I settled on the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG400 as my sublimation printer of choice. Here are the top 7 reasons why I think a white ink sublimation printer is an excellent investment:
1. Print Vibrant Colors on Light Fabrics
The key benefit of a white ink printer is printing vibrant, entire colors onto light fabrics like white t-shirts, shoes, mugs, and more. The white ink acts as an under base for bold, bright prints that really pop. This allows so much more creativity and customization for products.
2. Perfect for Printing Apparel
Sublimation printing with white ink excels at apparel decoration. You can print professional-quality full-color logos, designs, and photos onto light-colored shirts, hats, shoes, and more. Way better than screen printing!
3. Print Directly onto Hard Surfaces
Unlike traditional inkjets, sublimation ink permanently bonds with specially coated hard surfaces like mugs, plates, wood, acrylic, etc. So, you can print excellent full-color graphics on various products.
4. Cost Effective for Short Runs
Sublimation printing is highly cost-effective for short runs compared to screen printing or embroidery. There are no setup fees, and you can print on-demand. Perfect for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
5. Get High-Quality Results
With photographic quality printing up to 1440 dpi, a white ink sublimation printer will give you professional, long-lasting results every time. Vibrant, permanent colors that won’t fade.
6. Wide Range of Use Cases
From t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, sportswear, signage, decorations, puzzles, and much more – a white ink sublimation printer opens up endless possibilities for unique, customizable products.
7. User Friendly and Safe
Modern sublimation printers are designed for easy everyday use. They are safe for home and office use with ink cartridges that avoid mess and spills.
Sawgrass Virtuoso SG400 Sublimation Printer Bundle with Inks and Paper
Complete bundle from Sawgrass includes the SG400 sublimation printer, full set of SubliJet-HD inks, and 110 sheets of sublimation paper made in Japan. Authorized Sawgrass dealer.
Features:
- Sawgrass Virtuoso SG400 dye sublimation printer
- Set of SubliJet-HD ink cartridges in CMYK colors
- 110 sheets of 8.5″ x 11″ sublimation transfer paper
- Made in Japan SUBLIMAX brand paper
- 1 year warranty and support from Sawgrass
- Creative Studio design software included
- Works on polyester fabrics and hard surfaces like mugs, tiles, etc.
- High quality sublimation printing up to 8.5″ x 14″
- Authorized Sawgrass dealer – buy with confidence
Sawgrass SG1000 Sublimation Printer Bundle
Professional Print Quality
Vibrant CMYK sublimation printing for custom apparel, drinkware, and signage
Complete Starter Bundle
Includes SubliJet UHD inks & TruePix paper (11” x 17” print capacity)
Smart Connectivity
Wi-Fi enabled with MySawgrass design software & auto-maintenance
👍 Pros
- • Professional-grade print resolution
- • Complete starter kit included
- • Wi-Fi connectivity & smart software
- • Expandable bypass tray for large prints
👎 Cons
- • High initial investment cost
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Limited to 11″ width without bypass
- • Specialized ink/paper requirements
Technical Specifications
- • Dimensions: 17.25″D x 15.75″W
- • Print Speed: 25 ppm mono
- • Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- • Output: Full-color
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Price & availability may change.
Discover Sublimation Printing
Learn all about sublimation printing and explore our complete printer guide, featuring detailed analysis in our Reviews section.
Color accuracy is a huge factor in print quality. Learn how to dial it in with our 5 Steps to Perfect Color Matching in Sublimation Printing.
Cost Breakdown – Is It Worth It?
If you want to print short runs, offer lots of product variety, and keep costs manageable, white ink sublimation hits the sweet spot between affordability and professional results.
It’s a smart investment for small businesses, Etsy sellers, and print shops that want flexibility without the massive overhead of DTG or screen setups.
A quick side-by-side comparison:
| Method | Upfront Cost | Per Print Cost | Maintenance | Best For | Long-Term Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Ink Sublimation | 💰 $800–$2,000+ (printer + starter kit) | 🧾 Low (mainly ink & paper) | 🧼 Moderate (regular cleaning) | Apparel, mugs, signage, décor | ⭐ High — wide range of products, fast ROI |
| Regular Sublimation | 💰 $300–$800 | 🧾 Low | 🧼 Low | Light polyester, coated hard goods | 👍 Good — limited to light materials |
| DTG (Direct-to-Garment) | 💰 $3,000–$15,000+ | 🧾 Medium–High (pretreat + ink) | 🧼 High | Cotton shirts, full-color prints | ⭐⭐ High — but bigger investment |
| Screen Printing | 💰 $500–$2,000 (press, screens, inks) | 🧾 Low (bulk) | 🧼 Moderate (cleanup, setup) | Bulk apparel runs | 👍 Great for volume, less flexible for one-offs |
How to Maintain a White Ink Sublimation Printer
Regular maintenance keeps your white ink printer running smoothly, prevents clogging, and gives you consistent, vibrant prints. You can follow these step at home or in your shop.
📝 Step 1: Run a Daily Nozzle Check
Running a quick nozzle check at the start of each day helps spot problems before they get serious. It keeps white ink flowing through the lines and ensures there are no early signs of clogs.
🌀 Step 2: Gently Agitate the White Ink
White ink settles quickly because of its heavier pigments. Gently shake or roll the cartridge for a few seconds each day to keep everything evenly mixed. Don’t shake too hard, just a light roll is enough.
💧 Step 3: Flush White Ink Lines Weekly
Once a week, flush the white ink lines using cleaning solution and a syringe. This removes any pigment buildup and keeps the lines clear, which is especially important if you don’t print daily.
🧼 Step 4: Wipe the Capping Station and Wiper Blade
White ink can dry and form crust around the capping station and wiper blade, which causes poor sealing and nozzle issues. Use lint-free wipes soaked in cleaning solution to gently wipe away any dried ink.
🕒 Maintenance Schedule Recap
- Daily: Nozzle check + gentle agitation
- Weekly: Flush white ink lines + clean capping station
- Monthly: Deep clean and inspect for buildup
📌 Pro Tip: Print a small white ink swatch every couple of days even if you’re not running jobs. It helps prevent settling and keeps the lines active.
Real Cost & Profit Snapshot (Mini Case Study)
Let’s talk real numbers. A white ink sublimation setup might seem like a bigger investment upfront, but the profit potential is impressive once you break it down.
| Scenario | Cost per Shirt | Sell Price | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| White ink sublimation (light tee) | $3.25 | $18.00 | $14.75 |
| Regular sublimation (white tee) | $2.50 | $15.00 | $12.50 |
| Screen printing (bulk run) | $2.00 | $12.00 | $10.00 |
👉 When I added white ink sublimation tees to my Etsy store, they covered the printer cost in just 6 weeks. Higher profit margins on premium shirts made the difference.
Don’t skip this if you want vibrant results every time. Our Heat Press Sublimation Settings Guide covers time and temperature combos that actually work.
Trend Watch: The Rise of White Ink Printing in 2025
White ink sublimation isn’t niche anymore, it’s booming. The global custom t-shirt printing market is projected to hit $14.4B by 2030, with rapid growth coming from small businesses and hybrid workflows like DTF + sublimation.
Key trends to watch:
- 📊 Search interest in “white ink sublimation printer” surged in the last 12 months.
- 🧢 Short-run apparel and small-batch printing are becoming mainstream.
- 🛍️ Home-based Etsy and Shopify shops are driving demand for flexible, pro-quality printing.
Pro Tips from the Studio
A few expert-style tips can save you time and keep prints looking crisp:
🧠 Expert Tip: Print the white underbase first, flash-dry briefly, then add color. This keeps blends sharp on cotton.
🎨 Color Tip: Stick to high-polyester blanks or pretreated cotton blends for the best vibrancy.
🧼 Maintenance Tip: Run a nozzle check weekly to avoid clogged white channels.
📐 Paper Tip: Keep transfer paper stored flat and dry—humidity messes with color accuracy.
Small habits like these make a big difference in print quality.
Quick Self-Check: Is White Ink Sublimation Right for You?
Ask yourself a few quick questions:
✅ Do you want to print on both light and dark fabrics?
✅ Do you offer personalized apparel, signage, or mugs?
✅ Do you prefer small-batch or on-demand printing?
❌ Do you only print on plain white polyester?
👉 If you checked most of the top boxes, a white ink sublimation printer could be a game changer for your business.
Maintenance & Ink Tracker (Printable Tool)
Staying organized keeps your printer running smoothly. Use this quick tracker or offer it as a downloadable PDF:
| Date | Nozzle Check | Clean Cycle | Ink Levels | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/15/25 | ✅ | ❌ | 80% | All good |
Why it matters: Regular checks prevent downtime, keep prints vibrant, and extend the life of your printer.
Closing Remarks:
The ability to print full-color graphics on light products, combined with the photographic print quality and versatility of use, makes a white ink sublimation printer an excellent investment for businesses, crafters, and creatives. The Sawgrass Virtuoso SG400 is a top choice for its performance and reliability.
I am excited to grow my product offerings and take my home business to the next level with my new sublimation printer! Let me know if you have any questions.
Looking to expand your blank selection? Take a look at our curated list of Sublimation Blanks and Substrates for apparel, drinkware, décor, and more.
