A good printer expands what’s possible in a craft room significantly. Whether you’re printing stickers, sublimation transfers, iron-on designs, or paper craft elements, the right machine handles your media without jamming, smearing, or color-shifting. The picks below cover the most useful printer types for common craft applications.
| Product | Type | Best Craft Use | Ink System | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2800 | Inkjet | Stickers & paper crafts | Tank/refill | 4.6/5 |
| Canon PIXMA TR4720 | Inkjet | All-round crafting | Cartridge | 4.5/5 |
| Sawgrass SG500 | Sublimation | Sublimation transfers | Sublimation cartridge | 4.7/5 |
| Epson EcoTank ET-15000 | Inkjet (wide) | Large-format craft prints | Tank/refill | 4.6/5 |
| HP Tango X | Inkjet | Compact everyday printing | Cartridge | 4.4/5 |
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 - Best for Stickers and Paper Crafts
The EcoTank ET-2800 is one of the best value propositions in the craft printer category. Its refillable ink tank system eliminates the high per-page cost of cartridge printers. a critical advantage when you’re printing sheets of stickers or multiple design iterations. Color accuracy is strong across a range of printable media including matte and glossy sticker paper and printable vinyl. The printer is also convertible to sublimation ink for crafters who want a dual-purpose machine, though this is a one-way conversion that voids its standard inkjet function. For pure inkjet sticker and paper printing, it’s an excellent starting point at a very accessible price.
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Canon PIXMA TR4720 - Best All-Round Compact Crafter Printer
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is a compact all-in-one that prints, scans, and copies without taking up much desk space. It handles printable vinyl and sticker paper reliably, and its color output is particularly good on glossy media. The machine uses individual ink cartridges, so you can replace only the color that runs out rather than a combined color pack. It works seamlessly with Cricut’s Print Then Cut workflow and the scan function is useful for digitizing hand-drawn designs. At its price point, the TR4720 is one of the most complete entry-level options for a crafter who prints regularly across different media types.
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Sawgrass SG500 - Best for Sublimation Crafts
If sublimation is your primary craft medium. mugs, tumblers, mouse pads, polyester apparel. the Sawgrass SG500 is the purpose-built option. It uses Sawgrass’s SubliJet-UHD ink system which produces some of the most vibrant and color-accurate sublimation prints available in a desktop format. The accompanying CreativeStudio software helps with design setup and substrate-specific color profiles. It’s a larger investment than a converted EcoTank, but the output quality and consistency justify it for crafters who sell finished products. Prints up to 8.5 x 14 inches.
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Epson EcoTank ET-15000 - Best for Large-Format Craft Printing
Some craft projects simply need more space. large decals, full-sheet iron-on transfers, wide banner elements, or oversized paper craft templates. The ET-15000 handles up to 13 x 19 inch prints, which is the widest format available in a home-friendly inkjet at a reasonable price. Like the standard EcoTank line, it uses refillable tanks for low running costs. The wide carriage also handles standard sizes without any adjustment. For crafters working on large-scale projects or anyone who regularly hits the size limits of a standard letter-format printer, this machine solves the problem cleanly.
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HP Tango X - Best Compact Option for Occasional Printing
The HP Tango X is a compact, smart printer that handles occasional craft printing without a large footprint. Its strong point is simplicity. it connects reliably via Wi-Fi and the HP Smart app, prints on command from mobile devices, and stores neatly. For crafters who print sticker sheets or paper elements a few times a week rather than daily, the Tango X covers the workload without the bulk of a full-size printer. It uses HP Instant Ink for subscription-based supply management, which can be cost-effective at low monthly page volumes. Not the pick for heavy-production crafting, but excellent for a light-use creative space.
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What to Look For
Ink system: Tank-fill systems like EcoTank dramatically reduce per-page costs for high-volume printing. Cartridge systems are fine for lighter use but add up quickly if you print daily.
Media handling: Check that the printer supports the specific media you use most. thick vinyl, glossy sticker sheets, and cardstock all have slightly different handling requirements. Most inkjets handle these, but it’s worth confirming.
Print size: Standard 8.5 x 11 is sufficient for most craft projects. If you regularly need larger prints, invest in a wide-format machine upfront rather than retrofitting later.
Sublimation compatibility: If you want sublimation capability, either buy a dedicated sublimation printer or specifically choose an EcoTank model confirmed compatible with sublimation ink conversion.
Final Thoughts
For most crafters, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the best starting point. its low running cost, solid color output, and sublimation convertibility make it the most versatile choice at its price. Serious sublimation crafters should invest in the Sawgrass SG500 for professional-grade results. The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is the top pick for an all-in-one that covers print, scan, and seamless Print Then Cut compatibility.
Frequently asked questions
What type of printer is best for making stickers?+
An inkjet printer is the most accessible choice for sticker making. It works with printable vinyl and sticker paper, produces vibrant colors, and handles fine detail well. For waterproof stickers, pair an inkjet with waterproof vinyl and apply a clear laminate after printing. Laser printers can also work with certain sticker media but tend to produce less saturated color than inkjet on glossy surfaces.
Do I need a special printer for sublimation crafts?+
Yes. sublimation printing requires either a dedicated sublimation printer or a compatible Epson EcoTank that has been converted with sublimation ink. Standard inkjet printers cannot use sublimation ink interchangeably. Sublimation transfers work only on polyester fabrics and polymer-coated hard surfaces, so the printer choice also depends on what substrates you plan to use most.
Can a Cricut or Silhouette machine work with any printer?+
The Print Then Cut feature on Cricut and Silhouette machines works with any printer that can print on standard letter or A4 paper. The machine reads registration marks printed alongside your design and cuts around them accurately. Inkjet printers are the most common pairing. The key requirement is that the print is clean and the registration marks are clearly printed. faded or skewed marks cause mis-cuts.