The best t-shirt printers of 2022

It can be difficult to find the right t-shirt printing machine, with so many available. But if you know what to look for, you’ll be able to choose a printing machine made specifically for your application. Modern t-shirt printers can be compact and fast. They also produce many colors, so you can create unique designs.

You want something that prints to print your favorite photos or personalize t-shirts for businesses and sports teams. Let us help you choose by comparing the best t-shirt printing machines. These are the top t-shirt printers in 2022. 

Whether you’re getting a t-shirt printer for commercial or personal use, the quality of the prints will depend on the machine you get. And while it’s important to read reviews and product descriptions, your individual needs should determine the printer you choose. These are the things you should consider when looking for the best t shirt printer.

All your printing needs

Are you planning to print t-shirts for a hobby or business? Are you looking to test small-scale printing before you launch a t-shirt-printing business? How many shirts are you planning to print every month. If you intend to print less than 500 tees per year, a small sublimation machine is sufficient. If you go above that figure, you’ll want to invest in a Direct to Garment (DTG) printer.

Method for printing

There are many different methods of printing t-shirts, each with its own pros and cons. A thin layer of ink is sprayed onto the fabric by printers, which creates a softening effect. They’re great for creating intricate designs, which require smooth transitions from colors like photos. You can easily switch between designs because they work in the same way as traditional inkjet printers. But, DTG printers are expensive, so it’s probably more than you need unless you are printing high-volume orders.

Screen printing is one of the most common–and oldest–methods of printing on shirts. The process involves ink being pushed through a screen (the screen) onto fabric. A different screen is needed for each color. It produces vibrant, durable designs that can be used in a variety of colors. This is why screen printing is so popular with artists. It is great for bulk orders but isn’t ideal for highly detailed designs. 

For t-shirts with printed designs, dye sublimation is the best choice. This technique uses a color vaporizing process that produces soft and breathable prints. Sublimation is only possible on polyester and synthetic fabrics. 

If you are just starting out and want to try your hand at creating designs from scratch, heat press printing might be the right choice. A design can be printed on special transfer paper using an inkjet printer or laser printer. Then heat and pressure are used to press it onto the shirt. It won’t hold up as well to washing as other methods but is more beginner-friendly.

Material costs

The printer’s cost is an important factor in choosing the right t-shirt printer. However, heat press printing is the most affordable. You can use any standard inkjet printer you have, and then get transfer paper and a heating press. 

Screen printing is affordable, but you will pay more if you go for complex designs and many colors. Small orders are not as efficient due to the labor involved in setting up screens. 

DTG printing is not cheap as it requires an expensive printer to get started, but it’s ideal for small orders or switching between designs frequently. 

Maintenance

When looking for a machine to print t-shirts, it is important that you consider maintenance. A printer that can be automated cleaned and has low maintenance costs is a good choice. You’ll also want something with minimal manual maintenance time. Some printers will alert you when they need cleaning, so you don’t have to keep track of when you last cleaned it.

These are our top picks for the best t-shirt printers of 2022

Overall, this is the best: F2C 5-in-1 Pro Heat Press Machine

It made it to the final cut: Even beginners can use this 5-in-1 printer. It can be used for personal and commercial printing, as well as small businesses.

Specs:

• Printing method Heat press
• Dimensions20.6 x 19.6 inches x 20.2 in
• Printing area: 12 x15 inches
• Weight: 55.8 pounds

Pros:

• For durability, a sturdy body
• 360° rotation for high precision
• Pressure-adjustment knob with full range 
• Intelligent alarm and timer
• It is simple to use

Cons:

• Heating the 1200W heating element to the desired temperature takes a while.
• Can’t print on extra-large t-shirts

F2C 5-in-1 professional heat press machine seamlessly combines form with function. It can withstand the daily use of both beginners and professionals. This heat press has many useful features—a non-stick surface, swing-away 360-degree rotation, and a full-range pressure-adjustment knob.  Despite its industrial-grade metallic body, it’s portable and can be used on small working surfaces, making it ideal for someone who doesn’t have a dedicated workspace.

This machine is the best for t-shirt printing. The machine is simple to use. The adjustable pressure knob, temperature control and timer allow you to easily adjust the settings. The plate measures 12 x 15 inches and allows you to print large designs. Built-in structural support maintains flatness, which ensures even pressure distribution.

This machine is second in its class because of its many features. You can print on apparel, mugs and plates with the attachments. It can also rotate 360 degrees so you can apply heat or pressure to different areas.

Interestingly, the machine’s versatility is also its undoing. It is difficult to replace the attachments because they are so heavy. And because it’s not a dedicated t-shirt printing machine, it doesn’t accommodate extra-large prints. It takes some time for the 1200 W heating element to reach the desired temperature.

The best sublimation printer Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless printer

It made it to the topThe Epson EcoTank ET-2720 wireless printing device is excellent for quality prints, easy to convert into a dye-sublimation printer, and it’s user-friendly.

Specs:

• Printing method Sublimation
• Dimensions: 13.7×14.8×8.7 inches
• Printing area8.5 x 14.5 inches
• Weight: 11.88 pounds

Pros:

• High-quality prints
• Low operating expenses
• Affordable
• Wireless and Wi-Fi direct printing supported
• Can be used as a Sublimation Printer
• Features a built-in scanner, copier, and fax machine

Cons:

• Slower printing speed
• Can only print up to  8.5 x 14 inches

If you’re looking for the best machine for sublimation t-shirt printing, look no further than the Epson EcoTank ET-2720. This printer is the best value for money and one of the top sublimation printers.  However, since the EcoTank isn’t a dedicated sublimation printer, you will need to convert it. For best–and easiest–results, you should do this with a brand new printer, but be aware that it does void the warranty, and you can only use it as a sublimation printer moving forward. 

Sublimation ink can be used to transform the printer from a standard printer into a dye-sublimation one. Although it will need to be converted, the machine still holds its own against dedicated dye-sublimation printing machines. The maximum print resolution is 5760×1440 DPI. This allows for high-quality prints that are perfect for printing photos on shirts.  

Epson’s EcoTank printers hold plenty of ink, so your ink may last for months, based on your usage. The ET-2720 is not without its flaws. The biggest one is its small printing area, 8.5 x 14 inches, so it’s best suited to small t-shirts.

Best value: SURPCOS 5-in-1 Heat Press

It made it to the top: The SURPCOS heat press machine features all the standard features of 5-in-1 heat presses, but is much more affordable than many. 

Specs:

• Printing method Heat press
• Dimensions: 15x12x18 inches
• Printing area: 12 x15 inches
• Weight: 40.6 pounds

Pros:

• 360-degree rotational swing arm
• High-temperature—up to 450⁰ F
• Built-in timer
• 5-in-1 functionality

Cons:

• Unclear user manual
• The timer setting for beginners is not user-friendly

While the best shirt machine will not save you money it will make your life easier. And if you’re lucky, you can get a machine that saves you both time and money, like the SURPCOS Heat Press 5-in-1 printer. It is the most affordable printer without sacrificing quality. It can print on clothing, glass, and other materials with five attachments.

You can easily set the desired temperature and time with the digital temperature and time controls. The adjustable pressure knob adjusts the pressure to match fabric thickness. The detachable lower plate can be swapped easily with a Phillips wrench. The heating element can be rotated 360 degrees to prevent accidental contact.

This SURPCOS heatpress features a large 12×15-inch heating plate, and a unique design for simple assembly and disassembly. It does have its limitations. The user manual is confusing and poorly translated from Chinese to English. Also, you’ll need to set aside time to learn how to configure the timer.

Ideal for screen printing VEVOR Screen Printing Machine

It made it to the topThe VEVOR screen printer machine is small and easy to assemble. The machine can print on complicated materials and applies four colors of ink to each side.

Specs:

• Method of printing: Screenprint
• Dimensions55 x 7.9x 32 inches
• Printing area: 21.7×17.7 inches
• Weight: 43.2 pounds

Pros:

• It’s easy to assemble
• High-quality prints
• Sturdy construction
• Large printing area
• Desktop design saves space

Cons:

• Not great for mass production
• It’s hard to line up the holes during assembly

VEVOR is a custom shirt printing machine that’s ideal for a variety of materials. The machine can print on fabric, metal, wood and paper as well as other materials. It will print your designs on almost any flat surface that accepts screen printing ink.

This four-color, one station screen printing machine makes multi-color printing more efficient. Attach your screens to the machine and rotate to print. 

The VEVOR Screen Printing Machine is easy to assemble, easy to use, and its design ensures it doesn’t take up much space. It’s ideal for people with limited space or those who only print occasionally.

VEVOR screen printing is the best machine to print t-shirts for artists or small businesses. But it does have some downsides. It is not ideal for mass production, so we don’t recommend it for busy settings. During assembly, it may also be difficult to line up the holes.

This is the best fabric printing option: PUNEHOD DTF Printer

It made it to the final cut: Easy to use and produces high-quality prints from all fabrics. It’s also more affordable than DTG machines.

Specs:

• Printing method Direct to Film
• Dimensions12.99 x 6.87 x 5.12 inches
• Printing area: 
• Weight: 61.6 pounds

Pros:

• You can print on many materials
• Requires no pre-treatment
• White ink is used less than DTG printers
• Prints high-quality, durable prints
• 3-year warranty

Cons:

• It is difficult to set up.
• Slow printing speed

Direct to film (DTF), a unique method, involves printing on special films and then transferring the designs onto clothing. DTF prints are as durable as traditional silkscreen prints so your printed shirts will last for years. The PUNEHOOD model, one of the most popular clothing printers on market, will be a great addition in your t-shirt printing set up. This model is able to print on all fabrics.

The best thing about DTF technology is that you don’t need to pre-treat fabrics after you print your designs on the PET film. . Film prints can be used immediately or stored for later use. DTF printers are much more efficient than DTG when it comes down to ink consumption.

It’s worth mentioning that this printer isn’t easy to set up, and beginners may find the process quite hard. The manufacturer offers excellent customer support that can assist you remotely during the installation process. Unfortunately, the machine’s printing speed is also wanting, and it gets even slower with increased image size and resolution. We recommend that you print your favorite designs before printing and that they be stored for future use. 

FAQs

Methodology

This product roundup compares different t-shirt printers from different manufacturers. It is based on various features such as build quality and functionality, portability, printing areas, and ease-of-use. To reach an objective verdict, we evaluated the printers’ printing technology and compared them to their peers. We also analyzed buyers’ reviews on major e-commerce sites like Amazon and eBay.

Final Thoughts

Printing tee shirts can be both a rewarding hobby and a lucrative business venture. To get the best results, find a t-shirt printing machine that prints the exact type of print you require and can work with your design ideas.