Best Printer for Heat Transfers: Reviews 2023 (Recommended!)

Want to transfer your coolest Photoshop designs to T-shirts? Then you’ll need the best printer for heat transfers.

Why? Because the only way you can bring a digital image to fabric is to use a heat-transfer paper under a press. But before that happens, you’ll have to print the image on the transfer paper. And here’s where the printer for heat transfers enters into action.

Luckily, you can find these printers almost anywhere. But not all of them are worth getting to bring your designs to fabric.

So we decided to make a list and review some of them. We’ll also teach you how to pick the right one and much more.

Need a recommendation? Here you go:

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Top 10 Best Printer for Heat Transfers Review

There are hundreds, if not thousands of printers out there. But few are really worth trying. We don’t want you to waste your time or money on the worst ones. So we brought only the best among the best – 10 models you’ll love. Here’s what we found about each: 

1. Epson WorkForce WF-7210 Wireless Inkjet Printer

When it comes to quality printers, few brands can match Epson. The ability to produce vibrant prints without taking too much time or effort is outstanding. At the same time, they offer the most reliable and durable printers out there.

The WorkForce WF-7210 is a perfect example of what Epson is capable of. With a superb Precision-Core printing system, you can expect the machine to deliver the most vibrant and accurate images you can think of.

At the same time, you get the chance to get up to 13-inches by 19-inches images with ease, as well as the chance to print everything wirelessly. You can connect your phone or computer via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC – and it will work wonders.

Another compelling advantage is its top-notch efficiency. It uses a lot less power than laser printers and, at the same time, keeps track of your ink so you don’t waste it. The Dash Replenishment system automatically orders new inks once yours empty out.

If all that wasn’t enough, you get an effortless interface with tons of functions to enjoy. And with a 2.2-inches LCD and the most straightforward controls in the market, using this printer is a total pleasure. 

The printer is also fast, delivering up to 10 color printers and up to 18 black prints per minute. Along with its 115-paper tray capacity – you get one of the most practical models out there.

Highlighted Features:

• Decently large print size capacity
• Fast printing despite the overall quality
• Ultra-practical wireless system
• Effortless and time-saving operation
• Top-notch efficiency for less electric consumption

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2. Brother HL-L2320D Mono Laser Printer

Brother is not as popular as Epson, Canon, or HP in the printer world – but that’s a total pity. This brand delivers the same quality any of the others offers but with a way more practical design.

The HLL-2320D Mono Laser Printer is one of the best models this brand offers. And it works wonders for heat transfers despite its laser system. This comes from the Electrophotographic Laser system that can handle a surprising amount of color and deliver pixel-rich images on paper.

There’s another exciting part about this printer, it can print on both sides of paper sheets with ease thanks to the Automatic Duplexing feature.

Connecting the machine won’t be a problem with the USB 2.0 system either. You Hi-Speed connectivity that makes it work like a gem, even if you need to print tons of documents at once.

You won’t have any problem with clogging the printer, though. Thanks to the 30 prints per minute capacity, you can get most jobs done in a few minutes. And every print will get out faster than you expect.

Add the 250-sheet capacity in the tray plus the straightforward controls, and you get one of the most convenient printers in the market. And it works amazingly well for heat transfers. 

Highlighted Features:

• The fast laser-printing process at 30 PPM
• Next-level results with Electrophotographic system
• Reliable connection with Hi-Speed USB 2.0
• Stuck-free and high-capacity tray 
• Highly convenient Automatic Duplexing function 

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3. Epson Artisan 1430 Wireless Inkjet Printer

Coming back to Epson, we now find the Artisan 1430. As its name says, this is a spectacular machine that delivers artist-like results – making it the best inkjet printer for heat transfer if you want quality images.

The prints can be as large as 13 by 19 inches, so you can cover an entire T-shirt or piece of cloth without problems. Yet, it all comes down to the 6-color Claria ink it uses, making every print super vibrant and neat, so you can enjoy a beautiful product all around.

This goes well with the wireless system. You can send images to print directly from your phone or computer via Wi-Fi.

To make it even better, you get the chance to do everything in just a few minutes. There’s no wasting time or effort with this machine. And with such an easy-to-use interface, even a toddler can start printing on it.

If all that wasn’t enough, every ink cartridge on the 6-color system is individual. That means you won’t have to change black and color together. They all come in different cartridges to make it even more long-lasting, efficient, and practical.

Considering the quality of the prints, the ease of use, and the handy design – there’s nothing about it to hate. 

Highlighted Features:

• Exceptional print quality for high-resolution images
• Allows large prints without issues
• Effortless operation with a straightforward interface
• Convenient Wireless system for easy printing
• Practical 6-color Claria ink cartridges 

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4. Canon Pixma IP8720 Wireless Inkjet Printer

Epson printers are excellent in every way. And it has few competitors. Among them, there’s Canon. And with the Pixma IP8720 – this brand makes it clear why it is such a great contender. 

You get next-level printing for large images at up to 13 by 19 inches – making it a top-notch model to get. Especially if you want maximum DPI in all your prints at up to 9600 by 2400 pixels, then you’ll love the overall quality of the print.

But what truly stands out is the AirPrint and Google Cloud compatibility, so you can hook it up with your accounts and get the images directly without cable connections. This matches well with the Wi-Fi system, so you can send photos directly from your tablet, smartphone, desktop, or laptop. 

There’s even a PIXMA Printing Solutions app that you can get on your phone. It makes the printing even better, making it possible to print stuff from far away through the internet.

If all that wasn’t enough, the machine is totally quiet. You won’t have any problem using it late at night, as it makes little to no noise when compared to other models.

Last but not least, it is a piece of cake to use with its two-button control system. No need to waste minutes and effort printing a single page – this one does it in seconds. 

Highlighted Features:

• Outstanding printing quality at maximum DPI
• Prints ultra-large images ideal for heat transfers
• Effortless printing with Wireless system and PIXMA app
• Quiet printing with a low-profile design
• Easy-to-use with its two-button controls 

5. HP LaserJet Pro M452DW Wireless Laser Printer

We couldn’t make an article about laser printers without mentioning an HP model. That’s why we brought the LaserJet Pro M452DW – a wireless printer for those who love quality & speed.

What sets this model apart from the competition is the laser-printing system that saves time and effort. It has a business-speed printing capacity at up to 28 PPM. That means you can get up to 28 pages per minute – making it outstandingly quick.

If you’re looking to print tons of transfer papers, then you’ll love this feature. But what you’ll truly appreciate is the JetIntelligence toner cartridges. They provide next-level quality on every print while ensuring maximum toner efficiency – they will last a long time.

Another exciting factor would be the input or tray capacity. You can place up to 300 sheets on the machine, and it will handle them without problems – drawing without getting stuck.

At the same time, you won’t have any problem using the machine. You get a pretty straightforward interface with a small LCD screen for operation. And with the chance to print directly from your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi, then it gets even better.

Add the two-sided print system, and it gets even better. You may not use it for heat transfers, but it’s still worth having.  

Highlighted Features:

• Effortless operation with 3-inches LCD Screen
• Efficient and quick JetIngellience toner cartridges
• Super-fast printing system at 28 PPM
• Excellent printing quality for a laser printer
• Time-saving & handy wireless operation

6. Canon MX492 Wireless All-IN-One Small Printer

Want a high-level printing quality that takes little to no time? Then you’ll love the Canon MX492. 

It is one of the best at delivering superb printing results. Despite being one of the smallest models, the inkjet system makes it possible to get artist-like prints every time.

This goes well with the wireless system, so you can print stuff directly from your iPhone, iPod, or iPad with little effort. You just need to install the Air Print app, and that’s it. And for Android devices, the Google Cloud Print will be enough. 

But there’s a lot more, it offers an automatic document feeder that takes up to 20 sheets. It will deliver the chance to print several sheets non-stop and with little effort.

You can also consider the XL cartridges for more ink capacity. Even for the size, this printer can handle tons of prints without running out. And that’s something you don’t get often.

And if all that wasn’t enough, the printer still manages to be one of the cheapest. You won’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy everything this model has to offer.

Putting it all together, it surely becomes an excellent printer to have. And when it comes to heat transfers, it performs decently well for small prints. 

Highlighted Features:

• Highly convenient compact design fits everywhere
• Compatible wirelessly with Apple & Android devices
• Automatic  feeder reduces print time 
• Huge XL cartridges make them last longer than usual
• Ultra-affordable despite its excellent quality

7. Epson WorkForce WF-7710 Wireless Inkjet Printer

We had to come back with the WorkForce series from Epson. This time, you meet the WF-7710 – yet another wireless inkjet printer for those who like their convenience and quality results.

At first sight, you’ll notice a 4.3-inches LCD screen. It allows for smooth operation and tells you everything you need to know about the printing process. With the additional buttons for setting and tweaking the machine to your needs – it becomes a total pleasure to use.

Also, you’ll realize this model is totally worth having for its wireless features. You can connect any small device and send images and designs to print without cables.  A simple Wi-Fi or NFC connection will suffice to send whatever you want to print, and the machine will do it without problems.

Despite all that, the real advantage comes from the Precision Core printing system. It delivers pixel-perfect prints that deliver the most vibrant and quality-oriented images out there. Along with the chance to print heat transfers of up to 13 by 19 inches – it becomes an excellent printer all around.

You can’t forget about the 250 sheet tray for convenience and the 2-sided print system, so you can get most things done in a breeze and without making much of an effort.

Highlighted Features:

• Easy-to-use controls with a practical LCD screen interface
• Convenient wireless system for fast & effortless printing
• Decent print size capacity for excellent results
• Next-level printing quality with Precision Core system
• Decent page capacity and printing speed 

8. Epson Stylus C88+ Inkjet Printer

Want to get a machine that delivers super vibrant images for your heat transfers? Then the Epson Stylus C88+ is your best bet.

The Epson C88 printer heat transfer quality is unbeatable, as it uses pigment inks instead of dye or toners. That’s something that immediately sets it apart from the competition, especially when the ink is DURABrite, a unique blend that lasts a long time & looks beautiful on transfer paper.

It all comes down to the high DPI capacity you get, delivering 5760 by 1440 total DPI, delivering magnificent detail and vibrancy on every print. You won’t be disappointed in the slightest. 

This goes well with the ability to handle different kinds of papers. You can use photo paper, standard sheets, as well as transfer paper to enjoy perfect heat transfers without much effort.

On top of that, you won’t have to set up the printer much – just connect via USB to your computer, and you’ll be ready to print any design you have. 

Add the 23 PPM capacity it offers, and you’ll enjoy the quickest printing processes out there. No need to waste time or effort with deficient prints when the Epson Stylus C88+ does it all amazingly well. 

Highlighted Features:

• Exceptional printing quality with pigment inks
• Durable & resilient DURABrite ink 
• Versatile multi-paper capacity 
• Easy-to-use with USB connectivity 
• Fast and effective printing at 23 PPM

9. Canon Pixma TS6120 Wireless All-In-One Printer

Canon goes over the mark this time with the Canon Pixma TS6120 printer. It delivers everything you could need in an inkjet printer, along with a unique ink system.

What sets it apart is the individual ink design, allowing you to use any ink necessary for the print on transfer paper to go neatly.

The machine can handle prints of up to 5 by 7 inches as well. You won’t get the largest prints out there, but that will be enough to get decently large designs on transfer paper.

This goes well with the compact design. It is so small that you won’t have any problem finding a proper place to install it.

Using it is a piece of cake too. You get the 3.0-inches LCD touchscreen that allows you to tweak everything before printing at last. 

To make it even better, you get multiple-paper support. You can print on both sides of the paper and use any kind you like – making transfer paper totally easy to print over.

And last but not least, you get the chance to print things directly from your devices. Whether it is your smartphone, tablet, or even laptop – you can print without using a cable. Just set up the Wi-Fi on the printer and let the images, designs, or documents flow. 

Highlighted Features:

• Individual ink system for practicality
• Easy to use with LCD touchscreen & controls
• Supports different types of paper
• Allows decently sized prints 
• Wireless printing for extra convenience 

10. Oki Data C531dn Digital Color Printer

We couldn’t leave the Oki Data C531dn Printer out of the list. Even though we want printers that work with transfer paper, this one doesn’t stay behind. 

It boasts a unique LED Electrophotographic printing method, one of the most efficient in the market. Using 4 LED bulbs, it marks the paper super quickly and efficiently, delivering excellent image quality without using much power.

The printer warms up super-fast and prints in just a few seconds. It is so fast and efficient that you can handle up to 45,000 pages a month. Despite that, you can use it without problems for heat transfers – as the quality is superb and it works softly enough to not mess up the transfer paper.

You will also find that using it requires little to no effort. The connectivity system makes it possible to print directly from a network, so you can connect your phone, tablet, laptop, or any other device and send the print from there.

Finally, you’ll find that it comes with a straightforward set of controls. Operating the printer to get the ideal print for your heat transfers will be effortless. 

Highlighted Features:

• Quick & efficient LED printing method
• Quality prints despite speed and efficiency
• Effortless operation with simple controls
• Excellent network connectivity for fewer issues
• Affordable and reliable machine overall 

Printer for Heat Transfers Buying Guide 

Want to truly pick the best printer for transfer paper? Then you’ll need to learn how to spot quality over bluff. 

In this section, we’ll teach you about the most critical features & aspects to think about before making a final choice. Read and learn how to get the ideal printer: 

Types of Printer

There are two major types of printers to consider: laser and inkjet. They perform differently overall, and when it comes to heat transfers, you will get a different result as well.

Here’s how they differ: 

Laser Printers

These printers use toner cartridges for the ink. That means powder ink instead of liquid inks. Alongside a drum unit, these printers can deliver fast printers with decent quality. 

The advantage of using laser printers for heat transfers is that they burn ink on paper. So the machine is ready to print on any transfer paper without causing damage. And they still deliver quality printing without leaving anything to be desired.

It is essential to know that they can destroy heat-transfer paper if not used correctly, get jammed, or sometimes over-heat and break themselves. And for the print to be of high quality, you will probably need a white toner for the reproduction to go neatly. 

But overall, they’re ideal for most heat-transfer printing even at first use. 

Inkjet printers

Using an inkjet printer for heat transfer is entirely different than using a laser printer. While they deliver higher quality prints due to their use of liquid inks, they provide a harder printing process. 

You will have to make a few modifications, use the right ink, and make sure the printer is compatible with transfer paper (or similarly thin types.)

Otherwise, you may end up making a total mess. Still, it’s totally worth considering if you want a quality print – you’ll just need to make a little more effort to get it done. 

Print Quality

You already know that inkjet printers are slightly better in quality than laser printers. But still, every inkjet and laser printer model differs exponentially even if they have the same system.

We recommend printers that can deliver long-lasting and fade-resistant prints over low-quality prints. Both laser printers and inkjet printers can do this – so it comes down more to the ink quality. And sure enough, inkjet printers are the best at that.

Still, laser printers don’t stay behind. You can get a decent print for your heat transfer and without the hassle of installing new inks and doing extra changes. 

Overall, you just need to go for printers that offer at least 3000 x 1000 overall DPI size. If the printer offers more than that, then you’re set to enjoy exceptional printing results. 

So it all comes down to whether you prefer quality prints with more work and time spent, or a slightly less vibrant image but with way less work. 

Ink Usage

For heat transfers, the ink the printer uses is also super important to consider. Here, you will find various types: dye-based inks, pigment inks, toners, and sublimation inks.

If you want to provide a perfect heat transfer, then you’ll need something that stands the weight of time, and more importantly, something that can handle a lot of heat. 

For that, dye-based inks tend to be less than ideal. Because these dyes are not resistant to UV rays and smudge when exposed to high temperatures, they’re often not the best for heat transfers.

Then you’ll find pigment inks. These perform decently well for heat transfers. What sets them apart is the superb waterproof capacity, making them difficult to start bleeding. And they leave an excellent result on most fabrics. But they require special installation on most inkjet printers to work. 

After pigment, you’ll find toners. These are a powdered type of ink cartridges, perfect for laser printers to deliver their fast and resilient marks. However, these don’t leave the most enticing of quality on fabric – so they are not the best for heat transfers. Yet, they’re decent enough for simple jobs.

And lastly, you’ll find sublimation inks. These are the best for heat transfers because they can handle the heat and last a long time when used on fabrics. However, they required special installation just like pigment inks.

Paper Compatibility

Last but not least, you’ll want the printer for heat transfers to be compatible with heat-transfer paper. Otherwise, you will not be able to print correctly, and the heat transfer on the fabric would be impossible.

That’s why you must consider those models that are gentle enough to handle thin transfer paper without problems. That way, you can be sure the machine won’t cause damage to the paper when printing, which makes the heat transfer later to be possible.

At the same time, it should allow the ideal size depending on what you want to print. For heat transfers, you will need something that can handle at least 10 by 10 inches of total paper size. If the printer offers this size availability, that’s an excellent product to go for. 

What are the Most Popular brands: Which One to Suggest?

Printer brands differ exponentially, even though they all look similar. If you want an excellent printer for your heat transfers, then you’ll want to know how these brands differ.

Here’s a sneak peek into what each brand offers: 

Epson

Epson started as Shinshu Seiki Co. in 1961. After several years of delivering printers, they came up with an EP-101 model – which later gave life to the Epson name, which the brand adopted over time. 

Nowadays, Epson is one of the largest printer manufacturers in the world, and probably the best in several areas.

Epson stands out for the ability to deliver inkjet printers that surpass expectations in quality and features. And that’s why an Epson heat transfer printer can be such an excellent option if you’re willing to give it a try. 

You may find dye-ink printers, pigment printers, and sublimation printers. They all provide jam-free results, and some of them boast the PrecisionCore printing process – which delivers pixel-perfect prints every time. 

HP (Hewlett-Packard)

HP got its first contract back in 1938 to Disney with measurement & test services. A few decades later, it became one of the largest electronics and software creators in the world. And nowadays, HP is one of the biggest manufacturers and most successful companies in the printer market. 

What sets HP apart from other brands is the ability to deliver quality & reliable printers.  You will find that they made next-level products, especially home printers for those who don’t need to push prints every day.

However, they still manage to produce some of the best business-level printers. So you can expect both large and small models to be amazing.

Along with the unique HP ink system that they offer, you can expect them to surpass your expectations. 

Brother

Don’t need to get an expensive Epson or HP when a Brother printer can do the job. Being one of the oldest brands in the market, Brother delivers some of the best laser and all-in-one printers you can get. 

It was founded in 1908, and it focuses on electronics, especially printers. So you can guess all the products it offers are set to meet your standards. 

The brand focuses on speed and ease of use. Their quality is impressive nonetheless, but it is the ultra-practical designs and functions that sets this brand apart from the competition.

On top of that, Brother models are utterly affordable and come with some of the most long-lasting & efficient ink toners. You won’t have to spend a fortune to get one of these, and they’ll come cheap over time.

Oki

After manufacturing the first telephone in 1881 back in Japan, Oki became one of the most popular electronics brands in the country. Today, they make a wide array of stuff – including some of the best printers in the market.

From the print quality to the precision of color, the speed of the prints, the efficiency, and even the compatibility they offer with other devices make Brother Printers stand out in every way.  

Oki makes two major types of printers, though. The LED printer and the Laser printer – delivering an excellent speed and overall quality that match even the most demanding user’s needs. 

That’s why this brand is not to dismiss. Considering the quality and overall functionality every printer from Oki offers, you’re set to enjoy every single inch from them.

Canon

Using a Canon printer for heat transfer won’t be something you’ll regret. Similarly to Epson, Canon focuses on quality over everything else. But that doesn’t reduce any of the brand’s functionality, convenience, or ease of use.

This Japanese brand was founded in 1937 and started to produce some of the highest-quality photographic cameras. Then, after several years in the market, it became a printer producer in 1987. Since then, it has been competing with brands like Epson, HP, Brother, and many others. 

The focus of Canon is to deliver brands that are easy to use but can deliver tons of different results at the same time. So they bring quality and versatility, without letting practicality behind.

With the newest inkjet and laser printers, you can get photographic-level prints that will be perfect for any purpose – including heat transfers.  

How to use a Heat Transfer Printer? 

It is not necessary to be an engineer to learn how to use a heat transfer printer. But it is still required that you know a thing or two how to produce the heat transfer without messing up the process.

Here’s a small guide that will help you do this:

Create the Design

If you don’t have a design to print, then you’ll have to create it. 

Some people don’t like creating designs but instead printing images and/or pictures. It doesn’t matter. 

You can come up with whatever you want to transfer into the fabric. But it needs to be large enough to be visible, but small enough to fit inside the T-shirt or piece of fabric you want to place it on.

We recommend standard A4-sized designs that you can print in a single transfer paper sheet with no issues. That would be the perfect design size.

Prepare the Printer

Now that you have the design, you have to get the printer, connect the printer to power, replace the ink for pigment or sublimation ink (if it is an inkjet printer), and turn it on. 

In case you haven’t set it up with your computer, then you’ll have to do so. Remember to use the CD/DVD that came with it to install the software. If there’s nothing to install, then look for the printer model on Google and find a driver that works. Otherwise, you won’t be able to make it work.

Once it’s installed on your computer and connected to power, then you need to replace the ink.

Remember that dye-based inks are not ideal. So you’ll have to get a pigment or sublimation ink from a supply store instead. They’re often cheap and easy to find. 

Open the printer following its instructions, get the standard inks out, and insert the new cartridges accordingly. Remember to be extra careful while doing so.

After you’ve prepared it, then you’re ready to turn it on and set the print method.

Setting up the Print

You will have to get the best print possible on the transfer paper, so you’ll have to make sure the printer is delivering the highest quality print possible. Do this by tweaking the print settings before clicking the PRINT button on the image or design you created.

If the printer comes with its own printing software, then use it instead of the standard from the computer. It will probably offer a lot more options to consider. You’ll have to set it to the highest print quality while ensuring the proper size depending on the transfer paper capacity.

Then place the transfer paper sheet on the tray. You’re almost ready to make the print. 

Make the Print

Once you’ve already tweaked all the details on the design and print, then you’re ready to make the machine work.

You’ll click the PRINT button, and the machine will immediately start rolling the transfer paper in. Then it will make some noises, and the print should get out of the other side neatly.

If the print was exactly what you were expecting or at least close to it – then you’ve successfully printed on transfer paper.

Cut the Transfer Paper (Optional)

To finish making the transfer paper print ready to be pressured into fabric, you’ll need to cut every remaining paper on the side of the print.

If you printed a circular image on the transfer paper, for example, then use scissors or a utility knife to cut the rest out. So when you’re transferring the design to fabric, you will only transfer the image, and that’s it.  

Now you’ll be ready to use the heat press machine to transfer the design to the fabric or surface of your liking.

Conclusion: 

So, are you eager to start printing on transfer paper with these printers? You won’t be disappointed with either model. Whatever you get, you’ll be more than satisfied.

But if we had to pick the best printer for heat transfers, we wouldn’t think twice about getting the Epson Artisan 1430 Wireless Inkjet Printer. It comes with every single feature you need to deliver top-notch prints on transfer paper – in every way.

Otherwise, the Canon Pixma TS6120 Wireless All-In-One Printer would work like a gem. And it comes at a pretty low price tag.

If you prefer maximum image quality, however, the Epson Stylus C88+ Inkjet Printer won’t let you down. It prints on transfer paper like no other. 

So don’t waste your time and pick a printer that can handle the job and still deliver next-level results. The printers in this article offer precisely that.