Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer Review (2026): Honest Pros, Cons & Who It's Really For
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How we evaluate printers: This review is based on Castle Ink's printer ranking methodology, which weighs aggregated customer reviews, professional review cross-checks, total cost of ownership, and specs/feature fit. Read our full ranking and recommendation methodology.
Comparing options? See our roundup of the Best Sublimation Printers for Small Businesses in 2026 for side-by-side picks.
QUICK VERDICT
The Epson SureColor F170 is a compact, turnkey dye-sublimation printer aimed at crafters and small business owners who want to personalize mugs, mousepads, awards, and apparel blanks without converting a regular inkjet. At around $400, it includes a full set of genuine Epson sublimation ink and a 150-sheet auto-feed tray, and it carries a strong 4.5-star rating across 490+ Amazon reviews. The main things to know going in: it's sublimation-only (no plain paper printing), Epson's own site currently lists it as out of stock (though authorized resellers keep it in stock on Amazon), and a small but vocal group of owners report color-accuracy and connectivity headaches.
→ Check the current price of the Epson SureColor F170 on Amazon
AT A GLANCE
| Type | Dedicated dye-sublimation printer (no plain paper printing) |
| Printhead | Epson PrecisionCore microTFP, 784 nozzles |
| Max resolution | 1200 x 600 dpi |
| Paper handling | 150-sheet auto-feed tray, prints up to 8.5" x 14" |
| Connectivity | Wireless, USB, Ethernet |
| Ink | Epson T49M dye-sublimation ink bottles (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) |
| Weight | 16 lbs |
| Typical price | ~$399.99 (includes full ink set) |
| Amazon rating | 4.5 / 5 stars (490+ ratings) |
WHO THIS PRINTER IS REALLY FOR
- Crafters and small business owners making mugs, mousepads, awards, coasters, and sublimation-blank apparel.
- Buyers who want a turnkey setup — genuine ink and a full auto-feed tray are included out of the box.
- Anyone upgrading from a converted inkjet sublimation setup who wants a printer built for the job from the factory.
- Hobbyists and side-business sellers who value Epson's brand reputation and PrecisionCore print quality over a bargain no-name printer.
WHO SHOULD SKIP IT
- Anyone who also needs a general-purpose printer for regular documents — this is sublimation-only.
- Buyers who need rock-solid WiFi out of the box; several owners needed an Ethernet cable to get reliable connectivity.
- Anyone who prints a lot of dark grays or neutral tones without color-managing their files — a handful of reviewers report gray tones shifting green or brown until settings are dialed in.
- Buyers who want easy returns if something goes wrong — some listings mark this item non-returnable because the included ink ships as a regulated material.
WHAT PEOPLE LOVE ABOUT IT
Amazon's review summary and top reviews highlight a few consistent themes:
- Print quality. Reviewers consistently describe sharp, vibrant results on mugs, tumblers, and apparel, with several comparing it favorably to pricier Sawgrass models.
- Easy setup. Even first-time sublimation printer owners describe getting up and running quickly.
- Reliability once dialed in. Regular users, including small business owners printing daily, report consistent results without frequent clogs.
- Value for a genuine-ink bundle. Getting a full set of Epson sublimation ink included at this price point is seen as a strong deal versus buying the printer and ink separately.
THE LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS
- WiFi connectivity can be unreliable. Some owners couldn't get the printer to join their network and had to switch to a wired Ethernet connection.
- Color accuracy needs tuning. At least one detailed review describes grays printing green or brown depending on the ICM color-correction setting, requiring back-and-forth with Epson support to work around.
- No returns on some listings. Because the included ink ships as a regulated material, some sellers mark this item as non-returnable — worth confirming before you buy if that matters to you.
- It's a one-trick machine. Like most dedicated sublimation printers, there's no scanning, copying, or plain-paper printing to fall back on.
HOW IT COMPARES
| Brother SP-1 | Epson SureColor F170 | Sawgrass SG500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$450 | ~$400 (ink included) | ~$660 |
| Connectivity | WiFi only | WiFi, USB, Ethernet | WiFi |
| Ink system | Proprietary SP01 cartridges | T49M refillable bottles | SubliJet UHD cartridges |
| Max print size | 8.5" x 11" | 8.5" x 14" | 8.5" x 11" |
| Amazon rating | 4.4 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.1 stars |
CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE: BROTHER SP-1
If you'd rather have an app-guided workflow and don't need Ethernet or legal-size printing, our Brother SP-1 review covers a similarly priced alternative with a different ink and software ecosystem.
UPGRADE PICK: SAWGRASS SG500
If you're running a higher-volume sublimation business and want anti-clog technology purpose-built by a company that only makes sublimation printers, the Sawgrass SG500 costs more but is widely regarded as the professional standard in the space.
INK AND SUPPLIES FOR THE EPSON SURECOLOR F170
The F170 uses Epson T49M dye-sublimation ink bottles in Black, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow (T49M120/T49M220/T49M320/T49M420), priced at $24.95 each directly from Epson. The ink is certified by ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX for safe use on textiles and mugs. As of this writing, Castle Ink doesn't carry a compatible or remanufactured alternative for this specialty ink family, so budget for genuine Epson bottles. See our companion guide, What Ink Does the Epson SureColor F170 Use?, for the full breakdown.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can it print on regular paper? No — the F170 is built exclusively for dye-sublimation transfer paper, not everyday document printing.
Do I need a heat press? Yes. Like all sublimation printers, the F170 only prints the design onto transfer paper — you still need a heat press to transfer it onto your blank.
Why does Epson's own site list it as out of stock? Epson shows the F170 as out of stock directly on epson.com as of this writing, but it remains widely available through authorized resellers on Amazon with full manufacturer support.
Can I use third-party sublimation ink? Epson strongly recommends genuine ink for optimal results, and using non-Epson ink may affect print quality or void support, though some experienced users report success with third-party alternatives.
Is it compatible with Mac and Windows? Yes, both are supported.
BOTTOM LINE
The Epson SureColor F170 is a well-reviewed, turnkey choice for crafters and small sellers who want a dedicated sublimation printer from a major brand, with genuine ink included in the box. Just plan on a wired connection if WiFi gives you trouble, and expect a little trial and error dialing in color settings for accurate grays.
WHERE TO BUY
Epson SureColor F170 (this printer): View current price on Amazon
For more printer comparisons and our hand-picked accessories, visit our Castle Ink Amazon storefront.
SHOP COMPATIBLE INK & TONER AT CASTLE INK
The F170's T49M sublimation ink is a specialty Epson-only product, and Castle Ink doesn't currently carry compatibles for it. If you also own standard inkjet or laser printers, Castle Ink can save you 50–70% off OEM pricing on those:
Brother ink cartridges · HP ink cartridges · Canon ink cartridges · Epson ink cartridges
See also: Best Sublimation Printers for Small Businesses in 2026 | Best Sublimation Printer for Tumblers & Mugs