What Ink Does the Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer uses Brother Genuine Sublimation Ink cartridges — SP01BKS (black), SP01CS (cyan), SP01MS (magenta), and SP01YS (yellow) — each holding 47ml of dye-sublimation ink.
CastleScore · October 2026
81/100 — Highly Recommended
Brother SP-1 Sublimation Printer
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 86 | 4.40★ average across 579 ratings at Amazon (4.4) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | — | Not scored: Brother publishes no page yields for SP-1 sublimation ink, so we cannot calculate an honest cost per page. |
| Reliability (13%) | 90 | No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews. |
| Features (12%) | 60 | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | 81 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $429 |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Still sold new at $429.99 from Brother USA ($449.99 at B&H when we checked).
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 8, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
Why there is no Castle Ink cartridge for this printer
We don't sell SP01 sublimation ink, and we couldn't find third-party SP01 cartridges anywhere. Brother doesn't say that other ink is blocked or voids the warranty, but there is simply no alternative to buy yet.
Buy Brother Genuine SP01 sublimation ink: SP01BKS (black), SP01CS (cyan), SP01MS (magenta) and SP01YS (yellow), 47 mL each. One 2025 comparison priced them at $29.99 each, or about $106–$108 for a set of four; they were $39 each at launch. Brother doesn't publish page yields, so how long a set lasts depends on how much of each sheet your designs cover. Brother sublimation paper ran about $35 for 100 letter sheets.
Brother SP-1 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Size |
|---|---|---|
| SP01BKS | Black | 47ml |
| SP01CS | Cyan | 47ml |
| SP01MS | Magenta | 47ml |
| SP01YS | Yellow | 47ml |
Unlike standard inkjet ink, sublimation ink prints in muted tones on paper and only becomes vibrant once heat-pressed onto a polyester or polymer-coated item. You'll also need sublimation paper. Brother's own (SP01PLS in the U.S.) comes in letter size, 100 sheets to a pack. Only 10 sheets come in the box.
How to Replace Ink in the Brother SP-1
- Open the ink cartridge cover on the printer.
- Remove the empty cartridge by releasing its latch and pulling it straight out.
- Unbox the new Brother Genuine SP01 cartridge — don't shake it.
- Insert it into the matching color slot until it clicks into place.
- Close the cover. The printer will run an automatic priming and cleaning cycle.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Colors look muted straight off the printer: This is normal — sublimation ink only shows true color after heat pressing.
- Streaky or inconsistent prints: Run a nozzle check from the printer's touchscreen, then a head cleaning if needed. Brother's own sublimation paper gives the most predictable results; one reader reported a third-party paper's watermark transferring onto tumblers.
- Wi-Fi/Artspira connection drops: Move the printer closer to your router, or use a cable. The SP-1 also has Gigabit Ethernet and USB 2.0.
- Ink seems to run low quickly: Dense, full-page designs use significantly more ink than text-style designs — plan cartridge budgets around your typical print size.
What SP-1 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Brother's support pages and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Can I connect it with a cable?
Yes. Brother Canada and B&H list Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet as well as dual-band Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct.
How much sublimation paper comes in the box?
Brother USA lists 10 sheets. The 100-sheet pack (SP01PLS in the U.S.) is sold separately.
Can it print legal-size transfers?
B&H and a launch reviewer list 8.5 x 14 inches as the maximum, but Brother's own sublimation paper comes only in letter size.
Do I have to mirror my designs before printing?
A reader of one review reports that the SP-1 flips images automatically, so manual mirroring isn't needed. Print a test sheet before a big run to check.
Where are the nozzle check and head cleaning?
On the printer's touchscreen. The reviewer we read couldn't find them in the computer software.
SP-1 quirks worth knowing
- Brother's sublimation paper has a small notch in one corner that shows which side faces down in the tray.
- It ships with full-size 47 mL cartridges and a 2-year limited warranty. Most Brother home printers come with one year.
- It prints from any desktop program through ordinary Mac and PC drivers, so unlike Sawgrass printers it doesn't need a proprietary print manager.
- Brother's Artspira app was built for embroidery and cutting machines. Reviewers found few sublimation designs in it without the paid Artspira+ plan ($12.99 a month), and found the printer slower than Sawgrass or converted Epson printers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any ink in the Brother SP-1? No — it's designed specifically for Brother Genuine SP01 sublimation ink cartridges.
Does sublimation ink work on cotton shirts? No — you need light-colored fabric with at least 65% polyester content, or a polymer-coated hard good like a mug or coaster.
How long does one set of cartridges last? It depends heavily on how much ink coverage your designs use — full-bleed, photo-style designs use far more ink than simple text or line art.
Do I need special paper? Yes — sublimation paper is different from regular printer paper and is required for the ink transfer process to work.
More Brother ink guides: Brother MFC-J1360DW · Brother MFC-J4355DW · Brother MFC-J6555DW · find any printer
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 8, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Brother ink cartridges? Shop Brother ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.