When you’re looking for the best printers for heat transfers, you need models that can handle high-resolution images and specialized media. The three winning printers excelled in these areas, delivering vibrant colors and sharp details essential for heat transfer projects. Consider features like print resolution, compatibility with transfer paper, and ink type to ensure your designs are perfectly transferred.
Our buying guide reviewed over 26 printers, analyzing 149,577 reviews. We found that 67% of experts weren’t trustworthy, filtering out fake or low-quality reviews using our proprietary Trust Rating. The top three printers stood out, certified as tested and performing well under scrutiny, making them reliable choices for your heat transfer needs. To assist you further, we also have a guide that highlights the best printers overall for their exceptional performance for any use.
How Did We Rank the Best Printers for Heat Transfers?
In crafting our buying guide for the best printers for heat transfers, we leveraged insights from over 200 websites. We investigated various testing methods, examined customer feedback, and consulted expert reviews to identify key performance indicators. Our process isolated 2 required test results and 1 must-have specification, ensuring that our true score reflects the best options available. This methodical approach guarantees you get the most reliable recommendations.
Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
?️ Minimum Specifications
- Must print on heat transfer paper
? Test Criteria
- Color Accuracy: Color accuracy is maintained with a deviation (dE) of less than 6.
- Printing Costs: Printing costs are less than 40 cents per page.
Latest Updates
- 06/12/2024: Republished the list to include the best printers for heat transfers based on our True Score system.
Top Printers for Heat Transfers For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
Best For Canon
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is a premium printer with unparalleled color accuracy in heat transfers and beyond, albeit with slower print speeds.
True Score
89884Experts
90461Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $110$899.99$789.95Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Great print quality
- Decent running costs
Reasons to Avoid
- Slow printing speed
Specifications
Automatic Document Feeder No 
Automatic Two-Sided Printing No 
Copier Resolution (B&W) – 
Copier Resolution (Color) – 
Depth 15″ 
Duplex Scan Function na 
Energy Star Certified Yes 
Height 7.9″ 
Integrated Fax No 
Max Number of Copies – 
Max Paper Width 13″ 
Mobile Printing Yes 
Number of Ink Cartridges Required 10 
Paper Feeder Top loader 
Print Speed (B&W) – 
Print Speed (Color) Up to 4800 x 2400 
Printer Resolution (B&W) Up to 4800 x 2400 
Printer Resolution (Color) Up to 4800 x 2400 
Printer Type Printer 
Scanner Resolution na 
Scanner Type na 
Tray Capacity 100 
Width 25.2″ 
Wireless Yes All Specs
Test Results
B&W Print Speed (ppm) 1 Color Print Speed (ppm) 1 B&W Printing Costs (¢ per page) 4 Color Printing Costs (¢ per page) 28 Color Accuracy (dE) 3 All Retailers
$789.95$900Save $110Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No
$799.99$900Save $100Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
$799.00$899Save $100Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Our Verdict
If you don’t mind paying a premium for color-accurate printing, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is exceptional for its remarkable color accuracy of 2.93 dE, which stands out as a pivotal factor for users needing precise color reproduction, especially when it comes to heat transfer printing applications. This precision in color rendition ensures that designs transferred to various materials retain their intended vibrancy and detail, a crucial aspect for both professional and hobbyist projects. Furthermore, the printing cost, at 4 cents per page, positions this printer as a cost-effective solution for users who prioritize both quality and efficiency in their printing tasks.
This printer supports over 10 ink cartridges, a feature that significantly contributes to its superior color accuracy and gradation. While the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 excels with its print quality for heat transfer printing, it’s worth noting that this affects speed. It has the slowest print speed, at 1 page per minute for black-and-white and just .75 ppm for color prints. Moreover, the printer’s connectivity options, including both wired and wireless capabilities, ensure seamless integration into various workflows, enhancing its usability across different settings.
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300’s exceptional color accuracy and cost per page underscore its suitability beyond heat transfers. Its high-quality output and efficient operation make it a viable option for other applications, such as photo printing and crafting hobbies like scrapbooking. The emphasis on color fidelity and operational cost-effectiveness makes this printer a compelling choice for users who don’t mind paying for precision and sustainability in their printing endeavors.
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Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Canon Pixma TR8620A
Ideal for heat transfers, the Canon Pixma TR8620A excels with top speeds and color accuracy, making it a top pick for efficiency and versatile mid-range printer.
True Score
75734Experts
834kCustomers
Mixed Reviews
$191.08Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Impressive printing quality
- High-quality scanner
- Decent printing speed
Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive running cost
Specifications
Automatic Document Feeder Yes Automatic Two-Sided Printing Yes Copier Resolution (B&W) – Copier Resolution (Color) – Depth 13.8″ Duplex Scan Function No Energy Star Certified Yes Height 7.5″ Integrated Fax Yes Max Number of Copies – Max Paper Width 8.5″ Mobile Printing Yes Number of Ink Cartridges Required 5 Paper Feeder Cassette tray, Tray loader Print Speed (B&W) 15 ppm Print Speed (Color) 10 ppm Printer Resolution (B&W) Up to 4800 x 1200 Printer Resolution (Color) Up to 4800 x 1200 Printer Type Copier, Fax, Printer, Scanner Scanner Resolution Up to 1200 x 2400 Scanner Type Flatbed, Sheetfed Tray Capacity 200 Width 17.3″ Wireless Yes All Specs
Test Results
B&W Print Speed (ppm) 12 Color Print Speed (ppm) 4 B&W Printing Costs (¢ per page) 8 Color Printing Costs (¢ per page) 16 Color Accuracy (dE) 5 All Retailers
- $191.08
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No 
$197.01$200Save $3Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No- $199.99
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $199.00
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Our Verdict
The Canon Pixma TR8620A is an excellent mid-range printer for heat transfer applications. This printer has best-in-class print speeds, delivering 11.67 pages per minute (ppm) in black and white and 3.97 ppm in color, making it a standout option for those prioritizing efficiency. These speeds are crucial for users who balance high-volume printing with the need for quality heat transfers, ensuring projects are completed quickly without sacrificing detail.
The Canon Pixma TR8620A offers more than just rapid printing. Its color fidelity, with a Delta E of 4.93, is surpassed only by the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300’s 2.93 dE, ensuring that your heat transfers maintain the vibrancy and accuracy of your original artwork. Importantly, the TR8620A also offers economic value with a cost per page of 7.6 cents, striking a balance between high-quality output and cost efficiency.
Coupled with its array of connectivity features, such as wireless printing, this printer supports a diverse range of paper formats and sizes, making it a versatile tool for your printing needs beyond heat transfers. Its ability to print on cardstock and its photo printing capabilities make it an excellent choice for crafting hobbies like scrapbooking. The Canon Pixma TR8620A’s combination of speed, connectivity, and print quality also suits it for general home office use, particularly for those who occasionally need to produce high-quality color documents or images.The Canon Pixma TR8620A stands out for its impressive capabilities, making it an ideal option for heat transfer projects and more. Its adaptability and efficiency meet various requirements, from creative crafting to routine printing tasks, making it attractive for those seeking a versatile mid-range printer.
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Category Snapshot
Printers
- Total Brands/Products Tested
5 Brands, 26 Products
- Top 2 Brands
Epson, Canon
- Price Range (Budget-Premium)
$30-$1,000
- Average True Score
80.95
- Important Test Criteria
Mono & Color Print Speed (in/s, cm/s)
Color Accuracy (dE)
- Most Trusted Testers
- Top Printer Experts
- Typical Warranty
1 year
- Covered by Insurance
Yes – AKKO
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Canon Pixma MG3620
The Canon Pixma MG3620 shines as a budget-friendly, versatile printer ideal for heat transfers and more, with notable color accuracy and wireless flexibility.
True Score
72704Experts
7931kCustomers
Mixed Reviews
SAVE $40$79.99$39.99Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- High print quality
- Great scan quality
Reasons to Avoid
- Steep running costs
- Slow printing speeds
- Missing display and limited connectivity
Specifications
Automatic Document Feeder No Automatic Two-Sided Printing Yes Copier Resolution (B&W) – Copier Resolution (Color) – Depth 12″ Duplex Scan Function No Energy Star Certified Yes Height 6″ Integrated Fax No Max Number of Copies – Max Paper Width 8.5″ Mobile Printing Yes Number of Ink Cartridges Required 2 Paper Feeder Tray loader Print Speed (B&W) 9.9 ppm Print Speed (Color) 5.7 ppm Printer Resolution (B&W) Up to 4800 x 1200 Printer Resolution (Color) Up to 4800 x 1200 Printer Type All In One, Copier, Printer, Scanner Scanner Resolution Up to 1200 x 2400 Scanner Type Flatbed Tray Capacity 100 Width 17.7″ Wireless Yes All Specs
Test Results
B&W Print Speed (ppm) 8 Color Print Speed (ppm) 3 B&W Printing Costs (¢ per page) 9 Color Printing Costs (¢ per page) 20 Color Accuracy (dE) 5 All Retailers
- $39.99$80Save $40
Availability
Free Shipping
Yes - $39.00$79Save $40
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
- $49.58$80Save $30
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
Our Verdict
The Canon Pixma MG3620 stands out as an impressive heat transfer printer, particularly for those seeking a budget-friendly solution without compromising on essential features. It excels with a notable color print speed of 2.63 pages per minute, a critical factor for projects requiring timely color outputs, while its black-and-white print speed of 8.43 pages per minute is respectable, ensuring productivity remains unhampered for varied document printing needs.
This printer supports both wireless and wired connectivity, making it versatile for various setups. With a tray capacity of 100 sheets, which is adequate for moderate use, and 2 ink cartridges, balancing between efficiency and print quality. This printer showcases strengths that extend beyond just heat transfer applications. Its color accuracy, with a delta E of 5.24, is not much worse than the much pricier Canon Pixma TR8620A’s 4.93 dE. This indicates its capability to produce reasonably true-to-source colors, an attribute crucial for heat transfers, photo printing, and crafting hobbies like scrapbooking. Moreover, with a cost per page of 8.8 cents, the MG3620 ensures that high-quality printing remains economical over time.
The Pixma MG3620’s wireless capability significantly boosts its attractiveness for those prioritizing mobile printing, offering the ease of printing from various devices. This feature and its well-rounded performance make the MG3620 a dependable and versatile printer. It’s an excellent option for individuals looking for a printer that can handle everything from heat transfers to everyday document printing, making it a smart selection for those who appreciate both flexibility and value in their printing needs.
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Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Printers for Heat Transfers?
By focusing on these criteria (2 required), anyone can quickly and easily compare these printers and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a printer for heat transfers.
| CRITERIA | RANGE | REQUIRED | DEFINITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color Printing Costs | < 40 cents | Yes | How much a page costs to print in color. |
| Color Accuracy | < 6 dE | Yes | How much the color printed by a printer deviates, on average, from the reference color. |
Our Trusted Data Sources
We looked at 80+ printers reviewers and found that 23 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for printers.
- Ryan Lim – Rtings, LinkedIn
- Lesley Robinson – TechGearLab, LinkedIn
- Ben Keough – Wirecutter, MuckRack, LinkedIn
Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every printer review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.
Printers Test Data & Results
1. Color Printing Costs (cents per page)
The other side of the coin when it comes to printing costs is the cost for printing using colored ink or toner. While it’s measured the same was as you’d measure black and white printing costs, the acceptable cost is much, much different. Colored ink is more expensive than black and white ink, and if you’re constantly printing photos, the cost of printing in color will ramp up very fast.
We therefore recommend that your printer print color pages at a cost of 40 cents per page or less. Less is always better – getting the cost as low as possible without compromising print quality is the ideal, after all.
Color Printing Costs
< 40 cents per page
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much it costs to print a page in color.
Units of Measurement: cents per page
Tools to Measure: Calculator
Why It’s Important:
Lower costs per page means less money spent on ink; given that color ink is generally more expensive than black, this is especially attractive.
Color Printing Costs (in cents per page; lower is better)
2. Color Accuracy (dE)
Color accuracy with printers uses a mix of standardized references (like the Adobe ColorChecker) and a color control sensor to check the accuracy of the colors printed by a printer and then grades the accuracy on a 10-point+ scale. Unlike most scales, where 10 is good, color accuracy scores are reversed, with 0 and 1 being the most desirable score, as it indicates little to no deviation from the reference color.
Generally speaking, color accuracy should be at least a 5 or lower to be considered “good.” At 6 or higher, the colors are noticeably different, which is an issue if you’re printing photos and hoping for accurate colors.
Color Accuracy
< 6
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much deviation exists between the colors printed by the printer itself and the colors shown in the photograph you’re printing on your monitor or phone.
Units of Measurement: N/A
Tools to Measure: Color Control Sensor, Color Reference Document
Why It’s Important:
If you print photos constantly, or need accurate colors for logos, color accuracy matters a great deal.
Color Accuracy (lower is better)
Best Printers for Heat Transfers: Mistakes To Avoid
- Ignoring Ink Compatibility: Not all printers are compatible with heat transfer ink. Make sure the printer you choose supports dye-sublimation or pigment-based inks, which are suitable for heat transfer applications. Using the wrong type of ink can result in poor image quality and durability.
- Choosing the Wrong Printer Type: There are various types of printers suitable for heat transfers, including inkjet, laser, and dye-sublimation printers. Each has its pros and cons, so it’s essential to choose the right type based on your specific needs and the type of heat transfer projects you’ll be working on.
- Neglecting Print Size and Resolution: Consider the size of the prints you’ll be transferring and the required resolution for sharp and detailed images. Ensure the printer you choose can accommodate the desired print size and deliver high-resolution output to achieve professional-looking heat transfers. If your projects also involve larger designs, such as banners or apparel graphics, you may need a large format printer capable of handling extensive media sizes while maintaining high image quality.
- Not Considering Transfer Paper Compatibility: Different printers may require specific types of transfer paper for optimal results. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for compatible transfer paper types and ensure the printer you choose works well with the paper you intend to use. If your interests extend to other crafting projects, consider a printer for crafting that excels in versatility and precision, especially when paired with tools like a Cricut for cutting designs. For the best crafting results, look for the top printer for Cricut users, ensuring seamless compatibility and high-quality print outputs.
The Best Printers for Heat Transfers Tests Compared
Product |
True Score
|
B&W Print Speed
|
Color Print Speed
|
B&W Printing Cost (per page)
|
Color Printing Cost (per page)
|
Color Accuracy
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 |
|
|
|
|
|  $789.95 $900 $110 |
| 75 |
|
|
|
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| $191.08 |
| 72 |
|
|
|
|
|  $39.99 $80 $40 |
