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Wondering which brand of sublimation paper is best?
We've got you! In this article, we review the 6 best sublimation paper brands available right now so you can find the right choice for you.
You'll find pros and cons, pricing, and all the details you need to make a confident choice as you start your sublimation printing journey.
You want full ink transfer, buttery smooth paper that goes through your printer like a dream, and absolutely no wheel marks. So which paper will deliver this, and for the best price? Read on to find out with our sublimation paper comparison!
What is the Best Sublimation Paper?
Reviewed in this article:
- MakerFlo Sublimation Paper
- Printers Jack Sublimation Paper
- A-Sub Sublimation Paper
- Koala Sublimation Paper
- HTVRONT Sublimation Paper
- Hiipoo Sublimation Paper
MakerFlo Sublimation Paper
MakerFlo Sublimation Paper is a high-quality sublimation paper that lies flat and dries super fast. You can buy it from MakerFlo Crafts (that's us!), based out of sunny Chandler, Arizona.
MakerFlo paper comes in 120GSM and all the sizes that fit standard sublimation printers. It was specifically designed to work well with the Epson F170 and Epson F570 models.
(If you're still in search of a printer, check out our guide to the best sublimation printers for beginners, too!)
The paper is thick enough to stand up straight in your printer but thin enough to still show your design through the back, making it easy to place your transfers. Plus, the light gray watermark on the back clearly shows which side to print on.
We've gotten great reviews from our users about how easy this paper is to use and how bright and crisp their prints are after transferring.
Specifications
- Weight: 120GSM
- Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14", 11" x 17", 13" x 19"
- Watermark?: Yes, the MakerFlo logo in gray
Pricing
$14.95 for a pack of 100 sheets in size 8.5" x 11".
Buy MakerFlo Sublimation Paper
Here are some reviews of MakerFlo Sublimation Paper from our amazing customers:
Printers Jack Sublimation Paper
Printers Jack is a paper and ink manufacturer based in New York City. Their sublimation paper is not only affordable but also has excellent performance and great ink release, making it a favorite of many crafters.
Some downsides: The thinness of this paper can cause it to fold over in the printer, and the blue backside (colored to show you which side to print on) makes it harder to see designs through the paper when pressing.
Specifications
- Weight: 105GSM, 120GSM
- Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14", 11" x 17", 13" x 19"
- Watermark?: Yes, the back side is blue
Pricing
$15.99 for a 100-sheet pack of 8.5" x 11" paper at 120GSM.
A-Sub Sublimation Paper
A-Sub is another super popular printing supply brand based out of Singapore. They sell multiple types of printing paper, ink, and even sublimation blanks.
The great thing about A-Sub paper is its variety of sizes: 105GSM, 120GSM, and 125GSM. (And if you're wondering why sublimation paper comes in so many sizes, we cover that later in this article!)
One downside? Some reviewers showed a lot of ink left on the paper after transferring, so the ink release might not be as good as other brands. However, this could have resulted from the reviewers' heat press settings.
Specifications
- Weight: 105GSM, 120GSM, 125GSM
- Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14", 11" x 17", 13" x 19"
- Watermark?: Yes, a light A-Sub logo
Pricing
$18.99 for 110 sheets, 120GSM and 8.5" x 11" size.
Koala Sublimation Paper
Koala is a great low-cost brand based in China that sells sublimation paper, DTF film, and other printing supplies.
Like A-Sub, Koala paper comes in multiple weights. However, these are unique weights you don't get with other brands, like an ultra-light 95GSM and heavier 123GSM.
It's not clear why Koala avoided the more standard weights of 105GSM and 125GSM, but if you want to try other weights, Koala provides more options.
One downside: The ultra-thin 95GSM paper is so thin it could get stuck in some printers.
Specifications
- Weight: 95GSM ultra-thin, 100GSM, 120GSM, 123GSM
- Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14", 11" x 17", 13" x 19" (for the 120GSM paper, check other weights for sizes)
- Watermark?: Yes, light green logo on back
Pricing
$15.99 for 150 sheets in 120GSM, 8.5" x 11" size.
HTVRONT Sublimation Paper
HTVRONT is another sublimation brand based in China that produces super affordable paper.
Looking through reviewers' prints made with HTVRONT paper, the colors seemed slightly duller than those of other brands. It might be that the low cost of this paper means that colors don't come out as brightly or as saturated as other brands. But this could be remedied by adjusting your print settings.
Specifications
- Weight: 105GSM, 120GSM, 125GSM
- Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14", 11" x 17", 13" x 19"
- Watermark?: Yes, light gray HTVRONT logo on the back
Pricing
$16.99 for a 150-sheet pack of 8.5" x 11" at 120GSM.
Hiipoo Sublimation Paper
Hiipoo is another favorite paper and ink brand among sublimation crafters. Like HTVRONT and A-Sub, this company is headquartered in China.
This paper is very affordable and comes in two weights, 105GSM and 120GSM. (It seems like Hiipoo previously sold 125GSM but has discontinued that line.)
If you use a DIY sublimation printer with Hiipoo ink and Hiipoo paper, Hiipoo offers a helpful set of ICC profiles on their website to help you calibrate colors and get the best printing output. (However, if you're using a real sublimation printer from Epson or Sawgrass, it's best to use the ink brand that comes with your printer.)
Specifications
- Weight: 105GSM, 120GSM
- Sizes: 8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14"
- Watermark?: Yes, the back side is light gray
Pricing
$17.99 for 110 sheets in 120GSM, 8.5" x 11".
How Much Does Sublimation Paper Cost? (Per Page Breakdown)
Wondering how much sublimation paper costs per page? We took all the brands reviewed above and broke down their prices into the per-page cost to see how they stack up.
(Prices are based on the 8.5" x 11" size and 120GSM paper weight.)
Check out the results 👇
- MakerFlo Sublimation Paper: $14.95 for 100 sheets, or $0.15 per sheet.
- Printers Jack Sublimation Paper: $15.99 for 100 sheets, or $0.16 per sheet.
- A-Sub Sublimation Paper: $18.99 for 110 sheets, or $0.17 per sheet.
- Koala Sublimation Paper: $15.99 for 120 sheets, or $0.13 per sheet.
- HTVRONT Sublimation Paper: $16.99 for 150 sheets, or $0.11 per sheet.
- Hiipoo Sublimation Paper: $17.99 for 110 sheets, or $0.16 per sheet.
*Pricing as of December 2023. Prices are subject to change.
Best Sublimation Paper: Comparison Table
| Brand | MakerFlo | Printers Jack | A-Sub | Koala | HTVRONT | Hiipoo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120GSM | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Other Weights? | -- | 105GSM | 105GSM, 120GSM | 95GSM, 100GSM, 123GSM | 105GSM, 125GSM | 105GSM |
| Price per Sheet | $0.15 | $0.16 | $0.17 | $0.13 | $0.11 | $0.16 |
| Works Best with: | Epson Sublimation Ink | Printers Jack Ink | A-Sub Ink | Koala Ink | HTVRONT Ink | Hiipoo Ink |
What is Sublimation Paper?
Sublimation paper is a special type of paper designed for sublimation printing.
On the inside, it's the same as regular inkjet paper, but on the outside, a special coating gives it the ability to hold sublimation ink and release it at high temperatures.
Other paper types don't work as sublimation transfers, so they won't work for sublimation printing. Make sure to choose a high-quality sublimation paper for sublimation printing.
What Do The Different Sublimation Paper Weights Mean?
You've probably noticed that sublimation paper comes in many different weights, from a super-light 95GSM to the heavier 125GSM. Standard sublimation paper is 120GSM, and most brands will carry this weight.
So, how do these weights differ?
The quick answer: The weight determines how much ink the paper can carry. The less ink, the lighter the print will be. The more ink, the darker and more saturated the print will be.
What to choose? It's best to start with 120GSM first, as that's the standard weight that works for most people. Then, if you experience issues with 120GSM, you can branch out to other sizes.
Some people using DIY printers switch to lighter paper because heavier paper tends to get wheel marks in printers that weren't built for sublimation. You'll always get better results from a specialized sublimation printer like the Epson F170, which was designed specifically for that use.
Learn more about sublimation printers here.
Get Started with Sublimation Printing
Now you've learned everything there is to know about the best sublimation paper you can buy! We hope this helped you find the right sublimation paper for your hobby or business.
If you're looking to start sublimation printing this year, we have a special treat for you! Check out our Epson F170 Ultimate Starter Kit, which is jam-packed with everything you need to get started, including:
- The Epson F170, aka the very best sublimation printer for beginners and small businesses (in our humble opinion)
- A full package of Epson sublimation ink
- 100 sheets of MakerFlo Sublimation Paper
- 10 tumbler sublimation blanks to practice on, and more
Check out the Epson F170 Ultimate Starter Kit
Have more questions that weren't answered here? Want to ask real crafters who've been there, done that? Hop on over to our Facebook Group, where 40,000 crafters and members of the MakerFlo team are ready to help you get started with sublimation crafting.
Want to learn more? Check out our beginner's guide to sublimation and over 20 things you can make with a sublimation printer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What's the difference between sublimation paper and transfer paper?
Sublimation transfer paper is designed to hold sublimation ink and release it at high temperatures for sublimation printing. On the other hand, heat transfer paper adheres directly to your material.
Does sublimation paper quality matter?
Yes, it does! Make sure to choose a high-quality paper designed for crafting if you want to have the brightest and most saturated colors, true to the design you've created.
Which side of sublimation papers do you print on?
The dull side is the back. The brighter side is the front. You can roll the paper to compare both sides, then choose the brighter side for printing.
