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Paper weight and release rate, and the printing side has to be the right one

The best sublimation paper for 2026

Sublimation paper holds sublimation ink from the printer and then releases it, under heat, into a polyester or polymer-coated surface, and a good paper gives more of the ink to the blank. Sheet size follows the printer and the item, from letter and A4 to wide rolls. Paper weight, in grams per square metre, affects how the sheet feeds and how well it holds heavy ink without curling. Ink release is described by makers as a transfer rate, and it is their own figure, measured under their conditions. Drying time matters because damp ink smudges during pressing. A tacky coating grips stretchy fabric so the design does not shift and ghost when the press opens, and standard paper is fine for rigid blanks. Printer compatibility covers inkjet type and paper handling. The printing side is marked in some way on good paper, and printing on the wrong side is a common first failure. Then the pack count and how the sheets are packed against moisture. We compare sheet size, paper weight, ink release, drying time, coating, printer compatibility and pack count.

The parts and materials worth a place on the bench

  1. Subliking HiQ box of sublimation paper for mugs, 10 × 24 cm, with a mug printed SubliKing

    Subliking HiQ Premium sublimation paper 120 g/m², 10 × 24 cm, 100 sheets

    One hundred sheets of Subliking HiQ Premium sublimation paper, 10 × 24 cm at 120 g/m², with a quick-drying, smudge-resistant coating, for mugs, mouse pads and polyester phone cases on Epson, Brother, Ricoh and Sawgrass sublimation printers.

    Sheet size
    10 × 24 cm, title and fifth bullet
    Paper weight
    120 g/m², title and fifth bullet
    Ink release
    Absent from the listing
    Drying time
    Absent from the listing as a time — quick-drying, second bullet
    Coating
    Advanced coating, smudge-resistant, second bullet
    Printer compatibility
    Epson, Brother, Ricoh and Sawgrass sublimation printers, fourth bullet; the box in the product photograph specifies Sawgrass printers with gel inks
    Pack count
    100 sheets, title and fifth bullet
    Amazon reference
    B089W5FKXG (same reference on 5 Amazon marketplaces)
    EAN
    4260672040599
    • A sheet size that suits a mug wrap: 10 × 24 cm
    • Four printer brands named
    • No transfer rate or drying time

    Best for: A mug maker printing wraps on a sublimation printer who wants paper already cut to size.

    ≈ 8 €
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  2. Subli-Print pack labelled Subli-Paper, 100 g/m², A4 210 × 297 mm, 100 sheets

    Subli-Print Sublimation paper A4, 100 g/m², 100 sheets, with processing notes

    One hundred A4 sheets of sublimation paper from Subli-Print at 100 g/m², for Epson, Sawgrass, Ricoh and Brother sublimation printers, with processing notes: plain-paper setting, fine or photo quality, heat tape always, and peel warm or cold, never hot.

    Sheet size
    A4, title and fourth bullet
    Paper weight
    100 g/m², fourth bullet
    Ink release
    Absent from the listing as a figure — even ink absorption described, second and fourth bullets
    Drying time
    Absent from the listing as a time — fast drying, second bullet
    Coating
    High-quality special coating; store cool and dry to keep it, second and fourth bullets
    Printer compatibility
    Epson, Sawgrass, Ricoh and Brother sublimation printers, title and first bullet; paper setting plain paper, quality fine or photo, fifth bullet
    Pack count
    100 sheets, title and fourth bullet
    Amazon reference
    B0G14VFHM6 (same reference on 6 Amazon marketplaces)
    EAN
    4262480230032
    • Printer settings given: plain paper, fine or photo quality
    • Transfer advice: heat tape always, peel warm or cold, not hot
    • Lighter than the others: 100 g/m²

    Best for: A sublimation printer owner starting out who wants print and peel settings written down.

    ≈ 10 €
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  3. FSLHCY sublimation paper pack marked ≥98 % transfer rate, 100 sheets, A4 120GSM and 8.5 × 11 in, sheets with logo backs

    FSLHCY Sublimation paper A4, 120 g/m², 100 sheets, logo on the back

    One hundred A4 sheets of sublimation paper from FSLHCY at 120 g/m², for inkjet printers running sublimation ink, with a brand logo on the back to show which side to print and a transfer rate stated at over 98 %, for polyester, fabrics up to 30 % cotton, ceramics, tiles and metal plates.

    Sheet size
    A4, 210 × 297 mm, title; the pack in the product photograph reads both A4 and 8.5 × 11 in
    Paper weight
    120 g/m², title and first and fourth bullets
    Ink release
    Over 98 % transfer rate stated, second bullet
    Drying time
    Absent from the listing as a time — extremely fast drying, second bullet
    Coating
    Absent from the listing
    Printer compatibility
    All inkjet printers compatible with sublimation ink; mirror printing, third and fifth bullets
    Pack count
    100 sheets, title
    Amazon reference
    B0D1Y1KFH9 (same reference on 6 Amazon marketplaces)
    EAN
    0762418919700
    • A logo on the back marks the print side
    • A transfer rate stated: over 98 %
    • “For cotton” in the title, up to 30 % cotton in the bullets

    Best for: A beginner at sublimation who wants the print side marked and polyester or light-cotton blanks to press.

    ≈ 14 €
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  4. Five A-SUB packs marked 120 G, A4, 210 × 297 mm, 100 sheets

    A-SUB Sublimation paper A4, 120 g/m², 500 sheets in 5 packs

    Five hundred A4 sheets of sublimation paper from A-SUB at 120 g/m², in five packs of 100, for Epson, Sawgrass, Ricoh and Brother sublimation printers and for polyester, fabrics up to 30 % cotton, ceramics, tiles, phone cases and metal plates.

    Sheet size
    A4, 210 × 297 mm, title and first bullet
    Paper weight
    120 g/m², title and first bullet
    Ink release
    Absent from the listing as a figure — high transfer performance described, third bullet
    Drying time
    Absent from the listing as a time — fast drying, fourth bullet
    Coating
    Absent from the listing
    Printer compatibility
    Epson, Sawgrass, Ricoh, Brother and other sublimation printers, title and second bullet
    Pack count
    500 sheets in 5 packs of 100, first bullet
    Amazon reference
    B085W3XPDM (same reference on 6 Amazon marketplaces)
    EAN
    5060640920880
    • Five hundred sheets in packs of 100
    • Four printer brands named
    • No transfer rate, drying time or settings

    Best for: A small sublimation business going through paper fast on A4 designs.

    ≈ £55 / 70 €
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A price quoted in the text of a MakerVerdict page dates from the day that page was written; the live figure beside each product is fetched while you read and replaces it.