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Step-by-Step EcoTank Sublimation Conversion for Beginners

 

How to Convert an Epson EcoTank Printer into a Sublimation Printer

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A complete, step-by-step guide for beginners and hobbyists

Converting an Epson Eco Tank printer into a sublimation printer is one of the most affordable ways to start making sublimation tumblers, shirts, and mugs. Eco Tanks are ideal because they use bottled ink instead of cartridges which allows you to fill the tanks with sublimation ink before their first use.

Below is a full tutorial, including setup, recommended inks, ICC profiles, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Supply List

1. Epson Eco Tank Printer 

*MUST BE NEW, NEVER USED*

Best models for sublimation:

2. Sublimation Ink

Choose one brand and stick with it:

Important: DO NOT mix brands later because it causes clogging.

3. Sublimation Paper

4. EasyPress or Cricut EasyPress Mini

(Optional now but required to test prints later.)

5. Computer with USB or WiFi Setup

Read This Before You Begin

Once you put any kind of ink in an Eco Tank printer, it becomes permanently dedicated to that ink type.

You cannot switch between sublimation and regular ink later.
You cannot flush it out and reuse it as a normal printer.

So make sure your printer is brand new UNBOXED or has never had ink added before converting.

STEP 1: Remove Printer from the Box and Prep the Workspace

Unbox the printer and remove any protective tape and packing material.

DO NOT plug it in yet.

DO NOT press the ink charging button yet.

This is important because once the printer starts charging ink, you lose your chance to add sublimation ink.

STEP 2: Fill the Eco Tank Reservoirs with Sublimation Ink

Each EcoTank model has four tanks:

  • Black

  • Cyan

  • Magenta

  • Yellow

To fill the tanks:

  1. Open the tank lid.

  2. Open the color-matched ink bottle from your chosen sublimation brand.

  3. Align the bottle’s nozzle with the tank inlet.

  4. Let gravity fill the tank, no squeezing required.

  5. Stop near the max fill line.

  6. Move through each color one at a time.

Do not overfill and wipe any stray drops with a microfiber cloth.

STEP 3: Turn on the Printer and run the initial Ink Charge

Once all four tanks are full:

  1. Turn on the printer.

  2. The screen will prompt you to start ink charging.

  3. Confirm and allow 10 to 12 minutes for the printer to pull ink into the lines.

Do not unplug or interrupt the process.

You will hear mechanical noises, don't worry. This is normal.

STEP 4: Install Epson Drivers on Your Computer

Even though you’re using sublimation ink, you still use normal Epson drivers.

Download from Epson.com:

Search for your printer model → Drivers → Full Installer.

Run the setup until the printer is recognized via:

  • USB
    or

  • WiFi

Complete the setup wizard.

STEP 5: Install Your Sublimation Ink ICC Profile

Some sublimation ink manufacturers provide ICC profiles.
If yours does, install it:

  1. Download the ICC file.

  2. Right-click → Install Profile (Windows)

  3. Or place in the Profiles folder (Mac).

Where to select the ICC profile:

In your design program → Print Settings → Color Management → Use ICC Profile → Choose your ink brand profile.

If you don’t have an ICC profile:

Use Epson’s default color management until you get one.
You can calibrate later.

STEP 6: Print Your First Sublimation Test Sheet

Use sublimation paper (print on the bright white side).

Recommended settings:

  • Paper Type → Premium Presentation Matte

  • Quality → High

  • Mirror Image → ON

  • Color → ICM (or Off if using a custom ICC profile)

Print a simple test:

  • A red/blue/yellow chart

  • Black text

  • A small graphic

STEP 7: Heat Press Your Test Print

This confirms:

  • Colors sublimate correctly

  • There are no banding or streaks

  • Lines are straight and not mottled

Use a white polyester fabric scrap at:

  • 400°F

  • 45–60 seconds

  • Medium pressure

If the design looks:

  • Dull → ink is working (sublimation prints always look muted before pressing)

  • Bright after pressing → success

  • Blurry → too much moisture or movement

  • Streaky → nozzle check needed

STEP 8: Set Up Maintenance Habits to Prevent Clogging

Eco Tank sublimation printers need consistent use.

Do this once per week:

 Print a small color swatch
 Run a nozzle check
 Keep the printer in a temperature-stable area

Avoid:

 Leaving the printer unused for more than 2 weeks
 Storing in a garage or cold/damp room
 Mixing ink brands

TROUBLESHOOTING

Banding / Faint Horizontal Lines

  • Run a nozzle check

  • Perform a head cleaning

  • Make sure sublimation paper is completely dry

Colors Look Off

  • Install ICC profile

  • Ensure color management isn’t being applied twice

  • Try Vivid mode if using Photoshop or Canva

Ink Not Absorbing into Paper

  • Wrong side of sublimation paper

  • Moisture in paper

You Now Have a Fully Converted Sublimation Printer

Your Epson EcoTank is now permanently dedicated to sublimation printing and ready for:

  • Tumbler wraps

  • Mugs

  • Shirts

  • Keychains

  • Ornaments

  • Slate and metal blanks

Anything with a polyester coating or high polyester content will work beautifully.

I really hope you found this tutorial helpful, if you would like to try your hand at making a project you can check out this tutorial on How to Make a Sublimated Tumbler. 

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