Epson SureColor F170 and F570: Great Sublimation Printers for Small Businesses & Start up

Introduction:
Small businesses are increasingly leveraging dye-sublimation printing to create custom products and expand their revenue streams. Choosing the right sublimation printer can significantly impact a business’s efficiency and growth. Two popular options from Epson’s SureColor line are the Epson SureColor F170 and Epson SureColor F570. Both are professional-grade dye-sublimation printers designed with small business users in mind, offering reliability and high quality output. This article p

Technical: Epson SureColor F170 and F570

Both the SureColor F170 and F570 deliver outstanding print quality using Epson’s advanced PrecisionCore® technology, but they differ in size, capacity, and intended use. Below is a structured technical table that highlights key specifications and features important for business use, including print size, resolution, ink systems, connectivity, and performance capabilities.

 

Feature	Epson SureColor F170	Epson SureColor F570
Maximum Print Size	Up to 8.5″ width (Letter/A4 sheets)– 150-sheet auto-feed tray for cut sheets– Max sheet size ~8.5″ x 14″ (Legal) standard; up to 47″ length via banner sheet	Up to 24″ width (large format)– Handles 24″ roll paper and cut sheets– 50-sheet auto-feed tray + built-in roll feeder with auto-cutter (for continuous printing)
Print Resolution	Up to 1200 × 600 dpi resolution – great detail for small prints	Up to 2400 × 1200 dpi resolution – ultra-sharp quality even at larger sizes
Ink System	Epson Dye-Sublimation Ink (4-color CMYK)– High-capacity 140 mL refillable ink tanks (uses bottled ink)– Efficient ink usage with PrecisionCore droplet control	Epson Dye-Sublimation Ink (4-color CMYK)– High-capacity 140 mL refillable ink tanks (same ink bottles as F170)– Larger volume ink delivery for extended print runs
Connectivity	USB 2.0, 10/100 Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) & Wi-Fi Direct– Easy wireless printing and network integration in any office setup	USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000), Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) & Wi-Fi Direct– Faster data transfer; convenient wireless or wired networking
Performance & Design	Compact desktop design – fits in a home office or small studio– Fast warm-up and quick print turnaround for one-off items and small batches– 2.4″ LCD screen with simple buttons for easy operation	Wide-format desktop design – still desk-friendly for a 24″ printer, with a flat-top surface for workspace use– Built for higher production: prints larger designs or many small items at once; auto-cutter streamlines workflow– 4.3″ color touchscreen for intuitive control and job management

Discussion: From the comparison above, the SureColor F170 shines as an entry-level, compact sublimation printer ideal for small-format projects like mugs, phone cases, and apparel accents. It’s lightweight and easy to set up, making it perfect for home-based businesses or tight workspaces. The SureColor F570, on the other hand, offers a much larger print width (24 inches) and adds capabilities like roll media support and a built-in cutter, which are advantageous for higher-volume production, larger prints (e.g. all-over t-shirt designs or banners), and efficiently producing many small transfers in one go. Both models use Epson’s high-capacity ink bottle system, which means no expensive cartridges and less frequent refilling – a big cost and time saver for businesses. The F170 and F570 each provide versatile connectivity (USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet), allowing easy integration into your workflow whether you prefer a direct USB connection, network printing in an office, or wireless printing from multiple devices. In terms of output quality, both deliver professional-grade results, with the F570’s higher resolution benefiting detailed large images. In summary, the F170 is geared toward affordability and space-saving convenience for smaller-scale production, while the F570 is engineered for efficiency and scalability, handling bigger jobs as your business grows.

Empowering Business Growth with Efficiency and Ease of Use

One of the greatest advantages of Epson’s SureColor F-Series for small businesses is the focus on efficiency and ease of use, which in turn empowers business growth. Both the F170 and F570 are designed as turnkey solutions – they come with all necessary software and accessories to start printing almost immediately out of the box. Small business owners will appreciate that no specialized printing knowledge is required to operate these printers. Epson provides user-friendly print software for Windows and Mac, and the printers themselves have intuitive control panels (the F570 even features a large touchscreen). This means you can spend more time on creating and selling products, and less time on a steep learning curve or troubleshooting.

In day-to-day production, the features of these printers translate directly into business efficiency. Fast print speeds and quick-drying output allow for rapid order turnaround – for example, you can print a batch of custom mug designs or t-shirt transfers in the morning and press them onto products by afternoon to meet tight deadlines. The high-capacity ink tanks reduce the frequency of ink changes, minimizing interruptions during critical production runs. Additionally, both printers have a compact, space-saving design relative to their output capacity, meaning you don’t need a large workshop to operate them. The F170’s small footprint can easily sit on a desk alongside a laptop and small heat press, while the F570, despite its 24″ width capability, is engineered to fit on a desktop or optional stand in a small studio. By maximizing space and simplifying operation, these printers let you increase output without significant overhead or complexity.

Ultimately, using the SureColor F170 or F570 can help drive business growth by enabling you to expand your custom product offerings quickly and reliably. When your equipment is efficient and reliable, you can accept more orders and confidently pursue larger clients or new product lines. Consistent, high-quality results build your brand reputation, leading to repeat business and referrals. Moreover, Epson’s reputation for durable hardware and excellent support means your investment in an F170 or F570 is a catalyst for growth that you can count on for the long term.

Essential Accessories for Sublimation Success

Investing in a quality dye-sublimation printer is the first step, but having the right accessories and supplies is equally important to ensure smooth production and professional results. Here’s a list of essential accessories and consumables small businesses should have when using the Epson SureColor F170 or F570:

• Epson Genuine Dye-Sublimation Ink Bottles: Both the F170 and F570 use Epson’s T49M series ink (140 mL bottles of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). Using genuine Epson ink is crucial for rich color saturation, reliable performance, and printer longevity. Keep an extra set of ink bottles on hand so you never run out in the middle of a big order. The high-capacity bottles make ink refilling easy and mess-free, allowing you to replace ink less often while keeping printing costs low.
• Sublimation Transfer Paper: For best results, use Epson DS Multi-Use Transfer Paper or another high-quality dye-sub paper designed for these printers. Epson’s transfer paper is formulated to work seamlessly with their ink and print settings, ensuring optimal ink release and image clarity when you heat press the design onto your product. The F170 typically uses cut sheets (e.g., letter size 8.5″x11″ or legal 8.5″x14″), while the F570 can use both sheets and rolls (up to 24″ wide rolls). Having the right size paper for your typical projects (small sheets for mugs and coasters, larger sheets or rolls for apparel and larger items) will streamline your workflow.
• Heat Press Machine: A heat press is an indispensable accessory for any sublimation printing business. After printing your design on transfer paper with the F170 or F570, a heat press is used to transfer (sublimate) the ink from the paper to the final product (such as a polyester shirt or a coated mug) via heat and pressure. There are various types of heat presses – flat heat presses for garments and flat items, mug presses for drinkware, cap presses for hats, etc. Choose a reliable heat press that suits the products you plan to produce. For example, a combination 8-in-1 heat press can provide attachments for mugs, plates, caps, and more, giving your business flexibility to create many different items. Investing in a quality heat press ensures consistent temperature and pressure, which leads to vibrant, durable prints on your merchandise.
• Maintenance Supplies: Proper maintenance keeps your Epson printer running at peak performance. An important consumable is the Ink Maintenance Box (Maintenance Tank) for your model (the container that collects waste ink during printhead cleaning cycles). The SureColor F170 has a replaceable maintenance box that will need changing after a certain amount of printing – your printer’s software will alert you when it’s full. Keep a spare maintenance box so you can swap it immediately and avoid downtime. It’s also wise to have lint-free cloths and cleaning swabs to gently clean around the printhead area or caps if needed (following Epson’s guidelines). By having maintenance supplies ready, you ensure that routine upkeep is quick and that your printer stays in production-ready condition at all times.

These accessories and supplies are essential for getting the most out of your F170 or F570. They not only help you maintain the printer properly but also ensure the products you create meet professional quality standards. By using official Epson inks and papers, you protect your equipment (and warranty) and achieve consistent, vibrant print results that delight your customers.

Epson Warranty and Long-Term Investment Protection

When purchasing professional equipment for your business, it’s important to consider how your investment is protected. Epson is known for comprehensive warranty coverage and support options that give small business owners peace of mind. Both the SureColor F170 and F570 come with a standard 1-year limited warranty – meaning Epson will cover any manufacturing defects or issues that arise in the first year of use. This standard warranty typically includes access to Epson’s technical support and may offer different service methods depending on the model: for the desktop F170, Epson provides a rapid unit exchange program (if a serious issue occurs, they’ll ship a replacement printer to minimize your downtime), and for the larger F570, Epson offers next-business-day on-site repair service, where a technician comes to your location to fix the printer. In both cases, the goal is to keep your business up and running with minimal interruption.

Beyond the first year, Epson strongly encourages protecting your printer with an Extended Service Plan, especially for business-critical devices. Epson’s Preferred Plus Extended Service Plans allow you to extend coverage for additional years. For example, you can purchase an extension to cover the second year (or more) with similar benefits as the original warranty. These plans are available at the time of printer purchase or before the standard warranty expires, and they provide continued access to Epson’s authorized service technicians and customer support. The extended service plans often offer next-business-day repair or replacement, just like the standard warranty, so you won’t be left stranded in the event of a hardware failure.

For a small business, these warranty extensions are a wise investment to ensure long-term reliability. Dye-sublimation printers are the backbone of your custom products business – any downtime can mean delayed orders and lost revenue. With Epson’s extended coverage, you’re effectively protecting your revenue stream. The cost of an extended service plan is relatively low compared to the cost of potential repairs or having to replace a machine out-of-pocket. Additionally, knowing that your printer is backed by Epson’s world-class support for years of operation gives you confidence to push your production limits and grow your business offerings. Many entrepreneurs opt for 2-3 years of total coverage (or even more) for that reason. In summary, Epson’s warranty and support options – from the standard 1-year coverage to affordable extended service plans – make sure your investment is safeguarded for the long haul, allowing you to focus on business growth rather than worry about equipment issues.

Versatile Products You Can Create with the F170 & F570

Dye-sublimation printing opens the door to an exciting and profitable range of products. With either the Epson SureColor F170 or F570, small businesses in the US and Canada can produce high-quality, customized items that cater to various markets. Because these printers can output vibrant images on transfer paper that can then be applied to polyester fabrics or specially coated hard goods, the creative possibilities are vast. Here are some of the popular product categories and examples you can create with the F170 or F570:

• Custom Apparel: Produce your own line of graphic T-shirts, including full-color logos, art, or photographs on polyester or poly-blend shirts. You can also make sports jerseys, hoodies, and fashion apparel with unique designs. In addition, smaller items like caps/hats, bandanas, socks, and even masks (which became popular in recent years) can be printed with logos or patterns using dye-sublimation transfers. The F570’s larger print area is particularly useful for doing all-over prints or printing multiple apparel pieces in one go, while the F170 can handle most chest-logo or A4-sized designs efficiently.
• Promotional Products & Gifts: The ability to personalize items makes these printers a goldmine for promotional product businesses. You can create coffee mugs and travel mugs with company logos or artwork (using mug transfer paper and a mug heat press). Water bottles, thermos tumblers, and even can coolers (koozies) can be decorated with sublimation prints, making great corporate gifts or retail merchandise. Small flat items like mousepads, keychains, lanyards, and coasters are easily done by printing gang sheets (multiple images on one sheet) and pressing them onto these substrates. With the F170/F570, you can fulfill orders for custom giveaway items or personalized gifts (like a mug with a family photo or a mousepad with a favorite quote) with professional quality that customers are willing to pay a premium for.
• Home Décor and Interior Products: The sublimation process isn’t limited to wearables – you can also make a variety of home décor items. For example, print beautiful designs or family photos onto throw pillow covers, cushions, blankets, or wall tapestries (polyester fabric). You can create custom curtains or tablecloths with patterns using the larger F570. Rigid items for home use are also popular: photo panels (specially coated metal or wood panels that display vibrant sublimated photos), decorative plates, ceramic tiles, and even ornaments can be made with these printers. For businesses focusing on interior design accents, the F570’s 24″ width allows for printing larger pieces like fabric yardage for custom upholstery or multiple panels for split-canvas wall art.
• Sports and Outdoor Gear: Sublimation is widely used for sports and outdoor custom products, so you can tap into this market as well. Ideas include personalized team jerseys, custom socks and headbands, gym towels with logos, or even leggings and swimwear (since sublimation works great on stretch polyester fabrics without cracking the image). Niche items like custom snowboard or ski graphics (using special sublimation substrates that apply to equipment), car floor mats with designs, or camping gear (like folding chairs with a printed name or logo on the fabric) are all possible. If your business wants to cater to sports teams, schools, or outdoor enthusiasts, these printers give you the capability to produce those one-of-a-kind items.

What’s truly impressive is that all these diverse products can be created with just a printer like the F170 or F570 and a heat press, by simply changing the transfer paper size or the substrate type. This means a single Epson sublimation printer can serve multiple business niches – from a home-based Etsy shop selling personalized baby onesies and mugs, to a small printing shop fulfilling corporate branding merchandise, to a boutique producing its own line of patterned decor fabrics. The bright, long-lasting colors produced by Epson’s dye-sub inks ensure that the finished goods not only look professional but also stand up to use (for example, prints on fabric are wash-safe and prints on mugs are dishwasher-safe when done on appropriate materials). In a market where customers love personalized and custom-designed items, having the capability to print such a wide array of products gives your small business a significant competitive edge. You can start with a few offerings (say, custom tees and mugs) and gradually expand into new product lines – using the same printer – to diversify your income. The versatility of the SureColor F170 and F570 truly turns your creative ideas into sellable products, enabling you to grow your product catalog and attract new customers across various segments.

Conclusion: Drive Small Business Expansion with Epson Sublimation Printers

Both the Epson SureColor F170 and F570 are standout choices for small businesses ready to dive into dye-sublimation printing or to upgrade their current capabilities. By providing high-quality output, efficient operation, and user-friendly features, these printers become more than just tools – they become partners in your business growth. The F170 offers an affordable, space-saving solution perfect for entrepreneurs just starting out or focusing on smaller items, whereas the F570 provides extended width and productivity features to take on larger orders and broader product types as your business scales up.

Crucially, Epson’s robust support, warranty options, and the availability of genuine inks and supplies in both the USA and Canada mean that you can operate with confidence, knowing help is at hand and your investment is protected. The opportunity to create a wide variety of customized products – from apparel and mugs to home décor – translates into the potential for multiple revenue streams. This versatility, combined with the reliability and performance of the SureColor F-series printers, allows you to serve diverse customer needs and adapt to market trends (for instance, quickly launching a new product line for seasonal gifts or marketing campaigns).

In an era where personalization is in high demand, having the right sublimation printer can set your small business apart from the competition. Epson’s SureColor F170 and F570 empower you to deliver professional results whether you’re fulfilling one-off custom orders or batch-producing merchandise for an event. They strike a balance between professional-grade output and ease of use/cost-effectiveness that is particularly suited for small businesses in North America. By choosing the model that fits your size and volume needs, you’re making a strategic investment in the future of your business.

Indirectly speaking – the positive outcomes of integrating these printers into your workflow (faster turnaround, expanded product offerings, and higher customer satisfaction) naturally encourage the growth of your business’s bottom line. Many entrepreneurs who adopt reliable equipment like the F170 or F570 find that it opens doors to new business opportunities, whether it’s partnering with local sports teams for apparel, offering corporate clients promotional items, or launching an online store with unique merchandise.

In conclusion, the Epson SureColor F170 and F570 are both excellent choices for small business owners aiming to boost efficiency, diversify products, and ultimately increase profitability. By leveraging their capabilities and Epson’s support, you can confidently take your custom printing business to new heights – turning creative ideas into tangible products and business success stories across Canada and the USA.

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Sources

• Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer – Product Page (Epson US) – Official specifications, features, and overview of the SureColor F170 printer. Link
• Epson SureColor F570 Dye-Sublimation Printer – Product Page (Epson US) – Official specifications, features, and overview of the SureColor F570 printer. Link
• Press Release: Epson Debuts First 8.5-Inch Desktop Dye-Sublimation Printer – Epson America newsroom announcement introducing the SureColor F170, with insights on its design for small businesses and key features. Link
• Press Release: Epson Introduces its First 24-Inch Desktop Dye-Sublimation Printer – Epson America newsroom announcement introducing the SureColor F570, detailing its features aimed at small businesses entering the textile and promotional printing market. Link
• Epson – SureColor F-Series Dye-Sub Printers Overview – Epson’s informational page on the F170 and F570 “desktop” dye-sublimation printers, including use-case examples and list of creative applications for entrepreneurs. Link