Best Printer for Stickers, Photos, Cricut, and DIY Crafts!

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Learn which printer is my pick for stickers, photos, Cricut, and more — so you can make the right choice for your crafting!

You probably know by now that not all printers are made equal. Some are easier (or harder) to use, some have great print quality (others not so much), There are a ton of printers on the market, but which one is the right printer for crafting? With so many key factors to consider, how do you know which is the best printer for stickers, Cricut crafting, photo printing, and other crafting needs? And how do you overcome potential printer issues that may arise? Let’s find out!

You can see several Epson EcoTank models in my video overview!

Ready to learn about which is the best printer for stickers, photos, and Cricut crafting? This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

Ever been shopping for a new piece of crafting equipment and get choice fatigue from just too many options? There are hundreds of models and types of printers available, with various options and features. It can feel impossible to make a choice you feel confident about. And even with a lot of research, your specific needs may differ from other crafters. You might want to make stickers, or print photos, or do a lot of Print Then Cut crafts with your Cricut. Is there an affordable yet high-quality printer that can do it all? 

Good news: There is! In my search for a reliable printer that can, in fact, do it all, I found one clear winner that checks (almost) all the boxes. As far as all-in-one options go, I believe I’ve found the perfect printer for stickers, Cricut projects, and photos!

The Epson EcoTank 2800 is a popular choice among crafters for personal use, and can be used not just with crafting but also in your home office, for small businesses, and more. It’s a wireless printer that connects to your computer and other devices via Bluetooth technology, making it super easy and convenient to get the job done!

Its near-perfect balance of capability, ability to print various materials with ease, and relatively affordable price point makes it a great investment and the best option for many crafters. Let’s see why!

Do I need a Printer for Home Crafting?

While there are plenty of projects you can make without a printer (like vinyl projects, layered paper projects, lanterns, etc.), a printer is an awesome tool to have when you want to use specific images, photographs, or your own designs in your crafting. No more relying only on designs you can find on the internet — now you can use your own with a one-of-a-kind twist! 

Is an Inkjet or Laser Printer Best for Crafting?

If you’ve been researching printers, you have probably come across two main types: Inkjet and laser. But what’s the difference, and which is best for crafting? Let’s break it down:

Some facts about inkjet printers:

• Lower cost than laser
• Uses water-based inkjet ink
• Can clog or get air stuck in the ink intake tubes or printing system (but I have an easy fix for that with my free printing purge sheet file download!)
• Designed for lower-output printing
• Produces brightly-colored photos and designs
• Can print on a wide variety of materials, including most sticker paper

Some facts about laser printers:

• Faster print speed than inkjet
• Uses powder-based toner
• Can need regular cleaning to produce clear results
• Designed for high-output printing
• Produces clear, crisp images and text
• Limited variety of compatible materials

So which one’s best for crafting? In my opinion, inkjet is the way to go. The colors are unmatched, and since I don’t need high-output or super-fast prints, the lower cost and ability to handle a variety of materials make inkjet printers my number one preference!

Does the Epson EcoTank 2800 Print Good Photos?

One of the main reasons I use a printer while crafting is to incorporate my own photos into my creations. The EcoTank 2800 has great print quality, with professional-looking results that make your photos look fabulous. 

Here are some of my favorite projects for you to make with your own printed photos: 

• Light Painting Shadow Box
• Wood Photo Transfers
• Infinity Card with Photos
• Acrylic Photo Keychains
• Bobble Head Cards
• Layered Stained Glass Cards

What is the Best Printer for Stickers?

Looking to make high-quality stickers? Not sure what kind of sticker printer to get? The Epson EcoTank 2800 can do that, too! It boasts a high print resolution at up to 5760 x 1440 dpi (dpi means “dots per inch” so that’s a lot of ink dots!) — more than enough for sticker printing. 

Here are some of my favorite sticker projects to print and cut: 

• Easy Print Then Cut Stickers
• Planner Stickers & Return Address Labels
• Waterproof Stickers
• Printable Vinyl Stickers
• Holographic Stickers
• Cute Animal Stickers

Is the Epson EcoTank 2800 Good for Cricut Crafting?

When it comes to general crafting, especially using Cricut’s Print Then Cut feature, an Epson EcoTank 2800 is a popular choice due to its ability to print vibrant colors and high quality print resolution for the best results on your projects. It’s versatile and works well with so many crafts!

Here are a few of my favorite crafts to make with the help of a printer: 

• Print Then Cut T-Shirt Transfers
• Printable Heat-Transfer Vinyl T-Shirts
• Print Then Cut Magnets
• Print Then Cut Shrinky Dinks
• Print Then Cut Diamond Painting
• Print Then Cut Money Holders
• Picture Puzzles Cut with Cricut

What is the Overall Best Printer for Crafting?

The Epson EcoTank 2800 is my pick for best printer for sticker making, crafting, Print Then Cut, photos, and more. To sum it up, here are a few of my favorite features:

• High-resolution prints
• Easy to locate for purchase
• Easy to set up
• Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity from your computer or mobile device for wireless printing
• Comes with ink
• Ink refills are inexpensive compared to other printers, saving you money in the long run
• No ink cartridges, easy to fill tanks
• Compact design with front-loading paper tray
• Printing speed: Prints up to 5 pages per minute in color (10 per minute for black!)
• Print resolution: Up to 5760 x 1440 dpi
• Compatible with photo paper, printable vinyl, cardstock, glossy and matte paper, and more
• 100-sheet input tray and 30-sheet output tray for big jobs
• Backed by the manufacturer’s 1-year limited warranty
• Energy-efficient and eco-conscious
• Fax and scanning capabilities

Can I Use My Crafting Printer for Sublimation?

Epson EcoTank printers can be used for sublimation, with one big caveat: Once you introduce sublimation ink into a new Epson EcoTank, you cannot go back to using inkjet ink –– and vice versa. If you fill your EcoTank with inkjet ink, you cannot convert it to sublimation. You’ll need to have two separate printers: One for inkjet ink and one for sublimation ink. 

Once there’s sublimation ink inside your EcoTank, your warranty is no longer valid, because EcoTanks are “technically” (according to Epson) only meant to be used as regular inkjet printers.

Pros of converting an Epson EcoTank to sublimation:

• One of the most affordable sublimation printer options
• Aside from the EcoTank 2800, there are other models at different price points that can be converted for sublimation
• Sublimation re-fill ink is easy to find 
• High-quality prints

Cons of converting an Epson EcoTank to sublimation:

• No technical support from Epson for converted printers
• Ink can be difficult to re-fill unless you’re using auto-fill bottles (my favorites!)
• Must print about once a week to keep the lines, nozzles, and print heads clear (use my printer purge files to keep them clean!
• Once there’s sublimation ink inside your EcoTank, your warranty is no longer valid

Converting an Epson EcoTank into a sublimation printer is easy to do, and I’ve got a full tutorial in this blog post. 

It’s important to note that conversion is an “at-your-own-risk” endeavor, and we at JenniferMaker cannot be responsible for voiding your warranty, disabling your printer’s ability to function, or anything else. If you decide to convert an Epson EcoTank printer, you assume all responsibility for that action.

Where is the Best Place to Buy an Epson Printer? 

View my Amazon shopping list with several Epson sublimation printers!

Epson printers are widely available, but my favorite place to buy the Epson EcoTank 2800 is on Amazon. 

Answers to Your Questions About Which is the Best Printer for Stickers, Cricut Crafting, and Photos 

Q: What printer is best for crafting?

A: Are you wondering “what kind of printer is best for crafts?” The answer to that question depends on your needs and your budget. Most, and possibly all, inkjet printers will work with a Cricut. I used to use an HP Envy, but have switched in recent years. The Epson EcoTank 2800 is a great printer and my overall favorite due to its affordability and capability. Your preferences may vary, and that’s ok!

Q: Do you need a special printer for Print Then Cut on Cricut?

A: Nope! Your preference of printer may still vary, because some will do better than others with thicker materials, but the Epson EcoTank 2800 is a fantastic option for Print Then Cut on Cricut!

Q: Can I print my own stickers at home? What type of printer is best for printing stickers? Do you need a special printer for sticker paper? 

A: Printing stickers is so much fun, and can be easily done by combining a Cricut and most inkjet printers. Again, the printer you choose is up to you — most inkjet printers will handle stickers great! The Epson EcoTank 2800 has worked well with several sticker papers I’ve tried. This is a great option for small business owners who need to keep printing costs down and quality high!

Q: How do you seal inkjet printer stickers?

A: High quality inkjet printers like the Epson EcoTank 2800 create beautiful stickers, but they’re not going to be waterproof or water-resistant. But I have a solution — four solutions in fact. Check out this handy tutorial to learn how to seal your stickers so they last and last!

Q: What printer is good for Cricut?

A: What printer works best with Cricut machine? Almost any inkjet printer will work with a Cricut. The balance of price and capability is up to you to decide, but the Epson EcoTank 2800 is my general recommendation. I really like the wireless connectivity so I can print from my phone!

Q: Do you need a special printer for photos?

A: Any home printer can print photos, but not all printers print with the same quality and easy printing process. The Epson EcoTank 2800 is a favorite for photo printing because it produces high-quality results on a variety of materials, and is relatively budget-friendly. 

Q: Can any printer print on Cricut vinyl?

A: Any inkjet printer can print on Cricut vinyl, but Cricut vinyl will not work with a laser printer. 

Q: Can you use the same printer for sublimation and regular printing?

A: While you cannot use a printer with regular inkjet ink for sublimation crafting, you can use sublimation ink to print a page or two on regular paper for other uses in a pinch. Sublimation ink is typically expensive, so you may want to invest in a separate regular inkjet printer, but it’s fine to print the occasional document from your sublimation printer if you need to.

Q: Can I sublimate without a sublimation printer?

A: Yes! You can use infusible ink transfer sheets, infusible ink pens, or purchase pre-printed sublimation transfer sheets — all are an excellent choice, and there are many pre-printed sublimation designs available on websites like Etsy. The ideal choice is the one that works best for you!

Q: Can you go back and forth between sublimation ink and regular ink?

A: No! Once inkjet printer ink has been in a new printer, it has to be dedicated to only inkjet printing. Same with sublimation — if a new printer is filled with sublimation ink, it is now only able to be used for sublimation ink. You cannot switch back and forth. If you need to use two different types of ink, you need to have two separate printers. 

Get my free printer purge files to keep your crafting inkjet – printer like an Epson EcoTank 2800 – running well!

I’d love to see YOUR amazing printed projects when you find the best printer for stickers, photos, and other crafts! Please share a photo in our Cricut Crafters and Makers Facebook group or on social media and tag me with #jennifermaker.

Love,

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