Epson ET-16150: Is It Worth the Investment for A3 Sublimation?
The Epson EcoTank ET-16150 is the printer that most sublimation businesses eventually start looking at when they outgrow their A4 setup. It is Epson's wide-format EcoTank, capable of printing up to A3+ (13" x 19"), and it fills a very specific gap in the sublimation market: affordable large-format printing without the expense of a dedicated wide-format sublimation printer. But it is not cheap, and it is not for everyone. Here is what you need to know before deciding whether it is right for your business.
The Key Specs
The ET-16150 prints at a maximum resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, which is more than sufficient for high-quality sublimation transfers. Its maximum print size is A3+ (13" x 19"), giving you significantly more printable area than any A4 EcoTank model.
It uses Epson's refillable EcoTank ink system, so running costs stay low compared to cartridge-based printers. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet, making it flexible enough for home offices, workshops, or small production setups. It also features auto-duplex printing, though this is irrelevant for sublimation since you only ever print on one side of your transfer paper.
The rear feed tray holds around 50 sheets and is designed to handle thicker media, which is useful because sublimation paper is stiffer than standard office paper. The rear feed path is straighter than a front cassette, meaning fewer paper jams and more reliable feeding when you are running batch prints.
Important: It Does Not Come with Sublimation Ink
This is a point that catches some buyers out. The ET-16150 ships from Epson with pigment ink installed, which is standard ink designed for document printing. Pigment ink is not sublimation ink and will not work for sublimation transfers. You must remove the factory ink entirely and replace it with sublimation ink before you can use the printer for sublimation work.
This conversion process involves flushing the print heads and ink lines to remove all traces of the pigment ink, then filling the tanks with CMYK sublimation ink. It is not difficult, but it does take time and wastes the factory ink that ships with the printer. If you would rather skip this step entirely, a pre-converted ET-16150 starter bundle arrives with sublimation ink already installed and the system flushed, so you can start printing immediately.
Who Actually Needs A3+ Sublimation Printing?
This is the question that matters most, because the ET-16150 costs around 400-500 pounds for the printer alone. That is a substantial investment compared to an A4 EcoTank at 180-200 pounds, so you need to be sure the extra capability justifies the price.
The ET-16150 makes sense if you are producing any of the following:
All-over t-shirt prints. An A4 print only covers part of the chest area. For full-coverage designs that extend across the entire front or back of a garment, you need A3 or A3+ transfers. This is especially true for larger adult sizes where an A4 transfer looks noticeably small.
Large cushion covers and home decor items. Cushion panels, large chopping boards, and oversized photo slates all benefit from larger print areas. Trying to cover these blanks with A4 transfers often means visible gaps or tiled prints that do not line up cleanly.
A3 photo panels and wall art. If you sell personalised photo products, A3 prints look significantly more impressive than A4. The jump in size makes a real difference to perceived quality and what you can charge for the finished product.
High-volume batch printing. Even if your designs fit on A4, the ET-16150 prints faster than A4 models and handles heavier workloads more comfortably. If you are consistently printing 50+ transfers a day, the speed and reliability improvements become worthwhile.
When You Do Not Need It
If your product range is primarily mugs, phone cases, keyrings, coasters, and other small items, an A4 printer is perfectly adequate. There is no benefit to printing a mug wrap on A3 paper. You would just be wasting paper and ink. The same applies if you are doing small-run custom orders or just starting out. An A4 EcoTank like the ET-2810 or ET-2850 will handle these products comfortably at a much lower price point.
Start with A4 and upgrade to the ET-16150 when your product range or order volume genuinely demands it. Buying an A3+ printer before you need one ties up money that could be better spent on blanks, ink, and marketing.
The Verdict
The ET-16150 is a solid, reliable A3+ printer that performs well for sublimation once converted. The print quality is excellent, the running costs are reasonable thanks to the EcoTank system, and the rear paper feed handles sublimation paper without fuss. But it is only worth the investment if you are regularly printing at A3 size or running high-volume production. For everyone else, an A4 model from our sublimation printer range is a better starting point.