How to Set Up an Epson EcoTank Sublimation Printer on Mac
Setting up a sublimation printer on a Mac is straightforward once you know the steps. Whether you have an ET-2810, ET-2850, or ET-16150, the process is essentially the same across all Epson EcoTank models running macOS Sonoma or Sequoia.
Step 1: Download and Install the Epson Driver
Head to epson.co.uk/support and search for your specific printer model. Download the driver package for macOS. Epson provides a combined driver and utility installer, so you will get everything you need in one download. Open the .dmg file and follow the on-screen prompts to install. You may need to allow the installation in System Settings under Privacy & Security if macOS blocks it as an unidentified developer.
Step 2: Connect Your Printer
You can connect your EcoTank to your Mac using either USB or Wi-Fi. For the initial setup, USB is the most reliable option because it removes any network variables from the equation. Simply plug in the USB cable and your Mac should detect the printer almost immediately.
If you prefer a wireless connection, make sure your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. You can configure the Wi-Fi settings on the printer itself using the control panel, or use the Epson setup utility that was installed in Step 1.
Step 3: Add the Printer in System Settings
Open System Settings and go to Printers & Scanners. Click the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax button. Your Epson EcoTank should appear in the list. Select it and make sure the correct driver is chosen in the "Use" dropdown. If macOS has defaulted to "AirPrint," change this to the Epson driver you installed. AirPrint will work for normal document printing but does not give you the colour management controls you need for sublimation.
Step 4: Install Your ICC Colour Profile
An ICC colour profile tells your printer how to reproduce colours accurately with your specific sublimation ink. Without one, your prints will likely have a colour cast, often magenta or green, and your output will not match what you see on screen.
Download the ICC profile from your ink manufacturer's website. If you purchased your ink or printer bundle from Sublishop, you will find the correct profile included with your order or available to download from your account. Once you have the .icc file, simply double-click it. macOS will automatically install it into ColorSync Utility, and it becomes available system-wide.
To verify the profile has been installed, open ColorSync Utility from Applications > Utilities and check under the Profiles tab. Your new profile should appear in the list.
Step 5: Configure Your Print Settings
This is where it all comes together. The exact steps vary slightly depending on which design application you use, but the core settings are the same.
General Print Settings (All Applications)
When you open the print dialog (Cmd+P), you need to access the full printer settings rather than the simplified view macOS shows by default. Look for a "Show Details" button or a dropdown that lets you access printer-specific options.
Set the following:
- Paper Type: Select Epson Matte or Plain Paper, depending on what your ICC profile was designed for. Check the documentation that came with your profile.
- Print Quality: Set to High. This gives you the best ink coverage and colour accuracy for sublimation transfers.
- Paper Size: Match your actual paper size (A4 or A3).
Colour Management
Colour management is the most common area where people run into problems. You have two approaches, and which one you use depends on your software.
Option A: Let the Printer Manage Colours. In the print dialog, find the Colour Management or Colour Matching section and select "Printer Manages Colours" or "ColorSync." Then assign your ICC profile in the printer's colour options. This is the simpler approach and works well for most users.
Option B: Let the Application Manage Colours. If you are using Photoshop or another colour-managed application, you can assign the ICC profile within the application itself and set the printer to receive pre-managed colour data. This gives you more control but requires you to understand colour management properly.
Setting Up in Adobe Photoshop
In Photoshop, go to File > Print. Under Colour Management, set "Colour Handling" to Photoshop Manages Colours. Select your sublimation ICC profile from the Printer Profile dropdown. Set Rendering Intent to Perceptual. Then in the printer dialog itself, make sure colour management is set to "Off" or "No Colour Adjustment" so the printer does not double-correct the colours Photoshop has already adjusted.
Setting Up in Canva
Canva does not have built-in colour management, so you will need to use Option A. When printing from Canva, download your design as a PDF (Print quality) first. Open the PDF in Preview, then print from there. In the print dialog, set Colour Matching to ColorSync and select your ICC profile. Set the paper type and quality as described above.
Save a Preset
Once you have all your settings configured, save them as a preset so you do not have to re-enter everything each time. In the print dialog, click the Presets dropdown and choose Save Current Settings as Preset. Give it a clear name like "Sublimation A4" so you can select it instantly for future prints.
Step 6: Print a Test Page
Before committing to a full project, print a colour chart or test image onto sublimation paper and press it onto a blank. This lets you check that your colours are accurate and your settings are correct. If the colours are off, double-check that you have the right ICC profile selected and that you are not accidentally applying colour management twice (once in the application and once at the printer level).
Once your test print looks right, your Mac is fully set up for sublimation printing. If you are also setting up on a Windows machine, see our guide on how to set up an Epson EcoTank sublimation printer on Windows.