Hiipoo Sublimation Ink Clogs & Filling Issues — Review

Data basis: This report draws on dozens of customer write-ups and several video demonstrations collected between Jan 2022 and Dec 2025. Most feedback came from written reviews, supported by video demonstrations and Q&A notes. The signal mix is skewed toward written troubleshooting posts.

Top failures

Why am I getting spills or trapped air on the first refill?

Nozzle misfit: The bottle mouth often does not seat cleanly on many printer inlets, which commonly reported causes messy fills.

When it appears: This shows up during first-install or after replacing bottles, especially if you don’t hold alignment carefully.

Category contrast: This is worse than typical mid-range alternatives because those bottles usually include a tighter nozzle or an adapter that prevents spills.

Why do prints clog or degrade after a few uses?

• Primary pattern: Clogging is a primary issue that appears repeatedly in feedback.
• Usage anchor: It typically emerges after several prints or after sitting unused overnight.
• Early sign: Faint lines, streaks, or sudden color drops on pages are common early warnings.
• Cause: Fine particle size and water-based formula are claimed, but users report build-up in the head under normal workflows.
• Impact: Clogs demand cleaning cycles or head replacements, adding time and cost for users.

Why are colors inconsistent or dull without ICC profiles?

• Pattern signal: Color variability is a secondary issue seen across many comparisons.
• When it shows: Problems are clear during heat transfer to fabrics and hard substrates.
• Frequency tier: Less frequent than clogging but more frustrating when it occurs for gift-quality prints.
• Technical cause: The product claims “ICC-free” printing, which removes a common color-correction step many buyers rely on.
• Buyer impact: Users must hunt for community profiles or run test strips, costing extra time and materials.
• Category contrast: More effort than typical mid-range inks that include or recommend profiles for predictable results.

Why will my transfers fail because of fabric choice?

• Hidden requirement: The ink has a substrate rule that it’s for fabrics with low cotton content, which is often overlooked by new users.
• Usage anchor: This becomes obvious only after multiple failed transfers to cotton-heavy shirts.
• Primary effect: Prints that look good on paper can wash out or not transfer on common T-shirt materials.
• Cause: Sublimation chemistry favors polyester-rich fabrics, so cotton-heavy garments will give poor results.
• Buyer regret: This is more severe than usual because many buyers assume general textile compatibility for hobby transfers.
• Fixability: Requires buying polyester blanks or using different inks, adding cost and limiting project choices.
• Scope: This is a primary constraint for crafters who expect to print on standard cotton tees.

Illustrative excerpts (not real quotes)

Excerpt: “First refill spilled; ink trapped air and didn’t register in the tank.” — Primary

Explanation: Shows the primary nozzle-fit pattern during initial setup that leads to messy refills.

Excerpt: “Printhead needed cleaning twice after a few small runs, ruined several transfers.” — Primary

Explanation: Reflects a primary clogging pattern that appears during normal batch printing.

Excerpt: “Colors were off without profiles; I had to test and adjust for hours.” — Secondary

Explanation: Reflects a secondary color-consistency issue that increases setup time for quality work.

Who should avoid this

• Busy crafters: Avoid if you need reliable first-run prints without extra cleanup steps.
• Cotton T-shirt sellers: Avoid if your inventory is cotton-heavy because transfers will likely fail or wash out.
• Low-tolerance users: Avoid if you dislike extra time for head cleaning or chasing color profiles.

Who this is actually good for

• Experimenting hobbyists: Good if you accept extra setup time and occasional reprints to save on bottle cost.
• Polyester crafters: Good if you mainly use polyester blanks where sublimation performs predictably.
• Technical tinkerers: Good for users who can perform head cleanings and create profiles from test prints.

Expectation vs reality

• Expectation (reasonable for this category): Bottles refill cleanly and print matches paper proofs.
• Reality: Nozzle fit problems and missing color profiles often lead to messy refills and unpredictable transfers.
• Expectation: Sublimation inks work on common shirt fabrics.
• Reality: This ink requires low-cotton or polyester fabrics, which many buyers miss until after failed transfers.

Safer alternatives

• Look for adapter kits: Buy bottles or adapters with certified nozzle fit to eliminate spills and trapped air.
• Choose profile-supported ink: Prefer inks that include or recommend ICC profiles to reduce color guesswork.
• Prioritize low-clog formulations: Pick inks with community reports of low clog rates to avoid frequent head maintenance.
• Confirm substrate compatibility: Only buy ink when the seller clearly states fabric limits to avoid transfer failures.

The bottom line

Main regret: The combined risk of nozzle misfit and clogging is the common cause of messy refills, wasted ink, and reprints.

Why it matters: These issues exceed normal category risk because they add extra time, expense, and hidden substrate limits that many buyers miss.

Verdict: Avoid this product if you need reliable, low-maintenance sublimation for a variety of fabrics.