What Bestsub does

Best Sublimation Germany e.K. ("Bestsub") is a German sole proprietorship founded in 2013 by Georg Niedzielski that distributes sublimation printing equipment, consumables, and finished sublimation-ready goods to small and medium-sized businesses across the German-speaking region and 30+ European countries. The core product portfolio spans EPSON-based sublimation printers, a broad range of heat presses (mug, flat, 3D vacuum, clamshell, combo), sublimation inks and papers under its own BestSub brand and partner brands (J-Next, Sawgrass SubliJet HD, SignFos, Forever, TexPrint), the proprietary patented JS-Beschichtung ceramic coating, and over 6,000 sublimation-ready finished articles including mugs, textiles, phone cases, photo gifts, and home décor. The company has since extended into DTF (Direct-to-Film) systems under the Craft Express sub-brand and Digi Coat surface coatings, broadening its addressable market beyond traditional polyester sublimation.

The business is operated as a direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer via shop.bestsublimation.de, with technical support delivered by email and phone Monday–Friday 9:00–17:00. Distribution is anchored by a 4,000 m² warehouse in Lipiany, Poland, run through wholly-owned subsidiary Best Sub Europe Sp. z o.o. Sp. K., with additional distributed warehouses across the EU supporting parcel and pallet (RABEN) shipping throughout Europe. Pricing is transactional and unit-based, with shipping to Germany at €11.49 per package, a €4.60 cash-on-delivery surcharge, and pallet rates ranging €64–€126 depending on zone. The company maintains SGS, Anbotek, PGIS, EU GPSR, and GDPR/DSGVO compliance across its catalog.

Revenue is generated entirely through one-time product sales with no disclosed subscription or recurring component. The company holds multiple certifications (food-contact safety, electrical safety, chemical safety data sheets) that function as a regulatory moat for food-contact and electrical product categories, and has built an ecosystem of partnerships with printer, ink, and paper manufacturers (Epson, Sawgrass, J-Next, Beaver Paper, SignFos, Neenah Coldenhove, Forever, DuraLuxe, Vapor Apparel, PatChirt, TecSys). No institutional funding, headcount, or revenue figures are disclosed.

Name

Bestsub

Legal name

Best Sublimation Germany e. K.

Website

https://bestsublimation.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bestsub (Best Sublimation Germany e.K.) is a German e-commerce distributor, founded in 2013, selling sublimation printers, heat presses, inks, coatings, and 6,000+ finished sublimation-ready products to small and medium-sized businesses across 30+ European countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sublimation Printing Supplies

NAICS

Printing and Related Support Activities (3231)

SIC

Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555)

akta.pro primary industry

Production & High-Volume Printing Systems (HDACAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Value-Added Warehousing Services (Kitting, Labeling, Repack, Light Assembly) (TLALAAAL)

Keywords

• Sublimation printing supplies
• Heat press equipment
• Sublimation transfer paper
• Ceramic sublimation blanks
• Custom printing products

Headquarters

HQ city

Guangzhou

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. E-commerce Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer online sales of sublimation products including printers, heat presses, inks, substrates, ceramic mugs, textile items, and accessories. Customers purchase through the online shop with various payment options including PayPal, Sofort Banking, credit card, bank transfer, and cash on delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Best Sublimation Germany sells sublimation printing equipment (EPSON-based sublimation printers and a wide range of heat presses), consumables (sublimation inks, transfer paper, Digi Coat coating products), and over 6,000 finished sublimation-ready products including ceramic mugs, textiles, and accessories. The company targets small and medium-sized businesses (KMU) across Europe with 24/7 online ordering and distributed warehouses for fast fulfillment, backed by technical support and color profile downloads.

Product overview

Best Sublimation Germany operates as a B2B sublimation products supplier and distributor with a portfolio spanning equipment, consumables, and finished sublimation-ready goods. The core offering centers on sublimation printing equipment (EPSON-based sublimation printers and a wide range of heat presses), proprietary branded consumables (BestSub sublimation inks, JS-Beschichtung coating, sublimation papers), and over 6,000 finished sublimation-ready products including mugs/ceramics, textiles (t-shirts, bags, accessories), and general sublimation articles (phone cases, keychains, home decor). The company also provides DTF (Direct-to-Film) products under the Craft Express sub-brand, Digi Coat coating products, and complementary technical support, printing services, and environmental recycling services. Products are sourced from global manufacturers (Epson, Sawgrass, J-Next, Forever, SignFos, Neenah Coldenhove, Beaver Paper, DuraLuxe, PatChirt, TecSys, Vapor Apparel) alongside proprietary branded items.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sublimation Printers (EPSON-based) EPSON-based heat-sublimation-capable printers sold as equipment for sublimation printing workflows. Includes models P50, B1100, WF7015, WF3010, WP-4095DN, and WF-7210 with company-provided color profiles for each model. Targeted at small and medium-sized printing businesses setting up sublimation operations.
• Heat Presses Heat transfer presses for applying sublimated designs onto substrates, including mug presses, flat presses, 3D vacuum presses, combo presses, and clamshell models (Multi 3D Vacum, Mini 3D Vacum, SB3A/B/C/D/H, SY88, SY99, JTSYN38, CLAM, MATE-Y, PLUS-KBJQ2, MAX5, SD71, MATE8IN1). Sold to printing businesses for sublimation operations.
• JS-Beschichtung (JS Coating) Proprietary patented non-transparent coating developed specifically for sublimation printing, applied to ceramic mugs to deliver a brighter, purer white finish. Guaranteed for at least 500 dishwasher cycles without quality loss or fading. Sold as a differentiated product line of ceramic sublimation blanks.
• Sublimation Inks Sublimation inks in CMYK formats (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) sold under the BestSub brand and partner brands including J-Next, Sawgrass SubliJet HD, and ChromaBLAST. Available in bottles or cartridges for various printer models. Consumable product for sublimation printing operations.
• Sublimation Paper Specialized transfer paper for sublimation printing, including BestSub, SignFos, Forever, and TexPrint branded options. Compatible with ceramic and textile sublimation workflows. Consumable product for sublimation printing operations.
• Sublimation-ready Ceramic Products White and colored mugs, coffee mugs, ceramic plates, bowls, glasses, pitchers, tumbler/thermo containers, latte mugs, magic color-changing mugs, and ceramic tumblers ready for sublimation printing. Targeted at print shops producing custom ceramic merchandise.
• Sublimation Textiles Textile products ready for sublimation printing including t-shirts, blouses, aprons, baby bodysuits and rompers, blankets, hand towels, bibs, socks, shorts, swimwear, caps, scarves and shawls, laptop and tablet cases, handbags, belts, flags and pennants, makeup bags, children's items, cushion covers and seat poufs, sporting goods, underwear, sashes, heating pad covers, keyrings, and earrings. Sold to printing businesses producing custom apparel and fabric merchandise.
• Sublimation Articles (General) Over 6,000 sublimation-ready products across categories including bathmats, bathroom accessories, beauty and wellness items, metal sheets and panels, decorative items, fans, bike/water/thermo bottles, party items, lighters, photo crystals, photo frames, pet supplies, IT accessories, car accessories, luggage tags, kitchen items, magnets, puzzles, boxes, keychains, jewelry, school and office supplies, smartphone accessories, mirrors, games and toys, sports articles, clocks, warm compresses, wine accessories, and tools. Sold as finished blanks to printing businesses for custom merchandise production.
• DTF (Direct-to-Film) Products Complete DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing solution including DTF printers, spare parts, DTF inks, DTF films, DTF powder, and DTF accessories. Targeted at printing businesses expanding into direct-to-film transfer printing.
• Craft Express Craft-focused product line under the Craft Express brand including zirconia, markers, deco items, heat transfer presses, starter sets, self-adhesive films, flex films, hot stamping foils, transfer sheets, accessories, protective films, sublimation films, and water transfer printing films. Targeted at crafting and hobby businesses.
• Starter Sets Pre-configured bundles combining sublimation printer, heat press, inks, and sublimation paper to help new customers begin sublimation printing operations. Sold as turnkey entry packages for new printing businesses.
• Technical Support Services Professional technical support and consulting services for sublimation and heat transfer technology, available Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00 via email. Includes remote troubleshooting and color profile downloads for various printer and press models.
• Printing Equipment Service Warranty and post-warranty service for printing machines and printers from the product range, covering repair and maintenance of sublimation printing equipment sold by the company.

Quantifiable outcome

• Minimum 500 wash cycles without quality loss for JS-coated products

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Best Sub Europe Sp. z o.o. Sp. K.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPolish partner company operating the main warehouse facility in Lipiany, Poland (4,000 m²). Manages storage and shipping of products from Best Sublimation Germany e.K. inventory.
• TOM Organizacja Odzysku S.A.minorOthersEnvironmental protection organization contracted to perform educational campaigns under the Environmental Protection Act. Address: ul. Pomorska 112, 70-812 Szczecin, Poland.
• RABEN LogisticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLogistics partner for pallet shipping. Handles large order shipments across Europe with delivery to various European countries.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Conde Systems: Long-established US sublimation supplies distributor and equipment reseller with a broad catalog of blanks, inks, and printers, plus dye-sublimation training and services. Directly comparable to Bestsub's equipment + consumables + blanks distribution model.
• HeatPressNation: US-based e-commerce retailer of sublimation printers, heat presses, blanks, inks, and starter bundles targeting SMB and hobbyist decorators. Closest analogue to Bestsub's direct-to-consumer equipment-plus-consumables model, differing primarily by geography and scale.
• A-SUB: Specialist sublimation paper and ink brand sold through distribution and direct channels. Comparable to Bestsub's consumables business (BestSub-branded inks and papers) and competes in overlapping SMB supply channels.
• Coastal Business Supplies: US-based sublimation and heat-transfer supplies retailer offering printers, blanks, inks, and paper to SMB personalization businesses. Same horizontal catalog approach as Bestsub, with overlapping product categories.

Others

• Sawgrass Technologies: Sublimation printer and ink OEM that is also a Bestsub partner (Bestsub distributes Sawgrass SubliJet HD inks and color profiles). Comparable in that it serves the same SMB decorators with printers, inks, and color management — but as a manufacturer rather than distributor.
• Forever (OTS): Sublimation paper, transfer media, and coating supplier that is a Bestsub partner and also sells direct. Comparable as a consumables supplier within the same SMB sublimation workflow, but operating as a manufacturer/brand rather than distributor.
• J-Next: Sublimation ink supplier and partner of Bestsub with European operations. Comparable in serving the same SMB decorator segment with consumables, but as an ink manufacturer rather than a full-line distribution platform.
• Beaver Paper: Sublimation paper and transfer media manufacturer and partner of Bestsub. Comparable in serving the same SMB decorating market with consumables, but as a supply-side brand rather than full-line distributor.

Broad incumbents

• Johnson Plastics Plus: Established US personalization supplies retailer offering sublimation, engraving, awards, and heat-transfer equipment and blanks. Broader personalization portfolio than Bestsub, but overlapping sublimation product lines and SMB customer base.

Regional players

• SubliWorld: German/European sublimation supplies e-commerce retailer offering blanks, equipment, and consumables to SMB decorators in the same DACH market that Bestsub anchors. Directly comparable catalog with regional overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bestsub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bestsub

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bestsub