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Sawgrass Printing Guide (SG500 & SG1000 Printers)

Sawgrass SG500 & SG1000 System Guide

Choose the Right Sawgrass Printer, Ink System & Workflow

Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 printers are purpose-built desktop decorating systems built around genuine Sawgrass inks, transfer media, Sawgrass Print Utility, and MySawgrass. The two primary current systems are SubliJet UHD for traditional dye sublimation and VersiFlex for cotton and natural fabrics while retaining traditional sublimation capability.

Quick answer: Choose SubliJet UHD when your business is centered on polyester apparel, mugs, drinkware, photo panels, and other poly-coated sublimation products. Choose VersiFlex when cotton T-shirts, totes, and compatible natural fabrics are important, while you still want to make traditional sublimation products from the same dedicated VersiFlex ink system using the correct sublimation paper and profile.
The Two Main Sawgrass Systems

SubliJet UHD vs. VersiFlex

Both systems are available for Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 printers, but they solve different decorating problems. Choosing the ink system should start with the products you plan to sell.

Traditional Dye Sublimation

SubliJet UHD

Sawgrass SubliJet UHD is the traditional CMYK sublimation system for compatible polyester fabrics and products manufactured with a sublimation-ready polymer coating.

  • Polyester apparel and performance fabrics
  • Sublimation-ready mugs and drinkware
  • Poly-coated photo panels and signage
  • Coasters, awards, ornaments, and promotional products
  • CMYK ink configuration
  • Use sublimation transfer paper such as TruePix
Best fit: businesses primarily producing traditional sublimation products and polyester apparel.
Cotton + Traditional Sublimation

VersiFlex

Sawgrass VersiFlex uses Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Expander inks with VersiFlex Light media to decorate compatible cotton and natural fabrics. The same dedicated ink system can also support traditional sublimation when the correct sublimation paper and Sawgrass profile are used.

  • Cotton T-shirts and apparel
  • Cotton totes, canvas, denim, and compatible natural fabrics
  • No conventional vinyl cutting or manual weeding
  • No DTF adhesive-powder workflow
  • CMY + Expander ink configuration
  • Traditional sublimation capability with appropriate sublimation media
Best fit: businesses that want cotton capability without giving up compatible polyester and poly-coated sublimation products.
Feature
SubliJet UHD
VersiFlex
Primary workflow
Traditional dye sublimation
Cotton decoration + traditional sublimation
Ink configuration
CMYK
CMY + Expander
Cotton fabric
Not direct traditional sublimation
Yes, with VersiFlex Light
Polyester fabric
Yes
Yes, through the traditional sublimation workflow
Mugs & poly-coated products
Yes
Yes, through the traditional sublimation workflow
White ink
No
No
Current Sawgrass software
Print Utility + MySawgrass
Print Utility + MySawgrass
Integrated Sawgrass Workflow

From Design to Finished Product

Sawgrass systems are built around a coordinated printer, ink, media, software, and heat-transfer workflow rather than a converted office-printer setup.

1

Design

Create or import artwork through MySawgrass or another compatible design application.

2

Print

Use Sawgrass Print Utility with the correct printer, ink system, transfer media, profile, and product setting.

3

Press

Apply the printed transfer with a suitable heat press using the current settings for the selected product and media.

Choose the Printer Size

Sawgrass SG500 vs. SG1000

Once you know the ink system, choose the printer based mainly on the largest transfer size and production scale your business expects to need.

Compact Desktop Model

Sawgrass SG500

The SG500 is the compact choice for startups, home studios, small businesses, schools, and shops whose typical designs fit an 8.5-inch-wide workflow.

  • Standard media up to 8.5 × 14 inches
  • Up to 8.5 × 51 inches with the optional bypass tray
  • Ethernet, USB, and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
  • Available with SubliJet UHD or VersiFlex systems
Larger-Format Desktop Model

Sawgrass SG1000

The SG1000 is designed for growing businesses that need larger apparel graphics, larger transfer layouts, and greater room for production expansion.

  • Standard media up to 11 × 17 inches
  • Up to 13 × 19 inches with the optional bypass tray
  • Ethernet, USB, and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
  • Supports compatible 70ml extended cartridges for higher-volume workflows where offered
Warranty: Sawgrass states that eligible SG500 and SG1000 printers purchased on or after October 1, 2025 are covered for 3 years or 100,000 prints from the purchase date, subject to current manufacturer terms and original-purchaser requirements.
Current Sawgrass Software

Sawgrass Print Utility & MySawgrass

Current Sawgrass systems use two complementary software tools: one for print preparation and color management, and one for product-oriented design.

Print Management

Sawgrass Print Utility

Sawgrass Print Utility manages supported color profiles, media settings, print quality, layout, mirroring, presets, and other print-preparation settings for Sawgrass workflows.

Product Design

MySawgrass

MySawgrass is the current web-based product-design environment for templates, product layouts, previews, creative resources, and integration with Sawgrass Print Utility.

Other Sawgrass Specialty Ink Workflows

ChromaBlast & Siser EasySubli

Existing Sawgrass users may also encounter ChromaBlast and Siser EasySubli workflows. These are separate specialty ink systems and should not be treated as interchangeable with SubliJet UHD or VersiFlex.

ChromaBlast

ChromaBlast is a specialty transfer system developed for compatible light-colored cotton applications using the matching ChromaBlast ink and transfer-media workflow.

Siser EasySubli

Siser EasySubli combines Sawgrass EasySubli ink with compatible Siser EasySubli heat-transfer vinyl for full-color garment decoration, including applications traditional sublimation cannot directly produce.

Avoid Costly Compatibility Mistakes

Important Sawgrass Ink & Printer Rules

Do Not Casually Switch Ink Systems

Sawgrass specialty inks use different formulations. Do not attempt an informal flush-and-swap between ink systems. If Sawgrass offers an official manufacturer-led conversion program for an eligible printer, follow that process exactly.

SG500 / SG1000 Ink Is Not SG400 / SG800 Ink

Older SG400 and SG800 printers use different cartridges and formulations. Confirm the exact printer model before ordering replacement ink.

Match the Media to the Workflow

SubliJet UHD uses sublimation paper for polyester and poly-coated products. VersiFlex Light is for the current cotton and natural-fabric workflow. VersiFlex traditional sublimation uses appropriate sublimation paper and profiles.

Use Genuine Sawgrass Ink

Genuine cartridges are formulated for Sawgrass print heads, supported software profiles, and the intended system. Store ink properly and check the cartridge expiration date before installation.

Learning Center

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Find the Correct Printer, Ink or Media

Authorized Sawgrass Dealer

Why Buy from SawgrassInks.com?

SawgrassInks.com is owned and operated by Southtrend Corp., an independent Authorized Sawgrass Dealer serving professional printing and personalization customers in the U.S. and Latin America. Southtrend Corp. has served the printing industry since 1996.

Our team can help customers identify the correct printer model, ink system, cartridge size, transfer media, and workflow before purchase. We supply genuine Sawgrass products and provide U.S.-based pre-sale guidance from our Miami operation.

Authorized Sawgrass Dealer Genuine printers, inks, and media.
Serving Since 1996 Decades in professional printing and imaging.
U.S.-Based Assistance Pre-sale product guidance from our Miami team.
Free Shipping $99+* Eligible orders within the continental United States.

*Shipping exclusions and eligibility rules apply. Manufacturer specifications, software, warranty terms, compatibility, conversion programs, and product availability can change. Follow current Sawgrass documentation for the exact printer and ink system.

Sawgrass System FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main Sawgrass ink systems for the SG500 and SG1000?

The two primary current systems are SubliJet UHD and VersiFlex. SubliJet UHD is the traditional CMYK dye-sublimation system for polyester and poly-coated products. VersiFlex uses CMY + Expander for cotton and natural fabrics while also supporting compatible traditional sublimation with the correct sublimation paper and profiles.

Should I choose SubliJet UHD or VersiFlex?

Choose SubliJet UHD when your business is focused on polyester apparel and traditional sublimation products such as mugs, drinkware, photo panels, and coated merchandise. Choose VersiFlex when cotton and compatible natural fabrics are important while you still want traditional sublimation capability.

What is the difference between the Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000?

The SG500 supports standard media up to 8.5 × 14 inches and up to 8.5 × 51 inches with the optional bypass tray. The SG1000 supports standard media up to 11 × 17 inches and up to 13 × 19 inches with the optional bypass tray.

Can SubliJet UHD print directly on cotton?

Traditional dye sublimation does not directly bond to ordinary untreated cotton. VersiFlex is Sawgrass's current system for compatible cotton and natural-fabric applications.

Can VersiFlex also make mugs and traditional sublimation products?

Yes. A printer dedicated to VersiFlex ink can support compatible polyester and poly-coated sublimation products when used with appropriate sublimation paper, Sawgrass profiles, and heat-press settings.

Can I switch a Sawgrass printer from one ink system to another?

Do not perform an informal ink swap or flush between Sawgrass specialty ink systems. Different formulations can contaminate the printer and create inconsistent results. If Sawgrass offers an official guided conversion program for an eligible printer, use only that manufacturer-approved process.

What software is used with current Sawgrass systems?

Sawgrass Print Utility manages supported print preparation, profiles, settings, layout, and color management. MySawgrass provides product-oriented design tools, templates, previews, and creative resources.

Do SG500 and SG1000 inks fit older SG400 and SG800 printers?

No. The older SG400 and SG800 platform uses different cartridges and ink formulations. Always confirm the exact printer model before ordering ink.

What warranty comes with a new SG500 or SG1000?

Sawgrass states that eligible SG500 and SG1000 printers purchased on or after October 1, 2025 receive a three-year or 100,000-print manufacturer warranty from the purchase date, subject to current terms and original-purchaser requirements.

Why buy genuine Sawgrass ink from an authorized dealer?

Genuine Sawgrass ink is formulated for the intended printer, print head, supported media, and Sawgrass color-management workflow. Buying from an authorized source also helps ensure you receive factory-sealed, correctly stored product intended for your printer model.

Choose Your Sawgrass System

Start with the Products You Plan to Sell

If your product line centers on polyester apparel, mugs, drinkware, photo panels, and poly-coated merchandise, start with SubliJet UHD. If cotton T-shirts, totes, and natural fabrics are essential to your business, consider VersiFlex. Then choose SG500 or SG1000 based on the largest transfer size you expect to produce.