Does VersiFlex use black ink?

No. VersiFlex does not use a black ink cartridge. The fourth cartridge position is occupied by the VersiFlex Expander, not black. Deep tones are produced by combining Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow at high density.

Does VersiFlex print white ink?

No. VersiFlex does not print white ink. For best results, use white, light, cream, or pastel-colored substrates. For dark garments, a vinyl or HTV workflow is recommended.

What paper should I use with VersiFlex?

Use VersiFlex Light Transfer Paper for light cotton, fabric blends, and selected uncoated or natural surfaces. Use TruePix sublimation paper for polyester and polymer-coated sublimation blanks such as mugs, tumblers, and coated panels.

Can I convert my SubliJet UHD printer to VersiFlex?

No. Sawgrass ink systems should not be switched after a printer has been used with another ink family. Mixing systems risks print head contamination, quality degradation, and may void warranty coverage. A dedicated printer is required for each Sawgrass ink system.

VersiFlex Expander: What It Is & Where to Buy | SawgrassInks.com

Q: What is the Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander?

The Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander is the required fourth cartridge in the VersiFlex CMY + Expander ink system. It occupies the slot normally used for black ink in a CMYK system and must be used together with VersiFlex Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow cartridges in a dedicated SG500 or SG1000 VersiFlex printer.

Q: Can I use VersiFlex Expander by itself?

No. The VersiFlex Expander is not a standalone ink. It must be used together with VersiFlex Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow in the complete four-cartridge CMY + Expander configuration.

Q: Where can I buy genuine Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander?

You can buy genuine Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander from SawgrassInks.com, an authorized Sawgrass dealer serving the U.S.A. and Latin America since 1996. Free shipping on orders over $99 (continental USA).

Authorized Sawgrass Dealer Since 1996

What Is the Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander?
The Complete Buyer's Guide

Everything decorators and print shops need to know about the required fourth cartridge in the Sawgrass VersiFlex CMY + Expander ink system for SG500 & SG1000 printers.

SG500 & SG1000 CMY + Expander System 31ml Cartridge Multi-Surface Decorating Genuine OEM Sawgrass

By: SawgrassInks.com Editorial Team Updated: May 2026 Reading time: ~6 min Verified: Authorized Sawgrass Dealer

Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander — 31ml Ink Cartridge

Genuine OEM Sawgrass cartridge. Factory-sealed. Required for all SG500 & SG1000 VersiFlex printer setups. Sold by an authorized Sawgrass dealer since 1996. Free shipping on orders over $99.

$99.95

Buy VersiFlex Expander — $99.95 Shop Complete Ink Set

Quick Answer

What Is the Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander?

The Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander is the required fourth cartridge in the VersiFlex CMY + Expander ink system for Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 printers. It replaces the black cartridge position in a traditional CMYK setup and must always be used together with VersiFlex Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow cartridges. The Expander is not a standalone ink — it completes the four-cartridge configuration that enables multi-surface decorating on light cotton, natural fabrics, wood, ceramics, and compatible sublimation blanks. It is not compatible with SubliJet UHD, EasySubli, or non-Sawgrass printers.

Understanding the Product

What Is VersiFlex Expander and Why Does It Exist?

Most inkjet printers — including most sublimation printers — run on a standard CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) ink configuration. Sawgrass VersiFlex is fundamentally different. Instead of black, the fourth cartridge slot is occupied by the VersiFlex Expander, a clear specialty liquid that works alongside the three color inks to enable decorating on materials traditional sublimation cannot handle.

VersiFlex was engineered to give SG500 and SG1000 users a single desktop workflow that goes beyond polyester and polymer-coated blanks. With the right transfer media and software profiles, VersiFlex unlocks light cotton shirts, natural fabrics, uncoated wood, ceramics, and slate — surfaces that fall outside the reach of SubliJet UHD or standard dye-sublimation.

The Expander is not optional and it is not a "nice-to-have" add-on. Without it, the VersiFlex ink system is incomplete and the printer will not function correctly. If you are purchasing individual VersiFlex cartridges, the Expander must be one of them.

🎓

Dealer Insight — From Southtrend Corp., Authorized Sawgrass Dealer Since 1996

One of the most common questions we receive is: "I already have a Sawgrass printer with SubliJet UHD — can I just add VersiFlex Expander to expand what I print on?" The answer is no. VersiFlex requires a dedicated printer. You cannot mix ink systems in the same SG500 or SG1000. If you want to run both workflows, you need two separate printers — one for SubliJet UHD, one for VersiFlex. We can help you select the right setup for your production volume.

The Ink System Explained

How the VersiFlex CMY + Expander System Works

The Sawgrass VersiFlex ink system is a four-cartridge configuration that works as a complete unit. Every cartridge has a specific role, and no single cartridge operates in isolation. Here is what each one does:

VersiFlex Cyan

Produces blues, greens, and cool color tones. Combines with Magenta and Yellow to form the full color gamut.

VersiFlex Magenta

Produces reds, pinks, purples, and warm blends. Works with Cyan and Yellow to create vivid, accurate output.

VersiFlex Yellow

Produces yellows, oranges, and warm greens. The backbone of bright, saturated color reproduction.

VersiFlex Expander — Fourth Cartridge

Clear specialty liquid. Occupies the slot where black would normally go. Required for all VersiFlex print jobs.

The Two Most Common Misconceptions About VersiFlex

Two search queries come up constantly among users new to VersiFlex. Here is the direct, factual answer to both:

❌ Misconception

"VersiFlex Black Ink"

There is no VersiFlex black ink cartridge. Searches for "VersiFlex black" or "VersiFlex CMYK" are based on a misunderstanding of how this ink system works.

✓ The Correct Answer

The Fourth Cartridge Is Expander

The Expander replaces black in the fourth slot. Deep tones are achieved by combining Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow at high saturation — not through a black cartridge.

❌ Misconception

"VersiFlex Prints White Ink"

VersiFlex does not print white ink. This is a common assumption among users who want to decorate dark-colored garments.

✓ The Correct Answer

Use Light Substrates Only

VersiFlex works best on white, cream, pastel, or light-colored materials. For dark garments, vinyl or HTV is the recommended workflow.

Printer & System Compatibility

Which Printers Are Compatible with VersiFlex Expander?

The VersiFlex Expander is designed exclusively for Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 printers that are fully dedicated to the VersiFlex ink system. Before purchasing, confirm which ink system your printer is currently running.

Printer / Configuration	Compatible?	Important Note
Sawgrass SG500 — VersiFlex dedicated	✓ Yes	Fully compatible when the printer has not been used with another ink system.
Sawgrass SG1000 — VersiFlex dedicated	✓ Yes	Fully compatible when the printer has not been used with another ink system.
Sawgrass SG500 with SubliJet UHD loaded	✗ No	Do not mix ink systems. A separate, dedicated printer is required.
Sawgrass SG500 with Siser EasySubli loaded	✗ No	Incompatible. Separate dedicated SG500 or SG1000 required for VersiFlex.
Sawgrass SG500 with ChromaBlast loaded	✗ No	Not compatible. Keep one ink system per printer.
Sawgrass SG400 / SG800	✗ No	Older Sawgrass desktop models do not support VersiFlex cartridges.
Epson, Ricoh, Canon, HP, Brother	✗ No	VersiFlex cartridges are engineered specifically for Sawgrass hardware only.

⚠️ Critical: Never Mix Sawgrass Ink Systems

Installing VersiFlex cartridges into a printer that has previously run SubliJet UHD, EasySubli, ChromaBlast, or any other ink family can contaminate the print head, permanently damage internal components, degrade output quality, and void your Sawgrass warranty. Always keep each printer dedicated to one ink system. When in doubt, contact our team before switching.

What You Can Print On

VersiFlex Compatible Materials and Applications

The VersiFlex system was built to expand the material range available to SG500 and SG1000 users from a single desktop printer. The results always depend on the correct combination of substrate, transfer media, heat press settings, and Sawgrass software profile.

A critical rule: VersiFlex produces the best results on white, cream, pastel, or light-colored surfaces. Because VersiFlex does not print white ink, any design applied to a dark or saturated substrate will appear muted or invisible.

👕

Light Cotton Garments

Use VersiFlex Light Transfer Paper for white or light-colored cotton shirts and apparel

🧵

Natural Fabric Blends

Selected fabric blends and natural-fiber products with appropriate media and testing

🪵

Uncoated Wood

Wood signs, décor items, and panels with correct VersiFlex media and surface prep

🍵

Ceramics

Selected ceramic surfaces depending on glaze, finish, and media selection

🪨

Slate

Natural slate products paired with the appropriate VersiFlex transfer media

☕

Sublimation Blanks

Polyester and polymer-coated mugs, tumblers, and panels using TruePix paper

Which Transfer Paper Should You Use with VersiFlex?

Matching the correct media to the substrate is the single most important step in achieving consistent VersiFlex results.

Media	Best For	Notes
VersiFlex Light Transfer Paper	Light cotton, fabric blends, selected uncoated or natural surfaces (wood, ceramic, slate)	Primary transfer media for most soft-goods VersiFlex applications
TruePix Sublimation Paper	Polyester fabrics, polymer-coated blanks, mugs, tumblers, panels	Use for traditional sublimation-style workflows within the VersiFlex system
Vinyl / HTV	Dark-colored garments where VersiFlex's lack of white ink is a limitation	Not a VersiFlex product — a separate workflow for dark substrates

Always run test prints on sample material before moving to full production runs. Substrate variation, heat press calibration, and pressure settings all influence the final result. Use the correct Sawgrass software profile for every job.

Side-by-Side Comparison

VersiFlex vs. Traditional Sublimation: Key Differences

Understanding when to use VersiFlex versus the standard SubliJet UHD sublimation system helps you decide which setup is right for your business.

Feature	SubliJet UHD (Traditional Sublimation)	Sawgrass VersiFlex
Ink Configuration	CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)	CMY + Expander (no black cartridge)
Primary Substrates	Polyester, polymer-coated blanks	Cotton, natural fabrics, wood, ceramic, slate, polyester blanks
Cotton Printing	Limited without specialty transfer methods	Yes, on light cotton with VersiFlex Light Transfer Paper
Dark Garments	Not supported (no white ink)	Not supported (no white ink) — use vinyl/HTV instead
Wood / Natural Surfaces	Limited	Yes, with correct media and testing
Compatible Printers	Sawgrass SG500, SG1000 (dedicated)	Sawgrass SG500, SG1000 (dedicated — separate printer required)
Cannot mix ink systems — each printer must be dedicated to one ink family

Product Specifications

VersiFlex Expander — Full Product Details

Product Name	Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander Ink Cartridge
Ink System	VersiFlex CMY + Expander
Cartridge Capacity	31ml
Cartridge Position	Fourth slot (replaces black in traditional CMYK printers)
Required With	VersiFlex Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow cartridges
Compatible Printers	Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 (VersiFlex-dedicated only)
Not Compatible With	SubliJet UHD, EasySubli, ChromaBlast, SG400, SG800, Epson, Ricoh, Canon, HP, Brother, or any non-Sawgrass printer
Recommended Media	VersiFlex Light Transfer Paper; TruePix Sublimation Paper
Retail Price	$99.95
Condition	New — genuine OEM Sawgrass, factory-sealed
Shipping	Free on orders over $99 (continental USA only)
Local Pickup	Available in Miami, FL — usually ready within 24 hours
Return Policy	Final sale — all ink cartridges are non-returnable once shipped
Sold By	SawgrassInks.com — Authorized Sawgrass Dealer (Southtrend Corp.)

What's Included with the Expander Purchase

One (1) genuine Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander 31ml cartridge, factory-sealed
Free shipping on orders over $99 to the continental USA
Access to our authorized dealer support team for VersiFlex setup questions
Confidence in genuine OEM product — not a compatible or third-party cartridge
Same-day or next-business-day dispatch from our Miami, FL location

Buying Guide

Should You Buy VersiFlex Expander Alone or the Complete Ink Set?

The right choice depends entirely on where you are in your VersiFlex workflow. Here is the simplest way to decide:

Buy Expander Alone If…

Your SG500 or SG1000 is already running VersiFlex and your Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow cartridges are still good. You only need to replace the Expander cartridge that has run low or expired.

Buy Expander — $99.95

Buy the Complete Set If…

You are setting up a new VersiFlex printer for the first time, or you need to replace all four cartridges at once. The Complete Set includes Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Expander in a single order.

Shop Complete Ink Set

📦 Final Sale Policy

All VersiFlex ink cartridges on SawgrassInks.com are final sale. Ink cartridges ship factory-sealed and cannot be returned once the order is placed. Please confirm your printer model and ink system before ordering. Questions? Contact our team before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

VersiFlex Expander — Common Questions Answered

These are the most searched questions about VersiFlex Expander, answered directly from our team's experience as an authorized Sawgrass dealer.

The VersiFlex Expander is the required fourth cartridge in the Sawgrass VersiFlex CMY + Expander ink system. It occupies the black cartridge slot and works alongside VersiFlex Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow in dedicated SG500 and SG1000 VersiFlex printers to support multi-surface decorating on cotton, wood, ceramic, slate, and compatible sublimation blanks.

No. The VersiFlex Expander is not a standalone ink and cannot function independently. It must always be used as part of the complete four-cartridge CMY + Expander configuration alongside VersiFlex Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. If you need all four cartridges, the Complete VersiFlex Ink Set is the most convenient option.

No. VersiFlex does not use a black ink cartridge. This is one of the most common misconceptions. The fourth cartridge slot — normally black in CMYK — is occupied by the VersiFlex Expander. Deep tones and dark neutrals are produced by combining Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow at high saturation. There is no "VersiFlex black ink" product.

No. VersiFlex does not print white ink. For this reason, VersiFlex works best on white, cream, pastel, or light-colored substrates where the design colors can be seen clearly. For dark-colored garments or substrates, the recommended solution is a separate vinyl or HTV (heat transfer vinyl) workflow.

VersiFlex Expander is designed exclusively for Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 printers dedicated to the VersiFlex ink system. It is not compatible with SubliJet UHD, Siser EasySubli, ChromaBlast, the older SG400 or SG800 models, or any non-Sawgrass printer brands including Epson, Ricoh, Canon, HP, and Brother.

No. Sawgrass strongly advises against switching ink systems in a printer that has already been used with another ink family. Doing so risks print head contamination, permanent hardware damage, reduced output quality, and potential loss of warranty coverage. To run both SubliJet UHD and VersiFlex workflows, you need two separate dedicated printers.

Use VersiFlex Light Transfer Paper for light cotton, fabric blends, and selected uncoated or natural surfaces such as wood, ceramics, and slate. Use TruePix sublimation paper for traditional sublimation applications on polyester and polymer-coated blanks such as mugs, tumblers, and coated hard panels. Always match the paper to the substrate and use the correct Sawgrass software profile for each material. Shop VersiFlex Light Transfer Paper here.

You can buy genuine Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander directly from SawgrassInks.com, operated by Southtrend Corp. — an authorized Sawgrass dealer serving the U.S.A. and Latin America since 1996. We stock factory-sealed OEM cartridges and offer free shipping on orders over $99 to the continental USA. Order VersiFlex Expander here →

Ready to Order VersiFlex Expander?

Shop genuine Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander 31ml for SG500 and SG1000, or get all four cartridges with the Complete Ink Set. Free shipping on orders over $99 to the continental USA.

Buy VersiFlex Expander — $99.95 Shop Complete Ink Set Browse VersiFlex Collection

About This Guide: Written and maintained by the team at SawgrassInks.com, operated by Southtrend Corp. — an authorized Sawgrass dealer serving professional decorators, small print shops, and customization businesses in the U.S.A. and Latin America since 1996. We stock genuine OEM Sawgrass supplies and support VersiFlex, SubliJet UHD, EasySubli, and SubliJet HD workflows. Product compatibility, manufacturer guidance, and media recommendations may change — always follow current Sawgrass documentation before installation or production. For compatibility questions, contact our team. Also see our full Sawgrass VersiFlex Guide.

What Is the Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander? Complete Guide for SG500 & SG1000

What Is the Sawgrass VersiFlex Expander?
The Complete Buyer's Guide