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Which Sawgrass Printer Is Right for You? SG500, SG1000, VersiFlex or SubliJet

Sawgrass Printer & Ink System Buyer’s Guide

Which Sawgrass Printer Is Right for You? VersiFlex vs. SubliJet UHD + SG500 vs. SG1000

Choosing a Sawgrass system is really two decisions: first choose the ink and decorating system that matches the products you want to sell, then choose the SG500 or SG1000 printer size that matches your transfer dimensions and growth plans.

Quick answer: Choose SubliJet UHD if your business is focused on polyester apparel, mugs, drinkware, photo panels, and other poly-coated sublimation products. Choose VersiFlex if cotton T-shirts, totes, and compatible natural fabrics are important while you still want traditional sublimation capability. Then choose the SG500 for a compact 8.5-inch-wide workflow or the SG1000 for larger 11 × 17-inch standard prints and up to 13 × 19 inches with the optional bypass tray.
Shop Sawgrass Printers Shop SubliJet UHD Shop VersiFlex
Guide Navigation
Two-Step Decision SubliJet vs. VersiFlex Choose by Product SG500 vs. SG1000 Software Can You Convert? Important Limitations FAQs
Start Here

Choose the System First, Then the Printer Size

Buyers often start by asking “SG500 or SG1000?” but the more important first question is what you want to decorate.

Decision 1

Choose SubliJet UHD or VersiFlex

  • SubliJet UHD: traditional dye sublimation for polyester and poly-coated products.
  • VersiFlex: cotton and compatible natural fabrics with VersiFlex Light, plus traditional sublimation capability.
  • Think about your actual catalog: shirts, mugs, drinkware, gifts, signage, totes, photo products, or a mix.
Decision 2

Choose SG500 or SG1000

  • SG500: compact footprint and standard media up to 8.5 × 14 inches.
  • SG1000: standard media up to 11 × 17 inches and optional 13 × 19-inch output.
  • Choose based on the largest design you expect to produce, not simply the printer’s purchase price.
Ink System Comparison

SubliJet UHD vs. VersiFlex

Both systems run on current Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 printers, but they are designed around different product categories and transfer media.

Traditional Sublimation

SubliJet UHD

SubliJet UHD is Sawgrass’s CMYK dye-sublimation ink system for polyester fabrics and products manufactured with a sublimation-ready polymer coating.

  • Polyester shirts, jerseys, and performance apparel
  • Sublimation-ready mugs and drinkware
  • Poly-coated metal photo panels and signage
  • Coasters, ornaments, awards, phone cases, and compatible gifts
  • CMYK ink configuration
  • Use sublimation transfer paper such as TruePix
Best choice when: most of your products are already manufactured for traditional dye sublimation.
Shop SubliJet UHD Ink
Cotton + Traditional Sublimation

VersiFlex

VersiFlex uses genuine Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Expander inks with VersiFlex Light transfer paper to decorate compatible cotton and natural fabrics. The same dedicated VersiFlex ink system can also produce traditional sublimation products when used with the correct sublimation paper and Sawgrass profiles.

  • Cotton T-shirts and apparel
  • Cotton totes, canvas, denim, linen, and compatible natural fabrics
  • No conventional vinyl cutting or manual weeding for the standard cotton workflow
  • No DTF adhesive powder or separate powder-curing station
  • CMY + Expander ink configuration
  • Traditional sublimation on polyester and poly-coated blanks with appropriate sublimation paper
Best choice when: cotton is important but you also want mugs, drinkware, polyester, and other traditional sublimation products from one dedicated ink system.
Shop VersiFlex
Feature
SubliJet UHD
VersiFlex
Primary workflow
Traditional dye sublimation
Cotton decoration + traditional sublimation
Ink configuration
CMYK
CMY + Expander
Cotton
Not a direct traditional-sublimation application
Yes, with VersiFlex Light
Polyester apparel
Yes
Yes, through traditional sublimation workflow
Mugs & poly-coated hard goods
Yes
Yes, through traditional sublimation workflow
White ink
No
No
Best fabric colors
White/light polyester for traditional sublimation
White, light, and bright fabrics are most predictable for VersiFlex Light
Current Sawgrass software
Sawgrass Print Utility + MySawgrass
Sawgrass Print Utility + MySawgrass
Choose by What You Plan to Sell

Which Sawgrass System Fits Your Product Line?

Mugs & Tumblers

Traditional sublimation is the simplest fit when drinkware is a major category.

Best starting system: SubliJet UHD
Polyester T-Shirts & Jerseys

Polyester apparel is a classic dye-sublimation application with permanent, vibrant color.

Best starting system: SubliJet UHD
Cotton T-Shirts

VersiFlex Light is Sawgrass’s current cotton workflow for compatible cotton and natural fabrics.

Best starting system: VersiFlex
Cotton Totes & Fabric Accessories

Choose VersiFlex when compatible cotton, canvas, denim, and natural-fabric products are important.

Best starting system: VersiFlex
Photo Panels, Signs & Gifts

If the products are manufactured with a sublimation-ready polymer coating, SubliJet UHD is the straightforward traditional workflow.

Best starting system: SubliJet UHD
Cotton Apparel + Mugs + Gifts

A mixed product catalog is where VersiFlex becomes especially compelling because it combines cotton capability with traditional sublimation.

Best starting system: VersiFlex
Dark Garments

Neither traditional SubliJet UHD nor the standard VersiFlex Light workflow prints a white opacity layer. Evaluate EasySubli, DTF, or another dark-garment method if black and dark shirts dominate your business.

Evaluate a specialty dark-garment workflow
Home-Based Startup

Both systems can work well. Choose the ink system by product type, then consider the compact SG500 if your designs fit within its media size.

Printer starting point: SG500
Growing Personalization Shop

If larger apparel graphics and larger transfer layouts matter, the SG1000 gives you more room to expand.

Printer starting point: SG1000
Choose Your Printer Model

Sawgrass SG500 vs. SG1000

The SG500 and SG1000 share the same core Sawgrass approach. The biggest practical difference is the media size each printer supports.

Compact Choice

Sawgrass SG500

The SG500 is designed for side hustles, home studios, classrooms, startup businesses, and shops producing smaller-format products.

  • Standard media up to 8.5 × 14 inches
  • Up to 8.5 × 51 inches with the optional bypass tray
  • Compact desktop footprint
  • Available for SubliJet UHD and VersiFlex
  • Strong fit for mugs, small gifts, standard apparel designs, and startup production
Larger-Format Choice

Sawgrass SG1000

The SG1000 is for growing shops that need larger transfers, larger apparel graphics, and more production flexibility.

  • Standard media up to 11 × 17 inches
  • Up to 13 × 19 inches with the optional bypass tray
  • Larger-format desktop workflow
  • Available for SubliJet UHD and VersiFlex
  • Supports compatible 70ml extended cartridges where offered
SG500 Standard 8.5 × 14 in.
SG500 Bypass 8.5 × 51 in.
SG1000 Standard 11 × 17 in.
SG1000 Bypass 13 × 19 in.
Current 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.
Shop SG500 & SG1000 Printers Read the SG500 vs. SG1000 Guide
How a Sawgrass System Works

Design. Print. Press.

1

Design

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

2

Print

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

3

Press

Transfer the image with the appropriate heat press and the current time, temperature, and pressure settings for the selected product.

Current Sawgrass Software

Sawgrass Print Utility & MySawgrass

Current Sawgrass systems include complementary software for print production and product design.

Print Management

Sawgrass Print Utility

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

Product Design

MySawgrass

MySawgrass is Sawgrass’s web-based product-design platform with product templates, previews, creative resources, and integration with Sawgrass Print Utility.

Important 2026 Update

Can You Convert an Existing Sawgrass Printer to VersiFlex?

The answer is no longer a simple blanket “never.” Sawgrass now offers an official conversion program for certain eligible SG500 printers.

Official SG500 VersiFlex Conversion Program

Sawgrass currently states that eligible SG500 owners can convert to VersiFlex with an official Conversion Kit and a required guided upgrade session with the Sawgrass Care Team.

  • Printer must be a Sawgrass SG500
  • Printer must have an active warranty
  • Printer must pass a successful nozzle check
  • Current ink may be SubliJet UHD, ChromaBlast, or EasySubli
  • The conversion is guided by Sawgrass rather than performed as a casual DIY ink swap

Do Not Simply Swap Cartridges

Sawgrass specialty inks use different formulations. Do not install VersiFlex cartridges into an existing printer and attempt an informal conversion on your own. Verify eligibility and use the official Sawgrass process when available.

The current conversion program is specifically published for eligible SG500 printers. Do not assume an SG1000 or an out-of-warranty printer qualifies.

Before You Choose

Important Limitations to Understand

VersiFlex Has No White Ink

The standard VersiFlex Light workflow is most predictable on white, light, and bright fabrics. Dark-fabric color affects the finished design because there is no white opacity layer.

SubliJet UHD Is Traditional Sublimation

Standard SubliJet UHD requires polyester fabric or a product manufactured with a sublimation-ready polymer coating. Ordinary untreated cotton is not a direct traditional-sublimation application.

A Heat Press Is Required

Both systems create transfers that require controlled heat. Select a flat, mug, tumbler, or specialty press appropriate for the product you plan to decorate.

Media Must Match the Workflow

Use VersiFlex Light for compatible cotton and natural fabrics. Use appropriate sublimation paper for traditional sublimation applications. Do not treat the transfer papers as interchangeable.

Test New Materials

Fabric construction, coating quality, press calibration, color, and surface characteristics can affect results. Test unfamiliar products before customer production.

Buy for Your Future Product Size

Moving from SG500 to SG1000 later means buying another printer. If larger 11 × 17 or 13 × 19-inch designs are central to your plan, choose the SG1000 from the beginning.

Continue Your Research

Related Sawgrass Buying & Printing Guides

Sawgrass Printing Systems Guide Understand the complete SG500 / SG1000 printer, ink, software, and media ecosystem. SG500 vs. SG1000 Compare printer sizes, bypass options, and best-fit production use cases. SG500 & SG1000 Ink Buying Guide Choose the correct genuine Sawgrass ink and cartridge size. VersiFlex vs. DTF Compare workflow, maintenance, cost, dark garments, and business fit. VersiFlex Printing Guide Learn the current cotton and natural-fabric workflow. VersiFlex Heat Press Settings Review current temperature, time, pressure, peel, and troubleshooting guidance.
Authorized Sawgrass Dealer

Why Trust SawgrassInks.com When Choosing a Sawgrass System?

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 professional printing industry since 1996.

Our team can help customers compare SG500 vs. SG1000, SubliJet UHD vs. VersiFlex, ink configurations, transfer media, product compatibility, and expected print sizes before purchase. We supply genuine Sawgrass products and provide U.S.-based pre-sale guidance from our Miami operation.

Authorized Sawgrass Dealer Genuine Sawgrass 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. Sawgrass specifications, software, warranty terms, conversion eligibility, product availability, and manufacturer recommendations can change. Verify current requirements for your specific printer and workflow.

Sawgrass Buyer FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Sawgrass system should I choose: SubliJet UHD or VersiFlex?

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

Should a beginner buy the SG500 or SG1000?

The SG500 is a strong starting point if most designs fit within an 8.5-inch-wide format and you want a compact desktop setup. Choose the SG1000 if you already know you need larger apparel graphics, 11 × 17-inch standard media, or up to 13 × 19 inches with the optional bypass tray.

Can VersiFlex print on cotton?

Yes. VersiFlex is Sawgrass’s current system for compatible cotton and natural-fabric decoration. Use genuine VersiFlex ink with VersiFlex Light transfer media and current Sawgrass settings.

Can VersiFlex also make sublimation mugs and polyester products?

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

Can SubliJet UHD print directly on cotton?

No. Traditional dye sublimation does not directly bond to ordinary untreated cotton. SubliJet UHD is designed for polyester and products manufactured with a sublimation-ready polymer coating.

Does VersiFlex work on dark shirts?

VersiFlex does not use a white ink channel, so the garment color influences the final appearance. White, light, and bright fabrics are the most predictable choice for the standard VersiFlex Light workflow.

Can I convert an existing SG500 from SubliJet UHD to VersiFlex?

Possibly. Sawgrass now offers an official VersiFlex Conversion Kit for eligible SG500 printers. Current eligibility includes an active warranty, a successful nozzle check, and use of SubliJet UHD, ChromaBlast, or EasySubli. The conversion requires a guided Sawgrass upgrade session. Do not attempt an informal cartridge swap.

Can I convert an SG1000 to VersiFlex?

The current published Sawgrass conversion program specifically identifies eligible SG500 printers. Do not assume an SG1000 qualifies. If you need VersiFlex on an SG1000, verify the current manufacturer options before changing any ink system.

What software comes with a Sawgrass system?

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

What warranty comes with the SG500 and 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.

Which system is better if I want to sell both cotton shirts and mugs?

VersiFlex is the more direct fit for that mixed catalog because it supports compatible cotton through the VersiFlex Light workflow and traditional sublimation products such as mugs through the appropriate sublimation-paper workflow.

Which system should I choose if dark shirts are my main product?

If black and dark garments are your primary product, evaluate a workflow designed to provide a white opacity layer, such as DTF or a compatible EasySubli / HTV approach. Standard VersiFlex Light has no white ink, and traditional SubliJet UHD is not a direct cotton-printing method.

Your Best Sawgrass Starting Point

Match the System to Your Products, Then Match the Printer to Your Size

If you mainly want mugs, drinkware, polyester apparel, photo panels, and other sublimation-ready products, start with SubliJet UHD. If cotton apparel and natural fabrics are central to your catalog while you also want traditional sublimation products, start with VersiFlex. Then choose the SG500 or SG1000 based on the largest transfer size you expect to produce.

Shop Sawgrass Printers Shop SubliJet UHD Shop VersiFlex Read the Printing Systems Guide

 

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