Sawgrass SG500 Printer Bundles: Buying Guide

Sawgrass SG500 Buying Guide

Which Sawgrass SG500 Bundle Should You Buy?

The SG500 comes in three bundles on SawgrassPrinter.com. They split into one simple question: are you doing traditional sublimation, or do you need to print on cotton? This guide compares all three, with what's included, who each is for, and the products they make.

From Southtrend Corp., an authorized Sawgrass dealer for the USA and Latin America serving the printing industry since 1996.

Choose Your SG500 in 10 Seconds

  • Want the lowest entry price for traditional sublimation? Choose the SubliJet UHD Starter bundle (20ml install inks).
  • Want to start producing immediately? Choose the SubliJet UHD Complete package (full 31ml ink plus paper).
  • Need to print on cotton and natural fabrics? Choose the VersiFlex bundle.

The Three SG500 Options

Side by Side

UHD Starter

Ink system: SubliJet UHD (20ml install)

Paper included: No

Best surfaces: Polyester and poly-coated blanks

Best for: Lowest-cost start; testing before committing

UHD Complete

Ink system: SubliJet UHD (full 31ml set)

Paper included: Yes, 110 sheets

Best surfaces: Polyester and poly-coated blanks

Best for: Producing immediately; best value to start

VersiFlex

Ink system: VersiFlex (CMY plus Expander)

Paper included: Yes, VersiFlex Light

Best surfaces: Cotton, wood, naturals, plus blanks

Best for: Cotton and multi-surface without DTF

Note: a printer must stay dedicated to one ink system for its life. For the deeper ink comparison, read our VersiFlex vs SubliJet UHD guide.

Option 1: SubliJet UHD Starter Bundle

The most affordable way into Sawgrass sublimation. It includes the SG500 printer, 20ml SubliJet UHD starter (install) cartridges, Sawgrass Print Manager and CreativeStudio software, a dust cover, and the 3-year warranty. The 20ml cartridges are the install inks that initialize the printer, so plan to reorder full-size 31ml ink once you ramp up.

Who is this for

First-time buyers, hobbyists, and home-based startups who want the lowest entry cost and are testing the waters before committing to full-size ink.

Main applications

Mugs and drinkware, polyester apparel, metal and ceramic blanks, coasters, phone cases, and photo gifts.

Shop the SubliJet UHD Starter bundle

Option 2: SubliJet UHD Complete Package

The production-ready choice. It includes the SG500 printer, the full-size 31ml SubliJet UHD complete CMYK set, 110 sheets of 8.5 by 11 inch sublimation paper, Sawgrass software, a dust cover, and the 3-year warranty. Because it ships with full ink and paper, you can move from setup straight into real production with no immediate reorder, which also makes it the best value to start.

Who is this for

New and growing businesses that want to begin producing and selling right away, and buyers who prefer the value of a complete, ready-to-print package.

Main applications

The same traditional sublimation range as the Starter: polyester apparel, mugs and drinkware, metal and ChromaLuxe panels, ceramics, awards, and photo gifts.

Shop the SubliJet UHD Complete package

Option 3: VersiFlex Bundle

The choice when cotton matters. VersiFlex pairs specialty inks (CMY plus a clear Expander) with VersiFlex Light transfer paper, letting the SG500 decorate cotton, blends, uncoated wood, ceramics, and slate, in addition to traditional sublimation blanks, all without DTF powder, a curing oven, or a separate machine. The bundle includes the printer, the VersiFlex ink set, VersiFlex Light media, and a dust cover. Because the system does not print white ink, results are strongest on white and light-colored materials.

Who is this for

Apparel decorators and makers who want to sell cotton goods and multi-surface products from one compact system, without the equipment and upkeep of a DTF or DTG workflow.

Main applications

Cotton tees and apparel, tote bags, wood signs and decor, plus traditional sublimation items like mugs and coasters on light substrates.

Shop the VersiFlex bundle

How to Decide

Start with the material. If you need to print on cotton or natural fabrics, the VersiFlex bundle is the only option that does it. If you are doing traditional sublimation on polyester and hard goods, choose between Starter and Complete based on budget and readiness: Starter for the lowest entry cost, Complete to produce immediately with full ink and paper included.

Still weighing the ink systems? Our VersiFlex vs SubliJet UHD guide breaks down the full differences, or browse all SG500 and SG1000 bundles.

Still deciding? Talk to a Sawgrass specialist

Not sure which SG500 fits your products? Send us an email or call and speak with our specialists. As an authorized Sawgrass dealer since 1996, we work with this equipment every day and will help you choose with confidence.

Specialists available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm ET.

Why Buy From SawgrassPrinter.com

SawgrassPrinter.com is operated by Southtrend Corp., an authorized Sawgrass dealer for the USA and Latin America serving the printing industry since 1996. We supply 100% genuine, factory-sealed Sawgrass products backed by the full manufacturer warranty and a team that works with this equipment every day. Based at 20165 NE 16th Place, Miami, FL 33179. Questions before you order? Call 305-653-0037.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Starter and Complete UHD bundles?

Both use the same SubliJet UHD sublimation system. The Starter ships with 20ml install cartridges at the lowest entry price. The Complete package includes the full-size 31ml ink set plus 110 sheets of paper, so you can produce immediately without an early reorder.

Which SG500 bundle can print on cotton?

Only the VersiFlex bundle. Traditional SubliJet UHD sublimation bonds to polyester and polymer-coated surfaces, not untreated cotton. VersiFlex uses a different ink and transfer system to decorate cotton and natural fabrics.

Can one SG500 run more than one ink system?

No. A Sawgrass printer must stay dedicated to a single ink system for its life. Switching requires a full ink flush and can void the warranty, so choose your system before you buy.

Is the SG500 good for a beginner?

Yes. The SG500 is one of the most popular entry-level Sawgrass printers, with a compact desktop design, simple setup, and CreativeStudio software that makes designing approachable without graphic design experience.