Why Sawgrass? 10 Reasons to Choose Sawgrass Printers

Q: What is the difference between the SG500 and SG1000?

The SG500 prints up to 8.5 by 14 inches from the standard tray. The SG1000 prints up to 11 by 17 inches and accepts larger 70 ml SubliJet UHD cartridges. Optional bypass trays extend both models to longer media.

Q: What software comes with a Sawgrass system?

Current Sawgrass systems include Sawgrass Print Utility for print, color and layout management and MySawgrass for product-focused design and workflow tools.

Q: Is Sawgrass the best choice for every printing business?

No. Sawgrass is particularly strong for desktop personalization businesses that value integration and support. Industrial-volume production, dark-garment white-ink printing or direct-to-garment applications may require different equipment.

Brand guide for creators, startups and print businesses

Why Sawgrass Is More Than a Sublimation Printer Brand

Sawgrass helped move sublimation from specialized production environments to the desktop. Its value is not one isolated printer feature; it is the combination of purpose-built hardware, proprietary ink chemistry, color-management software, transfer media, support and a product roadmap focused on digital decoration.

Why choose Sawgrass? For buyers who want a purpose-built, supported decorating system rather than a converted office printer, Sawgrass offers an integrated path from design to finished product. SubliJet UHD supports traditional sublimation on polyester and polymer-coated blanks, while VersiFlex expands the same desktop platform to cotton, natural fabrics and selected uncoated surfaces.

35+ yearsManufacturer-reported history in digital decoration and sublimation

Purpose-builtSG500 and SG1000 are designed for decoration workflows

Made in CharlestonCurrent Sawgrass inks are engineered and manufactured in South Carolina

One ecosystemPrinters, inks, software, media profiles and support designed to work together

Prepared by: SawgrassPrinter.com Product Team Operated by: Southtrend Corp. Last reviewed: July 12, 2026

A brief Sawgrass history

From Better Sublimation Ink to a Complete Decorating Ecosystem

Sawgrass says its story began with ink chemistry more than 35 years ago. The early objective was straightforward but technically demanding: develop sublimation ink that could flow consistently, reproduce color accurately and create durable transferred images.

That focus produced the SubliJet family of inks and decades of research into sublimation color, reliability and material performance. Sawgrass later combined its ink knowledge with desktop printers, transfer media, color profiles and workflow software. According to the manufacturer, the Sawgrass printer line became the industry’s first fully integrated desktop solution created specifically for sublimation rather than adapted from a general-purpose office-printing workflow.

The modern SG500 and SG1000 represent that integrated approach. Sawgrass Print Utility manages color, media settings and layout, while MySawgrass provides a product-focused design environment. In 2025, the company extended its platform beyond traditional sublimation with VersiFlex, a patented decorating system for cotton, natural materials and conventional sublimation blanks.

Examples of customized drinkware, apparel, bags and gifts made with digital decoration — Sawgrass systems are used to create apparel, drinkware, photo gifts, décor and personalized merchandise.

1. Ink chemistry

Sawgrass began by developing sublimation ink and refining color, flow and durability.

2. Desktop integration

Purpose-built printers brought a more controlled sublimation workflow to smaller businesses.

3. Connected software

Print Utility and MySawgrass linked design, color management and production settings.

4. VersiFlex

The platform expanded from polyester and coated blanks to cotton and other compatible materials.

Pioneer of desktop sublimation

Why Purpose-Built Hardware Matters

A converted office printer may be able to move sublimation ink onto paper, but a complete production system must also manage ink flow, maintenance, color profiles, media settings, software and support. Sawgrass builds its desktop platform around that entire workflow.

Designed for digital decoration

The SG500 and SG1000 are positioned as purpose-built decorating printers rather than consumer office printers repurposed by the end user.

Ink and printhead engineering work together

Genuine Sawgrass inks are formulated for the company’s printer platform, supporting predictable flow, maintenance and image quality.

Color profiles are part of the system

Sawgrass Print Utility includes printer, ink, paper and substrate settings intended to reduce trial-and-error color correction.

Automatic maintenance supports regular use

The platform is designed to manage routine ink-system maintenance, which helps reduce the risks associated with infrequent desktop printing.

Balanced buying advice: Sawgrass is especially compelling for users who prioritize an integrated workflow, manufacturer support and repeatable color. A highly technical buyer focused only on the lowest hardware cost may consider other routes, while industrial-volume businesses may need equipment larger than a desktop SG500 or SG1000.

Sawgrass quality

Quality Comes from the System, Not the Printer Alone

Sawgrass quality is best understood as system quality. The printer, ink formulation, transfer paper, color profiles and software settings influence one another. When those elements are designed and tested together, users can spend less time compensating for mismatched components.

SubliJet UHD is intended for photo-accurate sublimation on polyester apparel and polymer-coated hard goods. The manufacturer emphasizes color consistency, smooth gradients and printhead compatibility. Current SG500 and SG1000 systems also include Sawgrass Print Utility and MySawgrass, connecting design and print settings within the same ecosystem.

For qualifying SG500 and SG1000 purchases in North America on or after October 1, 2025, Sawgrass states that its limited warranty runs for three years or 100,000 prints, whichever occurs first, for the original purchaser and subject to the complete warranty terms.

Sawgrass SG500 sublimation printer with genuine SubliJet UHD ink cartridges — The compact SG500 pairs purpose-built desktop hardware with genuine Sawgrass ink and color-management software.

Made in the USA

Sawgrass Inks Are Engineered and Manufactured in Charleston, South Carolina

Sawgrass states that its current SubliJet UHD and VersiFlex inks are engineered and manufactured in Charleston, South Carolina. That in-house ink expertise is central to the brand’s identity and helps explain why Sawgrass treats the printer, ink and software as one system.

More than three decades of ink research

Sawgrass attributes its current formulations to long-term research in sublimation chemistry, color and print reliability.

Small-batch manufacturing

Sawgrass markets its U.S.-made ink as a controlled, small-batch product designed for consistent output.

Printer-specific formulation

SubliJet UHD and VersiFlex are formulated for supported Sawgrass printers rather than sold as universal third-party ink.

Current safety and handling standards

Sawgrass highlights OEKO-TEX certification and a two-year shelf life for current ink offerings; always verify the cartridge label and current documentation.

Ten reasons to choose the brand

10 Reasons Businesses Buy Sawgrass

Specialization

Sawgrass has focused on digital decoration and sublimation for more than 35 years rather than treating it as a side category.

Purpose-built desktop printers

The SG500 and SG1000 are designed around decoration workflows, not customer-converted office printing.

Integrated color management

Sawgrass Print Utility combines printer, ink, paper and substrate profiles to support repeatable production.

U.S.-made ink

Current Sawgrass ink lines are engineered and manufactured in Charleston, South Carolina.

Two scalable printer sizes

The SG500 fits compact workspaces and smaller products; the SG1000 supports larger sheets and growing production.

Traditional sublimation and cotton options

SubliJet UHD serves polyester and coated blanks, while VersiFlex expands the platform to cotton and other compatible materials.

Current manufacturer warranty

Qualifying North American SG500 and SG1000 purchases receive a three-year or 100,000-print limited warranty, subject to Sawgrass terms.

Software included

Sawgrass Print Utility and MySawgrass support printing, color settings, templates and product design.

Authorized dealer network

Dealers provide local product guidance, genuine supplies and an additional point of contact before and after purchase.

A continuing innovation roadmap

The move from SubliJet ink to an integrated printer ecosystem and then to VersiFlex shows ongoing investment in new decorating applications.

Current desktop printer lineup

Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000: Which Printer Fits Your Business?

The current desktop lineup on SawgrassPrinter.com centers on two models that share Sawgrass ink systems, software and core print quality. The main decision is output size, cartridge capacity and expected production growth.

Sawgrass SG500

The compact entry point for home studios, startups, schools and small businesses producing mugs, gifts, apparel and other small-to-mid-sized products.

Standard media:
Up to 8.5 × 14 in.

With bypass:
Up to 8.5 × 51 in.

Connectivity:
Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB

Best for:
Compact production

Shop SG500 Compare SG500 Bundles

Sawgrass SG1000

The larger desktop model for growing customization businesses, bigger apparel graphics, photo panels, signage and higher-capacity ink options.

Standard media:
Up to 11 × 17 in.

With bypass:
Up to 13 × 19 in. and 51 in. long

Ink capacity:
31 ml or SG1000-only 70 ml

Best for:
Larger designs and growth

Shop SG1000 Compare All Printers

Innovation from SubliJet to VersiFlex

The Sawgrass Story Started with Sublimation Ink—Now It Reaches Cotton

Sawgrass first built its reputation around sublimation chemistry. SubliJet UHD remains the traditional choice for polyester fabrics and polymer-coated blanks. VersiFlex represents the next major step: a dedicated ink-and-media workflow that lets the same SG500 or SG1000 platform decorate cotton, natural fabrics and selected uncoated surfaces.

Sawgrass SG500 with SubliJet UHD inks for traditional sublimation

SubliJet UHD: traditional sublimation

Choose SubliJet UHD for white or light polyester apparel, mugs, tumblers, photo panels and polymer-coated hard goods. It uses a conventional CMYK set and sublimation transfer paper.

Shop SubliJet UHD Ink

Sawgrass VersiFlex system with printer, inks and transfer papers

VersiFlex: cotton plus sublimation blanks

VersiFlex uses cyan, magenta, yellow and clear Expander—not a black cartridge. With the correct paper, it decorates white and light cotton, natural fabrics and selected uncoated materials, while still supporting traditional sublimation blanks.

Shop VersiFlex Ink & Media

Critical setup rule: choose the ink system before installing cartridges. Sawgrass advises keeping each printer dedicated to one ink chemistry because a complete flush between SubliJet UHD, VersiFlex, EasySubli or ChromaBlast cannot be guaranteed.

Firsthand dealer experience

What We Have Learned Helping Sawgrass Customers

SawgrassPrinter.com is operated by Southtrend Corp., an independent authorized Sawgrass dealer serving the professional printing industry since 1996. Our recommendations are shaped not only by manufacturer specifications, but also by the practical questions customers ask before choosing a printer, ink system and transfer workflow.

The most important lesson is that the finished product should determine the equipment—not the other way around. A buyer planning mugs, coated photo panels and polyester apparel usually needs a different ink workflow from someone focused on cotton shirts, canvas or uncoated wood. Once the material and ink system are clear, the required design size normally makes the SG500-versus-SG1000 decision much easier.

We also see that many avoidable problems begin with compatibility assumptions: selecting ink by printer name alone, overlooking cartridge capacity, opening consumables before confirming the model, or expecting one transfer paper to work on every surface. Clear planning before installation protects the printer and reduces wasted transfers.

Our dealer perspective: for many first-time buyers, the most consequential decision is not SG500 versus SG1000—it is choosing the correct ink system for the materials they intend to decorate. Printer size comes next. The heat press, transfer paper, blanks and software requirements should be budgeted as part of the same production system.

Sawgrass Authorized Dealer identification for SawgrassPrinter.com and Southtrend Corp. — Our product guidance combines official Sawgrass documentation with practical dealer experience helping customers match printers, inks, papers and substrates.

Start with the product and material

Identify whether you will decorate polyester, coated hard goods, cotton, natural fabrics or mixed surfaces before selecting an ink platform.

Choose the ink system before installation

SubliJet UHD and VersiFlex serve different material goals. The printer should remain dedicated to the ink chemistry installed during initial setup.

Let print size determine the model

The SG500 is often sufficient when designs fit within 8.5 × 14 inches. The SG1000 is the better fit when 11 × 17, optional 13 × 19 output or 70 ml SubliJet cartridges matter.

Plan the complete workflow

A working system also requires the correct transfer media, a suitable heat press, compatible blanks or garments, pressing supplies and a supported computer.

A realistic buying perspective

When Sawgrass May—or May Not—Be the Best Fit

Sawgrass is a strong fit for startups, schools, makers, personalization businesses and established shops that value a purpose-built desktop system, manufacturer color profiles, genuine ink, software integration and dealer support.

Another platform may be more appropriate when a business needs industrial roll-to-roll output, direct-to-garment white ink, very dark-garment production, continuous high-volume automation or the lowest possible hardware acquisition cost. VersiFlex does not print white ink, and traditional SubliJet sublimation does not bond directly to untreated cotton.

The strongest purchase decision starts with the material, maximum design size, expected volume and willingness to manage the workflow—not with the printer name alone.

Why trust this guide

About SawgrassPrinter.com

SawgrassPrinter.com is operated by Southtrend Corp., a Miami-based company serving professional photo, printing and customization businesses since 1996. Southtrend Corp. is an independent authorized Sawgrass dealer for the United States and Latin America.

Our role is both commercial and educational. We sell the printers, inks and media discussed in this article, and we disclose that relationship so readers can evaluate our recommendations in context. Product statements are reviewed against current Sawgrass product pages, support documentation and the specifications shown on our own listings.

Recommendations are based on intended materials, print size, ink compatibility, production goals and long-term supply needs—not only on price. Questions or corrections can be sent through our contact page.

Official Sawgrass historyManufacturer background on ink development, integrated printers and VersiFlex. Official printer lineupCurrent SG500 and SG1000 positioning and warranty information. Official ink informationCharleston manufacturing, SubliJet UHD and VersiFlex details. Official software informationSawgrass Print Utility and MySawgrass workflow details.

Frequently asked questions

Why Sawgrass? Common Questions Answered

Why choose a Sawgrass printer instead of converting an office inkjet?

Sawgrass offers a purpose-built decorating ecosystem that combines supported printers, genuine ink, color profiles, print software and manufacturer support. A converted printer may cost less initially, but the user assumes more responsibility for ink compatibility, color management, maintenance and support.

Are Sawgrass inks made in the USA?

Yes. Sawgrass states that its current SubliJet UHD and VersiFlex inks are engineered and manufactured in Charleston, South Carolina.

What is the difference between the SG500 and SG1000?

The printers share the same core platform and supported ink systems. The SG500 prints up to 8.5 × 14 inches from the standard tray, while the SG1000 prints up to 11 × 17 inches and also accepts larger 70 ml SubliJet UHD cartridges. Optional bypass trays extend both models to longer media.

Should I choose SubliJet UHD or VersiFlex?

Choose SubliJet UHD for traditional sublimation on white or light polyester and polymer-coated blanks. Choose VersiFlex when cotton, natural fabrics and selected uncoated materials are important, while retaining the ability to decorate sublimation blanks with the correct paper and settings.

Does VersiFlex contain black or white ink?

No. VersiFlex uses cyan, magenta, yellow and a clear Expander cartridge. It does not print white ink, so results are most predictable on white and light-colored materials.

Can I switch a Sawgrass printer from SubliJet UHD to VersiFlex?

No. Sawgrass recommends dedicating the printer to the ink system installed during setup. A complete flush between specialty ink chemistries cannot be guaranteed, and mixing inks can compromise output and printer performance.

What software comes with a Sawgrass system?

Current Sawgrass systems include access to Sawgrass Print Utility for print, color and layout management and MySawgrass for product-focused design, templates and workflow tools.

What warranty is available for current SG500 and SG1000 printers?

Sawgrass states that qualifying North American SG500 and SG1000 printers purchased on or after October 1, 2025 are covered for three years or 100,000 prints, whichever occurs first, for the original purchaser and subject to the full warranty terms.

Is Sawgrass the best choice for every printing business?

No single system is best for every buyer. Sawgrass is particularly strong for desktop personalization businesses that value integration and support. Industrial-volume production, dark-garment white-ink printing or direct-to-garment applications may require different equipment.

What should I decide before buying a Sawgrass printer?

Start with the products and materials you plan to decorate, then choose the appropriate ink system. Next determine the largest design size you need, expected production volume, heat-press requirements and the supplies required for the full workflow. Those answers usually make the SG500-versus-SG1000 choice much clearer.

Why buy from SawgrassPrinter.com?

SawgrassPrinter.com is operated by Southtrend Corp., an independent authorized Sawgrass dealer serving the professional printing industry since 1996. Customers receive genuine products, compatibility guidance and U.S.-based pre-sale assistance.

Choose your system with confidence

Ready to Start or Upgrade Your Sawgrass Workflow?

Begin with the products you plan to make. Choose the SG500 or SG1000 for the required print size, then select SubliJet UHD for traditional sublimation or VersiFlex when cotton and broader material compatibility matter.

Shop Sawgrass Printers Compare Ink Systems Ask a Product Specialist