Sawgrass SG500 vs SG1000: Which One Should You Buy?
Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 bundles compared on media size, ink, software, maintenance and warranty, with VersiFlex cotton decoration on both sides.
On this page
A maker selling custom shirts, mugs and signs wants a printer that fits the products on offer, and this sawgrass sg500 vs sg1000 comparison uses only what the bundle listings state. The SG500 side lists compact media and a starter bundle, while the SG1000 side lists 11 x 17 in media, with VersiFlex cotton decoration on both sides.
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Verdict: pick the SG500 side for compact media and a starter bundle, and pick the SG1000 side for 11 x 17 in media. The VersiFlex bundles on both sides decorate cotton and sublimation blanks, so the choice turns on media size and bundle contents, not on the decoration system alone.
Machines on the list
Sawgrass VersiFlex SG1000 Printer
A Sawgrass SG1000 bundle with 31 ml VersiFlex inks and transfer paper for decorating cotton, sublimation blanks and porous surfaces.
Pros
- Decorates cotton and sublimation blanks, plus porous surfaces like natural fibers, canvas and untreated wood
- 31 ml VersiFlex ink cartridge 4 Pack with 50 sheets of transfer paper included
- No pre-treatment needed for VersiFlex decoration
- REACH, RoHS and OEKO-TEX certified
Cons
- A pressure adjustable manual heat press is required
- Listing does not state a media size
- 35.0 pounds, the heavier VersiFlex bundle
- No software suite is stated on this bundle listing
Sawgrass VersiFlex SG500 Printer
A Sawgrass SG500 bundle with 31 ml VersiFlex inks and transfer paper for decorating cotton, sublimation blanks and porous surfaces.
Pros
- Decorates cotton and sublimation blanks, plus porous surfaces like natural fibers, canvas and untreated wood
- 31 ml VersiFlex ink cartridge 4 Pack with 50 sheets of transfer paper included
- No pre-treatment needed for VersiFlex decoration
- Lighter VersiFlex bundle at 30.0 pounds
Cons
- A pressure adjustable manual heat press is required
- No bypass tray size is stated, unlike the SG500 starter bundle
- VersiFlex inks are listed as exclusive to the SG500
- No software suite is stated on this bundle listing
Sawgrass SG1000 Sublimation Printer
A Sawgrass SG1000 sublimation bundle with 31 ml SubliJet UHD inks, printing up to 11 x 17 in.
Pros
- Prints up to 11 x 17 in straight out of the box
- 31 ml SubliJet UHD inks in CMYK included
- Automatic maintenance keeps the printer ready after time away
- 1:1 onboarding session with lifetime education and support
Cons
- Title states a 3 year warranty while the bullets and spec table state 2 years
- No weight stated in the listing
- Additional expanded paper sizes and accessories are listed as available, not included
- Sublimation only in this bundle, without VersiFlex cotton decoration
Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer Starter Bundle
A Sawgrass SG500 starter bundle with 20 ml SubliJet UHD inks, Wi-Fi and a bypass tray for longer prints.
Pros
- Prints on media up to 8.5 x 14 in, with a bypass tray to 8.5 x 51 in
- 20 ml SubliJet UHD ink starter set in CMYK included
- Wi-Fi connectivity with print head auto-maintenance
- MySawgrass platform and Sawgrass Print Utility included, with 1 on 1 training
Cons
- 20 ml cartridges are smaller than the 31 ml cartridges in the other bundles
- No VersiFlex decoration in this bundle
- No weight stated in the listing
- Prints past 8.5 x 14 in need the bypass tray
Side by side
| Spec | SG500 | SG1000 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media size | Up to 8.5 x 14 in, bypass tray to 8.5 x 51 in (starter bundle) | Up to 11 x 17 in (sublimation bundle) | SG500 VersiFlex spec table states 8.5 x 14 in; SG1000 VersiFlex states no media size |
| Ink | 20 ml SubliJet UHD or 31 ml VersiFlex, 4 Pack | 31 ml SubliJet UHD or 31 ml VersiFlex, 4 Pack | Ink follows the bundle |
| Software | MySawgrass and Sawgrass Print Utility (starter bundle) | MySawgrass and Sawgrass Print Utility (sublimation bundle) | Stated on sublimation bundles only |
| Maintenance | Print head auto-maintenance (starter bundle) | Automatic maintenance (sublimation bundle) | Stated on sublimation bundles only |
| Heat press | Pressure adjustable manual heat press required (VersiFlex bundle) | Pressure adjustable manual heat press required (VersiFlex bundle) | Required for VersiFlex |
| Warranty | 2 Year Manufacture or 3-Year/100K Prints | 2-year printer and ink warranty or 3-Year/100K Prints | Title and bullets disagree on SG1000 sublimation |
| Weight | 30.0 pounds (VersiFlex bundle) | 35.0 pounds (VersiFlex bundle) | Not stated on sublimation bundles |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 3 November 2026.
Sawgrass SG500 vs SG1000: media size
Media size separates the sublimation bundles most clearly. The SG500 starter bundle prints on media up to 8.5 x 14 in and uses the bypass tray for prints up to 8.5 x 51 in. The SG1000 sublimation bundle prints up to 11 x 17 in straight out of the box. The VersiFlex bundles state contents rather than a media size, except for the SG500 VersiFlex spec table at 8.5 x 14 in.
Ink and bundles
Ink volume follows the bundle. The SG500 starter bundle includes 20 ml SubliJet UHD ink cartridges in cyan, magenta, yellow and black, while the SG1000 sublimation bundle includes 31 ml SubliJet UHD inks. Both VersiFlex bundles include a 31 ml VersiFlex ink cartridge 4 Pack and 50 sheets of VersiFlex Light Heat Transfer Paper. Both sublimation bundles also list TruePix paper.
Software and maintenance
Software and maintenance are stated on the sublimation bundles only. The SG500 starter bundle lists Wi-Fi, print head auto-maintenance, MySawgrass, Sawgrass Print Utility and 1 on 1 training. The SG1000 sublimation bundle lists automatic maintenance, MySawgrass, Sawgrass Print Utility and a 1:1 onboarding session. For the VersiFlex bundles, software and maintenance are Not stated.
Heat press and VersiFlex
VersiFlex is the shared decoration system on both sides. Both VersiFlex bundles state that a pressure adjustable manual heat press is required, and both list decoration on porous surfaces such as natural fibers, cotton, canvas and untreated wood, plus sublimation blanks, with no pre-treatment needed. The sublimation bundles do not list VersiFlex decoration, so a buyer who wants cotton decoration needs a VersiFlex bundle on either side.
Warranty and support
Warranty terms differ by bundle. Both VersiFlex bundles list a 3-Year/100K Prints warranty with lifetime education and support, and the SG500 starter bundle lists a 2 Year Manufacture warranty with 1 on 1 training. The SG1000 sublimation bundle is unclear: its title states a 3 year warranty, while its bullets and spec table state 2 years.
Choose the SG500 if
- You print on media up to 8.5 x 14 in, with the bypass tray for longer prints up to 8.5 x 51 in, in the starter bundle.
- You want a starter bundle with 20 ml inks, Wi-Fi and 1 on 1 training.
- You want VersiFlex cotton decoration at the smaller bundle weight of 30.0 pounds.
Choose the SG1000 if
- You print up to 11 x 17 in straight out of the box, in the sublimation bundle.
- You want 31 ml inks and a 1:1 onboarding session, in the sublimation bundle.
- You want VersiFlex cotton decoration on the SG1000 side.
Sublimation printers use heat and inks: follow the listing guidance, use the required heat press for VersiFlex work, and ventilate the work area. Never laser PVC or vinyl; see our laser engraver vs sublimation printer guide.
Project Match
- Custom shirts and mugs: the SG500 starter bundle or the SG1000 sublimation bundle.
- Banners, panels and signage: the SG1000 sublimation bundle, which lists prints up to 11 x 17 in.
- Cotton, canvas and untreated wood: a VersiFlex bundle on either side, with a pressure adjustable manual heat press.
- Long narrow prints: the SG500 starter bundle, with the bypass tray to 8.5 x 51 in.
FAQ: lasers and CNC
Which Sawgrass printer prints larger?
Neither side is larger in every dimension: the SG1000 sublimation bundle lists 11 x 17 in, while the SG500 starter bundle lists up to 8.5 x 14 in without the bypass tray, reaching 8.5 x 51 in only through the bypass tray.
Do both printers work with cotton?
Only the VersiFlex bundles list cotton decoration. The sublimation bundles do not list cotton.
Is a heat press required?
For VersiFlex decoration, yes: both VersiFlex listings state a pressure adjustable manual heat press is required. The sublimation bundle listings do not state a heat press requirement.
What warranty does the SG1000 sublimation bundle carry?
Its title states a 3 year warranty, while its bullets and spec table state 2 years, so treat the term as unclear until the listing is checked.
Related: best sublimation printer for mugs, heat presses and sublimation, sublimation printer vs inkjet printer and sublimation tumblers for Etsy sellers.
