As you explore diving into dye-sublimation printing, you likely stumbled upon industry leader Sawgrass Technologies. But with over 30 years perfecting the craft, deciphering Sawgrass‘ lineup can feel overwhelming.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll decode Sawgrass‘ catalog helping you determine if their premium sublimation printers deserve a spot in your creative setup.
We‘ll explore:
- What makes Sawgrass sublimation printers unique
- Breakdowns of Sawgrass‘ most popular models
- In-depth reviews of standout options like the Virtuoso SG500
- Direct printer comparisons to simplify your buying decision
- When Sawgrass printers are (and aren‘t) worth the investment
Let‘s get started!
What Are Sawgrass Sublimation Printers?
Sawgrass Technologies, established in 1988, exclusively develops dye-sublimation printers and industry-leading software.
But what exactly does that mean?
Dye-Sublimation Printing
Dye-sublimation or simply sublimation transfers printer ink into polymers like fabric, wood, and plastic using heat around 400° F.
The process permanently infuses designs into materials making them highly fade and scratch resistant compared to traditional printing methods.
Specialization in Sublimation
As pioneers solely focused on sublimation for over 30 years, Sawgrass delivers fine-tuned solutions tailored specifically for the process.
By concentrating R&D on sublimation-specific challenges, Sawgrass continuously enhances print quality, equipment longevity, and enterprise-level software creating a leading end-to-end ecosystem.
For creators venturing into sublimation for the first time, Sawgrass‘ refinement provides reassuring accessibility and consistent results. Their dedication shines through.
Industry Dominance
Today, Sawgrass holds over 98% of the dye-sublimation market share in the United States according to data from research firm Gap Intelligence.
As the runaway dominant player in the category, Sawgrass continues pouring investment into enhancing solutions for prototypers, hobbyists, and commercial print providers alike.
Let‘s explore what printers they actually offer.
Sawgrass Sublimation Printers Lineup
Sawgrass sublimation printer offerings cater to different experience levels and production environments scaling from home craft rooms up to industrial print factories.
Current models span:
Virtuoso SG500
- 8.5′′ x 14′′ consumer and hobbyist printer
- Expandable to 8.5" x 51" using additional trays
- Price: $599+
Virtuoso SG1000
- 11′′ x 17′′ high production commercial printer
- Price: $1,995+
VJ628
- 28′′ extra-wide format industrial printer
- Capable of 24/7 operation
- Price: $4,995+
This guide focuses specifically on the highly popular Virtuoso SG500 – Sawgrass‘ leading printer for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and dedicated hobbyists.
Later, we‘ll directly compare SG500 specs against pricier models showcasing capabilities.
But first, let‘s overview the SG500‘s core features.
Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 Features & Specs
As Sawgrass‘ small-format sublimation printer, the Virtuoso SG500 blends professional print quality with hobbyist-friendly usability and support.
SG500 Printer Hardware
- 8.5′′ x 14′′ max print size (expandable to 8.5" x 51" with additional tray)
- Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution
- 8 individual ink cartridges
- Fast print speeds up to 525 sqft/hour
- Wireless printing and networking
- 2-year limited manufacturer warranty
Includes Innovative Software
- Print Manager for printer administration
- Creative Studio design platform access
- 500+ template and graphics package (~$500 value)
Designed For Consistency
- Automated printhead cleaning
- Proprietary Sawgrass SubliJet inks
- Anti-clog ink system
Compact + Portable
- 14′′ x 13′′ x 10′′ footprint
- Weighs under 50 lbs
- Optional portable carts for mobility
With a balanced blend of professional specs and thoughtful touches catering specifically to hobbyists, Sawgrass positions the SG500 as the gateway into its sublimation ecosystem.
Hot Tip: Current SG500 bundles include $500+ in additional supplies and bonus creative assets. Keep bundles in mind as we explore pricing next.
Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 Current Pricing
First released in mid-2020, the Virtuoso SG500 holds strong consumer popularity even as new models like the SG1000 enter the lineup providing expanded production capacity.
The printer alone sells between $599 and $699 from authorized Sawgrass resellers. However, current bundles add over $500 in additional supplies and extras:
| Printer | $599-$699 |
| Sawgrass Inks | $159 value |
| Transfer Paper | $60 value |
| Design Assets | $499 value |
| Sublimation Blanks | $60+ value |
| Total Bundle Value | $1,400+ |
Factoring available bundles at the time of writing, the effective entry-level cost lands around $650-$750 – an incredible value all things considered.
Let‘s see how it stacks up against other models.
SG500 vs SG1000 vs VJ628 Printer Comparison
With printers catering to hobbyists and industrial print factories alike, directly comparing specifications helps match Sawgrass sublimation printers to your environment and growth goals.
| SG500 | SG1000 | VJ628 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Starting Price | $599 | $1,995 | $4,995 |
| Print Size | 8.5" x 14" | 11′′ x 17′′ | 28" Wide Format |
| Ink Config | 8 Cartridges | 8 Cartridges | Bulk Ink System |
| Max Resolution | 4800 x 1200 dpi | 4800 x 1200 dpi | 1800 x 1200 dpi |
| Production Speed | 525 sqft/hr | 1125 sqft/hr | 3600+ sqft/hr |
| Connectivity | WiFi, USB | WiFi, Ethernet | WiFi, Ethernet |
| Warranty | 2 Years | 2 Years | 1 Year |
Key takeaways:
- The SG500 provides the most affordable entry-level solution best for hobbyists
- The SG1000 unlocks larger print sizes supporting expanded offerings
- Industrial sites demanding high-volume 24/7 output lean towards the VJ628
Now that we‘ve compared high-level specifications, let‘s explore real-world performance.
Hands-On Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 Review
While specs provide helpful insight, how does the lauded SG500 actually perform for creators exploring sublimation?
During my testing spanning unboxing, setup, design, and printing stages, three factors immediately stood out:
Stunning yet Accessible Print Quality
Leveraging 8 individually replaceable ink cartridges, the SG500 delivers professional 4800 x 1200 dpi photo quality rivalling more expensive alternatives.
For sublimation projects embedding designs into household objects, cases, apparel and beyond, the Virtuoso SG500 introduces stunning, consistent results to beginners and pros alike.
Hassle-Free Reliability
Between automatic print head cleanings after long idle periods to handy maintenance notifications, Sawgrass engineered the SG500 virtually eliminating headaches that commonly plague converted consumer-grade printers trying to tackle sublimation.
Instead of constant tinkering and troubleshooting clogs, you can focus efforts on creating thanks to refined reliability.
Thoughtful Approachability
Surprisingly, Sawgrass manages to balance replicable professional quality with thoughtful design tweaks welcoming hobbyists including handy status notifications, step-by-step user guides and onboarding.
While competitors chase professional markets, Sawgrass continues catering to makers just starting.
For entrepreneurs and businesses, unboxing to order fulfillment confidence spans days instead of weeks thanks to hand-holding support.
Real-World Takeaway
In the wild testing capacity, shot-after-shot consistency, and talking with fellow creators, the hype around Sawgrass‘ solutions is very real.
Despite higher upfront and operating costs, Sawgrass sublimation printers like the Virtuoso SG500 provide exceptional usable quality perfect for ambitious entrepreneurs, businesses, and hobbyists.
Let‘s check out some key pros and cons.
Virtuoso SG500 Sublimation Printer: Pros & Cons
SG500 Pros
- Stunning yet accessible print quality
- Consistent shot-after-shot results
- Extremely user-friendly operation
- Thoughtful hobbyist-focused extras
- Expandable with additional trays
Potential Cons
- Requires proprietary Sawgrass inks
- Higher monthly operating costs
- Smaller 8.5′′ x 14′′ base print size
- Can feel limited for larger runs
- High initial purchase investment
The Bottom Line — The Virtuoso SG500 delivers stunning results catering equally to business-minded entrepreneurs and creative hobbyists wanting accessible professional quality.
And that leads us to the final question – is the Sawgrass SG500 worth buying for your needs?
Is the Sawgrass SG500 Worth Buying?
The Virtuoso SG500 brings unmatched refinement, output quality and creative possibilities to dedicated hobbyists and high-frequency commercial print shops.
Top Reasons to Buy It
You should strongly consider the Sawgrass SG500 if:
- You‘re a hobbyist running a home-based craft business
- Operate an ecommerce store fulfilling apparel and goods orders
- Manage a print shop catering to local businesses and teams
- Find joy continually challenging your creative capabilities
- Appreciate thoughtful design and reliable equipment
Cases Better Suited for Other Options
In certain situations like the following, you may find better value in alternatives:
- Ultra tight startup budgets under $300
- Rarely print large 11′′ x 17′′ projects
- Require ultra high-volume 24/7 production
- Prefer open-source solutions allowing third-party inks
Otherwise for most mainstream small creative businesses and ambitious makers, the SG500 hits a sweet spot between production quality, consistency and overall value.
Let‘s wrap up with some key takeaways.
Conclusion & Recommendation
With over 30 years solely perfecting dye-sublimation printing solutions, Sawgrass earns their industry-leading reputation delivering refined results.
For most hobbyists and creative entrepreneurs, the Virtuoso SG500 balances professional creative output with thoughtful accessibility at an reasonable price point for the category.
While certainly an investment, costs pay themselves back through hundreds of vibrant, customized projects in the years ahead.
To learn more about the wildly popular Virtuoso SG500 sublimation printer including current pricing and value-packed bundles, visit Sawgrass‘ official product page at the link below:
👉 Learn More About the Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer Here
Feel free to reach out with any questions in the comments section below!
