The Sawgrass SG500 sublimation printer is one of the latest in Sawgrass’s line of brilliant sublimation printing solutions. The printer is famous for its ability to print fast and high-quality sublimation prints. If you’re just starting in the world of decorating but still want to compete with larger companies, it might be exactly what you were looking for.
The Sawgrass SG500 is a business-oriented sublimation printer that allows you to print on various materials from ordinary paper and plastic to more versatile materials like cardboard, leather, and fabric. This comes in handy for many businesses as they can create color-customized products that help them stand out to their customers as well as adhere to constant changes in marketing trends
If you are thinking of getting an SG500 sublimation printer, this short review will tell you all about this printer. In this Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer Review, we’ll cover the pros and cons of this machine and give you a good idea of whether or not it’s going to work for you.
Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer Review
Specifications:
- Maximum Media Size: 8.5″ x 14″ sheet, 8.5″ x 51″ via bypass tray.
- Display: LCD
- Interface: Wireless, High-Speed USB 2.0
- Voltage: 220 / 240v
- Warranty: 2 Year with Lifetime Tech Support
- Unit Dimensions: 15.75˝ x 17.25˝ x 8.5˝
- Unit Weight: 14Kg
The Sawgrass SG500 sublimation printer will take your creativity to new heights. Virtuoso systems from Sawgrass are the first truly integrated desktop solutions for sublimation in the industry. With Sawgrass SG500, you can create the highest quality images at the lowest cost per image. The SG500 provides maximum quality and efficiency with minimal ink and power consumption.
Compact and rugged, the SG500 maintains the qualities of its predecessor. A single roll-bar and improved energy efficiency, higher print resolution, and WiFi connectivity make the SG500 an excellent printer. You can expect a superior quality product and a much easier-to-use experience at a comparable price to its predecessor.
The SG500 features an automatic maintenance cycle to ensure trouble-free printing as does every Sawgrass printer. In order to provide customers with the best possible level of security, the SG500 comes with a 2-year warranty from Sawgrass, which includes unlimited technical support.
High Definition Printing
In the market, the SG500 is the only printer that is specifically designed for sublimation printing. SG500 printer uses Sawgrass SubliJet-UHD inks, allowing high-quality, vibrant prints with up to 4880 x 1200 dpi at the highest print resolution. This new printer driver uses a multiple ink system (black, magenta, cyan, and yellow), allowing up to 687,754 color prints. UHD inks ensure deep blacks that are deeper than ever before.
Faster Speeds, Greater Productivity
This printer can print up to 240 pages per hour, which is 50 percent faster than the SG400. There are built-in self-cleaning features in the printer which ensure that it is operating at its highest efficiency.
Vibrant Colors
This digital process offers extreme color vibrancy and resolution that other methods cannot match. This is the only choice among professional photographers and digital image professionals who insist on perfection and fine detail.
Superior Durability
With EasySubli UHD you can create permanent sublimation images! Your images will not crack or peel off from hard substrates. You can wash the clothing as many times as you like, and it will never fade.
Self-Maintenance Mode
Even if no paper has been printed for several months, the printer keeps running smoothly with its built-in self-cleaning feature.
CreativeStudio
A free license to CreativeStudio comes with the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 printer. The only design application specifically designed for sublimation printing. Featuring easy-to-use templates, thousands of ready-to-use designs, and seamless integration with Sawgrass printers, CreativeStudio makes product creation simple. Each Sawgrass printer purchase comes with an individual account. In addition, a premium membership provides access to unlimited artwork and features.
Sawgrass Print Manager
To ensure optimal quality, it is important to adjust the ink output since different materials and papers affect the appearance of colors. Sawgrass Print Manager software utility allows you to make those adjustments automatically. It manages your digital artwork’s color flow from your computer to your Sawgrass printer in the background. It reduces the amount of waste ink and ensures better color accuracy and vibrancy on your finished products. You can use it on Mac and Windows.
WIFI Connectivity
The network of your home or office can now be used to print wirelessly. Printing from multiple computers is now easier than ever, thanks to eliminating the need for a USB cable.
Ultra Fine Photo Mode
Printing at an 800 x 1200 DPI resolution is now possible with the SG500. With a high-resolution image, your substrates will appear sharper and more precise.
Backlit Display
Thanks to its LED backlight, the new LCD display is now easier to read, mainly due to its size and shape.
Backward Compatibility
A variety of SG400 accessories are compatible with the SG500. This means you will still be able to use the optional bypass tray of the SG400 to SG500 if you already own it. Using this method, you can print up to 51 inches (1295 mm).
Resolutions and Print Speeds
- High Speed: 15 seconds – 600×600 dpi.
- High Quality: 29 seconds – 600×600 dpi.
- Advance Photo: 48 seconds – 1200×1200 dpi.
- Ultra Fine Photo: 6 minutes 40 seconds – 4880×1200 dpi.
Pros
- LCD display with backlight.
- Eliminates paper jams with the single roll bar.
- Features 4880 x 1200 dpi for ultra-fine printing.
- SG400 accessories are backward compatible.
- Wireless and wired connections are provided.
- Reduces dust accumulation with aluminum encoder strips.
Cons
- 100% cotton heat transfers do not work with Sublijet ink.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Sawgrass 500 and 1000?
Up to 8.5″ x 14″ can be printed on the SG500. This amount of paint coverage should be sufficient for designing printing transfers for coasters, coffee mugs, awards plaques, and phone cases. Out-of-the-box, the SG1000 can print up to 11″x17″ but can be extended to 13″x19″ by adding a bypass tray.
How long does Sawgrass sublimation ink last?
The life expectancy of sublimation cartridges is six months after installation. In order to prevent problems such as color shifting, head clogs, or banding, it is not recommended that they be left in the printer for a long period of time.
How long does sublimation ink last on shirts?
According to many formulas, two years is about the average. There must be several people who have used it for more than three years since many of the projects use sublimation ink for early prototype stages, so they have a lot of wiggle room.
Which is better vinyl or sublimation?
While sublimation printing may have a higher start-up cost than heat transfer vinyl, it may be more effective in the long run. The equipment required to make sublimation prints is sublimation paper, sublimation printer, heat press machine, and blank objects where the design will be applied.
Final Words
Overall, the Sawgrass SG500 has made a good impression during our review process. It offers good quality at a very reasonable price point, making it perfect for businesses looking to get started with sublimation. It has a lot of great features and comes with a ton of extras that everyone enjoys.
If you regularly print a lot and are looking for time and money savings, plus a better quality graphic look, then the Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer could be what you need. This one is definitely worth considering if you want to buy a professional-level sublimation printer but don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on one.