Sawgrass vs Epson Sublimation Printers: SG500 vs F170 and Beyond
Sawgrass SG500 vs Epson SureColor F170: print size, ink bottles vs cartridges, software, Mac support and warranty, plus the SG1000 and F570 for larger prints.
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Choose the Sawgrass SG500 if you want the longest warranty, Mac support and banner-length printing, and you will print often enough to justify cartridge ink. Choose the Epson SureColor F170 if the lowest purchase price matters most, you print on Windows or Mac via Epson's drivers, and you prefer refillable bottles. Both are built for sublimation, which is the main thing: neither involves converting an office printer.
The comparison below uses Sawgrass's and Epson's own product pages and FAQs.
SG500 vs F170 side by side
| Sawgrass SG500 | Epson SureColor F170 | |
|---|---|---|
| Main tray | Up to Legal (8.5 x 14 in) | Sheets 8.5 in wide |
| Longest sheet | 8.5 x 51 in via rear bypass tray | 8.5 x 47.2 in |
| Ink | Cartridges; SubliJet UHD or VersiFlex | Epson T49M, 140 mL bottles (CMYK) |
| Resolution | Not listed on Sawgrass's page | 1200 x 600 dpi |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, USB |
| Software | Drivers for Windows and Mac; free print management software | Epson's printer software |
| Warranty | 3 years or 100,000 prints (bought from Oct 1, 2025) | 1-year unit exchange |
| Price | Sold as bundles with ink and paper | MSRP $399 |
Ink: cartridges vs bottles
The biggest practical difference is how ink is bought. Epson's F170 uses refillable 140 mL bottles of Epson T49M ink, and Epson says the printer is designed for Epson ink only. Sawgrass uses cartridges in two ink systems: SubliJet UHD for polyester and coated items, and VersiFlex, which Sawgrass says extends printing to cotton, uncoated wood and unglazed ceramics. Bottles usually work out cheaper per mL; cartridges are cleaner to change and keep the SG500's VersiFlex option open.
Print size
Both print 8.5 inches wide. Sawgrass's main tray takes Legal paper, and its rear bypass tray prints up to 51 inches long for banners and long wraps; Epson's F170 takes sheets up to 47.2 inches long. For mugs, tumblers and most small shirt designs, either is enough. For full adult shirt fronts, both brands have a bigger machine (below).
Warranty and support
This is where Sawgrass pulls ahead. For SG500 and SG1000 printers bought on or after October 1, 2025, Sawgrass gives 3 years or 100,000 prints from the date of purchase, for the original purchaser (earlier purchases have 2 years). Epson's F170 carries a standard 1-year unit exchange with toll-free phone support. If the printer is central to your income, the longer cover is worth paying for.
Price
Epson lists the F170 at an MSRP of $399, which makes it the cheapest purpose-built sublimation printer from a major brand. Sawgrass sells the SG500 in bundles with ink and paper; check the live price on the buy box. Remember that the printer is a small part of the total: you also need paper, blanks and a heat press, and ink is a running cost for as long as you sell.
Paper and color
Both printers need sublimation paper, not office paper: the ink sits on a coated sheet and releases under heat. Sawgrass bundles its own TruPix paper with the SG500, and its VersiFlex guide says SubliJet UHD prints on TruPix, while VersiFlex uses VersiFlex Light paper for non-coated items. Epson's F170 feeds from a 150-sheet input tray. Whichever printer you choose, buy paper sized for its tray and test a print on each new pack.
Color comes from the maker's software and profiles. Sawgrass lists free print management software alongside its Windows and Mac drivers, which is one reason its printers are popular with Mac users. Run a color test sheet when you first set up either printer, and press it onto the blanks you plan to sell, because the final color depends on the blank's coating and the press as much as on the printer.
What both need alongside the printer
A sublimation printer only makes the transfer. To finish a product you need blanks made for sublimation (polyester fabric or items with a polymer coating, which Sawgrass describes as what lets hard goods take the ink), heat tape, and a press: a flat press for shirts and panels, and a tumbler or mug press for drinkware. Sawgrass's own settings chart calls its times and temperatures a starting place and says to follow the blank maker's guidance, so budget a few spare blanks for testing.
Bigger models: SG1000 vs F570
Both brands sell a step-up model for larger prints. Sawgrass says the SG1000's main tray handles A3 and Tabloid (11 x 17 inch) paper, with the same ink systems, connectivity and warranty as the SG500. Epson's SureColor F570 is a 24 inch desktop printer (per its listing), sold through Epson dealers such as Johnson Plastics Plus. The SG1000 suits a shop printing shirt fronts and panels on sheets; a 24 inch printer suits higher volume and roll printing.
Which to buy
| You want... | Buy |
|---|---|
| The longest warranty and Mac drivers | Sawgrass SG500 |
| The lowest purchase price | Epson SureColor F170 |
| To print on cotton as well as polyester | Sawgrass SG500 with VersiFlex |
| 11 x 17 inch prints on sheets | Sawgrass SG1000 |
| 24 inch printing for volume | Epson SureColor F570 |
For the full field, including Brother's SP1, see our best sublimation printer guide, and if you are still choosing a method, read DTF vs sublimation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sawgrass better than Epson for sublimation?
Neither is better in every way. Sawgrass offers a longer warranty (3 years or 100,000 prints for printers bought from October 1, 2025) and a cotton-capable ink option, while Epson's F170 costs less to buy and uses refillable 140 mL bottles.
Does the Sawgrass SG500 work with a Mac?
Yes. Sawgrass lists printer drivers for both Windows and Mac, along with free print management software, for the SG500.
Can I use third-party ink in an Epson F170?
Epson says the F170 is designed for Epson ink bottles only, not third-party ink. Using other ink risks print quality and any damage it causes being excluded from repair under warranty.
What is the largest print an SG500 can make?
Its main tray takes Legal paper (8.5 x 14 inches), and the rear bypass tray prints up to 8.5 x 51 inches. For wider prints, Sawgrass's SG1000 takes A3 and Tabloid paper.
Which is cheaper to run, Sawgrass or Epson?
Ink is the main running cost. Epson sells larger 140 mL bottles; Sawgrass sells cartridges. Bottles usually cost less per mL, but compare current ink prices for the exact models before deciding, and factor in the warranty.
Sources
- SG500, Sawgrass
- Product Comparison, Sawgrass
- VersiFlex vs Sublijet UHD: Which Sawgrass Ink Should You Use?, Sawgrass
- SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer, Epson
- Epson FAQ: third-party ink and warranty, Epson
Cover image: Illustration: CraftsCall (AI-generated)
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