The million-dollar question is this: Is the Epson SureColor F570 better than the Sawgrass SG1000? Let’s break it down.
What We’re Comparing
To keep this comparison fair and focused, we are looking at the factors that matter most to creative professionals and small businesses. No complicated chemistry here, just the essentials:
- Cost of the printer (As of article date written)
- What’s included in the box
- Maximum print size
- Ink costs (As of article date written)
- Features and build quality
- User-friendliness and workflow
- Included print software
- Who each printer is best suited for
Get comfortable, and let’s see who comes out on top in the Epson F570 versus Sawgrass SG1000 showdown.
Price Comparison: Epson F570 vs. Sawgrass SG1000
Price always plays a key role in any purchase. Epson takes a simple approach with one version of the F570 at one price. No confusing upgrade paths or bundles. This straightforward pricing is refreshing for anyone tired of decision overload.
Sawgrass offers three SG1000 bundles based on ink capacity: Starter, Standard, and Extended. While options are good, too many choices can cause buyer’s fatigue. That feeling of overwhelm often leads to delayed purchases or sticking with the familiar even when a better choice is available.
Here are the numbers:
Epson SureColor F570 Pro
- MSRP: $2,995.00
- Current Sale Price: $2,745.00
Sawgrass SG1000
- Starter Kit (20 ml inks): $1,749.00
- Standard Kit (31 ml inks): $1,799.95
- Extended Kit (70 ml inks): $1,949.95
- Optional Bypass Tray for larger prints: $254.95
Sawgrass starts with a lower price, but as this review shows, the initial cost is only part of the story. Epson may have a higher upfront price, but it offers a lot from the start.
What’s Included in the Box?
The Epson F570
- The Epson F570 printer
- Two complete sets of CMYK 140ml ink bottles, providing a generous supply right out of the gate
- Two waste tanks to keep printing smooth
- Three jumbo rolls of sublimation paper, including two rolls sized 17” by 100 feet and one roll sized 24” by 100 feet
- Setup guide and user manual
- AC power cable
Note that a USB cable is not included. If a wired connection is preferred, one must be purchased separately. The printer does support Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity right out of the box.
Epson’s industry-leading technical support and Edge Print software come with the purchase, though these are not physical box items. More on that shortly.
Sawgrass SG1000
The SG1000 also provides solid basics depending on the ink bundle selected:
- The SG1000 printer
- Complete set of SubliJet-UHD inks (Starter, Standard, or Extended)
- Power and USB cables (USB included!)
Some suppliers add extras such as sublimation paper or blanks, but these are not guaranteed.
Also included but not boxed:
- Unlimited Sawgrass tech support
Sawgrass Print Manager software for color management
CreativeStudio Online Designer for easy design creation - Access to the MySawgrass portal with tutorials and resources
Both brands deliver an ecosystem, but Epson includes more ink and paper from the start while Sawgrass provides additional software and design tools.
Maximum Print Size: Epson F570 Flexes Its Muscles
This is where the Epson F570 truly stands out. It supports both roll and sheet media with a maximum paper width of 24.4 inches, which is nearly twice the printable area of the Sawgrass SG1000, which maxes out at 11” by 17” sheets.
The F570 accepts roll media as narrow as 13 inches, uses a standard 2-inch core, and supports media up to 8.6 millimeters thick with roll diameters up to 4.3 inches. The printer even tracks roll paper remaining, displaying it on the control panel for no surprises during production. Its built-in cutter offers auto and manual cutting options for clean, straight edges every time.
Epson’s print driver supports both Windows and macOS. Its advanced Edge Print RIP software is Windows-only, however, so Mac users will need to rely on the standard print driver.
On the other hand, the Sawgrass SG1000 lacks roll printing out of the box and focuses on sheet media up to 11" by 17". An optional bypass tray expands the max print size to 13" by 51" but costs around $250, pushing the total investment to well over $2,000. In real use, most users print on sheets no larger than 13" by 21". This limits Sawgrass mostly to smaller products like t-shirts and mugs, unlike the all-around versatility of Epson.
Ink Cost Showdown: Epson’s Clear Advantage
Ink costs often get overlooked but they are critical to long-term savings.
Epson F570 Ink Costs:
- Capacity per color: 140 ml
Price per bottle: $39.99 - Total for CMYK set: $159.96
- Cost per milliliter: $0.29
Sawgrass SG1000 Ink Costs – Standard SubliJet-UHD:
- Capacity per color: 31 ml
- Price per cartridge: $77.00
- Total for CMYK set: $308.00
- Cost per milliliter: $2.48
Sawgrass SG1000 Ink Costs – Extended SubliJet-UHD:
- Capacity per color: 70 ml
- Price per cartridge: $131.00
- Total for CMYK set: $524.00
- Cost per milliliter: $1.87
Epson ink is more than eight times less expensive per milliliter than the standard Sawgrass cartridges, making it a clear winner for high-volume printing and profitability.
Adding two full sets of Epson ink in the box means buyers get 280 ml of ink from the start. Matching that with Sawgrass inks adds over $300 to the cost, nearly closing the price gap between the printers before factoring in paper and extras.
Features and Build Quality: Epson Means Business
Epson SureColor F570
The F570 delivers a professional-grade build designed for production use. It features:
- Roll and sheet feeding options for unmatched flexibility
- Auto-cutter for clean, precise print trimming
- Large, easy-to-use touchscreen display
- Refillable ink tanks with visible levels
- Built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity
The F570 is a heavy-duty tool built for scale and reliability, not a hobbyist toy.
Sawgrass SG1000
The SG1000 is compact and desktop-friendly, designed for smaller print volumes and ease of use. It offers:
- Standard paper feeding without roll support
- Optional bypass tray for larger sheets
- Smaller control screen with basic navigation
- Cartridge-based ink system that is easy to install but expensive
This printer is better suited to hobbyists and light business use with simpler needs.
Software and Workflow
The Epson F570 includes Epson Edge Print, a professional RIP software designed for precision control, color management, and efficient batch printing. It is ideal for users who want full control over layout and workflow but is Windows-only.
Mac users can use the standard Epson print driver with slightly reduced features.
Sawgrass offers CreativeStudio and Print Manager software, which appears user-friendly but comes with a tiered subscription model. The free access provided at purchase is limited. Advanced features and a larger library of design assets require monthly or annual fees. Over time, these subscriptions add to the total cost of ownership.
Epson provides full, unlimited use of Edge Print with no surprise charges or paywalls. The software supports industry-standard design programs and is ready for professional workflows from day one.
Epson Pulls Ahead in Every Key Category
Across every key category such as value, performance, flexibility, and software, Epson clearly leads the way. The F570 does not just meet expectations; it surpasses them with features designed to support growing businesses and creative professionals alike. From cost-effective ink to versatile media handling and powerful software, Epson provides a complete package that empowers users to produce outstanding results without compromise. This comprehensive advantage makes the Epson SureColor F570 the definitive choice for anyone ready to take their sublimation printing to the next level.
Final Verdict: Epson F570 Takes the Crown
Both printers have their strengths, but the Epson SureColor F570 clearly outperforms the Sawgrass SG1000 in key areas that matter most to serious sublimation users.
Sawgrass may appeal with its lower entry price and beginner-friendly software, but the long-term costs for ink, subscriptions, and add-ons quickly add up. Its smaller maximum print size and lack of roll media support limit growth potential.
Epson delivers two full sets of ink, multiple rolls of sublimation paper, professional RIP software, and a rugged build designed for scale. Its ink cost per milliliter is unbeatable, making high-volume printing affordable and profitable.
In every category including value, performance, flexibility, and software, Epson pulls ahead decisively.
For anyone serious about sublimation printing, the Epson SureColor F570 is the smart investment that will pay off from the very first print. Shop the F570 here
