Sublimation Printer Comparison

Comparing the Epson SureColor F570 vs. Sawgrass SG1000

A detailed comparison of upfront price, included supplies, print size, ink costs, software, workflow, build quality, and long-term value.

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The Main Question

Is the Epson SureColor F570 Better Than the Sawgrass SG1000?

Both printers are designed for sublimation, but they serve different types of users and production environments.

The Sawgrass SG1000 has a lower initial purchase price and a compact, desktop-oriented format. The Epson SureColor F570 costs more upfront, but includes significantly more ink, paper, media flexibility, and production-oriented features.

To make the comparison useful, we will focus on the factors that matter most to creative professionals and small businesses.

What We Are Comparing

This comparison focuses on the practical differences that affect purchasing decisions and day-to-day production.

Printer cost as of the article date.
Supplies and accessories included with the printer.
Maximum supported print size.
Ink pricing as of the article date.
Media handling and production features.
Build quality and intended production volume.
Software, color management, and workflow.
The type of user each printer is best suited for.

With those points established, let us compare the Epson F570 and Sawgrass SG1000.

Price Comparison: Epson F570 vs. Sawgrass SG1000

Price is usually the first difference buyers notice. Epson offers one F570 configuration, while Sawgrass offers multiple SG1000 packages based primarily on ink capacity.

Professional Production

Epson SureColor F570 Pro

MSRP: $2,995.00
Article Sale Price: $2,745.00

Epson has the higher initial price, but the package includes two full ink sets, large rolls of sublimation paper, roll handling, an automatic cutter, and professional workflow software.

Lower Entry Price

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: $254.95

Sawgrass begins at a lower purchase price, but the bypass tray, larger ink package, subscriptions, and future cartridge costs can narrow the long-term price difference.

What Is Included With Each Printer?

Epson Package

Epson SureColor F570

The Epson SureColor F570 printer.
Two complete sets of CMYK 140 ml ink bottles.
Two waste ink tanks.
Two 17-inch by 100-foot sublimation paper rolls.
One 24-inch by 100-foot sublimation paper roll.
Setup guide and user manual.
AC power cable.
Epson technical support.
Epson Edge Print software.

A USB cable is not included, but Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity are supported.

Sawgrass Package

Sawgrass SG1000

The Sawgrass SG1000 printer.
A complete SubliJet-UHD ink set based on the selected bundle.
Power cable.
USB cable.
Sawgrass technical support.
Sawgrass Print Manager.
CreativeStudio access.
MySawgrass tutorials and resources.

Some suppliers may include paper or blanks, but those extras are not guaranteed as part of the standard printer package.

Both printers provide a broader ecosystem, but Epson includes more physical production supplies from the beginning, while Sawgrass places greater emphasis on an integrated beginner-oriented software environment.

Maximum Print Size: The Epson F570 Has the Advantage

The Epson F570 supports both roll and sheet media with a maximum paper width of approximately 24.4 inches.

It accepts roll media as narrow as 13 inches on a standard 2-inch core and includes a built-in cutter with automatic and manual cutting options. The printer also tracks remaining roll media and displays that information on its control panel.

24.4 in. Approximate F570 maximum media width

11 × 17 in. Standard SG1000 sheet size

13 × 51 in. SG1000 maximum with optional bypass tray

The Sawgrass SG1000 is primarily a sheet-fed desktop printer. Without the optional bypass tray, it focuses on media up to 11 by 17 inches. The bypass tray expands its capability to longer sheets, but it adds to the total cost.

The larger roll-fed Epson format is better suited to applications such as oversized transfers, large panels, apparel layouts, signage, and production workflows that benefit from continuous roll media.

Ink Cost Comparison

Ink cost is one of the most important long-term expenses in sublimation printing, particularly for businesses producing at higher volume.

Ink System	Capacity Per Color	CMYK Set Price	Approx. Cost Per ml
Epson F570 Bottles	140 ml	$159.96	$0.29
Sawgrass Standard	31 ml	$308.00	$2.48
Sawgrass Extended	70 ml	$524.00	$1.87

Based on the figures used in the original article, Epson ink costs substantially less per milliliter than the Sawgrass cartridge options.

The F570 also ships with two complete sets of ink, giving the buyer 280 ml of each color from the start. Matching that starting ink volume with Sawgrass cartridges significantly increases the effective startup cost.

Features and Build Quality

Production Focused

Epson SureColor F570

Roll and sheet media handling.
Built-in automatic cutter.
Large touchscreen interface.
Refillable ink tanks with visible ink levels.
Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity.
Designed for larger and more frequent production runs.

The F570 is built more like a professional production printer and is designed to support growth, media flexibility, and higher output volume.

Compact and Accessible

Sawgrass SG1000

Compact desktop footprint.
Standard sheet feeding.
Optional bypass tray for larger sheets.
Cartridge-based ink installation.
Simple control interface.
Designed for smaller production environments.

The SG1000 is easier to fit into a smaller workspace and may appeal to hobbyists, new businesses, and users with lower production requirements.

Software and Workflow

Epson Edge Print

The Epson F570 includes Epson Edge Print, professional RIP software designed for layout control, color management, nesting, and batch production.

Edge Print is intended for Windows. Mac users can operate the printer through Epson’s standard print driver, but they do not receive the complete Edge Print workflow on macOS.

Sawgrass Print Manager and CreativeStudio

Sawgrass provides Print Manager for color management and CreativeStudio for browser-based design and template creation.

This ecosystem can be helpful for beginners who want guided design tools. However, advanced templates, design assets, or additional functionality may involve subscription levels that increase the ongoing cost.

Choose Epson’s Workflow When...

You want production control, roll-media support, professional RIP capabilities, and compatibility with an established design workflow.

Choose Sawgrass’s Workflow When...

You prefer an integrated beginner-oriented environment with built-in templates, design assistance, and a simpler path from artwork to printing.

Final Verdict: Epson F570 Takes the Lead

Both printers have strengths, but the Epson SureColor F570 provides the stronger overall package for serious production users.

Sawgrass offers a lower initial purchase price, a compact footprint, cartridge convenience, and a beginner-friendly software ecosystem. It can be a reasonable fit for lower-volume users producing primarily smaller sheet-based products.

Epson provides a much larger print format, roll and sheet support, an automatic cutter, two full sets of ink, three large paper rolls, professional RIP software, and substantially lower ink costs based on the pricing in the original article.

For a business planning to grow, produce larger transfers, or print at higher volume, the F570 offers greater flexibility and a stronger long-term cost structure.

View the Epson SureColor F570

Need Help Choosing?

Compare Your Real Production Requirements

Consider your maximum product size, expected print volume, available workspace, software preferences, and long-term ink costs before choosing a sublimation printer.

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