Printing custom artwork onto a variety of substrates can be a challenging task, especially for hobbyists or moonlighters.
Heat Press Nation is the Number One Sublimation System Seller in the United States!
However, with the Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer, printing custom artwork has never been easier. The SG500 is the perfect printer for anyone looking to apply custom artwork to a wide range of popular, high-margin items.
The Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 is a compact printer that fits comfortably on a desktop and prints on media up to 8.5″ x 14″. This allows for the printing of custom artwork on a variety of popular, high-margin items such as mugs, coasters, phone cases, and awards. The printer’s compact footprint and rugged reliability make it the perfect choice for hobbyists and moonlighters looking to expand their creative pursuits.
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SG500 Printer SG500 Improvements over the SG400
One of the most significant improvements of the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG500 over its predecessor, the SG400, is its design. The SG500 has a single roll-bar, making it more energy-efficient, and it offers WiFi connectivity, making it easier to print from multiple computers. Additionally, the SG500 prints with higher resolution, ensuring higher quality products.
When purchasing the Sawgrass SG500, you have the choice of the size of ink cartridges that are included with the printer. Starter Install Kits include cartridges that have 20ml of ink, while Standard Install Kits include cartridges that have 31ml of Sawgrass SG500 ink. Furthermore, the SG500 comes with TexPrint DT Heavy Sublimation Paper and a SubliCraft Sublimation Blank Sample Pack, two key components to printing your ideas right out of the box.
SG500 Advantages – Versatility and Durability
The SG500 is incredibly versatile and can decorate a wide variety of polymer-coated hard substrates, including metal, ceramic, glass, FRP plastic, poly-performance fabrics, hardboard, and more. It is also compatible with 100% white polyester fabric. The Sawgrass SG500 produces extremely vibrant colors and stunning resolution levels that other digital processes simply cannot match, making it the top choice for professional photographers and digital artists who demand precision and fine detail in every image.
One of the most significant advantages of the Sawgrass SG500 Sublimation Printer is its superior durability. Sublimated images created with the SG500 are permanent, and hard substrate surfaces won’t crack, peel, or scratch. Apparel won’t fade, ever, no matter how many times it is washed. Unlike alternatives to sublimation printing, such as screen printing, print-cut vinyl, and direct-to-substrate printing, which sit on the surface of the product, sublimation ink is actually infused into the surface itself and will not crack, peel or wash away.
The Sawgrass Printer SG500 also comes with a built-in, self-cleaning routine that keeps the printer running at its best even if the printer has not been used for a long period of time. Additionally, the only online design tool built specifically for sublimation, Creative Studio, is included with every Sawgrass printer purchase. With built-in product templates, thousands of ready-to-use designs, and seamless integration with your Sawgrass printer, Creative Studio takes the frustration out of creation.
The Sawgrass Print Manager makes printing beautiful transfers a breeze. Powerful features enable users to easily optimize color output for photographs, vector graphics, or spot colors. The SG500’s new features, including WiFi connectivity, Ultra Fine Photo Mode, Backlit Display, and 2-Year Warranty, make printing even easier.
Excellent Features
One of the most significant features of the SG500 is its ability to print at resolutions of up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. The printer’s Ultra Fine Photo Mode allows for high-resolution images to appear sharper and with more clarity on substrates.
Furthermore, the SG500 comes with a Backlit Display that is now easier to read thanks to its LED backlight. The display provides users with a clear view of the printer’s status, ink levels, and other important information.
The SG500 is also backward-compatible with SG400 accessories, which means if you already own the Optional Bypass Tray for the SG400, you can continue using it. This allows you to print on media up to 51˝ long (1295 mm).
Installation and Setup
To get started with the SG500, you need to set up the printer and install the ink cartridges. The printer comes with detailed instructions that guide you through the process. You also need to download and install the Sawgrass Print Manager, which is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems. The Print Manager allows you to manage print jobs and optimize color output.
Once you have set up the printer and installed the software, you can start printing your designs. The Creative Studio design tool, which is included with the printer, is an excellent resource for anyone who is new to sublimation printing. It comes with a wide range of templates and ready-to-use designs, which you can customize to your liking. You can also create your own designs from scratch using the software.
When you are ready to print your designs, you need to ensure that the printer is properly set up. You should select the correct print settings, including the resolution and quality of the print. You should also make sure that the substrate is properly aligned with the printer. Once you have everything set up, you can start the print job.
Video: Sawgrass SG500 Official Video
In this official video from Heat Press Nation, Jared from HPN and Meghan from Sawgrass provide an enthusiastic overview of the SG500, and show the improvements over the SG400. Skip to 0:25 for a close up of the backlit control panel.
Conclusion
The SG500 is a durable and reliable printer that is designed to last. It comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty, as well as unlimited tech support for the life of the product. This ensures that you can get help if you encounter any issues with the printer.
Overall, the Sawgrass SG500 is an excellent choice for hobbyists and moonlighters who are looking to expand their creative pursuits. Its compact size, versatility, vibrant colors, and superior durability make it an essential tool for any artist looking to print custom artwork onto a wide range of substrates. With the SG500, you’ll enjoy higher quality products and greater ease of use, all at a price comparable to the previous model. The SG500 is an investment that can pay off in many ways, from creating unique products to generating additional income.
