The Epson SureColor F170 and Sawgrass SG500 are dye-sublimation systems in a similar nominal media-width class. Epson says the F170 arrives with Mac and Windows print software; Sawgrass identifies free print-management software in its SG500 workflow.
The reviewed pages do not establish that these are equivalent software products, so this comparison treats them as different manufacturer descriptions rather than a software winner. It compares documented ink requirements and media formats, not hands-on quality, speed, reliability, or value.
Choose by documented fit
Use these source-backed requirements to narrow the two systems. Check current manuals and driver or software support for your operating system before buying.
- If Epson's four-color T49M bottles and included Mac and Windows print software fit your workflow, the F170 is the model Epson documents for that system. Epson says it is designed for Epson bottles only. The U.S. page showed conflicting availability signals on 2026-09-22, so current stock is unknown.
- If Sawgrass's sublimation and VersiFlex workflows, Sawgrass-matched inks, and print-management software fit your process, the SG500's documented setup is worth comparing against your software and supply requirements.
- If a long media format drives the decision, compare the F170's maximum 8.5 × 47.2-inch sheet size with the SG500's listed 8.5 × 14-inch standard format and 8.5 × 51-inch bypass format. Those are media sizes, not verified printable artwork dimensions.
Compare the documented specifications
The rows below show what the two manufacturers document for each system. A missing comparable offer or specification is left as unknown.
Scroll horizontally to compare all columns.
| Criterion | Epson SureColor F170 (C11CJ80201) | Sawgrass SG500 |
|---|---|---|
| Documented process and workflow | Turnkey dye-sublimation printer using genuine Epson dye-sublimation ink. | Purpose-built for sublimation and VersiFlex, with components matched to Sawgrass inks and print-management software. |
| Ink requirement in the source | Four-color T49M bottles; Epson says the printer is designed for Epson bottles only. | Sawgrass describes components matched to Sawgrass inks. Its store lists 31 ml VersiFlex cartridges for SG500 and SG1000, but the record does not establish per-transfer ink use. |
| Manufacturer-listed media | Maximum paper width is 8.5 in; sheet media up to 8.5 × 47.2 in. Printable length depends on the application, operating system, and driver or RIP. | Up to 8.5 × 14 in, or 8.5 × 51 in with the bypass tray. These sizes do not establish imageable area. |
| Feed and connections | 150-sheet feed tray; USB, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Ethernet. | The reviewed source record does not provide a like-for-like feeder or connectivity specification. |
| Software named by the manufacturer | Epson says the F170 arrives with Mac and Windows print software. Its detailed OS list names Windows 7–10 and up to macOS 10.15.x; newer OS support is not established. The page does not identify its software as the same kind of print-management product. | Sawgrass names free print-management software as part of its stated workflow. |
| Dated offer information | Epson listed a US$399 MSRP in a later 2026-09-22 page capture. Earlier and later same-day captures showed conflicting stock signals; current availability is unknown, and the exact offer has no price observation. | Sawgrass listed its standalone SG500 printer at US$275 and marked that listing sold out on 2026-09-22. |
Check actual artwork bounds
Both manufacturers list media up to 8.5 inches wide, but the workflow differences matter for longer formats. Epson lists the F170's maximum sheet size as 8.5 × 47.2 inches and separately says maximum printable length depends on the application, operating system, and driver or RIP. Sawgrass lists SG500 media up to 8.5 × 14 inches, or 8.5 × 51 inches using the bypass tray. Do not substitute those media dimensions for the imageable area reported by your specific software.
Start with the finished design size and the usable area of the blank and press. Then check the printer's printable bounds in the driver or print-management software for the exact paper and operating system. The design-size helper converts dimensions you enter to a pixel canvas; it does not infer printer margins or blank size.
Compare the supply and software workflow
The F170 has a clear ink constraint in Epson's source: T49M four-color bottles, with Epson bottles only. Sawgrass describes components matched to Sawgrass inks, and its store lists 31 ml VersiFlex cartridges for SG500 and SG1000. Sawgrass says its VersiFlex quick-start pairs the SG500 or SG1000 with VersiFlex Light Heat Transfer Paper. These notes describe that named workflow; they do not establish a per-transfer yield, replacement price, maintenance cost, or complete supply cost. The ink listing showed both Sold out and Add to Cart controls at the captured check, so its availability is unknown.
Epson lists a 150-sheet feed tray and USB, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Ethernet connections for the F170. The reviewed SG500 source record does not include comparable details for those specifications. That is a gap in this comparison, not evidence that the SG500 lacks those features.
Consider availability without guessing at price
Epson listed a US$399 MSRP in a later 2026-09-22 product-page capture. An earlier capture that day displayed Out of Stock; a later capture showed Add to Cart without a visible Out of Stock label. These page states conflict, so the catalog records current availability as unknown and the exact offer has no price observation. Sawgrass listed its standalone SG500 printer at US$275 and marked that listing sold out on the same date. That amount applies only to the standalone-printer listing, not a complete setup; the two observations do not establish current purchasability or a like-for-like price comparison. Check the direct Epson F170 product page and Sawgrass SG500 product page for current purchase information.
For the broader seven-record shortlist across six hardware families, read the sublimation printer guide. For workflow background, see the dedicated versus converted printer guide, printable-area planning guide, and printer settings guide. Detailed profiles for the Epson SureColor F170 and Sawgrass SG500 provide exact model context when those routes are available.
What this comparison does not establish
The sources do not provide an independent head-to-head evaluation of print quality, speed, reliability, ink yield, maintenance, or cost per transfer. They also do not establish the final printable area across software configurations or compatibility between a particular printer, blank, paper, and press. Those questions need the exact manuals, driver settings, material instructions, and a complete setup estimate.
Sources and review date
The manufacturer product pages and the Epson direct offer were checked on 2026-09-22. Claims above are concise paraphrases; no product photography or marketing copy is reused.
- Epson SureColor F170, model C11CJ80201: model identity, supported process, included Mac and Windows print software, detailed operating-system list, ink, media, tray, connectivity, later US$399 MSRP capture, and conflicting dated availability signals.
- Sawgrass SG500: model identity, listed media, ink system purpose, and print-management workflow.
- Sawgrass SG500 Standalone Printer: the US$275 standalone listing and dated sold-out observation.
- Sawgrass VersiFlex ink cartridges: product name/capacity and Sawgrass's quick-start pairing; the captured purchase controls conflict.
- Sawgrass VersiFlex Light Heat Transfer Paper: product identity and listed pairing with SG500/SG1000 VersiFlex ink.