There is no universal sublimation ink that fits every printer. Start with the exact printer model and its documented ink system. Epson lists T49M bottles for the SureColor F170, F570, and F570 Pro; Brother identifies SP01 cartridges with its SP1; Sawgrass describes matched ink workflows and warns that VersiFlex must not be mixed with SubliJet UHD.
Match ink to the exact printer
Use this shortlist to check the manufacturer-listed system and its scope. It does not compare transfer quality, color, yield, or value because the sources do not provide a comparable test or cost per transfer.
Scroll horizontally to compare all columns.
| Criterion | Epson SureColor F170, F570, F570 Pro | Brother SP1 | Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink system documented by the manufacturer | Four-color genuine Epson T49M dye-sublimation bottles. Epson says the F170 is designed for Epson bottles only. | Brother identifies four 47 mL CMYK cartridges: SP01BKS, SP01CS, SP01MS, and SP01YS. | Sawgrass describes printer components matched to Sawgrass inks. Its pages distinguish SubliJet UHD sublimation from the separate VersiFlex workflow. |
| Exact-model evidence | Epson lists F170, F570, and F570 Pro under Works With for each T49M color bottle. | The SP1 product page lists four full-size inks in the printer box and identifies the cartridge color codes. | The SG500 and SG1000 pages describe their matched ink system. Sawgrass says VersiFlex is not standard sublimation ink. |
| Key use limit | Use Epson's listed T49M bottles with these models; do not infer that another Epson ink bottle is interchangeable. | Use the exact SP01 cartridge identity for replacement research; the reviewed page does not give an SP1 ink yield or replacement price. | Do not mix VersiFlex with SubliJet UHD. Sawgrass warns that using the wrong ink may damage the printer. |
| Supply detail and unknowns | Each T49M bottle page lists 140 mL. The same-date page price and stock signals vary by color. | Brother says four full-size inks are included, but the reviewed source does not give cartridge yield or a direct replacement price. | The VersiFlex listing title says 31 mL and offers a four-cartridge set or individual variants; the captured price/purchase state does not identify which variant is selected. |
Check the Epson T49M set
Epson identifies T49M as genuine dye-sublimation ink and lists each 140 mL black, cyan, magenta, and yellow bottle as compatible with the SureColor F170, F570, and F570 Pro. Epson's F170 page says the printer is designed for Epson bottles only and does not support third-party ink bottles or ink. Confirm the model code and color before ordering.
The direct Epson bottle pages each displayed US$24.95 when checked on 2026-09-22. The black and magenta pages also displayed Out of Stock; the cyan and yellow pages did not show an explicit availability state. These are dated page observations, not a current-stock claim or a total set price. The product pages do not establish transfer count or cost per project.
Check the Brother SP1 cartridges
Brother lists a four-color set of 47 mL SP01 cartridges: black SP01BKS, cyan SP01CS, magenta SP01MS, and yellow SP01YS. Brother's SP1 carton list says four full-size inks are included. The product page describes the Artspira project workflow, but these facts do not provide a per-cartridge yield or replacement cost. The listed identifiers give you a model-specific starting point for checking replacement supplies.
The Brother SP1 profile covers the printer's supported setup, included supplies, and other source limits. Do not substitute a similarly named cartridge without checking the exact code in Brother's current support material.
Keep Sawgrass ink workflows separate
Sawgrass describes SG500 and SG1000 components as matched to Sawgrass inks and print-management software. It also describes different processes: SubliJet UHD for sublimation use on high-polyester fabrics and coated products, and VersiFlex for a print-and-press workflow for natural fibers. Sawgrass says VersiFlex is not standard sublimation ink and warns that mixing it with SubliJet UHD may damage the printer.
For the named VersiFlex quick-start, Sawgrass pairs the SG500 or SG1000 with VersiFlex Light Heat Transfer Paper. Its ink listing names 31 mL cartridges and displays a four-cartridge set plus individual Expander, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow variants. When checked on 2026-09-22, the page showed both Sold out and Add to Cart controls, and the visible controls did not identify which variant they described. Confirm the printer's installed system and exact variant before ordering. The pairing is for the named VersiFlex route; it is not a general paper recommendation for conventional dye sublimation.
Check the complete workflow
Before choosing an ink, record the printer's full model and regional code, the ink already installed, and the software or driver the manufacturer names. Then check the replacement cartridge or bottle code, paper workflow, and current manufacturer instructions. Ink compatibility belongs to the exact printer and workflow; a matching connector, brand, or color name alone does not establish support.
For converted printers, this guide does not recommend an ink or kit unless the exact model and modification have a reliable source. Manufacturer-backed systems and documented conversion claims need to stay separate. The dedicated versus converted printer guide explains the evidence checks, and the printer settings guide covers print software and media bounds. Use the setup finder to keep ink, paper, and printer choices attached to the exact system.
What the sources do not establish
These records do not establish a comparable print-color result, bottle or cartridge yield, maintenance schedule, cost per transfer, or guaranteed stock. The listed ink systems are manufacturer-specific requirements or named workflows. They do not certify a converted setup, a specific blank, or a complete project pairing.
Sources and review date
Manufacturer product and supply pages were checked on 2026-09-22. Details are paraphrased and linked; no product photographs or page copy is reused.
- Epson SureColor F170: model-specific T49M four-color system and Epson-bottle-only statement.
- Epson T49M black, cyan, magenta, and yellow bottle listings: color, capacity, model compatibility, and dated price/stock observations.
- Epson SureColor F570 User's Guide: Epson's listed CMYK part numbers.
- Brother SP1: included four full-size inks and exact 47 mL SP01 cartridge identities.
- Sawgrass SG500 and Sawgrass SG1000: matched Sawgrass ink and software descriptions.
- Sawgrass VersiFlex ink cartridges: workflow distinction, no-mixing warning, listing name and variants, and conflicting purchase controls.