I am really happy to work with our sponsor, Pro World, today to share this information with you!

Are you looking for the best sublimation printer for your small business? Adding a sublimation printer to your craft room can definitely take your business to the next level, but finding the best sublimation printer can be daunting.

The sheer volume of options and information out there is overwhelming. From different types of printers to price points and features, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the right machine for you.

Like many other beginners out there, I converted an Epson Ecotank to a sublimation printer for my first sublimation projects. So many articles said this was the way to go. I even wrote an article myself about how to do the conversion.

Converting my old Epson printer was definitely the cheapest way to get started with sublimation printing, but there are a bunch of risks that come with this option. My Epson converted printer lasted less than 2 years and now it doesn't work!

Knowing what I know now, I’m not sure converting an inkjet printer is the best way to go – especially for small business owners who are serious about making the best products they can.

In this article I explain:

• Why I decided to upgrade to Virtuoso SG (Sawgrass) sublimation printer 
• Why I think it is, without question, the best sublimation printer for crafters who are serious about growing their business.
• Where to buy a Sawgrass printer and all of the sublimation supplies.

Risks with the Epson Ecotank

The number one risk you have with converting an Epson printer into a sublimation printer is the ink drying out. If you don’t take the time to clean the printheads frequently, the ink will dry and this printer will no longer be usable. Cleaning the printheads is time consuming and I found I was wasting a lot of ink in this process.

As a small business owner, you know time is money and spending significant time cleaning the printheads just isn’t worth it when there is a better option.

Another risk with using the Epson is you are on your own. Converting a regular printer into a sublimation printer can be a great hack if you’re comfortable modifying an electronic device and troubleshooting / figuring things out on your own. This printer was not designed to be a sublimation printer and when you convert it into one, you lose all of the customer support that came along with your original purchase.

5 Reasons the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG1000 is the Best Sublimation Printer for Your Small Business

1. Versatility

With this professional printer, you aren’t restricted to 8.5” x 11” paper like you are on a converted printer. The SG1000 prints on media up to 11” x 17” (28 x 43 cm) with the standard tray. You can even go as large as 13″ x 19″ with the optional Bypass Tray. Wow!

2. No More Cleaning Printheads

The SG1000 performs its own automatic maintenance cycle for trouble-free printing. This means that users who leave it on do not have to worry about dried ink in the lines or print heads.

3. Compact Footprint and Rugged Reliability

You might expect a high quality printer like this to take up a lot of space in your craft room and be difficult to move. Well, think again. The SG1000 is a desktop printer that is simple to set up and a breeze to move around.

Don’t let its size fool you though. All of the components in this printer are built to withstand years of heavy use.

4. Easy to Use

One of the things I love most about this printer is how easy it is to use. It is literally plug and play right out of the box. It comes with simple software and templates that will help you size your designs perfectly for your blank.

If you’re a graphic designer who loves to use Photoshop, you can download templates for all of the blank supplies sold on the Pro World website. These templates have the bleed and cut lines to help you create the perfect size designs in Photoshop.

5. Intelligent Color Processing

The SG 1000 works with Sawgrass Print Manager. This program allows you to tell the software what type of blank you are sublimating on. Sawgrass Print Manager takes this information and adjusts the amount of ink that is printed on the sheet specific to the blank you are using. This optimal ink output enhances clarity of fine details and reduces waste.

A modified printer uses the same amount of ink no matter what kind of blank you’re printing on, so your results are not as optimal.

6. Real Customer Support

Another bonus from upgrading to this sublimation printer is the customer support. Sawgrass’ technical support team offers a free onboarding call to help you get everything setup. This one-one call will walk you through setting up and using your printer and the software. They are always easy to reach and provide unlimited support for all of your issues.

Other highlights of the Sawgrass 1000 include:

• WiFi Capability
• 2 year warranty
• Backlit LCD screen
• Single roll bar to eliminate paper jams
• Aluminum encoder strip which reduces dust accumulation
• Full ink cartridges (31 ml) included with initial purchase
• Deeper rich black coloring

Looking for a More Economical Option?

I get it. Making a decision like this for your business isn’t easy. Every dollar is important for small business owners and ultimately you will have to decide if upgrading to the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG 1000 is the best option for you.

If you’re just not in a position to make an investment on this level sublimation printer, check out the SG 500. This printer comes with many of the same features as the SG 1000 but with a lower price point.

Where to Buy your Sawgrass Sublimation Printer

I am lucky to work with a lot of great people and companies in my business, but the truth is I don’t recommend all of them to my followers. I take recommending a company or product very seriously and I am happy to encourage you to purchase your new Sawgrass sublimation printer from Pro World. These guys are leaders in the “heat applied” crafting world. Pro World has a huge inventory of in-stock items and they really are a one stop shop for sublimation printers, ink, paper, and blanks.

If you are looking to buy the best sublimation printer for your business or personal needs, the Sawgrass Virtuoso SG1000 is for you. This pro-level sublimation printer can be used for printing custom t-shirts, luggage tags, tumblers, coffee mugs, and more. It is the perfect printer for growing your business.