Sublimation Printers

Sublimation Printers in Australia — Sawgrass SG500 & SG1000

A dye sublimation printer is a dedicated machine: it runs sublimation ink only, and it cannot be switched back to ordinary document printing afterwards. Biz Supplies supplies the two Sawgrass models most Australian print shops start on, both as complete start-up packages rather than bare printers, from our Peakhurst (Sydney) warehouse.

Which size do you need?

• Sawgrass SG500 — A4 — the standard starting point. Suits mugs, coasters, keyrings, stubby holders, photo slates and anything that fits an A4 transfer. Package includes the printer, a set of standard-capacity ink, 100 sheets of A4 sublimation paper and a roll of heatproof tape.
• Sawgrass SG1000 — A3 — for tumblers, bar runners, larger photo panels, apparel and gang-printing several small items per sheet. Package includes the printer, standard or high-capacity ink, 100 sheets of A3 paper and heatproof tape, plus a starter blanks pack.

The practical rule: if your product mix is mugs and small giftware, A4 is enough. If you expect to print apparel, bar mats, or several items per sheet to save paper, buy A3 up front — you cannot upgrade an SG500 later.

What a working sublimation setup needs

The printer is one of four things. You also need:

• Sublimation ink — SubliJet cartridges, matched to your printer model
• Sublimation paper — 105–125gsm, in A4, A3 or roll
• A heat press — mug presses for drinkware, flat presses for everything else. A printer alone cannot transfer anything.
• Polyester-coated blanks — sublimation will not bond to uncoated surfaces or to cotton

If you would rather buy it as one package, see sublimation starter kits.

Before you commit

DTF vs Sublimation Printing is worth reading first — sublimation gives a softer hand-feel and better durability on polyester, but it cannot print white and cannot decorate cotton. If most of your work is cotton t-shirts, DTF is the right technology, not this one. How to Choose a Heat Press in Australia covers the press side.

For current pricing, stock and advice on which package fits your product mix, call (02) 9119 2164 or email sales@bizsupplies.com.au. Wholesale and trade pricing available.