Technical comparison for TSHIRT printers
Brother GTX Pro
Sawgrass SG500
| Specifications | Brother GTX Pro | Sawgrass SG500 |
|---|---|---|
| Print Technology | DTG | Sublimation |
| Color Output | CMYK + White | CMYK |
| Print Resolution | 1200 x 1200 dpi | 4800 x 1200 dpi |
| Black Print Speed (PPM) | N/A | N/A |
| Color Print Speed (PPM) | Fast | High Speed |
| First Page Out Time | N/A | N/A |
| Auto Double-Sided | No | No |
| Input Paper Capacity | 1 Platen | 100 Sheets |
| Output Tray Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Supported Paper Sizes | Up to 16 x 21 inches | A4 / Legal |
| Paper Weight Support | Heavy Garments | Sublimation Paper |
| Scanner Type | None | None |
| Scan Resolution | N/A | N/A |
| Auto Document Feeder | None | None |
| Copy Speed | No | No |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | No | Yes |
| Ethernet Support | Yes | Yes |
| USB Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Printing Support | No | Yes |
| Display Panel | N/A | N/A |
| Monthly Duty Cycle | N/A | N/A |
| Ink/Cartridge System | N/A | N/A |
| Borderless Printing | N/A | N/A |
| Width | N/A | N/A |
| Depth | N/A | N/A |
| Height | N/A | N/A |
| Machine Weight | N/A | N/A |
| Energy Efficiency | N/A | N/A |
| Noise Level (dB) | N/A | N/A |
| Processor Speed | N/A | N/A |
| Internal Memory | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud Print Support | N/A | N/A |
| Security Features | N/A | N/A |
| Compatible OS | N/A | N/A |
| Included in Box | N/A | N/A |
| Warranty Period | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended Use | N/A | N/A |
| Brand | Brother | Sawgrass |
✅ Pros: Industrial build quality, very fast print speeds.
❌ Cons: High entry price, needs professional setup.
✅ Pros: Best entry-level printer for sublimation transfers.
❌ Cons: Requires specific sublimation paper and high-polyester fabric.
The Brother GTX Pro and the Sawgrass SG500 serve two very different niches in the custom decoration industry. The Brother is an industrial DTG machine for printing directly onto cotton garments, while the Sawgrass is a desktop sublimation printer for transferring designs onto polyester and hard goods. If you want to start a premium t-shirt brand, the Brother is your primary tool for its speed and dark garment capability. However, the Sawgrass SG500 is the perfect gateway into a diverse gift business, allowing you to make mugs, photo panels, and phone cases with very little investment. The Sawgrass is much easier to maintain, as it has a built-in automated cleaning cycle that keeps it fresh even if you don't use it for a few days. The Brother GTX Pro requires more attention and has a much larger footprint and higher startup cost. For a professional apparel shop, the Brother is the clear winner. But for a home-based creator looking for the widest range of products, the Sawgrass SG500 is our recommendation for its reliability and versatility.