By Digital Output Staff
Walking the show floor at the International Sign Association’s Sign Expo in April, it was hard to ignore the overwhelming influx of direct to garment (DTG) and even more so direct to film (DTF) technology.
With such a range of devices, from the hobbyist to industrial-level production, we thought a product roundup was in order. You can also get some quick facts on these companies’ DTG and DTF devices in our recent chart, view here.
Product Roundup by Company
With the cutting-edge technology, quality output, and dependability of its GTX digital DTG series, Brother now offers a printer for creating DTF transfers—the GTX R2R. It’s a dedicated roll-to-roll DTF solution designed for high volume with a bulk ink system that allows it to provide maximum productivity with little operator involvement.
Offering the ability to conduct high resolution and fine details, the two industrial printheads have eight ink channels—CMYK in one and four white inks in the other. The industrial maintenance station with wet capping system keeps white ink flowing. The adhesive powder circulation system features a built-in ionizer, and the infrared curing station has a take-up roll device. The maximum roll size is 16 inches.
Like its DTG units, it comes in two sizes. The GTXpro R2R is ideal for small to medium shops using pouch inks, and the GTXPro B R2R is designed for high-volume shops using bulk ink. Both have a two year limited warranty and a one year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
The compact, versatile Epson SureColor F1070 printer is purpose-built for both DTG and DTF printing. The entry-level hybrid printer features an enclosed design with transparent viewing panels and touts a PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead with Nozzle Verification Technology coupled with UltraChrome DG2 Ink to deliver vibrant colors and detail with clarity. White ink prints on dark garments for enhanced clarity and photographic print quality, and a cartridge-free ink pack system reduces ink replacement frequency to support productivity.
Additional features include automatic garment height adjustment, with the ability to print on a variety of fabric up to one-inch thick; easy user maintenance; and robust Epson Garment Creator 2 software that supports DTG and DTF job creation for garment decorators and print service providers looking to bring unique designs to life.
The Mimaki U.S.A, Inc. TxF300-75 printer is a DTF model for heat transfer textile applications. It offers increased productivity by up to 300 percent over the TxF150-75 model with the addition of a second printhead, and improved throughput with new ink circulation technology designed to prevent white ink sedimentation. Users can count on consistent quality with a three-way intelligent heater to accelerate ink drying. This 32-inch wide model can print skin-friendly textiles with OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT Certification of Mimaki PHT50 inks. This DTF printing system enables the creation of intricate designs on an expansive range of fabrics, from cotton, mixed textiles, polyester, and even darker shades.
Available from NuCoat, the Stealth DTF printer is a compact and productive 24-inch system. Featuring four Epson i3200 printheads, it achieves speeds of up to 244 square feet per hour using NuCoat’s U.S.-made DTF inks. This system comes equipped with InEdit software, and additional options are available.
More than just a printer, the Stealth is an integrated production solution that includes a 24-inch CobraFlex printer, shaker/dryer, and a humidity-controlled cabinet with full LED digital displays. It also boasts an integrated computer system with a wireless keyboard and mouse, and safety-enhanced alarmed doors that cut heat upon opening. Designed for scalability, the Stealth supports future enhancements like an add-on cutter and automated heat pressing system.
Omniprint International offers a number of DTF devices. The OmniDTF Mini is a commercial-grade printer featuring two advanced Epson i1600 printheads and supports 13-inch transfer roll media. This allows for printing to professional-grade, reliable transfers with an entry-level solution.
The OmniDTF is a digital transfer printer solution designed for precision and efficiency. With two advanced printheads and a 14.5-inch print area, this industrial-grade printer delivers vibrant, high-resolution, retail-ready prints swiftly and accurately.
The OmniDTF Plus is an industrial-grade printer that features four advanced Epson i3200 printheads and an expansive 36-inch print area.
Ricoh DTG’s RICOH Ri 4000 features a newly developed enhancer (pretreatment) liquid and ink. It prints on 100 percent polyester material and high-polyester blends. With the built-in enhancer technology, the RICOH Ri 4000 eliminates the inconsistent quality of manual pretreatment to achieve the highest work efficiency. These technologies deliver industrial garment printing at an affordable price for enterprise users with demands for polyester printing.
The Roland DGA Corporation VersaSTUDIO BY-20 desktop DTF system enables just about anyone to achieve professional-level results. A complete DTF solution, it’s centered around the compact, powerful BY-20, a water-based printer that makes DTF apparel decoration simple, accessible, and cost effective. Roland also offers DTF inks, transfer film, and powder for use with this device. The BY-20 produces customized apparel and accessories quickly and easily with no weeding required. Transfer complex designs onto both light and dark fabrics—not only cotton, but also polyester, cotton polyester, denim, nylon, and rayon.
Stay With Us
DTG and DTF printing continues to make buzz. Stay with us as we follow where it goes next and how it fits into a wide format print provider’s business.
Jul2024, Digital Output
