By Melissa Donovan
Direct to garment (DTG) and direct to film (DTF) printing is seemingly taking the print industry by storm. The May issue of Digital Output uncovers some of the reasoning behind the popularity. In addition, our April webinar dives into the topic with help from leading vendors. Here, we include a roundup of DTG, DTF, and hybrid DTG/DTF printers currently available.
DTG Connection
DTG Connection offers a range of printing solutions including DTG hybrid printers as well as standalone DTF printers.
The X2 hybrid DTG/DTF printer is the latest in digital garment printing technology. Switch from DTG to DTF with one click. The industrial X2 hybrid DTG/DTF printers are equipped with wireless connectivity, automated daily maintenance, and quick-change magnetic platens. The X2 is a workhorse solution for start-ups as well as well-established businesses. The X2 also comes with lifetime U.S.-based technical support and training.
The company distributes the Epson SureColor F2270, which is designed to cater to the evolving demands of modern creators transitioning between DTG and DTF printing. It is powered by the next-generation UltraChrome DG2 Ink. Also available, the SureColor F1070 Standard Edition printer. This hybrid printer combines outstanding image quality, easy operation, and flexible performance—all in one space-saving package.
The Hawk 24″ Dual Head DTF Printer is an innovative system ideal for creating custom designs on a variety of items including shirts, hats, shoes, bags, leather, denim, and canvas. Boasting a capacity of up to 250 t-shirts per hour, this printer is not only efficient but also broadens creative horizons, complete with high-grade DTF ink, a continuous feed system, and onsite training for optimal use.
DTG Connection also carries the Uninet line of desktop DTF printers—with bundles to fit every need.
Epson America, Inc.
The compact, versatile SureColor F1070 printer is purpose-built for both DTG and DTF printing. This entry-level hybrid printer features a PrecisionCore Micro TFP printhead with Nozzle Verification Technology and UltraChrome DG2 Ink to reliably deliver vibrant colors and incredible detail with amazing clarity. With DTFilm printing capability, users can go beyond traditional garment printing and transfer to a wider variety of materials, including uniquely shaped items. Featuring automatic garment height adjustment, robust Epson Garment Creator 2 software, easy user maintenance features to help reduce downtime, and an intuitive design the SureColor F1070 provides efficiency and flexibility to emerging and established print shops.
Designed to bring customized apparel to the market that holds true to the designer’s vision, with minimal waste and environmental impact, the hybrid SureColor F2270 DTG printer incorporates DTF printing capabilities and goes beyond traditional garment printing and transfer to a wider variety of materials, including uniquely shaped items. The hybrid printer features a new PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead with Nozzle Verification Technology, and UltraChrome DG2 ink to deliver vibrant colors and incredible detail at impressive speeds—up to 20 percent faster when printing on dark garments. The SureColor F2270 incorporates multiple easy-to-use features such as automatic garment thickness adjustment, a quick-load platen, and user-friendly maintenance features to reduce downtime and bring a new level of productivity and efficiency to the garment decorator, promotional product, and ecommerce fulfillment industries.
Mimaki USA, Inc.
The Mimaki TxF Series includes two models of DTF printers for heat transfer textile applications. The recently introduced TxF300-75 model 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 that prevents white ink sedimentation.
With either unit, users count on consistent quality with a three-way intelligent heater to accelerate ink drying. These 32-inch wide models can print skin-friendly textiles with OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT Certification of Mimaki PHT50 inks. Mimaki DTF printing systems enable the creation of intricate designs on an expansive range of fabrics from cotton, mixed textiles, polyester, and even darker shades. Uniquely, the Mimaki DTF offering is the full solution of printer, ink, software, and service all around a production-level machine capable of outstanding print quality and ease of use.
Nucoat
The CobraFlex Stealth DTF printer is engineered to perfection. It surpasses conventional DTF printers with its integrated thermal management and air quality control systems, promoting the ideal printing environment for unmatched quality. These systems ensure the printer runs at optimum levels, producing prints that are rich, sharp, and consistently high in quality.
The Stealth’s operation is both whisper-quiet and efficient, a testament to the sophisticated engineering behind CobraFlex Printers. The result is a disruption-free workflow that elevates operational comfort without sacrificing precision.
On the speed front, the CobraFlex Venom DTF printer asserts dominance with its unmatched capability of churning out 2,800 square feet of print per hour. It eclipses the competition, ensuring that productivity scales without losing sight of the fine print details.
Ricoh DTG
Ricoh DTG printers utilize Ricoh printheads, which are widely equipped on other different brands. The printheads are known for their advanced technology and reliability, ensuring precise ink droplet placement and consistent print quality up to 1,200 dpi.
The latest model Ricoh Ri 4000 is capable of printing directly on 100 percent polyester fabric without compromising the quality or color of the graphics. In addition, the Ri 4000 has built-in pretreatment technology, which means no manual pretreatment is needed.
Roland DGA Corporation
The new VersaSTUDIO BY-20 Desktop Direct-to-Film System is simple to use, reliable, and efficient. It makes decorating apparel and accessories with vibrant, detailed graphics quick and easy—even for those with no prior printing experience. Plus, with the BY-20’s integrated contour-cutting functionality, users can produce heat transfer graphics from PVC sheets – all with a single, affordable compact device. Roland offers the BY-20 printer, inks, powder, and film—each sold separately—for a complete solution.
DTG, DTF, and DTG/DTF hybrid devices are available at multiple price points to meet the needs of all types of print providers. Contact any of the vendors in this piece to learn more.
May2024, Digital Output
