By Melissa Donovan
Direct to garment (DTG) and direct to film (DTF) printers are available to wide format print service providers looking to expand their offerings into garment decoration—from apparel to décor. Both technologies offer advantages, deciding which to invest in truly depends on the intentions of the print shop.
Options to Consider
Read more about the rise of DTF, wide format DTF options, as well as DTG’s staying power in Digital Output’s May print issue. Here we share information on printers available from vendors featured in the May article.
American Print Consultants offers a number of printers in the DTG and DTF space from various manufacturers. For DTG models from Polyprint SA and Aeoon are available. DTF equipment is sold also from Polyprint as well as Mimaki. Finally the vendor offers hybrid DTG/DTF machines from Polyprint.
Arcus Printers supplies multiple DTF printer options, including 14-, 17-, and 24-inch models. Also available, configurations featuring two- and four-head varieties.
Brother International Corporation’s standalone DTG printers offer the ability to print DTF cut sheets, which can be bundled with accessories to produce the best output. These include purpose-built platens, adhesive powder shakers, and/or powder curing devices. In the DTG segment, Brother features units for companies looking to start with DTG/DTF all the way to its Digital Line, which can produce up to 180 dark garments printed and cured within an hour—based on internal production tests performed in a controlled environment.
DTG Connection offers many DTG and DTF printer options. Its most popular DTG/DTF hybrid printer is the X2. It is easy to use and learn, and has features many other DTG machines lack, such as WiFi, AWS software management, and a seven-inch touchscreen. For DTF systems, the company introduces the XTF Pro. This machine is the lowest maintenance device in the industry. With a patented wet cap printhead protection system, users can count on consistent print quality without constant maintenance. Additionally the XTF Pro is one of the few roll-to-roll DTF printers that will fit inside a home, not just a large print shop.
The Epson SureColor F1070 printer is purpose-built for both DTG and DTF. 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 reliably deliver vibrant colors and incredible detail with amazing clarity. 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 incorporates multiple easy-to-use features such as automatic garment thickness adjustment, a quick-load platen, and easy user maintenance features. The Epson SureColor G6070 DTF printer supports a 35.4-inch print width to fit more transfers per roll and enables the production of oversized graphics.Purpose-built with low user maintenance requirements, the SureColor G6070 includes a proven automated maintenance system and fabric printhead wiper cleaning system to help ensure sellable, high-quality prints continuously, without constant monitoring of the printer.
The Kornit Apollo DTG printer offers productivity of up to 400 impressions per hour. It is a highly innovative automated system that can be handled with a single operator. The Kornit Atlas MAX PLUS DTG printer utilizes Kornit’s water-based Neopigment eco-rapid ink, which raises the bar for sustainable printing consumables. The Kornit Atlas MAX POLY DTG printer allows users to unlock new color and design possibilities with consistent results, superior hand feel, and durable impressions, while minimizing dye migration. Print a range of applications and designs including photorealistic images, neon designs, and 3D effects, supporting broad polyester blends and types. Kornit MAX Transfer is an enhancement to the Atlas MAX PLUS collection. It is an industrial solution tailored for DTF printing. The solution can produce hundreds of impressions per hour without the mess of powders.
Lawson Screen & Digital Products, Inc. offers its Prestige line of DTF printers. The eight-color Prestige XL3 features red, orange, blue, and green, which allows for printing a wider range of colors, with the ability to match a majority of Pantone colors, including corporate/brand colors. Equipped with three Epson i3200 printheads, it maintains a compact 24-inch wide format while delivering outstanding performance compared to its counterparts. You get exceptional print quality and efficiency for high-speed, high-volume color printing. These printheads ensure vibrant colors and sharp details, making your designs look impeccable on any fabric.
The Mimaki USA, Inc. TxF Series of DTF printers is designed for heat transfer textile applications. Choose from the 32-inch TxF150-75 entry level, 32-inch TxF300-75 mid range, or 64-inch TxF300-1600 wide format production models to produce intricate designs on an expansive range of fabrics, from cotton, mixed textiles, polyester, and even darker shades.
Polyprint SA’s three main models at publish date were the Filmjet, a fully automated DTF printing solution; the NG120, a hybrid DTG and DTF system for small to medium businesses; and the NG14, also hybrid but designed for the workloads of medium to high production organizations.
From Roland DGA Corporation, the VersaSTUDIO BY-20 is an entry-level DTF device offering outstanding value, performance, reliability, and ease of use. It also integrates easily with popular DTF powder shaker and heat units to provide an automated system. The recently launched TY-300 is Roland’s high-productivity DTF printer, which offers cost effectiveness, speed, and efficiency. According to the company, it prints at speeds up to four times faster than competitive models, allowing users to ramp up production without sacrificing quality. While the TY-300 also integrates seamlessly with leading DTF powder shaker/heater units, Roland simplifies things for customers by offering two optional Roland-tested and approved shaker ovens that users can pair their printer with to ensure optimal results.
May2025, Digital Output
