Is DTF for everyone?
If you are going to be printing daily and have a market for it, then yes absolutely (as long as you are willing to spend the time doing the daily maintenance DTF printers require). All our units now have some of the maintenance tasks automated (done by the machine) but there is still some user maintenance required. If you are NOT going to print for at least an hour a day, then it’s best to have the prints done for you, until you can justify your own machine. We have partnered with a local company that has purchased our A2 Industrial solution and they are doing prints. They are next door to our Joburg offices. Here are the contact details for them:
Epic Distribution
Email: info@epicdistribution.co.za
Tel: 0101577007
Address: 42 Neeron Road, Randburg, Johannesburg
It’s critical that a DTF machine NOT be exposed to temperatures over 30C with humidity levels to be between 35-65%.
DTF Wash durability
DTF prints are the 2nd most durable digital transfer after sublimation and the most durable digital transfer on cotton. The combination of ink and film used determines the durability. The best ink comes from Korea and the cheapest from China. Professional Chinese DTF manufacturers only use Korean ink. There are companies selling dirt-cheap inks/ films which have poor washability and result in cancelled orders and unhappy customers.
The choice of ink, coupled with film and powder is crucial to achieving the best washability of the product. Skimping on one of these can lead to undesirable results.
We have tested our film and inks to 50 wash and tumble dry cycles with excellent results!
DTF Print heads used
The print heads used in DTF can be the secret to your success or failure. In order to keep prices low many companies use reconditioned or even B-grade heads which have been rejected by Epson, Prestige uses only A-grade print heads purchased from Epson in Japan. There are 3 main types of print heads, commercial (home and office use), semi-industrial (XP-600 – which has 1080 nozzles) and Industrial. We DO NOT recommend a DTF printer with anything less than a semi- industrial print head. The I- series heads are Epson’s Industrial print heads with a native resolution of 600dpi and 1600 / 3200 nozzles depending on the head. They cost more but much faster, with superior colours, and last way longer and work out more cost-effectively over time.
The Prestige range of DTF printers starts with an XP-600 semi-industrial unit and goes upwards from there.
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