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Industrial High-Performance DTF Printers

Source: https://achievement.co.za/industrial-high-performance-dtf-printers

What this page is

This is the "Industrial High-Performance DTF Printers" post on achievement.co.za, one of AM.CO.ZA's company sites. It points to dtf-printer.co.za, the AM.CO.ZA site for production DTF (direct-to-film) and UV DTF printers, inks, powders and films.

Original text (as published): "DTF-Printer.co.za specialises in high-performance DTF printers designed for industrial-scale textile production. These printers are built to deliver consistent, high-quality results, making them ideal for businesses that require robust and reliable equipment for large-scale printing projects."

This Knowledge Base version expands that into a plain guide to the production DTF range. Every point below comes from dtf-printer.co.za, Buythis product data and AM.CO.ZA training notes already in this KB, which are linked so you can read the full wording.

What DTF printing is

Direct-to-film printing puts your design onto a PET film instead of straight onto the garment. The printer lays down the colour (CMYK) and then a white layer behind it. While the ink is still wet, hot-melt adhesive powder is shaken over the film and baked on. The finished transfer is then pressed onto the garment or fabric with a heat press. The white layer is what lets a DTF print show up brightly on dark fabric.

The dtf-printer.co.za message

The site's headline is "Elevate Your Production with High-Performance DTF Printers", and it describes am.co.za® direct-to-film printers engineered for industrial production. The features it lists are expanded print sizes, faster print speeds, broad material compatibility (with UV DTF inks), a robust purpose-built frame, high-resolution output and am.co.za® DTF inks made to work with am.co.za® DTF printers. See the dtf-printer.co.za site page for the full page.

Printer sizes

The production printers are sold as barebone units in a crated box, so you can choose the printheads and software yourself. All have two printheads, CMYK and white ink tanks, and white ink circulation. The figures below are from the Buythis product data.

Model Print width Media width Draft (4 pass) Production (6 pass) Quality (8 pass)
F-DTF/300 300mm 400mm about 8 m²/h about 5 m²/h about 4 m²/h
F-DTF/600 600mm 700mm about 11 m²/h about 8 m²/h about 5 m²/h
F-DTF/1200 1200mm 1300mm 15 m²/h 10 m²/h 8 m²/h

KB pages: F-DTF/300, F-DTF/600, F-DTF/1200. The dtf-printer.co.za article Unlocking Creative Textile Printing with the F-DTF/300 Printer describes the 300mm model as compact enough for small to medium production, suited to custom apparel and home decor such as cushions.

XP600 or I1600 printheads

The standard 600mm printer runs two Epson XP600 heads. The F-DTF/I600 (KB page) is the same size with two Epson I1600 heads. According to AM.CO.ZA's training note, the main difference is speed: I1600 heads print about 20% faster than XP600, with similar quality (DTF I1600 vs XP600). An I1600 machine needs its own ink-order cabling and a RIP print resolution that matches the head (DTF 600 with an I1600 printhead).

Hardware features

From the Buythis product data for the F-DTF printers:

Powder shakers and complete systems

A DTF printer needs a powder shaking and baking machine to apply and melt the adhesive powder. AM.CO.ZA has rolled-film shakers in three widths: H-DTF/POWDER/300, H-DTF/POWDER/600 and H-DTF/POWDER/1200 (KB page for the 600mm shaker). The 600mm shaker heats its oven with three 1000W elements, holds temperature to within less than 1°C, has an adjustable powder dial, a cooling fan to cool the film before it is rolled up, a 50mm fume extraction outlet (the extractor itself is not included) and a tension-adjustable take-up roller.

A 600mm shaker can also run with a 300mm printer, but that is extra spend you don't need (600mm shaker with a 300mm printer).

Printer and shaker also come together as one system:

Inks, powders and films

Software

The barebone printers come without RIP software. The complete packages include SAi FlexiPRINT, and AM.CO.ZA's own InkRIP is sold separately as S-INKRIP. A RIP assigns the white channel, manages colour profiles and smooths gradients, then the ripped file is printed from PrintExp. See InkRIP Easy RIP Software for CMYKWV Spot, the connection between RIP and control software and PrintExp printer alignment software.

UV DTF

dtf-printer.co.za also covers UV DTF, which prints fade-resistant, scratch-proof transfers for hard items such as mugs and phone cases. Examples are the F-UVDTF/300/XP600 and F-UVDTF/600/XP600 with Epson XP600 heads. See UV DTF printing solutions for more.

Installation, training and support

Videos

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