DTF Direct to film stories

[logobear]

So the next big thing might be DTF Direct to film?

Some costly turn-key solutions, and some cheap chineese hacks and printer mods.

Am looking at a system from The magic Touch, - wonder who has made the jump, and any stories to share?
Thanks
Phil

[pw66]

Following this.
I have the budget to go - when I think the time is right - to add to my existing screen print, sublimation, solvent and htv.

Not interested in a modified desktop printer. Most of the top end solutions seem to be repurposed solvent printers. The only one that appears to be based on anything from a major manufacturer seems to be the STS inks developed Mutoh VJ628, as sold by The Magic Touch. Seems to be quite expensive compared to the solvent version, but I don't know what modifications have been made, or Rips that are included.

I see on one of the facebook groups that an american Mimaki distributor is experimenting with a CJV 150 using dtf inks. That model is factory configured to use white ink, so it could be the way forward.
I don't think it will be long before Mimaki and Roland have a DTF solution so I will probably wait another 18 months.

It seems to me that DTF is a quick way of producing transfers but a very slow way of producing finished shirts.

[Justin]

We've been watching this and a colleague has been through the process of setting up etc. We both now contract the prints elsewhere, let someone else have the hassle and just pay per metre :-)

[Paul]

I wouldn't say "It might be..." I say it is. It's a complete game changer to the industry.
I use my DTG printer to print DTF transfers as it's faster and cheaper.
When I print DTG I always use DTF for the front breast logo as you can fit so many on one sheet (I use A3).
DTF, when using my DTG machine (EPSON F2100) uses MUCH less ink when I print on film duo to different settings.
I can't remember when I used My BN20 last to be honest, as I can print most of my transfers now on my EPSON.


I am not sure about Chinese machines and mods. But I know bigger machines need work. And I mean work. Otherwise heads dry very quick. Nut again, I only know about large machines from Facebook groups where users share their experiences.
What I can say,- If you own a DTG printer, just use that and see if you like it. IS really easy and I believe every DTG printer can be used.

[mr-gobby]

Paul, so are you using Epson 2100 DTG inks to print DTF transfers on a 2100? What are you using to apply and cure the glue if you don't mind me asking. Looked at Epson 2100 and DTG couple year ago and think about it now and again but seems a long process with pretreat etc and costly inks so we decided to outsource it as being mainly workwear most logos can be done with embroidery and print/cut.

DTF however really appeals more but it's still an outsourced thing for us currently as only way it would be viable for us would be to use it a lot, meaning processing DTF to sell and whilst it's an option it's diverging from our main thing, branded workwear. Looked at some at the P&P show and some of the Chinese DTF options are cheaper than the bigger players but if not used enough those epson heads they all use are still expensive to replace. Even the Mimaki engineer I spoke with at Sign and digital said it's still being tested as to how long it can be left (ie going on holiday might not be an option!) and thats £11500+vat for the printer plus a shaker.

[socialgiraffe]

Having had an 18k system and a 2k system go for the 2k system.

I have a roll red 30cm wide set up with shaker etc etc for sub £2000

The major difference between the "proper" one and the "fake" one is the maintenance. An 18k system will allow you to wet cap the print head meaning in theory they will never dry out which is the biggest issue with fake ones. However I have software that not only turns it in to a roll fed printer, but also I can schedule head cleans every 24 hours which is all they need. As long as the machine is turned on and the PC running the printer doesn't turn off then you can schedule a head clean each night to keep the print head maintained. It only needs a gentle clean. I also have a CISS that has white stirring which is also a must have.

I am away on business quite a lot and never worry now that I will come back to a dud machine. SOmething I can not say for my cheap UV which is collecting dust

If you want some samples or would like to contract out your DTFs give me a shout as I am pretty darn cheap LOL

Likewise if you want to come and see the printer to get a feel for a cheap set up then you know where I am.

[mr-gobby]

Thanks sg, so which are the two systems you have tried? Many seem to be Chinese and not as refined or as well fettled as established brands, which when they get some traction and come on stream the market will be deemed to have matured more. There are converted systems but I don’t know how reliable or consistent they are. White stirring does seem key and age old use it or it may dry out seems ever present.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[socialgiraffe]

Thanks sg, so which are the two systems you have tried?

The all singing and dancing one was an Audley. Its a very well built machine using two i3200 Epson print heads which are top notch. But the back up was not there and the Audley engineers did not have a clue.

The cheap one is something that I have built myself and now knowing what I have discovered about DTF then this is the route I will take again.

Firstly 18k v 2k. Once you have the machine up and running then even if they were to only last 1 year you would have 9 years before spending the same amount! All parts can be changed so if you damaged the printer it would be the cost of a new printer to be up and running again (about £800) or a new printhead is only £100. I am not going to name the printer for reasons I will keep to myself (nothing to do with this forum etc) but suffice to say that this printer, coupled with a $100 piece of software means I have a roll fed 32cm DTF printer. I am about to purchase a pwer supply back up for it just in case there is a power failure. This helps if I were to go on holiday for a couple of weeks I can relax that the software will schedule a head clean every 24 hours keeping the print head well maintained. If there is a power failure longer than 4 hours then I will have to purchase a new printer though, but it is a risk I am willing to take.

The downside of the cheap printer is that it is only a 32cm printing width. Most DTFs are a minimum of 45 and most are 60+. The bigger machines are also quicker to be fair, but as I purchased this for myself neither of the drawbacks affect me.

[pw66]

Even the Mimaki engineer I spoke with at Sign and digital said it's still being tested as to how long it can be left (ie going on holiday might not be an option!) and thats £11500+vat for the printer plus a shaker.

Very disapointed with the price of the Mimaki. The print and cut CJV150-75 that it is based on is only £7000, with a two year warranty. I can't see what they have added to make it worth the extra £4.5k - I would have thought that they would have removed the heaters and the cutter. They only offer a 12 month warranty.
To me that implies they are expecting a lot of printhead issues with it.

If the 440ml ink carts are the same price as their solvent carts (£90) then the cost of ink is going to be very high.

T-shirt printing has suddenly got to be a very expensive business to be in. I started with a £700 3 colour screen printing kit and a year latter added a cutter and heatpress and a £250 sublimation printer out of turnover. I could print most things that the customers asked for. Now you are looking at the thick end of £15k just to print a few t-shirts and the cost per print is much higher.

[mr-gobby]

SG sound like you have a solution which works for you and the quantity you produce which is I think an important factor. I've read Audley are popular in the US but agree the knowledge in the UK is a limiting factor and those 3200 heads are not cheap.

PW price I saw at distributors is RRP so possibly less when get to dealers and 1 year warranty I though a standard thing but I'm not a Mimaki owner so don't really know. Totally agree there is probably some early cashing in on DTF going on. I was told the electronics controls were different and rest pretty much the same, inks said to be same sort of price as solvent.