Looking to Purchase new DTF setup

[GamecockGrafx]

Looking to purchase a new DTF system for classroom setting. I've ordered hundreds of DTF's from online vendors and love using them and customers love it as well. Anyhow, since I'm in a school system, we rely on using Purchase Orders and companies must be on the approved vendor list.

So far, I have quotes from Coldesi for their 24H2 and 12H2 and Athens Paper for a Shurez Peacock. From what I've gathered, Shurez is made in USA and offers on site tech support as well as extended warranties (for additional $)

Thought process in choosing models was the 24" wide model were only a few thousand more than the 12" so might as well, right? Also, both of these quotes include an integrated shaker system, heater and fume extractor - all plusses for me. Anything else I should be looking at as "must haves?" I'd like to pull the trigger before Christmas break so it's ready for the new semester.

On a side note, my class consists of wide format printing equipment (Latex), embroidery machines, heat presses, lasers (diode), wide format cutter, wide format laminator, dye sublimation printers, white toner laser printer, etc. Truly a hands on learning environment and so much fun!

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

Been dealing with a lot of DTF as of late, so here's my breakdown.

1) Most printers are based on nearly identical parts, even US assembled ones from most brands. Support will be the major motivator for most people in choosing brands.

2) 13" and 17" are most common widths. Most people going for 24" are doing that for crazy capacity.

3) For low cost, XP600 printhead machines are great. However, heads are typically only rated for 6 months. These are basically cheap 6 channel heads for photo printers. If you need new heads, $160-180 is ideal price. Much more is just shameless markup.

4) For a higher volume printer, Epson i3200 heads are ideal. Way more durable, however, around $950 per head. Some machines use i1600 heads, and those can be a good compromise. However, they seem to be pretty uncommon.

5) Avoid ProColored, terrible choice of parts like pumps mean they have major issues with ink completely solidifying in the white system and capping stations. For the nerds, they use diaphragm pumps instead of peristaltic pumps for some moronic reason.

6) Run these printers at least 4 days a week and plan on doing daily maintenance. Never unplug or shut off main power, the ink is really bad about clogging.

7) Dual head machines are fine for most small to mid-volume shops. 4+ head machines go up substantially in price, and maintenance, calibration and operation tends to be more work. However, the boost in output is great if you need it. Some printers support 4 or 2 heads and you can add the extra heads later if needed.

8) Shakers/dryers tend to be machine agnostic but be mindful of the powder circulation systems. Some shakers use a toothed belt that drags the powder from the bottom of the shaker area and are really bad about jamming and snapping gear motors, avoid those. Auger systems tend to be better.

9) Warranties are great, but note that your most common issue might be heads. If you're buying an extra service plan, see if it includes heads.

XP600: $164.31 at time of post.

XP600 Epson DX11 Printhead - F1080-A1 / FA09121 / FA09xxx

This Epson DX11 printhead is used by various Epson printers including the XP600 series.

us.digiprint-supplies.com

i3200 A1: $901.62

Epson I3200-A1 Water Printhead - I3200-A1

The Epson I3200-A1 Water is a cost-effective 1.33 inch-wide providing high productivity and high image quality with 600dpi high-density resolution. This printhead is suitable for water based inks.

us.digiprint-supplies.com

i1600 A1: $438.17

Epson i1600-A1 Water Printhead

The Epson i1600-A1 Wateris a cost-effective 1.33inch-wide MEMs head series providing high productivity and high image quality with 600dpi high-density resolution. This printhead is suitable for water based inks. It is unlocked.

us.digiprint-supplies.com

 

[TedThePrintWizard]

Looking to purchase a new DTF system for classroom setting. I've ordered hundreds of DTF's from online vendors and love using them and customers love it as well. Anyhow, since I'm in a school system, we rely on using Purchase Orders and companies must be on the approved vendor list.

So far, I have quotes from Coldesi for their 24H2 and 12H2 and Athens Paper for a Shurez Peacock. From what I've gathered, Shurez is made in USA and offers on site tech support as well as extended warranties (for additional $)

Thought process in choosing models was the 24" wide model were only a few thousand more than the 12" so might as well, right? Also, both of these quotes include an integrated shaker system, heater and fume extractor - all plusses for me. Anything else I should be looking at as "must haves?" I'd like to pull the trigger before Christmas break so it's ready for the new semester.

On a side note, my class consists of wide format printing equipment (Latex), embroidery machines, heat presses, lasers (diode), wide format cutter, wide format laminator, dye sublimation printers, white toner laser printer, etc. Truly a hands on learning environment and so much fun!

Not sure where you're based, but I would recommend Resolute ( https://www.resolute.ink ) as good entry level machines.

But as the other comment says, the maintenance is a lot more regular than most other inkjet based printers. Not difficult, but way more important for good print quality, in my experience.