TechRadar Verdict
Printing from PC to textiles via transfer film is simplified by this dedicated DTF printer.
But first of all, what is a DTF printer?
I also added a Panda heat press costing around US$469/360 to complete my Procolored production line.
The printer is available from the official Procolored websitehere.
Either way, the design and build quality are both excellent.
Theres plenty of room for ink in the bottle holder at the right side too.
Each of the five bottles holds 250ml of DTF ink.
The whole thing weighs just under 40lb (18kg).
Again, the metal construction feels strong enough to withstand life in a busy print shop.
Its using inkjet technology to apply specially formulated DTF ink onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film.
The quoted print speed is a little longer than the average photo printer at eight-foot per hour.
Procolored suggests a production rate of 20 to 50 pieces per day which could suit a medium-scale shirt business.
The only downside is that DTF uses more energy than sublimation as a result.
The cutter clips on in a similarly logical way.
I spilled a few drops, but the water-based ink is easy to clear up.
DTF printing requires a temperature range of 20C to 25C (68F to 77F) for stable ink viscosity.
So far, so easy.
However, I had real trouble installing the necessary Procolored RIP software and printer drivers.
The first hurdle was finding a Windows PC with sufficient USB inputs.
The Procolored software and drivers are delivered on a USB stick so a third USB port is useful.
Procolored are still working on Mac software for this product.
When youve finished manipulating it with thePhotoshop-stye software, hit RIP.
After tipping the excess powder back in the bag, place the film in the oven at 120 degrees.
Procoloreds heat press also defaults to the right temperature and automatically re-opens after 45 seconds.
Whats more, the colors seem to hold fast after multiple wash cycles.
However, its the pieces that fit best in the heat press that transferred the easiest.
Sublimation only works on light fabrics, ideally white.
Thats one bottle each of CMYK and two of white, which is more heavily used.
If youre leaving the printer for more than seven days, however, its recommended you empty the ink.
The design is logical and appealing and the steel construction feels like its built to last.
It can print large designs on a 13-inch roll of paper and cut them off with its integrated cutter.
And the print quality is excellent.
Theres room for improvement too.
I found the Windows software unintuitive and it only works while the dongle is inserted.
Procolored assured me that Mac software is on the way.
That said, this is a very good DTF printer at a fair price.
For more devices, we reviewed thebest small business printersand thebest home printers.
