Andy - Admin

23 minutes ago, johnson4 said:

It's really odd how similar that film looks to the Film that I have from other types of transfers. I wonder if the "magic" really is in the ink... 

I agree and my uneducated guess is a lot of this stuff is repurposed. 
 

It’s more likely the powder is the same as screen print powder than it being some new formula. But that’s just my speculation. 

I will say it held the small dots and stars well so that's promising for doing tag prints and small stuff that isn't part of a large block.

That image is only 6 inches wide.

Not great. This one ended up having some banding in the black (shouldn't have printed black on a black shirt, my mess up)  and I didn't wipe the powder off enough.

 I'm printing in the shop not the offices so temperature in the room was around 85 and low humidity so that could be the issue. 

Just like DTG I can see there is a bit of a learning curve. I think once I have final Kothari settings environments all saved it won't be as hard for the next person.

I have the same supplier as Hobby Print that has thoroughly tested this stuff for months so I know it's me not the supplies at this point.

I just put the powder in a tupperware container and shake it on then run it through a screen print dryer.

1 hour ago, mikeeman2000 said:

Isn't the process super tedious? Don't you have to use an oven and heat the transfer after the powder has been applied? Seems like it would take way longer than DTG and the feel is different. 

Correct, sure you don't have to pretreat but you have extra steps still.

Like everything there's a time and place for it, but isn't for every one and every situation.

15 minutes ago, johnson4 said:

Absolutely, So I'll be keeping an eye out for the post when it's available, It would come in real handy in a few weeks when it breaks loose. 

I'll sell you some sample size of the stuff if you want. Also, I have that demo dongle. Shoot me an email.   I've been using Kothari for the DTF because it has the option to print the color before the white. (so does EK). I can share what I have so far for the Kothari environment

Pricing is going to be:

$169 - Ink set  250ml each CMYK and 500ml White ( I could do smaller quantity)

$25 - per pound on the powder glue

$1.25 - per 12.5x18 sheet. (not precision cut)

I agree tag printing and also transfers to hats have my interest since traditionally I'd get those made with screen print transfers.

1 hour ago, anum11 said:

So its basically an upgrade to sublimation transfer.

It’s different. 

DTF is a transfer that has a plastic type feel to it and can go on a wide range of fabrics.

Sublimation is for light color polyester fabrics and has no feel to it. 

36 minutes ago, skwakk said:

besides changing the ink/cartridges..what other modifications do you need to do to a standard epson printer?  Can you feed the film as is? or do we have to modify so that its a flatbed feed like with dtg?

Here is a video how to modify the l1800

58 minutes ago, skwakk said:

Hey Andy did you test washability? Also will you be carrying DTF stuff (inks, films etc)?

I’ve only done 1 wash so far and it’s fine. 
 

A trusted customer of mine has been using the supplies I have for a couple months with good results. 

Yes we will be selling the DTF supplies, I already have some inventory and will list it in the online store after a bit more testing.

DTF Ink prices will match our DTG ink prices. 
 

I see DTF as another decorating option that will work for some people and not others. 

13 hours ago, anum11 said:

Why should someone use this method?

I spent all day today printing with DTF inks, film, etc. 

I think the biggest advantage is you can slightly modify an Epson desktop printer and run the sheets through so cost to enter will be lower than DTG since you won’t need add on electronics or a platen system. 
 

Per print will be more expensive than DTG because of the film costs especially on white shirts. Also, it feels a bit like a “iron on” transfer. 

 I don’t think it’s a DTG killer as some are hyping it to be. It has many of the same limitations that other transfer processes have. 

On 9/28/2020 at 10:38 AM, ersxsa said:

Hello, where i can find plastisol paper somebody can give me a link or something?

It’s a film not the same as screen print transfer paper

It's most likely the signal plug.

Wire it to a limit switch or a proximity switch that the head is going to trigger.

You can use a switch and / or modify the arduino programming and use a relay to turn it on and off only during the printing sequence.

I've used this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834774871.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000023.10.29c713a5elvYfN

But the LED was a bit too wide. 

I'll try this one next time:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33004616274.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.ca113c00UbrTtl&mp=1

Others can chime in on what they've used

I agree... Done

46 minutes ago, Pompoko said:

Hahaha   good one   I have encoder wheel behind  It is why askign how the guys done it  

 

I was somewhat serious. Some lights are thin enough to fit. 

1 hour ago, Pompoko said:

do you have it instlled on L1800 ? share pictures how you cutted frame please ... 

Mount it on the side of the printhead and see if it hits when the head goes all the way over. If so then you need to cut out what it hits

You can trick it by putting a pixel in the artwork off to the side to make the head go over.

Kothari UV RIP has a lot of control over the head movements

There are a few places on the AIO board that you could connect to.

Pause on the right side isn't used and RST, RX, TX in the LCD header on the upper left.

Awesome!!

Is it curing good with the lights you bought?

If you don't need the 17" wide prints maybe a 1430 or similar would be an easier build since they don't have pressurized systems.

Nope, given all of the commonality amongst epson printers I have a feeling it would destroy a 1430 just as quickly. I will decide between scrapping the idea all together and or making a completely resistant ink system of my own, but the print head becomes the unknown at that point.

I was looking at these for the 1430

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4-pcs-lot-UV-ink-tank-bulk-ink-system-UV-ink-box-Solvent-resisted-UV-CISS/32804969449.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.254.39644d5bRTxyof&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_10130_10324_10342_10547_10325_10343_10546_10340_5722611_10341_10548_10698_10545_10697_10696_5722911_5722811_10084_5722711_10083_10618_10307_5711215_10059_308_100031_10103_441_10624_10623_10622_5711315_10621_10620_5722511,searchweb201603_2,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=91841f2e-d1b0-48fb-8348-c73636032c1c-41&algo_pvid=91841f2e-d1b0-48fb-8348-c73636032c1c&priceBeautifyAB=0

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/16pcs-uv-small-damper-16pcs-screw-o-ring-10-meter-8-line-uv-ink-tube-3x1/32844241838.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.2.76c372bdl1Orz6&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_10130_10324_10342_10547_10325_10343_10546_10340_5722611_10341_10548_10698_10545_10697_10696_5722911_5722811_10084_5722711_10083_10618_10307_5711215_10059_308_100031_10103_441_10624_10623_10622_5711315_10621_10620_5722511,searchweb201603_2,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=8d9f2320-d22e-43ef-9000-d17ef5e9b14e-0&algo_pvid=8d9f2320-d22e-43ef-9000-d17ef5e9b14e&priceBeautifyAB=0

What's the plan now? Use a different Epson like the 1430?