If you wish to put full-color graphics onto clothes and different textile merchandise, essentially the most handy alternative is DTF (Direct-to-Movie) printing. On the hobbyist, prosumer, and small enterprise finish of that market, Procolored has develop into an attractive choice lately. The Procolored F13 DTF printer is one in all their hottest machines and I’ll offer you my trustworthy ideas about it on this evaluation.
What’s DTF printing?
The identify itself, “Direct-to-Movie,” describes how DTF printing works. A DTF printer has an inkjet-style printhead that deposits ink onto (normally translucent) switch movie. It first deposits a full-color CMYK layer, then deposits a white layer on high of that.
After printing, the person shakes a particular adhesive powder over the printed ink. That powder sticks to the ink, however to not the movie. Then, the movie (with ink and adhesive powder) goes right into a particular oven for a few minutes, which melts the adhesive powder right into a layer on high of the ink.
At that time, the movie switch is secure and able to both retailer for later or to use to one thing like a t-shirt. The applying course of is straightforward: simply place the movie on the clothes (ink facet down) and use a warmth press to stick the ink to the material. After it cools a bit, the person can peel off the switch movie and depart the ink behind.
DTF printing is so much simpler and cleaner than display printing, and it produces very high-quality graphics in full shade. In comparison with dye-sublimation (which is just appropriate for white polyester), it has the benefit of working with a variety of textile supplies and colours. And it doesn’t have as many upkeep complications as UV printing.
General, DTF printing is a good alternative for making t-shirts, tote baggage, and comparable objects.
The Procolored F13
The F13 matches someplace in the midst of Procolored’s present catalog of DTF printers. They provide each extra inexpensive and dearer fashions, with the F13 being a reasonably priced choice excellent for small companies and unbiased makers.
That is an A3-size printer, that means it may print as much as 13” broad. The printable size is actually infinite, because it prints from a roll of movie. The F13 has an Epson L1800 printhead, which is a well-liked alternative on this trade that may produce CMYK+WW colours (two devoted channels for the white layer).
The F13 lacks some comfort options and person interface parts, however has the whole lot mandatory for a workhorse printer. There isn’t any fancy touchscreen interface, however there are necessary options like white ink circulation and automated printhead cleansing.
When you already personal an oven and warmth press, you’ll be able to order the F13 by itself. Or you should purchase a bundle that features these, which is what I acquired and will likely be reviewing.
The viral elephant
There isn’t any approach for me to jot down this evaluation with out speaking about my final evaluation of a Procolored product, which acquired various consideration from publications within the cyber safety trade.
Briefly, whereas testing the Procolored V11 Professional UV DTO printer for that evaluation, I observed that the included software program was being flagged by my antivirus software program. Karsten Hahn, an analyst who specializes on this form of factor, checked out Procolored’s supplied software program and located some fairly critical malware. Hahn and I each revealed what we discovered, and the story was picked up by a number of cyber safety information websites, blogs, and podcasts.
The final consensus was that Procolored’s software program had develop into infested with malware because of poor safety practices, relatively than any intentional inclusion on their half. Following this ordeal, Procolored promised to wash up their act and take safety critically. After all, I used to be eager to seek out out in the event that they caught to their guarantees after I acquired the F13.
In short, I didn’t discover any malware within the F13 software program.
Two applications raised flags: the included UltraViewer installer and one thing known as Restter.exe. Karsten Hahn was solely in a position to take a cursory look at these, however plainly the UltraViewer installer was being flagged merely due to what it’s (a distant viewer/controller that may modify the shopper laptop) and Restter.exe was being flagged as a result of it was manually unpacked and modified with LordPE and ImpRec.
Hahn says these are applications usually used for cracking software program, which ends up in checksum mismatches that antivirus software program finds suspicious. That mentioned, there are some doubtlessly authentic causes for that and, extra importantly, Hahn didn’t discover any indicators of malicious code. He wasn’t in a position to spend the time on a full investigation and so can’t present an official assertion on the matter, however I felt protected sufficient to proceed.
Setup and software program
My Procolored F13, oven, and warmth press arrived in a pleasant case, like what you’d see roadies carrying right into a live performance venue. I’m used to seeing delivery crates fabricated from low cost plywood, in order that was fairly cool.
After unpacking the whole lot, my first thought was that the panda graphics on the whole lot have been form of cheesy. That is purely subjective and a few individuals will love them, however the pandas really feel a bit infantile to me and wouldn’t be my first alternative for tools that prices 1000’s of {dollars}.
However that’s minor and doesn’t actually matter. What issues is that the whole lot arrived in good situation. There was a small scuff/discoloration on one fringe of the F13, however not dangerous sufficient that you just’d even discover it when you weren’t searching for it.
The setup was fairly simple and principally consisted of filling the ink reservoirs, then drawing ink via the tubes to the “ink sacs” above the printhead with the included syringes. That takes a little bit of time, however is critical. Attaching the output shelf and movie roll holder solely took a few minutes.
On the software program facet, the Procolored F13 requires the supplied Professional RIP software program. Following the revealed video directions, that solely takes 10-Quarter-hour to arrange. And, in contrast to with the Procolored V11 Professional, Professional RIP is the one software program essential to run the F13.
Testing course of
The F13 is the primary devoted DTF printer I’ve examined (I’m not together with the eufyMake E1’s DTF operate), so I don’t have any form of standardized testing course of established.
As an alternative, I merely printed a bunch of t-shirts and different objects I assumed can be cool. I made shirts for myself utilizing my very own art work, stuff for my spouse, issues for buddies, and so forth. I attempted to print all kinds of kinds and graphics to get a really feel for the way in which the Procolored F13 dealt with shade copy and its consistency.
I additionally selected to make use of solely the warmth press and oven that got here within the F13 bundle. I do personal one other warmth press that’s a lot bigger, however I wished my evaluation to be primarily based on the identical expertise that almost all consumers would have.
{Hardware} ideas and printing outcomes
General, I used to be happy with the prints that popped out of the Procolored F13. The colours look nice with the default printing profile and have been very constant to my eye. And the F13 is fairly quick, too. A print large enough for a typical t-shirt solely takes 5-10 minutes and so it might be environment friendly sufficient for a small enterprise.
The oven was simple to make use of and has a built-in timer. There’s even a devoted holder for a bit suction gripper factor to seize the recent movie after baking. It’s large enough for these t-shirt prints and I by no means skilled any points with it.
I particularly appreciated the warmth press, as it’s automated and actually nice to make use of. There’s a corded distant that permits you to rapidly alter temperature and time. Then, with a easy click on on that distant, the warmth press will routinely shut, keep in place for the set period of time, after which open.
I don’t have any complaints in any respect about both the oven or the warmth press.
And virtually the whole lot I made turned out very well. The ultimate outcomes look superior and the method was easy and simple.
I solely skilled two failures:
The primary was as a result of the movie caught to the highest of the warmth press, so when the warmth press opened it prematurely peeled the movie from the shirt. I believe that was my very own fault, as I most likely acquired some stray adhesive on that facet of the movie. After that, I began placing a sheet of parchment paper on high of the movie and that prevented another sticking situations.
The second was a results of the print not sticking properly and coming off when peeling the movie. Once more, I believe that was person error. I won’t have utilized sufficient adhesive powder or it may have been that I attempted to peel the movie earlier than letting it cool sufficient.
I don’t assume both of these failures was an issue with the tools, however there are some things I dislike in regards to the F13 itself…
Issues I don’t like
In my view, the most important downside with the Procolored F13 is the person interface. On the correct facet of the printer, there’s a readout for the printer’s thermostat. As a person, you don’t actually ever want to the touch that. On the left facet (of the entrance) there are 4 buttons: energy, thriller button, ink circulation (perhaps), and trash.
As you’ll be able to most likely inform, I wasn’t in a position to decipher these buttons. For essentially the most half, I solely ever touched the ability button.
And, lastly, there are two buttons on the printer’s left panel for feeding the movie roll out and in. They work effective.
I felt like these buttons have been cryptic and except the F13 was actively printing, I by no means fairly knew for certain what state it was in. Even a small LCD with a standing readout would have been useful. However actually, the F13 would have benefited from an interface designed by somebody who actually understands how customers work together with machines.
That was additional exacerbated by the truth that the printer would usually find yourself in a state the place it wouldn’t settle for new print jobs. I’m not fairly certain why that may occur and it normally occurred after I didn’t use the printer for some time (hours or days). However when it did occur, I couldn’t begin a brand new print and must flip the printer off and again on once more.
Lastly, there’s a design flaw with the little clip that holds the ink tubes in place earlier than they attain the printhead. The issue is that when the printhead strikes to the left, the tubes fold upwards and rub on the printer’s lid. That’s noisy and I used to be involved that it might put on via the tubes. I may really see marks on the lid the place the tubes have been rubbing.
To repair that, I designed and 3D-printed a alternative for that clip. It extends to the left and prevents the tubes from flexing upwards, eliminating the rubbing. When you purchase an F13 and have the rubbing situation, you will discover my alternative clip over on Printables.
Upkeep
After changing into acquainted with UV printing and all of its upkeep complications, I used to be keen to seek out out if the Procolored F13 (and DTF printers generally) have comparable upkeep necessities.
Procolored does have a advisable day by day, weekly, and month-to-month upkeep schedule, however I discovered that the F13 is way much less delicate to upkeep neglect than UV printers are.
When you depart the printer on (as you need to), it’s going to routinely run cleansing cycles. And the printhead isn’t almost as vulnerable to clogging as a UV printhead.
I even left the F13 sitting for about three weeks and it nonetheless printed simply effective after operating a cleansing cycle!
All of that to say that whereas the Procolored F13 does require repairs and you need to observe the upkeep schedule, it isn’t going to develop into a paperweight when you depart it unattended for a weekend. The easiest way to maintain it operating properly is to easily print one thing every day, however a few missed days shouldn’t be a difficulty.
Ultimate ideas
I’ve been utilizing the Procolored F13 for about six weeks now and I’ve fashioned a assured opinion about it, which is that it’s a respectable machine.
My largest grievance is in regards to the poor person interface, however that’s extra of an inconvenience than an actual downside. I used to be additionally irritated by the ink tubes rubbing, however that was solved with a 45-minute 3D print.
General, the Procolored F13 (together with its oven and warmth press) works properly and produces superior t-shirts. I believe consumers will likely be happy with the outcomes.
Nonetheless, this market phase has develop into fairly aggressive lately and there are loads of different choices on the market. I don’t have expertise with any of the competitors, however there are fashions out there at comparable costs and even a number of which are extra inexpensive.
All I can say with confidence is that the Procolored F13 labored properly for me and I believe most consumers can be pleased with it.
