Procolored P13 DTF printer evaluation

REVIEW – I’m all the time enthusiastic about numerous crafting and manufacturing processes. A few of these processes I exploit for skilled merchandise, and a few I exploit for private initiatives. The Procolored P13 DTF printer evaluation provide got here alongside, and I simply needed to strive it.

⬇︎ Bounce to abstract (execs/cons)
Value: $3999.00 ($4699.00 as examined with oven and heat-press)
The place to purchase: Procolored

What’s it?

The Procolored P13 is a Direct-to-Movie (DTF) printer designed for home-based attire companies to create warmth switch designs.

What’s included?

• P13 DTF Printer(XP600)
• Full Set of Preliminary Ink (CMYKW 5*250ml)
• Adhesive Powder 500g
• Printhead Moisturizing Machine
• Nozzle Safety Fluid 1*250ml
• PET roll movie
• Procolored RIP Software program(Home windows /Mac OS) Obtain
• USB Dongle
• Energy cable/USB interface information cable
• Ink Tube/Mud Free Material/Syringe
• Additionally examined: Oven and Warmth Press

Design and options

I’ve used numerous strategies for creating shirt and hat transfers previously, equivalent to vinyl transfers, laser engraving, and display screen printing. I discovered vinyl transfers to be time-consuming to create. My laser expertise was restricted to leather-based patches, and display screen printing was nice for single-color designs; nevertheless, it turned harder to create multi-colored designs, and even then, there was little mixing of colours.

The Procolored P13 DTF (Direct-to-Movie) Printer creates full shade designs, similar to a normal inkjet shade printer. The P13 prints to a semi-transparent movie, which is then used to warmth switch the print onto gadgets.

I’ve had no earlier DTF expertise, so this evaluation is from a brand new person angle. I wasn’t fairly positive what to anticipate, however typically the educational course of is a part of the enjoyable.

The P13 arrived packaged very effectively inside a wood delivery field. I used to be fairly impressed, as I’ve acquired bigger and dearer gadgets that had been simply packaged of their cardboard bins. Transport injury is one among my greatest fears, and upon seeing this field, I knew the contents can be secure.

Unpacking the P13 was comparatively simple. The directions stroll you thru every step, which consists primarily of mounting the switch movie curler brackets and the output tray and cutter.

The software program set up course of was tough. I believe the P13 is simply delivery now, so it is perhaps labored out for normal retail by now. My predominant pc wouldn’t set up the required runtimes; regardless of supposedly being the identical Microsoft runtime, the software program wouldn’t run.

The Procolored assist personnel tried to assist, however after attempting a couple of issues, I made a decision that I didn’t wish to alter my major pc any additional. I moved over to a secondary pc, which had comparable points, however I lastly simply uninstalled the Microsoft runtimes that had been already put in and put in those from the Procolored obtain.

The Procolored assist personnel wished to distant into my pc, or a minimum of screen-share, repeatedly. I do know that’s in all probability simply because it’s the quickest approach to resolve points with non-computer-literate individuals, however that basically shouldn’t be step one. I assured them that I used to work at Microsoft, and I used to be a software program developer for 25 years, and I may inform them something they wanted to know.

The software program is definitely two elements: the printer driver and the design software program. As soon as the printer driver is put in, you need to run it earlier than the design software program, however you actually don’t must do something with it. I believe that Procolored may do higher with this, as this may very well be an issue for much less savvy pc customers.

The Procolored P13 makes use of a 6-channel printhead, which mixes the CMYKW (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, and White) inks whereas printing. The 6-channel printhead has the benefit of being a single print head, whereas a 4-channel print head would require two print heads.

The P13 additionally has a laser detection system to detect movie flatness to keep away from scratching the movie. The laser detection system additionally protects the printhead and the print, decreasing failures and upkeep prices. If the movie isn’t mendacity flat, the printer will cease and difficulty an error, which you’ll be able to then appropriate and proceed the print.

The P13 has a waste ink tank that collects waste ink when the machine performs cleansing and upkeep. I had some points with the alarm going off on a regular basis, however I ended up getting that working with some assist from the assist personnel.

The massive lid includes a hydraulic shock to carry the lid open, so there’s no worry that the lid will slam shut. I actually like one of these shock.

Along with the big lid, the P13 additionally options two entry doorways, one on every finish of the machine. The doorways have a magnetic latch, making entry for upkeep extraordinarily simple.

The cable chain features a sound-absorbing foam liner, which reduces noise. Procolored claims that this makes the P13 50% quieter than industrial DTF printers. I don’t have one other machine to match it to, but it surely’s a very quiet machine.

Usually, once I get a brand new machine, I create a small take a look at, equivalent to a sq. or textual content, and take a look at the machine. With the P13, I made a decision to only go for a full picture. I had a Michigan picture that I beforehand made for a good friend to make stickers with, so I dropped it into the software program, sized it, and hit print. The brand was printed completely. I then proceeded to drop it onto the ground earlier than I had baked it, placing a small defect in the midst of it.

I then lined the bottom with the DTF powder, shook off the surplus, and baked it within the oven at 130°C for 300 seconds. I then heat-pressed it onto a shirt at 320°F for 20 seconds. I used to be impressed. The print got here out nice. The DTF switch undoubtedly bonded higher than among the vinyl transfers I’ve carried out previously.

Subsequent, I made a decision to make a shirt for my son. He has a 1977 Datsun 280Z, and was going to a automobile present in only a few days. I printed a few 2-inch (50mm) Datsun logos, however once I went to chop the movie, I had not prolonged the movie far sufficient and ran the cutter by means of the ink.

I believe it could be good if the slicing platform had a line throughout it so you’ll be able to be sure that the print is prolonged sufficient. That straightforward line would let you understand how far to increase it, and also you wouldn’t even notice it.

The oven was included within the bundle that Procolored despatched me. The oven options separate controls for temperature and time. I like separate controls, as you don’t have to recollect how one can toggle between them, like some units have. Typically when corporations “simplify” the controls, they really make it harder to make use of.

Procolored additionally included their warmth press. Though I just like the bodily design and operation of the warmth press, I wasn’t as impressed with the controller. The controller includes a multi-function knob that rotates and presses to alter numerous settings. I don’t like having to recollect the operations:

+ 6-second press and maintain, then flip the wheel to change between temperature items (F to C).
+ Temperature alter: Half flip clockwise, await beep, then alter.
+ Time alter: Half flip counter-clockwise, await beep, then alter.
+ 3-second press and maintain to show off.
+ Quick press to decrease lid.

Urgent the crimson button on the lid (or short-pressing the management knob) will open or shut the press. When the urgent is completed, the lid will robotically open. I do like that function, as you can begin an operation and never have to fret about being on the machine when it finishes. The warmth press may even robotically shut down after 120 minutes if there isn’t a operation.

I’m unsure about how different individuals really feel about multi-function controllers like this, however I favor a bit extra separation of capabilities, equivalent to having separate buttons for beginning the temperature and time capabilities. I like intuitive controls, not controls that you need to know how one can use.

My first Datsun shirt got here out nice with the small brand, so I made a decision to make a bigger one. I printed the second brand at a measurement of three.5″ x 8.5″. As soon as once more, it got here out nice.

I made a decision to maneuver on to one thing a bit extra colourful. I purchased a espresso design on Etsy that I wished to check print in each a small and a big measurement. I printed one at 4″ sq. and one at 8″ sq.. Notice that the white “splotches” within the textual content are a part of the design, not a print defect. I used to be very pleased with how the print got here out.

Subsequent, I bought one other design and printed some eagles to placed on shirt sleeves. The colours and particulars are wonderful.

I made a decision so as to add my brand to one among my favourite shirts, so I printed it at 12″ large. I wished to check how the warmth switch labored on shirts which were worn and washed many occasions. The print labored nice, however I did uncover that the reflective stripe on the shirt was heat-sensitive, and a part of it melted onto the warmth press. Fortunately, I seen shortly sufficient to have the ability to wipe it off. The lesson discovered right here was to all the time use a protecting switch sheet on high of the print.

Remaining ideas

General, the Procolored P13 DTF Printer has impressed me with its high-quality prints, ease of use, and nice construct high quality. Regardless of a couple of issues that didn’t go easily with the software program, as soon as that was labored out, all the things labored nice. Not like laser engraving, I didn’t must fiddle with settings, all the things simply appeared to work positive.

What I like concerning the Procolored P13 DTF Printer

• Simple to function
• Nicely constructed
• Excessive-quality prints

What must be improved?

• Waste ink alarm wants work
• Software program set up must be mounted
• Software program integration may very well be higher, but it surely labored nice

Value: $3999.00 ($4699.00 as examined with oven and heat-press)
The place to purchase: Procolored
Supply: The pattern of this product was offered free of charge by Procolored. Procolored didn’t have a ultimate say on the evaluation and didn’t preview the evaluation earlier than it was revealed.

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