Inkjet printing provides many conveniences when processing fabrics. With a UV printer or a DTF printer, you can print out precise or high-resolution graphics under high production speed, and provide materials for short-term production at any time anywhere even at home. However, using textile inkjet printers is different from using standard paper printing systems. To help you get started, here are some tips about how the process works.
Some suggestions for printing on textile
Basically, most inkjet inks are able to print fabric. There are three main types of inks: solvent ink, UV curable ink, and water-based ink. Most customers choose these inks based on their different capabilities. However, special attention should be paid to textile printing. Although most inkjet ink can work, applying specially formulated ink for the type of fabric will produce the best result.
These inks are specially designed for fabric printing. They are tended to be water-resistant so that they can be washed many times without fading the colors. The most suitable inks include pigmented and dye-based inks. Pigmented inks are more fade-resistant. Dye-based inks are typically more vibrant. There are two common methods for fabric printing: transfer and direct-to-fabric.
Method 1:Direct-to-fabric
Machine choice: there are some machines that are designed for fabric printing or you can choose a paper-backed design for printing.
Textile choice: No matter what the ink is, it is suggested that you should use a pre-coated fabric to receive the ink.
Proper placement: The fabrics should be placed on the printer as loading a sheet of paper. How to load the sheet depends on the setting and configuration of the printer. Note that it is forbidden to touch the fabric out of the printer while printing is in process, otherwise, it will distort the image.
Method 2: Transfer
Material choice: Use a material that is designed to be transferred. The printing system applies ink to the material in tiny droplets, similar to how printing on paper works.
Printing process: Press the print to the fabric to transfer the image and/or set the color. Depending on the process, there may be additional instructions. If ironing a transfer, place a heat-resistant sheet between the iron and print. Iron with the temperature set to the hottest the fabric can tolerate without being scorched or burned. Move the iron from side to side without keeping it still in any particular spot.
Which types of printing machines are suitable for fabric printing?
There are mainly three types of printers for fabric. These three types of printing machines are UV printers on fabric, DTG printers, and DTF printers.UV printers on fabric: UV printers use solvent ink to print on the textile and it can be cured instantly.DTG printers: DTG printers use modified printing technologies to print on pre-sewn garments.DTF printers: The ink is sprayed directly onto a pre-cut roll of fabric.
When printing fabric with an inkjet printer, follow these basic steps:
1. Scan, upload, or select a photo online and save it to your computer.
2. Enhance the photo to brighten it, improve resolution and clarity, and crop the areas that you want to be printed on the fabric.
3. Edit your printer’s properties to obtain the best photo setting, and then test print the image.
Recommended printers for fabric printing machines from TUCAN
The process steps include Pattern printing, Shake powder, Drying system, Automatic winding, Heat transfer process.1. Easy operation: A TUCAN 602 DTF printer equals an Eco Solvent Printer +Powder Shaking Machine. The machine is equipped with all auxiliary materials, it can be used immediately after installation.2. Suitable for different material T-shirts: TUCAN 602 DTF machines are suitable for printing different T-shirts especially on soft textiles.3. Long-lasting color: The textile pigment ink provided by TUCANI is of high quality so that the colors will be last for a long time. 
1. The platform can be raised and lowered by 10 CM, and the choice of printing materials is diversified.2. Duplex platform switches printing operation efficiently.3. Various printing modes can be, and the operation convenient.4. Intensive cultivation, quality assurance.
And specific parameters are provided below:
| A2 Size Direct To Garment T Shirt Printing Machine T Shirt Printer |
| Model |
TH-6090T |
| Head type |
two XP600 /4720/ WF5113 |
| Printing size |
| 40cm*30cm*2 / (60cm*90cm)*1 |
|
| Printing table |
Double Printing Table, Can change it anytime |
| Resolution/Speed |
(4 pass) 35pc/H / (4 pass) 50pc/H |
| (6 pass) 25pc/H / (6 pass) 35pc/H |
| (8 pass) 20pc/H / (8 pass) 20pc/H |
| Ink sort |
White Ink From US |
| Ink system |
Closed cycle ink system , White ink cycle system |
| Maximum media thickness |
10CM |
| Media type |
| T-shirt Cotton Dacron Fabric |
|
| Printing platform |
Two printing platforms |
| Motor |
| Leadshine integrated motor |
|
| Pic type |
PNG JPG JPEG TIFF |
| Output port |
USB |
| Running system |
Windows 7 Windows 10 |
| RIP software |
Photoprint Onyx |
| Power supply spec. |
| AC 110V ±10%, AC 220V±10%, 50/60±1Hz |
|
| Power |
1000W |
| Operation environment |
Temp: 20°C - 35°C , Humidity: 35% RH - 70% RH |
| Dimension size |
L1600MM*W1535MM*H634MM |
| Packing size |
L1740MM*W1690MM*H804MM |
| Net weight |
200KG |
Future Expectation
While a lot of money has gone into the fabric space in the past few years, it’s yet to generate outsize exits. This isn’t surprising, as many of the players are still early stage, and even the most heavily funded have only begun selling their wares. Looking ahead, it’ll be exciting to see the extent to which these newer, more sustainable clothes made by the printer get into our wardrobes.
