iehk A4 DTG Printer A4 Garment Printer¶
Manuals¶
The manuals for this machine are on the printroom computer. Please note that these manuals are not comprehensive.
Firmware, Drivers, and Software¶
The required and optional software are installed on the print room laptop. The DTG Software requires a physical encryption key. Therefore it is only available on the print room lap top.
DO NOT INSTALL ANY REQUIRED SOFTWARE OR DRIVERS ON YOUR OWN DEVICE
If the driver is updated it will brick the machine. The final print must be done on the print computer.
Required¶
Program | Description |
---|---|
DTGRIP | The software that lets you tweak the DTG settings prior to print |
EPSON Driver | The driver is preinstalled on the computer. |
DO NOT UPDATE THIS DRIVER. THE DTG WILL BE BRICKED. |
Optional¶
Program | Description |
---|---|
Image Manipulation Program | Software that lets you alter images. GIMP, Photoshop, Krita |
Vector Graphics Program | Software that edits vectorized graphics. Size independent software. |
Image Manipulation Program | Software that lets you alter images. GIMP, Photoshop, Krita |
Vector Graphics Program | Software that edits vectorized graphics. Size independent software. |
Cost and Consumables¶
This machine uses fabric and printer ink. The fabric is expected to be personally supplied, while the shop will supply the ink. Ink Costs TBD.
Function¶
This machine prints CMYK(W) images directly to fabrics and garments. It can print on both light and dark garments, although darker garments will require additional procedures.
Specifications¶
This machine can print images up to A4 papers size. It may be able to print more with additional adjustments.
Usage¶
Please note different fabrics will have different qualities and issues.
Preparation¶
- Please see DTGRIP for a comprehensive guide to software settings.
- Shake ink bottles.
Recommended: Pretreatment
If you are using a colored shirt, especially a dark colored shirt use a pretreatment, such as the Image Armor ULTRA Dark Shirt formula. Pretreatment will make the fabric absorb less of the ink, making the image appear more brilliant.
- Load fabric.
- The top of the software will print on the side closest to the front of the machine.
- Flatten shirt on panel.
- Place frame to hold it in place.
- Tug shirt taught.
- Press the arrow pointing toward the back of the machine on rocker switch marked "in and out stop".
- If the shirt is not in the back of the machine, it will throw an out of paper error.
Printing¶
File
drop down, thenPrint...
(or use F10)- Make sure it is on the correct port
USB002 <EPSON L805 Series T-shirt DTG>
. Otherwise close and change it in the printer tab. - Make sure
WHITE+COLOR
is NOT checked. Print
Recommended: Pretreatment
Consider using a pretreatment if the color of the shirt bleeds through. Follow the instructions on your pretreatment solution.
Check Black Handling
- In DTGRIP go to the
White
tab. - Set
Black Handling
- Color Shirts - If printing color set it to 100%.
File
drop down, thenPrint...
(or use F10)- Make sure it is on the correct port
USB002 <EPSON L805 Series T-shirt DTG>
. Otherwise close and change it in the printer tab. - Check the
WHITE+COLOR
Option. Print
Recommended: Image Armour ULTRA Dark Shirt Formula
- Spray down shirt with Image Armour ULTRA Dark Shirt Formula.
- Heat shirt at 330F for 30 seconds (follow instructions on main bottle).
Check Black Handling
- In DTGRIP go to the
White
tab. - Set
Black Handling
- Black/Dark Shirts - If on color check the
white
andpreview
views, and set threshold to desired level. It may be advantageous to let the black of the shirt show though for some graphics. Otherwise set this to 100%.
File
drop down, thenPrint...
(or use F10)- Make sure it is on the correct port
USB002 <EPSON L805 Series T-shirt DTG>
. Otherwise close and change it in the printer tab. - Check the
WHITE+COLOR
Option. Print
Maintenance¶
Task | Description | Frequency |
---|---|---|
Nozzle Cleaning | The Nozzles must be cleaned, or ink could dryout and clog the lines, dampers, and printhead. | Frequently as possible |
Bottle Shaking | The inks must be agitated or the pigments will settle | Frequently as possible |
Dump Wastebottle | Empty waste bottle into sink | when waste bottle is 2/3rds full. |
Nozzle Cleaning¶
Computer¶
- Open DTGRIP.
File
drop down,Nozzle Cleaning
(or use F12)- Repeat step 2.
Manual¶
- Place silicone tube on syringe.
- Run printhead.
- Unplug printer while the head is running.
- load a rag into t-shirt printer.
- move rag under printhead/printhead over rag.
- Remove ink dampers.
- Place other end of silicone tube on printhead nozzle.
- Slowly squeeze syringe.
- DO NOT FORCE. If syringe does not go, let it sit for a longer period and try squeezing again.
- Repeat 7 and 8 for all 6 nozzles.
- Replace dampers.
- Plug printer back in.
- Power on.
Bottle Shaking.¶
- Shake each ink bottle.
- Repeat step 1 for all bottles of ink.
- Run the clean nozzle function until all settled ink is gone in the lines. (eg. when the white ink is transparent, run
clean nozzles
until the lines are white again.)
Dump Waste Bottle¶
The waste bottle is in the back of the machine.
Maintenance log¶
To be checked on discord.