Hello everyone! I may be VERY LATE on this subject. I love everything that is being created and WILL be purchasing the iEngraver…I am ANXIOUSLY AWAITING the creation & rollout of a HTVRONT/LOKLIK UV DTF Printer!
I purchased an Epson 8550 to convert to a UV DTF Printer and have not touched the printer because I need a CISS & want to set it up correctly. My focus is on machines that I NEED for my business & I know…. When HTVRONT develops one, I will be 1st in line for purchase, testing or WHATEVER….but, I am eagerly awaiting it. Anyone else feeling the same as me, please chime in!
HTVRONT is a powerhouse & for this reason, I have not explored the option of purchasing some of the other models. Am I the only one? Let me know & chime in!
Hi @Carla_Lawson! This subject will never be late Personally, I don’t have HTVRONT/LokLik UV DTF Printer or another printer to convert to UV DTF Printer but I’m pretty much sure someone here in our community will share and give their thoughts about setting up their CISS correctly.
Well, HTVRONT is showcasing the DTF Printer and I am contemplating getting it BUT, I FEEL they will construct a UV DTF which is much more versatile for multiple products and I can NOT WAIT TO TEST OR PURCHASE! Thus far, I have not been disappointed with anything I have purchased
They haven’t mentioned anything about a UV DTF Printer. I’m sure they are looking into it though with how popular it is at the moment. I would be so excited when they release one. I haven’t seen many succeed in converting normal printers to UV DTF. You can convert an Epson easily to DTF. With UV DTF you may need to move the print head higher as UV DTF AB film is quite thick, and you would need to install a UV light so it can cure the ink. Also, the UV ink is a lot thicker than regular ink and as you stated in your post you may need to replace all the ink lines with larger tubes which can lead to ink spillages and a lot of problems.
So, for people that don’t know there is DTF which is Direct to Film and UV DTF which is different. You typically use DTF on fabrics etc. A DTF printer works with DTF ink, printed on DTF film with a layer of white ink on top. Then you place powder over the printed film and heat to cure it. Then press on to garments. UV DTF is slightly different. You need UV DTF AB Film that feeds into your printer with UV curable inks. As the printer prints the UV Ink gets instantly cured with an ultraviolet light. This printer creates a vibrant colored sticker in simple terms. That can be used on any hard surface, like a tumbler wrap instead of using 3 different vinyl’s and layering them, you could just print the wrap design. Or you could make really cute totally waterproof stickers.
I’m very familiar with the versatility difference in regular DTF & UV DTF and at some point, I will finish the conversion of my 8550…. But, in the meantime, I want HTVRONT to consider creating a UV DTF machine
I know you are, but I don’t think others understood the difference.
Would love to know how you go with your conversion. Is there a reason you choose the Epson Ecotank 8550 specially to do your conversion? I was really interested in it too, as the UV DTF printers are so expensive
I watched a ton of YouTube videos and learned that in converting printers to DTF, it is best to use an Eco Tank printer with 5-6 color capabilities to enable the white ink to be used. From what I learned, the white ink is what allows the DTF to be placed on all color clothing which is what is making it so popular over sublimation.
What fabulous HTVRONT did to enable people to sublimate on all colors is create the sublimation transfer (white and clear). You have to heat press the sublimation transfer down first (whichever one you are using), then sublimate on top of it. I tried it and loved it which is another reason I have not rushed to convert the printer.
Because the white ink is notorious for getting clogged (unless a CISS is being used & can still occur), I just want to make sure that once I pour that ink into the printer, I am confident of what I am doing. Now, I really have been contemplating getting HTVRONT’s DTF but I want to save my money & get the UV DTF if they come out with it and spend on the iEngrave since I didn’t get picked to test in this last round.
I am also looking forward to the UV DTF Printer that we all know HTVRONT/LoKLIK will bring us in the future. As far as a DTF printer. Can’t most sublimation printers be used on DTF Film. With the exception of white ink?
Yes; print your item on DT Film, apply the adhesive powder, bake and then apply with the heat press. Now, because the white ink is not part of the print, I am not sure how long it will last or if it will have deep coloring on black/dark clothes
Oh….with the UV Dtf, it would require the varnish and uv light & I don’t “think” the Epson 8550 could handle that……but, if someone has done it, it would be interesting to hear about. I hear a lot of people have some issues with both & that’s why “whenever” I get one, I want to purchase from a reputable brand that will still offer some customer support
Yeah, that’s why I was interested in how you were converting it lol , haven’t seen someone convert one to a UV DTF. The ones I have seen convert to just a normal DTF printer said it worked for awhile but they eventually gave up and bought a DTF printer. When you convert yours to DTF just make sure to run it at least once a day. Helps with clogs and things. Good luck with your conversion, would love to know how it goes.
Everyone, I am fascinated by the amount of amazing products that have been created. I am curious, if HTVRONT/LOKLIK created a UV DTF…. how would you feel about it? Would you purchase one? Would you add it to your already fabulous products created by HTVRONT/LOKLIK? I would!
There are several items I intend to purchase and if they create this one, trust me, it will be on my list. I already have several products and I will not sleep on purchasing this amazing machine if it is created.
Yes! I know I approached the subject once before, but I am really trying to push interest in people actually thinking about purchasing one. A lot of people have purchased the DTF which is different than the UV DTF. Just inquiring because as so many have stated, they are budgeting for their machines.
Personally, I don’t have HTVRONT/LokLik UV DTF Printer or another printer to convert to UV DTF Printer but I’m pretty much sure someone here in our community will share and give their thoughts about setting up their CISS correctly.
