EPSON LAUNCHES DEDICATED DTF PRINTER

To address the growing demand for fabric and merchandise customisation, Epson has launched a new range, the SureColor G-Series, and its first ever wide-format printer designed exclusively for direct-to-film (DTF) production – the SureColor G6060.

Designed to meet the requirements of garment creators and merchandise manufacturers, the SureColor G6060 expands on Epson’s extensive range of fabric printers, and is the first model dedicated to direct-to-film production. Aimed at volume production, Epson says it has been designed to deliver “consistent quality output with a low running cost, minimum maintenance and a high duty cycle”.

Gordon Kerr business marketing manager for Professional Print Solutions at Epson explained, “Epson has many years’ experience in the fabric market and has grown to be one of the world’s largest providers of print solutions. We understand that quality and consistency are important for customer satisfaction. We also understand maximising reliability while minimising parts and labour expenditure are key to profitable business. The new SureColor G6060 ticks all these boxes and complete with its new designation, is a perfect fit within our fabric line-up.”

Epson says that in practical terms, by employing the DTF process, the SureColor G6060 makes adding images and logos to shirts, pants and accessories “simple and straightforward” and so enables imaging on a much wider range of material.

It says garment manufacturers seeking a dedicated DTF production system can now easily and cost-effectively create custom workwear and teamwear. They can produce event and show merchandise, alongside value-add clothing, and a wide range of other items including coasters, umbrellas, notepads and binders.

The SureColor G6060 features a compact design with all-front-loaded consumables. It supports film in rolls up to 900mm wide and 250mm in diameter. It incorporates an auto-cutter for sheet-based production and can be used ‘in-line’ with a range of third-party powder shaker/oven machines for roll-based production.

A 1.33” 8-channel PrecisionCore Micro TFP printhead supports print speeds up to 17sqm per hour in colour + white, and 32.6sqm an hour in white or colour only. According to Epson ink-less nozzle status monitoring, auto-head cleaning, auto cap-cleaning and continuous white-ink recirculation “ensure consistent high-quality output with maximum productivity and minimum waste”.

The printer uses 1.6 litre UltraChrome DF ink packs, that Epson says are “cost-effective to order, easy to agitate, quick and mess-free to load”. It says Epson Precision Dot image processing ensures the SC-G6060 can produce “accurate and consistent prints with bright colour and an enhanced gamut”.

Epson says the SC-G6060 has been purpose-built for fast and efficient production. It is designed to operate with minimal operator oversight and minimum manual maintenance. It says it requires only a few minutes each week to ensure smooth and reliable operation. It features a high duty cycle and ships with a comprehensive warranty that includes the print head. Service cover can be extended with CoverPlus for up to a total of five years for a low total cost of ownership.  

Finally, the printer features integrated support for Epson’s Cloud Solution Port service. This free web-based service can be accessed from desktop PCs for direct management as well as Android and iOS devices for remote monitoring. The Port service provides advanced reporting and costing tools while facilitating enhanced support and service for maximum uptime.

Kerr concluded, “The SureColor G6060 is a great addition to Epson’s fabric range and should be well received by manufacturers with volume DTFilm production needs. For users with lower requirements and/or those who wish to produce a mix of DTG and DTFilm we will continue to recommend our SC-F1060, SC-F2260 and SC-F3000 models.”

The new SC-G6060 will ship with a comprehensive warranty that includes the printhead. It is expected to have a retail price of A$27,495 and NZ$30,295 including five-year CoverPlus, ink and software.

The new SureColor G6060 will be demonstrated on the Epson stand at PacPrint in May.