A revolutionary garment printing system that delivers high-quality results.
What is it used for?
Claimed to be a “game-changer” by its developer, the Resolute R-Jet Pro DTF is a digital inkjet system that prints heat transfers onto special film, intended mainly for decorating textile garments. It’s suited to cotton, polyester, high-viz, workwear and sportswear. It can also be used to decorate hard substrates, packaging and promotional items – where a product can be placed under a heat press.
When was it launched and what’s the target market?
After extensive field testing in 2020, it was officially launched in February. It’s being promoted as an alternative to existing DTG technologies. Resolute founder Colin Marsh says: “The system outperforms conventional DTG printing, sublimation, white toner and print-and-cut methods in both speed and costs. This system is popular among screen printers because it does not require any pre-treatment. It has a smaller footprint than an automatic carousel and requires only one person to run it.”
Identity Printing, Manchester, was the first to use Ricoh DTG inkjets. Zar Ali, production manager, says: “The film transfer gives a really nice clean finish, unlike DTG where if the fibres are rough they spoil the quality and you have to keep cleaning the printheads.
“There’s no pre-treatment. It takes just 15 minutes to warm it up each morning. We do gym-wear polyesters with it too and there’s no stretching or cracking even at maximum.”
What is the secret to it?
The system includes a roll-fed, A3 format inkjet and twin Epson OEM printerheads that can print dual CMYK as well as dual white onto special paper. After printing, the film and semi-cured Ink are fed to an inline finishing device that applies heat-activated adhesive powder. The ink is then heat-cured.
The film images are then transferred to the substrate using a standard heat press, usually taking 15 seconds at 130-165°C. It is not necessary to do any pre-treatment or weeding. You can group small images and have them cut individually.
Marsh says: “The Resolute Premium DTF ink is a water-based hybrid ink, pigmented but with the characteristics of latex for durability and softness.” These produce vibrant prints with excellent stretch and durability in the wash, he says. “The key to the product’s success is the combination of high-quality film coating that reacts with the ink and adhesive during curing. With a gamut range twice that of traditional DTG inks the colours produced are not only vibrant but also accurate.”
Resolute’s own film is recommended as it “is profiled and is unique to its durability in the wash,” Marsh says. “Other films can be used but the performance will be affected.”
Resolute RIP Pro software is included with the printer. It allows for automatic image nesting, variable and barcode job creation, job costing, as well as driving it.
Is it intended to replace an older product?
This Resolute DTG printer is the only one that uses the film transfer process.
What’s the USP?
“The R-Jet Pro DTF’s USP is the combination of exclusive own-brand consumables coupled with my 40 years’ experience in the printing industry,” says Marsh. “A lot of hard work and investment has gone into making sure the R-Jet Pro DTF outperforms other systems whilst retaining a very competitive price.”
Is it fast/productive?
Marsh says: “It can produce in excess of 1,000 chest prints per hour of 100x90mm when running in full production mode. Two operators and two heat press can produce approximately 900 finished garments every hour. In a five hour print run this equates to 4,500 finished garments.”
What training and support options are there?
“The system requires only an afternoon’s training as it is a very easy automated process,” says Marsh. “Remote support and on-site support is included by Resolute’s own technicians.”
What is the cost of it and how does it get sold?
The R-Jet Pro DTG system costs £14,950. Ink is available in 1,000ml and 500ml bottles, priced at £75 per litre. Marsh estimates that the average cost of an A4 sheet made with DTF is around 30p
Resolute can order products, but they also have a sales agreement with The Magic Touch in Dunstable, which specializes in textile transfers.
What number are you using?
“The UK installation base has already exceeded 50 and is set to hit 100 before the end of this year,” says Marsh. “We are currently in talks with a large US-based firm as an exclusive partner for the R-Jet Pro DTF system.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Printable width 580mm
Output 16m/hour @ 1,800dpi
Colors Five (dual CMYK plus dual white)
Ink type Water-based pigmented Ink
Ink system Bulk feed
Printheads Two eight-channel Epson OEM
Footprint 2×3.6m
Software Resolute RIP Pro
Prices £16,950
Get in touch Resolute DTG 01246 202686 www.resolute.ink/r-jet-pro-dtf The Magic Touch 01582671444 www.themagictouch.co.uk
ALTERNATIVES
Marsh believes that there is no alternative to capability. Marsh believes there is no direct alternative in terms of capability. However, there are many established alternatives. Heat presses are used to transfer and fix images to textiles.
OKI Pro8432wt Space Control
A package of an OKI toner printer that offers CMY plus white options together with The Magic Touch’s Space Control software for transfer creation and colour ordering. It’s suitable for most fabric types as well as solids such as mugs, etc.
Format A3-plus
Colors CMYK plus white or CMYY+
Software Internal PostScript 3 Rip
Prices £3,695
Get in touch The Magic Touch 01582671444 www.themagictouch.com
Brother GT361
The GT361 inkjet can print CMYK and dual white on a platen printer. It also has interchangeable shapes that can be used to make different types of garments. Colored garments require pre-treatment.
Maximal printing area 35x40cm
Colors CMYK plus dual white
Software Windows printer driver
Prices £7,995
Get in touch MHM Direct 0115 94 2285 www.mhmdirect.co.uk
Epson SC-F2100
The Epson DTG printer is an entry-level model that uses pigment inks. It also has interchangeable platesns that can support garments upto a t-shirt. Dark fabrics require pre-treatment.
Process Inkjet using aqueous pigment inks
Colors CMYK plus White
Software Mac and Windows printer drivers
Prices £13,194
Get in touch Epson UK 01442 26144 www.epson.co.uk