I've been looking at getting a dtg printer for a while now and finally settled on (I think) the Annajet next spring. One question I have though, (everyhting else I've managed to answer by reading, reading and re reading this forum, thank you)
How long do light and dark garments hold up in the wash? is there an average washability of say 20 washes before cracking, fading etc?
Can the customer iron over the print or is it to be treated the same was as other garment decoration and iron inside out?
Hi Duds,
I have an HM1 and I would say the washability really depends on how well the pretreatment and curing is done on the dark garments. The lights should also last well if they have been cured properly. I have many shirts that have been washed more than twenty times and still look great, as well as a few that have started to look kinda aged, which were some of the first I printed so probably are not the best hehe, those are dark.
I have never ironed my t-shirts hehe so I cant tell you about that. I would assume you would treat it like any other printed shirt though. Definately washing inside out helps.
The Anajet printer uses Dupont Ink, but in cartridges. Almost all the other printers (besides Brother and Kornit) use the Dupont ink as well (minus the machines that use R&H - which is no longer going to produce ink). So, until we get more ink manufacturers on the market for the smaller machines, the washability is going to be the same for almost all the machines - minus the changes between users.
The Anajet printer uses Dupont Ink, but in cartridges. Almost all the other printers (besides Brother and Kornit) use the Dupont ink as well (minus the machines that use R&H - which is no longer going to produce ink). So, until we get more ink manufacturers on the market for the smaller machines, the washability is going to be the same for almost all the machines - minus the changes between users.
Hi, this is Walt the new guy in DTG. I'm having customers bring shirts back that faded after one wash, and I have followed Anajet's instructions of 350 deg. for 40 seconds... Now I have been heat setting as soon as they come off the press: does this type of ink need to cool set for a while before pressing? The shirts that faded so far, were pastels: Ash and Natural Hanes Beefys...All suggestions welcomed...wl
Have you checked your temperature of your heat press? I am only asking because some of them can be off. What you should try to do is mimick the same job that is being returned in smaller sections (3 to 4 times on one shirt and changing the time and temperature for each one. Make sure that you mark the shirt with the time, temperature and pressure you used with a permanment marker so you can repeat it later on. Otherwise, make this information part of the design. Then wash the shirt yourself and see what looks best. For your heat press, you might have to go with a higher temperature or a longer dwell time. Some testing is required because there are so many factors involved (i.e. type of fabric, heat press factors, humidity, how it was washed,...).
We only use Kornit. We believe that they're way out in front from a technology perspective and everyone we talk to that manufactures on a large scale (100,000+ units per year) totally agrees. That doesn't mean that the machine you have won't get the job done. I suggest calling a Kornit distributor and tell them what you're up against and tell them that you want to know how to get your machine to work as good as theirs. They will probably help you out in hopes that you'll eventually come in and buy a Kornit, which of course, you may or may NOT ever actually do. That's what we did, but we eventually figured out that we had to have Kornit to keep up.
Last edited by Solmu; July 19th, 2008 at 02:53 AM.
Reason: removed url as per forum rules
Hi, this is Walt the new guy in DTG. I'm having customers bring shirts back that faded after one wash, and I have followed Anajet's instructions of 350 deg. for 40 seconds... Now I have been heat setting as soon as they come off the press: does this type of ink need to cool set for a while before pressing? The shirts that faded so far, were pastels: Ash and Natural Hanes Beefys...All suggestions welcomed...wl
You are not heating them long enough. Try increasing the time under the heat press to 90 seconds and then check the washability.
I would also suggest not using Hanes Beefy T's for digital garment printing. We have heard from customers using the Beefy T's that they do not print or wash well due to the type of fabric Hanes uses for them. The other Hanes 100% cotton models do not have these problems as they use a different cotton weave.
Do you mind stating what your manufacturer or own company's curing time / temperature / pressure settings are? Since both manufacturers use the same ink, it should be the same. However, the user always have the ability to increase the temperature and decrease the time to get a similar result.
Most of the dtg manufacturers and distributors that I know of tell the customers that some wash testing will need to be done to get the correct settings for your shop (i.e. heat press, type of shirt,...).
Yep 40 seconds is not long enough with the dupont inks. I agree with harry, 90 seconds on a light color shirt will cure the ink well. I would turn the heat down to 330 degrees though. It seems that they are trying to have you cure quicker by raising the temp and then doing shorter time. I would try the 330 degrees at 90 seconds.
Also what dpi are you printing at. Maybe try laying down a little more ink also. I print at 720 x 720 and do a double pass. Then I cure for 90 seconds at 330 degrees and I get great results.
If this would be considered self promotion then I do apolgize and please remove it but I thought this may be something users might be interested in. First - to answer Mark's question on recommended curing times - US Screen recommends, with FastINK, heat setting any garment without white ink for 90 seconds at 330 degrees. Anything with white ink should be set at 150 to 180 seconds at 330 degrees. However, we have been selling a heat resistant foam like pad that takes the place of the hard rubber bottom pad on a heat press. Using this pad, we've had many users report that they are heat setting at 25% to 50% less time and getting the same washability.
Hi, this is Walt the new guy in DTG. I'm having customers bring shirts back that faded after one wash, and I have followed Anajet's instructions of 350 deg. for 40 seconds... Now I have been heat setting as soon as they come off the press: does this type of ink need to cool set for a while before pressing? The shirts that faded so far, were pastels: Ash and Natural Hanes Beefys...All suggestions welcomed...wl
I agree with Mark...Making sure your press is at the correct temperature is crictical. I just spoke with a customer who had a GeoKnight MaxiPress 40x64 that was 50 deg under the displayed temperature. When he checked the other 6 presses in his shop only one was within the proper temp. The others were 10 - 30 deg hot or cold.
Another thought...You could also have your dealer print and press the shirt for you.
Proper heat press temps and times are 356 deg 35-40 seconds for white/ light shirts or 330 degrees at 90 seconds.
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I suggest calling a Kornit distributor and tell them what you're up against and tell them that you want to know how to get your machine to work as good as theirs.
My distributor has enough trouble getting my Kornit to work right half the time, I do not think they would be very helpful when it comes to my Epson based machines.
The Epson machines do a great job for what they are intended for, as long as the operator is knowledgeable.
I've phoned the anajet supplier here a few times now with requests for samples, info, price, lease options etc etc and still have had nothing from them. I found out the other day that there is another firm here in the UK who will be supplying the anajet, so hopefully they will be better at customer service.
At the moment I'm torn between getting a DTG of one type or another or going with the Magic Touch WOW 7.1 system.
Plan is to use this system for a few months, see how it goes and then head for the DTG from a company that will send samples and info plus have a great back up team.
Ananjet - washability of garments 
, I do not think they would be very helpful when it comes to my Epson based machines.
