LATE REPLY - HOPE IT HELPS
NOTE: This was my first big purchase from China - I was very afraid but trusted in my research. This is unbiased
I have an Audley DTF with 2x Epson I3200 Printheads (do not buy the cheap heads - after a lot of research it is obvious they don't last very long - the good heads are rated for 2-3 years)
It has been printing for 2 months now and already used 100 meters of film.
For the price I paid it was well worth it - it really was a good purchase.
FIRSTLY - IMPORTANT
If you go this route make sure that if you are buying directly from them that the entire transaction is DDP (
Delivered duty paid - includes insurance as well) and use Alibaba Trade Assurance even if it costs a bit extra
MY EXPERIENCE THUS FAR
- Goods arrived in good order - crating was good - with the trade assurance I received detailed photos of all packaging etc. beforehand so no mistakes were made.
- When the machine arrived they created a WhatsApp group with 2x Engineers and the Sales Agent.
- Assembly was a breeze with very little assistance required from their technicians - however, make sure you ask them to check everything before switching the machine on - IMPORTANT!!
- When loading inks for the first time the WHITE will take longer the go through the system. We cheated by sucking the pipes from the other end as we were stupid but it worked like a charm.
- The machine build is as good as it gets compared to all the big brands. I was very surprised at how well everything was fitting together like a glove.
- You get a lot of spare parts so you are good to go for a while. I still don't know what half of it is for but they are there.
- Before you switch on they will ask you if all your ink pipes are secured - don't make the mistake a made where my white ink hose popped out and there was ink everywhere. Use long nose pliers and gently help the pipes go over their seating points.
- I was up and running in a day and then realized the alignment of the heads where out - this procedure is not in the manuals and videos supplied but it took them about 10 minutes via WhatsApp to fix. When it happens now it is a quick 2-minute fix.
- By the way, their support is rather good even with the different time zones. Your salesperson is on the same chat group and makes sure there are no language barriers.
- The powder shaking machine is SUPER albeit daunting at first, I even use it now for short runs as well just by using the heater on its own. Be sure to understand or ask them - DTF is awesome but this part is essential for stress-free operation.
- I use this machine in South Africa where the temperatures easily reach 40 Degrees Celcius and this bad boy just keeps on going with no ink starvation as I experience on my HP printer as there is a option to WET the heads if the machine has been standing for a while.
SUPPLIES:
Make sure you buy the Premium Quality Inks, Powder and Matte Cold Peel Film else make sure you insist on these from your local suppliers. The cheap inks especially the White can split. The powder particles must be very very small else they will not adhere to small details.
As a rule I turn my ink bottles upside down every second week - same you do with wine bottles I suppose 🍷
They are supplies are really very good and the print feel is awesome and last long after numerous washes and ironing (inside out)
SOFTWARE:
- They sell Maintop which is OK but I hate it, the fact that it makes the white a little lese denser using fine lines is ok but HALFTONES does the same trick. To be fair it's just a awkward interface I am not used to.
- I also bought SAI FlexiPrint as well and absolutely love it. Jobs go in and out with no hassles whatsoever. The provided ICC Profiles work very well (make sure you ask for it)
- I push through all my artwork as CMYK and I am glad to say I would not have thought the end results are so good for the price I paid for the machine.
- I also invested in a Photoshop Action Scrip called Rasterme for $39 and boy it was worth every cent. It makes light work of halftoning even on coloured shirts like yellow and red - LIFESAVER - Your customers will love the look and makes me feel like a rockstar!
RAMBLINGS:
- Be patient in the beginning - especially when installing the heads
- The freaking WASTE BOTTLE - make sure your pipes are tied down that go into the bottle else it will look like you blew an artery
- If your shirts are not 100% Dry (due to humidity) the transfers will be CRAP! Take the time and pre-press for 5 seconds or so before the transfer is applied to remove any moisture and for goodness sake press again after the transfer has been applied - easily a 20-second process in total that will be worth it.
- Cold-Peel umm means exactly that, especially on halftones.
- They also do not mention auto cleaning cycles etc. please make sure it has been set. On that note, you can set the cleaning type yourself which is very convenient so I do a LOW clean twice daily due to the temperatures.
- I clean my machine every 2 to 3 days depending on usage. Take care of your printheads and get the gunk off the dampers.
- DTF is great because I can do oversized prints larger than my heat press with no issues at all.
MATERIALS:
- My DTF works great on all kinds of cotton and polyester mixes and lycra with no issues. As I always double-press the DTF prints and they really stick like crazy and caps are a breeze.
- On umbrellas and gazebos, I do get some glue bleed/seepage so you need to experiment with your pressures however they stick very nicely and look stunning.
- On paper serviettes, it is bloody awesome and even halftone photos look stunning.
- Works rather well on wood - more experimenting is needed as the wood I tested on was wet and had glue permeating from it when heated.
- Not tested on steel yet
- IT DOES NOT LAST ON KEVLAR - we had to try
Hope this helps
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