Best DTF Printer for Beginners in 2025
Stepping into the printing industry (possibly apparel printing) for the first time? Heard a lot about the versatility of the DTF printer and want to try it out? But unsure which’s the best?
We get it. Breaking into a new industry is daunting, especially if you lack hands-on experience or familiarity with the technical details. We also understand the hesitation in investing money in something that may not return the ROI you’re hoping for.
That’s why we have created this beginner-friendly guide to help you navigate your first DTF printer purchase. Below, we’ll introduce the top DTF printer on the market and highlight the key factors to prioritize when purchasing a DTF printer.
In This Article
- The Best DTF Printer for Beginners
- How to Choose a DTF Printer as a Beginner?
The Best DTF Printer for Beginners
xTool Apparel Printer
Reasons to Buy
- Dual Epson I1600 print heads (for speed)
- High print quality (720 × 1800 DPI)
- AI 16 MP camera for auto-calibration
- Always-on head cleaning system
- All-in-one workflow (printing, powdering, baking)
- Software (XCS) works on Mac and Windows
- Printer health monitoring app
From a beginner’s perspective, the xTool Apparel Printer feels like a glimpse of the future. It makes DTF transfers as simple as printing on paper – with a single command, you obtain a cured, adhesive transfer film for heat transfer.
This one is a “true” DTF printer built from the ground up – not a converted office printer – and it shows in performance. It uses dual Epson I1600 print heads working in tandem that can churn out vibrant full-size transfers (14″ wide) as fast as 50 square feet per hour (at 720 × 1800 DPI). That’s quite impressive for a desktop unit.
xTool has an “always-on” automatic maintenance routine that kicks in whenever it’s idle but powered, periodically circulating white ink and cleaning the printheads to prevent clogs. The device's health is constantly monitored, and you get updates via an app.
Although the Apparel printer brings speed, high-resolution prints, and auto-maintenance, things move to the next level with an automated Shaker Oven unit. The innovative oven unit takes in the printed film, applies powder, and cures it, all by itself, saving the user the hassle of manually performing the messy job.
The xTool Printer is G7 certified, which means it's great at keeping colors consistent and accurate. Our test prints looked just like the designs on the screen, and the colors stayed the same across different fabrics.
Regarding its usage, the machine is largely plug-and-play; just connect it to the xTool Creative Space software (compatible with Windows and Mac) and you’re ready to print within minutes. No external RIP software or dongles are needed. The software also has AI features that aid in creating designs and fixing low-resolution images.
How to Choose a DTF Printer as a Beginner?
Here are some key factors and tips for beginners:
Converted vs True DTFs
One of the first decisions is whether to get a converted printer or a purpose-built DTF printer. Converted DTF printers (often based on Epson photo printers like L1800) are essentially regular inkjet printers that have been modified to run DTF ink and handle white ink.
Converted options are usually cheaper since the base printer is a consumer model and parts/knowledge are widely available.
But again, they require more hands-on maintenance. They may lack advanced features like automatic circulation or self-cleaning (unless added by the modifier). They’re also slower since they use one printhead and were not originally designed for heavy ink like white.
Even if you’re a beginner, if you want to explore the true advantages of DTF, then dedicated DTF printers are best. They possess features that make life easier: things like built-in white ink circulation, dual printheads, heated platens, and firmware optimized for printing film. The xTool Apparel Printer is a prime example of a true DTF printer.
Number of Print heads
The print head is the core component that affects speed, quality, and cost. In entry-level printers, there’s a single printhead, that prints both CYMK and white inks. Epson L1800 and XP600 are the most common options. Such print heads have moderate speeds and can print at 1440 dpi.
Some newer DTFs (like the xTool) use industrial printheads and that too in a pair. This speeds up the printing process as one head is dedicated to white ink and the other simultaneously works with CYMKs. Epson I1600 is one of the latest print heads, found in the xTool Printer, which can print at 1800 dpi.
Size
Size means the width of the DTF sheet/roll, the printer can support. A4 or A3 size is common in most desktop models. Choose the machine size that best matches your use case.
If you mostly do left-chest logos or small designs, an A4 printer might suffice. But if you want to print large front designs or gang many designs in one go, an A3 printer gives you much more real estate.
Ease of Use (Software and Maintenance)
DTF printing, by nature, requires more maintenance than say sublimation or regular inkjet printing. White ink is the big culprit as its particles settle and can clog.
So, the first thing you need to check is if the DTF system has a white circulation system in place, that keeps the inks running. That’s common for most beginners, who don’t have a lot of usage initially. In converted systems, you may not find that, but most dedicated DTF printers have that feature.
Ease of use extends to software. Some models come with built-in, user-friendly software (xTool’s approach of integrating the workflow in one app), whereas others rely on third-party RIPs that are often Windows OS. So, before you buy, check the respective software’s compatibility with your OS.
Community and Support
As a newcomer, you’ll run into issues and will have a lot of queries. This is where having a good support system and community can help.
Frankly, much of what you learn will come from other users. Facebook groups (search the printer model or general DTF groups), YouTube tutorials, and forums (like t-shirt forums, Reddit’s r/DTFPrinting, etc.) are invaluable in this regard.
We suggest joining a community for the printer you choose. If one doesn’t exist, that could be a red flag – it might mean few people have it or share info about it.
For more questions, please join our community to get inspired!
