Best DTF Printer for Small Business 2025
Starting an apparel printing business and looking for a printing option? Eyed at the trendy and most versatile printing method, DTF?
It’s easy to get lost and confused in the search journey, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the specific features that make a difference. The best approach is to first understand the technicalities of the printing process and then compare printers.
To make this simple, this article introduces one of the best DTF printers for small businesses in 2025. Along with that, we present a detailed description of the technical factors you need to evaluate before making a purchase.
In This Article
- Best DTF Printer for Small Business
- How to Choose the Best DTF Printer for Your Small Business?
Best DTF Printer for Small Business
1. xTool Apparel Printer
Reasons to Buy
- Prints at 720 × 1800 DPI
- Dual Epson I1600 heads (CMYK + White)
- Print speeds up to 50 sq. ft/hour
- 14'' print width
- Integrated shaker oven unit for automated powdering and curing
- Smart Maintenance System
- 16MP AI camera for auto-calibration
xTool Apparel Printer is the recent, most technologically advanced DTF printer on our list, designed to work across all fabrics, regardless of their build or color.
xTool DTF is aimed at small businesses and crafting beginners who want to step into the versatile DTF industry. In its full form with add-ons, you can enjoy a seamless automated DTF solution, whereby printing, powdering, and curing are all done in one click. You no longer need to carry out those messy powdering steps manually.
The key highlight of the xTool Printer is its next-generation dual printing heads (Epson I1600), which not only deliver high-resolution prints (720 x 1800 DPI) but also enhance productivity. These heads operate simultaneously; one applies the CMYK inks while the other is dedicated to white ink.
Together, the dual heads help the printer achieve a printing speed of 50 ft2/hour. Our tests yielded 440 small pieces (3×3″) in an hour and 30 t-shirt designs (12×8″) in an hour. That’s much higher than what standard printers offer.
xTool Printer has G7 certification which speaks of its color consistency and accuracy. Our test prints were exact replicas of the screen designs, and we observed consistent visuals across different fabrics.
AI is also integrated well into the printing workflow. It helps you create designs with custom prompts, as well as restores high quality in your provided image. A 16MP camera also runs on AI to auto-calibrate itself, avoiding the need for any manual adjustment.
You don’t have to manually maintain the printer as a Smart Maintenance System is already in place that monitors the machine’s metrics and circulates white ink as it feels the nozzle's getting a bit filled. The device status and health are also visible to the user via an app.
Lastly, xTool DTF offers a fully enclosed 3-in-1 baking oven unit (add-on) that applies powder, shakes, and bakes/cures the adhesive all inside it. And the best part? The workflow runs right after printing, making DTF transfers automated.
How to Choose the Best DTF Printer for Your Small Business?
The choice of a DTF printer can make or break your custom apparel venture. Here are some key factors to consider, explained in plain terms, to help you decide which printer aligns with your business needs:
Printing Speed
This determines how many prints or shirts you can produce in a given time. Speed is usually given in square feet per hour or number of A3 prints per hour. Entry-level DTF printers (single head) might output around 8–15 sq. ft/hr, which is roughly 5-10 shirt prints an hour. Faster, dual-head models can push 30–50 sq. ft/hr. If you plan on fulfilling large orders or running a volume-based business, aim for a printer with at least ~12 sq. ft/hr.
Maximum Film Size
Most small-business DTF printers handle up to 13-inch wide film (A3+), which can cover a standard adult t-shirt graphic or allow “ganging” multiple small designs on one sheet. This is usually sufficient for logos, chest prints, or even oversized front designs.
However, if you anticipate printing very large designs (for instance, all-over prints), you might need a wider format (17″ or larger), but those printers are more expensive and space-consuming. For most startups, 13″ width is the sweet spot.
Also, consider whether the printer can handle roll media versus single sheets. In most Dedicated DTFs you get film roll support, whereas converted inkjet printers are limited to single sheets.
Printing Heads
The printhead is the heart of the printer. Single-head printers use one printhead to print colors and white (usually in two passes). They are typically cheaper, but slower.
Dual-head printers have two printheads (one dedicated to white, one to CMYK), allowing simultaneous printing of color and white layers. This almost doubles the speed and often improves white opacity in one pass.
Another thing to note is the type of these print heads. Each generation printhead offers a different resolution and variable number of nozzles. Among DTF printers, the Epson XP600/ F1080 is a common option.
XP600 is a first-generation print head with 1080 injection nozzles and a printing resolution of 180 NPI. The premium one, Epson I1600, a third-generation printing head, comes with 1600 nozzles and a resolution of 300 NPI.
Print Resolution
DTF printers typically advertise resolutions like 720×720 dpi, or in terms of pass count (like 6-pass, 8-pass, etc.). In general, anything 720 dpi and above with the proper ICC color profiles will give you good results on fabric. Higher resolution (1440 dpi) or more passes can produce finer detail and smoother gradients at the cost of speed.
Unless you’re printing tiny text or high-fidelity artwork, almost all modern DTF printers on the market have sufficient resolution for professional T-shirt graphics.
Maintenance
DTF printers require regular upkeep – this includes daily nozzle checks, stirring white ink, and periodic deep cleaning. However, most of the systems now have white ink circulation systems and even automated cleaning cycles and alerts (as in xTool Apparel Printer).
Add-Ons (Powder Shaker)
You need to think about the entire printing process. Besides the printer itself, you’ll need a way to apply and melt the adhesive powder and a heat press to transfer the image.
Some printers come with or offer add-ons like a powder shaker/curing oven. That unit takes in the printed DTF film, applies powder, and cures it – all in one go. That frees you manual powdering, which can be messy and inconsistent. That comes at an additional cost, but it boosts productivity, making it beneficial for small businesses.
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