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 enlists some 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 Printers for Small Business
- How to Choose the Best DTF Printer for Your Small Business?
- Verdict
Best DTF Printers for Small Business
After thorough research, we have compiled a list of the best DTF printers for small businesses. Before we delve into a detailed review, here’s a summarized comparative view of DTF printers on our list:
| xTool Apparel Printer | Procolored F13 Pro | All American Print Supply Prestige R1 | Uninet 1000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,999 | $4,999 | $4,995 | $5,650 |
| Print Speed | 50 ft2/hour | 16 ft2/hour | 14 ft2/hour | 13 ft2/hour |
| Max. Width | 14″ | 13″ | 13″ | 13″ |
| Print Resolution | 720 × 1800 DPI | 720 x 1440 DPI | 720 ×1440 DPI | 1440 DPI |
| Printing Head | Epson I1600 (×2) | Epson XP600 (×2) | Epson XP600 (×1) | Epson TFP2000(×1) |
| Control Software | XCS (Windows, Mac) | Procolored RIP (Windows) | DigiRIP (Windows) | ProRIP (Windows) |
| W. Ink Circulation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Auto-Powdering Unit (Add-On) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| AI Integration | ✔ | × | × | × |
| Device Monitoring App | ✔ | × | × | × |
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
- 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.
2. Procolored F13 Pro Panda DTF Printer
Reasons to Buy
- Dual Epson XP600 printheads (CMYK + White)
- Print speed of ~16 ft2/hr
- 13-inch roll-fed printing with an integrated cutter
- Siphon White Ink Circulation
Limitations
- Windows-only RIP software (no Mac support)
The Procolored F13 Pro is the top-end DTF printer from Procolored, a brand known for making DTF and DTG printers. The F13 Pro version stands out from its predecessors due to its dual XP600 printheads and A3-size printing support.
With a pair of printheads working in tandem, the F13 Pro Panda achieves a print speed of roughly 16 square feet per hour under optimal conditions. In practice, this means an A3 can print in around 4 to 5 minutes, translating to an output of approximately 30 to 60 transfers per day, as suggested by the manufacturer.
For maintenance, the Procolored F13 features a siphon white ink circulation system, which automates white ink flow to prevent clogs. The system also enables the printhead to continuously print on an entire PET film roll in one go; up to 50,000 prints. If left idle, the printhead runs an automatic cleaning cycle every 10 hours to ensure smooth operation.
3. DTF Station Prestige R1
Reasons to Buy
- Epson XP600 printhead
- White Ink Management System (WIMS) for self-maintenance
- Print resolution up to 1440 dpi
- Auto-cleaning and head strike protection
Limitations
- Moderate print speed
- RIP software supports Windows only
Prestige R1 is another true DTF printer made for small businesses. It features a single Epson XP600 printhead, so it may feel a bit slower than dual print ones. But, its printing speed is pretty decent, about 14 ft2/hr, which translates to about 64 to 86 shirts per day (8-hour work).
Prestige R1 has multiple sensor-based alert systems. There’s a built-in head strike sensor that guards the printhead. If a wrinkle in the film or an obstruction is detected, the sensor will trigger an alert or stop the print to prevent damage. Similarly, there’s an ink level alert system to warn when ink reservoirs are running low, and a film sensor that will pause printing if the media runs.
Daily use of the Prestige R1 is designed to be as low-fuss as possible. It employs an automatic White Ink Management System (WIMS) that periodically stirs and circulates the white ink in the lines. This greatly cuts down the risk of white ink separation and clogging.
In addition, the R1 has both passive and active auto-cleaning cycles: if left powered on, it will automatically perform a mini cleaning of the printhead every 4 hours to keep nozzles clear.
4. Uninet 1000 DTF Printer
Reasons to Buy
- White Ink Circulation System (WICS) for better ink consistency
- Bluetooth humidity/temperature monitoring for stable printing
- High-resolution printing at up to 1440 dpi
Limitations
- Requires training for proper setup and operation
- RIP software supports Windows only
The Uninet 1000 is a roll-fed DTF printer that brings the reputation of Uninet (known for its iColor printers) into the DTF space. It comes standard with a bi-directional roll feeder. This allows you to print designs one after another on a long roll of film, which is great for efficiency.
The machine uses a single Epson Precision TFP2000 print head that is known to efficiently print at a resolution of 1440 DPI, as fast as 13 ft2/hour. To ensure consistent printing, there’s an internal vacuum platen that holds the film flat and prevents any buckling or movement during printing.
Like other printers on our list, it also features a maintenance mechanism – a White Ink Circulation System (WICS), which continuously cycles the white ink in the lines to avoid sedimentation (a leading cause of clogs).
Using this printer and getting familiarized with stuff requires a bit of a learning curve. So, Uninet provides a Masterclass and a live training session for using their device. For more support, additional training is also available at $299.
A separate curing unit is also available that automates the powdering process. But its setup is kind of trickier compared to the ease of powdering, we see in the xTool shaker oven unit.
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 (including the ones on our list) 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.
Verdict
We have presented some of the best DTF printers currently available on the market. Based on the technical details we've outlined, we hope you can make a well-informed decision that suits your business needs.
For beginners and small businesses, our top recommendation is the xTool Apparel Printer. This modern device not only offers cutting-edge technology but is also incredibly user-friendly. It has the fastest print speeds, and its smart add-on automates the entire DTF process, making it simpler than ever.
