Epson SC-F2200 Series Configuration guide

DTF Film Printing Guide
CMP0437-00 EN

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DTF Film Printing Guide
Copyrights and Trademarks
2

Contents
Copyrights and Trademarks
Introduction
MeaningofSymbols........................ 4
Screenshots.............................. 4
Illustrations.............................. 4
Overview................................ 5
Preparation.............................. 6
Itemsyouneedwhenprinting............... 6
Deviceforheattransferandfixingink......... 6
PrecautionswhenPrintingonDTFFilm......... 6
Printing on Film
LoadingtheFilm.......................... 7
StartPrinting............................. 9
Post-processing
ApplyingPowderandHeat.................. 10
HeatTransferforFilm......................10
FixingtheInk............................ 11
Troubleshooting
PrintResultsarenotwhatyouExpected.........12
Noticeable horizontal stripes (banding)/
unevencoloring........................ 12
Ink is overflowing/The under-base White ink
isshowingoutsidetheimage............... 12
Printresultsaretoolightorblurred.......... 12
Image quality is not stable even when
printingunderthesameconditions.......... 13
DTF Film Printing Guide
Contents
3

Introduction
Meaning of Symbols
This manual uses the following symbols to indicate
dangerous operations or handling procedures to
prevent harm to users or other people or damage to
property. Make sure you understand these warnings
before reading the content of this manual.
War ni ng: Warnings must be followed to
avoid serious bodily injury.
Caution: Cautions must be followed to
avoid bodily injury.
c
Important: Important must be followed to
avoid damage to this product.
Note: Notes contain useful or
additional information on the
operation of this product.
UIndicates related content.
Screenshots
The screenshots used in this manual may differ
slightly from the actual screens.
Illustrations
The illustrations may differ slightly from the model
you are using. Please be aware of this when using the
manual.
DTF Film Printing Guide
Introduction
4

Overview
When using a model that supports DTF film printing, you can print on commercially available DTF film as well as
T-shirts and other media. The following illustration shows the process of printing a job on film to completing the
final printed product (such as a T-shirt).
Work Item Summary
ACreating/Sending Jobs Send a print job for film printing created in Garment Creator 2 to the
printer.
See the Garment Creator 2 help for more details.
BLoading the Film Attach the platen to the printer, and then load the film. You cannot use a
grip pad covered platen.
U“Loading the Film” on page 7
CPrinting Confirm that the job has been received and the xbutton on the printer is
lit before you start printing.
U“Start Printing” on page 9
DPost-processing Perform post-processing for the printed film and media in the following
order to complete the printed product.
Place the film in a tray or other suitable container, apply the powder,
and then heat it in an oven, and so on.
Transfer images from the film to the media with a heat press.
Peel off the film and fix the ink using a heat press.
U“Post-processing” on page 10
When performing DTF film printing, you need to use additional tools to those used when printing directly onto
media. See the next section for more details.
DTF Film Printing Guide
Introduction
5

Preparation
To print on DTF film, you need the following devices
and parts. Some of these are specific to the film or
powder you are using. Make sure you check the
instructions provided with the film and powder.
Items you need when printing
Platen (provided with the printer or option)
Prepare a platen with a printable area larger than the
film to be printed. You cannot use the sleeve platen,
the medium grooved platen, or the grip pad covered
platen.
DTF film and powder (commercially available)
Opaque adhesive tape (commercially available)
Used to secure the film to the platen. Using
transparent adhesive tape may cause head striking.
A tray larger than the film (commercially available)
Used to apply powder to the printed film.
Sieve/powder shaker (commercially available)
Used to apply powder to the printed film. Allows you
to sprinkle powder evenly without lumps.
Mask and protective eye-wear (commercially
available)
Prevents powder from getting into your eyes and
mouth.
Make sure you check the instructions provided with
the powder for details.
Device for heat transfer and
fixing ink
Heat press/Oven (commercially available)
Used in post-processing, such as film heating, image
heat transfer, and ink fixing.
Heat-resistant release sheet (commercially
available)
Place this over the loaded film or media to prevent any
ink from touching the press side of the heat press.
Prepare silicon paper, fluoro-resin sheets, and so on.
Precautions when
Printing on DTF Film
Note the following points in addition to the
precautions described in the User's Guide (online
manual) for your printer. Also, make sure you check
the precautions in the instructions provided with the
film and powder in advance.
Always send jobs for film printing.
See the Garment Creator 2 help for more details.
Select White ink mode as the Printer Mode.
The powder will not stick to the film unless White ink
is used when printing. Change the setting if you are
using the printer in Color ink mode. Printers used in
High speed color mode cannot print DTF film
because White ink is not available.
Do not apply pre-treatment liquid to the media.
White ink is used in DTF film printing but does not
require pre-treatment.
Use a platen without a grip pad.
You cannot load film correctly on a grip pad covered
platen.
Use a platen that is larger than the film.
If you use a platen that is smaller than the film, the
overhanging parts will be bent or rise up and will not
be printed correctly. Also, the edges of the film may
strike against the print head and be damaged.
Do not allow powder to enter the printer.
Do not apply powder near the printer. If powder gets
inside the printer, it may cause the printer to
malfunction.
DTF Film Printing Guide
Introduction
6

Printing on Film
Loading the Film
A
Check that a platen without a grip pad is
loaded, and then press the Pbutton to turn on
the printer.
If a frame is attached, remove the frame.
If a grip pad covered platen or a sleeve or
medium grooved platen is attached, replace it
with a platen without a grip pad.
Replacing the Platen UUser's Guide (online
manual)
Note:
If the platen does not move forward, press the }
button to move it forward.
B
Check the following status.
Platen Gap is set to Auto
If it is set to Manual, tap this area to change
the setting to Auto.
Spacers A and B are installed
If only one of the spacers is installed, see the
User's Guide (online manual) and install
both spacers.
The platen gap lever is set to P on the scale
If it is set to anything other than P, go to the
next step.
If there are no issues with steps to , go to
step 6.
C
Loosen the fixing lever.
DTF Film Printing Guide
Printing on Film
7

D
Move the platen gap lever to the left to set the
scale to P.
E
Tighten the fixing lever, and then secure the
platen gap lever.
F
Place the film on the platen while checking the
preview display area in Garment Creator 2.
A: Printing area of the platen selected when
creating the job
B: Image of the DTF film used for printing
Note:
❏The top of the preview display area is the
front of the printer (the part with the hanger
when using a hanger platen).
❏You can print within the entire A frame.
Adjust the placement position while checking
the layout result to avoid printing beyond the
edges of the film.
❏Although you can zoom B in or out, the
aspect ratio cannot be changed to match the
actual film.
G
Secure the film with opaque tape to keep it in
place.
DTF Film Printing Guide
Printing on Film
8

c
Important:
Do not use transparent tape to secure the
film. Printing with transparent tape peeled off
may cause head rubbing.
Start Printing
A
When a job has been completely received, the
preview display opens on the screen and the
lamp on the xbutton turns on.
B
Check that the film is loaded, and then press
the xbutton.
DTF Film Printing Guide
Printing on Film
9

Post-processing
Perform post-processing for the printed film in the
following order to complete the printed product.
Applying powder and heat
Transferring images from the film to the media
using heat
Fixing the Ink
Applying Powder and
Heat
Before the printed film dries, apply powder and heat
the film. This section explains the procedure when
using an oven.
c
Important:
Do not apply powder near the printer to prevent
powder from getting inside the printer.
A
Remove the printed film from the platen while
it is flat.
c
Important:
Tilting or raising the film straight up may
cause ink to drip.
B
Place the film with the printed side facing up in
a tray or other container that is larger than the
film.
C
Sprinkle powder over the entire printed
surface.
Note:
❏We recommend being generous when
sprinkling the powder on the printed area, as
it will not transfer well if some areas are not
covered in powder.
❏Use a sieve or a powder shaker to apply the
powder evenly.
D
Lift the film and flick it with your finger from
the back to remove excess powder onto the tray
so that the powder evenly covers the printed
area.
Note:
We recommend removing as much excess powder
as possible. If powder remains outside the printed
area, it may melt and remain when the image is
transferred in the next process.
E
Heat the film in the oven.
Use the following values as a guide.
Type of Oven Temperature
*
Time
Conveyor type 170˚C (338˚F) 150 seconds
* Temperature of the fixing surface of the
T-shirt. Not the internal temperature.
Note:
Conditions such as temperature and time will
vary depending on the type of film or powder
being used, the type of device for fixing ink, and
the amount of ink used.
Heat Transfer for Film
Place the heated film and media in the heat press, and
heat-transfer the image onto the media. You cannot
use an oven to perform heat transfer.
DTF Film Printing Guide
Post-processing
10

A
Place the printed side of the film on top of the
media so that it is in close contact with the
media, and then place silicon paper or similar
material on top of the film.
B
Apply heat using the heat press.
Use the following values as a guide.
Cotton T-shirts
Temperature Time Pressure
*
170˚C (338˚F) 25 seconds 4.2 N/cm
2
Polyester T-shirts
Temperature Time Pressure
*
140˚C (284˚F) 25 seconds 4.2 N/cm
2
* The optimum conditions vary depending
on the type of heat press such as the
manual adjustment type. Be sure to test the
ink status in advance to find the right
pressure.
Note:
Conditions such as temperature and time will
vary depending on the type of film or powder
being used, the type of device for fixing ink, the
media fabric, and the amount of ink used.
C
Remove the film from the media.
Depending on the film you are using, you may
need to allow the media to cool before
removing the film.
See the instructions supplied with the film for
details.
Fixing the Ink
To fix the ink, use a heat press to apply heat again to
the media to which the image has been
heat-transferred. You cannot use an oven to fix the
ink.
A
Place silicon paper or similar material on top of
the media.
B
Apply heat using the heat press.
Use the following values as a guide.
Cotton T-shirts
Temperature Time Pressure
*
170˚C (338˚F) 5 seconds 4.2 N/cm
2
Polyester T-shirts
Temperature Time Pressure
*
140˚C (284˚F) 5 seconds 4.2 N/cm
2
* The optimum conditions vary depending
on the type of heat press such as the
manual adjustment type. Be sure to test the
ink fixing result in advance to find the
right pressure.
Note:
Conditions such as temperature and time will
vary depending on the type of film or powder
being used, the type of device for fixing ink, the
media fabric, and the amount of ink used.
DTF Film Printing Guide
Post-processing
11

Troubleshooting
This section only explains troubleshooting methods
specific to film printing. Also see the User's Guide
(online manual) for your printer.
Print Results are not what
you Expected
Noticeable horizontal stripes
(banding)/uneven coloring
o
Are the print head nozzles clogged?
If the nozzles are clogged, the corresponding colors
do not fire and the print quality declines. Perform
Print Head Nozzle Check to print a nozzle check
pattern. See the User's Guide (online manual) for
more details.
o
Perform Media Feed Adjustment.
You may be able to reduce stripes and unevenness
by adjusting the amount (width) that the platen is
fed each time the print head moves. If the lines are
dark, adjust to the + side, and if the lines are faint,
adjust to the - side.
The optimal Media Feed Adjustment value for film
and other media, such as T-shirts, may vary. We
recommend registering separate media settings for
film and T-shirts.
See the User's Guide (online manual) for more
details.
Ink is overflowing/The
under-base White ink is
showing outside the image
o
Check the following points.
❏Are you printing on the printing side of the
film?
Ink will overflow if you are not printing on the
printing side.
❏Are you printing a job that is intended for film?
Printing jobs for T-shirts may cause ink
overflow.
If none of these points apply, use Garment Creator 2
to adjust the Ink Density.
See the Garment Creator 2 help for more details.
Print results are too light or
blurred
o
Note the following points when printing.
If these points are not observed, printing will not be
performed correctly.
❏Install spacers for A and B
❏Set the platen gap lever scale to “P”
❏Set Platen Gap to Auto
❏Place the film flat on the platen and secure it
firmly with opaque adhesive tape
If all of these points are being observed, try
performing Print Head Alignment. Note that you
should select Light Media for Standard.
The optimal Print Head Alignment value for film
and other media, such as T-shirts, may vary. We
recommend registering separate media settings for
film and T-shirts.
See the User's Guide (online manual) for more
details.
DTF Film Printing Guide
Troubleshooting
12

Image quality is not stable even
when printing under the same
conditions
o
Check the film loading conditions.
Under the following conditions, the printing surface
may not be detected correctly, and the image
quality may deteriorate. Load the film correctly so
that it is flat.
❏The film is curled or warped
❏The film is damaged or bent
❏The adhesive tape is peeling off and rising up
DTF Film Printing Guide
Troubleshooting
13