Direct-to-Film Printer Showdown: Mimaki TxF150-75 vs. DTF 24H2

The new Mimaki DTF Printer hitting the UK market is an indication that the adoption avalanche that has been direct to film printing over the last few years, continue unabated.

Almost gone are the days of messy screen-printing shops, with limited colour designs and multiple manned operations. Direct-to-film printing is taking over the industry…

And that’s because this digital printing method is mess free, smell free and doesn’t take up near the amount of space that a large auto screen print set up does. Plus, everything from design, to printing, to drying and transferring can be done with just a computer, a DTF printer and small heat press.

Comparing Printers

Today we’re comparing the new Mimaki DTF Printer and the industry leading DigitalHeat FX line of industrial direct-to-film printers.

The DigitalHeat FX DTF Printers come in multiple model sizes to best fit your production needs, but their flagship DTF-24H2 is a reliable speed demon that’s perfect for business startups and busy industry professionals.

The Mimaki TxF150-75 is a similar model on the outside. And at initial glance, these two machines may seem similar.

But which one is best for your growing business?

Let’s put these printers head-to-head and see which direct-to-film printer is going to give you the biggest bang for your buck.

DigitalHeat FX DTF-24H2

The DigitalHeat FX DTF-24H2 is a high production direct-to-film printer with a 60cm (24-inch) printing width and 2 powerful in-line print heads.

This commercial grade printer features automatic technology making it extremely easy to use. A highlight of this model is the automatic powder dispenser. This machine monitors the output of the adhesive powders and dispenses more when needed.

The DTF-24H2 is also incredibly fast. It spits out an impressive 14.4 linear Mtr/Ph, that’s 8.64sqm/Ph or 47 linear feet per hour of vibrant, high quality images printing at 720 x 1800dpi.

This production speed is what makes this DTF printer perfect for t-shirt businesses or busy wholesale transfer suppliers. The workflow with the DigitalHeat FX DTF-24H2 makes knocking out orders a breeze.

Here’s what a normal workday would look like with this machine:

The Operator will conduct a nozzle check and set up all the different designs for the day’s orders into one single job.
While the DTF-24H2 has a printing width of up to 60cm (24 inches), the printing length is infinite. All you have to do is make sure it doesn’t run out of film.
A single Operator will need to be on hand to monitor powder output, temperature of the heating elements and check film stocks.
As the film comes out of the dryer, the DTF-24H2 will automatically collect all the finished transfers into a nice, neat roll. The Operator will monitor and replace the take up roll as needed.
At the end of the shift, the operator will do approximately 15 minutes of basic maintenance.

All of the transfers printed are now ready to be packaged and shipped or can be heat pressed onto T-shirts (which only takes 8 seconds!)

In a nutshell, the operator spends their time loading images and adjusting settings for an entire day’s worth of work, then the machine prints, dries, applies adhesive, cures, and rolls up the finished product ready to be cut into transfer sheets.

Print technology and capabilities

Other than the ease of use described above and the speed you’ll learn about below, the intersection of the best print heads, the right software, the right film, and matching adhesive powder combine to produce amazing prints.

Have you seen transfers with a white halo or line peeking out around the edges?

That is so common that some think it’s actually built into the way DTF prints!

But the dual printhead design of the DigitalHeat FX line allows for crisp, high-quality image reproduction that perfectly aligns the white ink layer to the colors on top. And that means there will be no white peeking out around the edges of your image after the print is transferred.

Pros of the DTF-24H2

Amazing Wash-ability – These transfers last wash after wash, like screen printing but without all the hassle. The design can outlast the life of the t-shirt.

Super Stretchy – Unlike vinyl and other transfer methods, these prints are extremely stretchy. Plus, they snap right back into place. No more cracked designs!

Transfers stick to almost any material – Cotton, polyester, denim, nylon, blends… you name it! These transfers will stick. This opens the door to tons of different job opportunities like sports uniforms, team jackets, restaurant aprons, work shirts, blankets and home goods.

Extremely low press time – The transfer film used with the DTF-24H2 is super thin and designed for a hot peel. To apply the transfer to a shirt, it only needs about 8 seconds under the heat press, then you can remove carrier sheet right away. This is revolutionary for production!

High Resolution Printing – The DTF24H2 prints up to 2400dpi which will just blow your mind away, for fantastic everyday printing, the DTF24H2 defaults at 1800dpi packing the colourful punch everybody wants!

Mimaki TxF150-75 [3X SLOWER]

The Mimaki TxF150-75 also features modern printing technology that helps avoid issues that traditional liquid ink printers often have.

Like similar kinds of white ink management strategies and maintenance reduction features that the 24H2 posesses.

Print Technology & Capabilities

For example, the Mimaki DTF Printer also features regular, automated white ink circulation. And they highlight the Nozzle Check Unit and Recovery System as maintenance savers as well.

The Nozzle Check Unit Automatically checks and detects clogged nozzles and starts cleaning function to recover them. And when this fails the Nozzle Recovery System kicks in.

If the Check Unit cannot recover the clogged nozzle with the cleaning function, the Recovery System automatically substitutes defective nozzles with working ones to ensure constant image quality and uninterrupted production.

But the Mimaki DTF Printer’s most prominent feature is its printing width. At 800mm, this transfer printer seems built for high production.

But when you look at the printing speed it’s no match for the incredibly fast DTF-24H2.

That’s because in this case, speed is a function of the number of print heads. The more print heads you have laying down ink in each pass, the faster the production time.

And while the DigitalHeat FX DTF-24H2 has a dual, in-line, 2 head printing unit, the Mimaki DTF Printer only has one head.

In the end, that means that the Mimaki TxF150-75 has a print speed of around 2.6 sqm per/hr (3.3 linear mtr per/hr, that’s 10.89 Linear feet per hour) at a resolution of 720 x 720dpi!

This is about three times SLOWER than the speed of the DigitalHeat FX DTF-24H2.

That’s three times less orders completed per hour, three times less profit per hour.

Realtime speed test - digitalheat fx 24h2

Head-to-Head Comparison

Speed:

The DigitalHeat FX 24H2 boasts three times faster print speeds, making it ideal for high-volume production.

Media Compatibility:

Both printers offer versatility in terms of media compatibility, but the stretchability, washability and incredibly soft hand feel of the DigitalHeat FX 24H2’s transfers take a notable advantage.

Machine Size:

The Mimaki DTF Printer has a larger printing width, which makes the machine’s footprint much bigger. The DTF-24H2 is more compact making it easier to fit in most shops.

Print Quality:

While both printers are known for quality output, the dual in-line printhead design of the DigitalHeat FX 24H2 boasts incredible colour alignment printing upto 2800dpi, keeping you ahead of the competition.

Software:

The included Print Optimizer software with the DigitalHeat FX DTF-24H2 is designed to be capable, but also easy to use.

It gives the user almost infinite control over their printing production too. Including a key advantage; the Print Optimizer Software allows you to control the amount of ink being laid down.

And that can be so important for large, colourful jobs to help reduce colour migration, or blurry prints.

Maintenance:

Both DTF printers require regular maintenance and certain environmental conditions for housing.

The DTF-24H2 comes with on demand training, support and demonstration videos. This is going to help you learn the machine’s requirements and get your business up and running as soon as possible.

Price:

The Mimaki TxF150-75 is often offered for sale as a stand-alone, printer only system.

But in order to actually put this machine into production you’ll need to add the powder applicator/shaker and tunnel dryer that come as part of the standard DigitalHeat FX package.

So the Mimaki TxF150-75 “printer only” is listed for around £11,500/12,000 + VAT, in the end the systems both come out to around £17,500 + VAT.

DTF Printer Showdown Winner

In this showdown, the DigitalHeat FX DTF-24H2 stands out as a clear winner.

With its incredible printing speed, high resolution printing, lower cost of print, superb washability and stretchiness, this printer is ready to start making you money.

Especially when you consider the affordability factor. The DTF-24H2’s gives business owners a solid return on investment.

The DTF-24H2 takes the lead, embodying the future of the apparel decorating industry. Want to see this powerful printing machine in action? Reach out to one of our industry experts for a live demonstration.

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