DTF Gears isn't just a store. Behind every printer we sell there's a buying guide, a setup tutorial and a person you can call. The problem is knowing where to start. This page fixes that. Find the stage you're at below, and we'll point you to exactly what to read and what to buy next.
Jump to your stage
1. I'm new to DTF printing
Start with the basics: what DTF is, what it costs, and what equipment you actually need. Don't buy anything until you've read these three:
- What Is DTF Printing? Costs, Kit and What to Buy to Start: the full beginner picture in one read
- Start Your Custom Apparel Print Business in the USA: turning a printer into a business
- DTF vs DTG Printing: why most new shops choose DTF
🛒 Lowest-cost ways to start
- Procolored K13 Lite Starter Bundle: $1,999 (was $2,999). A3 printer with starter supplies.
- ET-8550 DTF Starter Kit: turns an Epson ET-8550 into a DTF printer.
Ready for a printer? Go to stage 2.
2. I'm choosing my first printer
Most first printers are desktop A4 or 13" A3 machines. These pages compare them side by side:
- Best DTF Printer for Beginners: our complete beginner buying guide
- Best DTF Printer Under $2,500: the top picks for a starter budget
- All DTF Printers: every machine we sell, in one place
- DTF Printer Print Width Explained: A4 vs A3 vs 24"
- How to Choose a DTF Printer: Width, Volume, Printheads & Workflow
Comparing the two most popular starter printers?
- xTool DTF Apparel Printer vs Procolored K13 Lite
- xTool DTF Apparel Printer · xTool DTF printer review
- Procolored DTF Printers · Procolored K13 Lite review
🛒 Popular first printers
- Procolored K13 Lite Starter Bundle: $1,999. Best value A3.
- xTool Apparel Printer Plus: DTF Starter Bundle: $5,399 (was $5,999). One-click, all-in-one DTF.
- xTool Apparel Printer Plus: Professional Bundle: $8,099 (was $8,999)
- xTool Apparel Printer Plus: Professional Plus Bundle: $8,999 (was $9,899)
- Audley A3 DTF Printer + Powder Shaker: $5,599. Dual XP600 with an automatic shaker.
3. I'm ready to scale up to commercial
If your desktop printer runs all day and you're still turning orders away, it's time for 24" production. Read these in order:
- Desktop vs Commercial DTF Printer: When Should You Upgrade?
- Commercial DTF Printers: compare production machines, with a quick printer finder
- Audley DTF Printers: 24" printers with 2, 4 or 6 Epson i3200 heads
- Audley 24" DTF Printer Review: 2, 4 or 6 Head?
- Audley Printer + Shaker Sets: Save Up to $2,503
- Audley DTF Printer Price & Financing
🛒 Commercial 24" DTF printers
- Audley S7070-3 (2-head): $8,499, or $13,199 with the shaker (save $1,599)
- Audley 8072-3 Wi-Fi (2-head): $8,900
- Audley S8074-3 (4-head): $12,499, or $18,995 with the shaker (save $2,503)
- Audley 8076-3 (6-head): $17,999, or $24,499 with the shaker (save $2,499)
Powder shakers & dryers
- Audley ADL07K12 (for 2-head printers): $6,299
- Audley ADL07K10 (for 4- and 6-head printers): $8,999
Spreading the cost? See financing with Clicklease or Synchrony. Clicklease approves up to $25,000 with no down payment.
4. I want to print on hard goods (UV)
Tumblers, phone cases, signs, wood, acrylic: that's UV printing. Start here:
- What Is UV Printing and Why Should Your Business Care?
- DTF vs UV Printing: Which Is Right for Your Business?
- Best UV Printers · Best UV Printers Under $2,500
- xTool O1 Omni vs eufyMake E1: the two most popular desktop UV printers compared
- eufyMake E1 UV Printer · 10 products to sell with the E1
- xTool O1 Omni 4-in-1 · O1 Omni bundles explained
🛒 UV printers
- eufyMake E1 3D-Texture UV Printer: Deluxe Bundle: $3,299 (was $3,699). Rotary, UV DTF laminator, inks.
- All eufyMake E1 bundles: including the Basic bundle
- xTool O1 Omni Single Head: Starter Bundle: $2,499
- xTool O1 Omni Single Head: Professional Bundle (with rotary): $2,859
- Procolored VF13 Pro Panda UV DTF Printer: 13" A3+, dual XP600
Production UV
- Audley A3+ UV Flatbed (i3200-HD): $7,499. Print directly on objects up to 90 mm tall.
- Audley 13" UV DTF Printer (3 × XP600): $6,999
- Audley 12" UV DTF Printer with Hot Foil: $7,999
- Audley 24" UV DTF Printer (3 × i3200-U1): $14,499
- Audley 24" UV DTF Printer + Laminator (4 × i3200-U1): $22,000
5. I need RIP software
RIP software controls your color, white ink and gang sheets, and the right one saves ink on every print. DTF Gears is an Official Fiery (CADlink) Premier Partner.
- Best DTF RIP Software: CADlink vs AcroRIP vs free options
- CADlink Digital Factory V12: Desktop and Large Format editions
- Which CADlink Version Do You Need?
- CADlink V12 Supported Printers
🛒 RIP software
- CADlink Digital Factory V12 Desktop Edition: $379.99. For desktop and A3 DTF printers.
- CADlink Digital Factory V12 Large Format / Production: $799.99. For 24" commercial printers.
- Free CADlink trial: test it before you buy
6. I need supplies
- Shop by Printer: pick your printer and see the exact supplies that fit it
- DTF Supplies: inks, powder, film and bundle deals
- Which supply bundle fits your printer?
- Bundle vs buying separately: price comparison
- How to choose the right DTF powder
- Best heat press for DTF transfers
🛒 Best-selling supplies
- Ink + Powder + Film Bundles: from $249.99 (12" economical) to $359.99 (24" premium)
- Premium 24" Bundle: $359.99. 5 × 1 L inks, 1 kg powder and a 24" × 100 m film roll.
- Professional 1 L Economical DTF Ink: $199.99
- Premium 1 L Japanese DTF Ink: $259.99
- DTF Hot-Melt Powder · DTF Film Rolls · Heat Presses
7. My printer has a problem
Most issues are fixable without new parts. Work through these before you buy anything:
- 7 Common DTF Printing Problems and How to Fix Them
- Clogged printheads: causes, fixes and prevention
- Banding and streaking fixes
- White ink not printing in CADlink?
- Procolored maintenance checklist
- Replacement printhead guide: find the exact head for your printer
🛒 Printheads & maintenance
- eufyMake E1 Replacement UV Printhead: $599.99 · E1 Station Kit: $29.99
- xTool O1 Omni Printhead Kit: $399
- xTool Apparel Printer Plus Printhead: $999
- Procolored K13 Lite Print Head: $280
- Epson XP600: $399 · Epson I3200-A1: $999 · Epson I3200-U1 UV: $1,399
- Nozzle Protection Cleaning Solution: $59.99
8. I want to talk to someone
Guides only go so far. Our team helps every day with choosing the right printer for your volume, matching supplies and printheads, RIP setup and troubleshooting.
- Call: +1 877-576-8415
- Email: sales@dtfgears.com
- Message us: contact page
Why buy from DTF Gears?
- Brands we trust: xTool, Procolored, eufyMake, Audley and CADlink, all in one place
- The right supplies for your printer: no guessing which ink, film or printhead fits
- Free US shipping on orders over $299, and on every printer
- Financing through Clicklease and Synchrony
- Real people: printing experts, not bots
Still not sure where to start?
Tell us what you want to print and how many a day, and we'll recommend the setup.
Ask an expert Browse DTF printers Browse UV printers
