Best overall
Procolored K13 Lite Starter Bundle
Full-front shirts when you already own a curing oven
- 13 in (A3)
- No oven
$1,999$2,999
Updated September 2026
Best DTF printer under $2,500
We sell every bundle on this page, so here's the straight answer: which one fits the designs you print, the space you have, and whether you already own a curing oven.
- 5 bundles compared side by side
- Live prices, free shipping over $299
- Pay over time with Affirm or Clicklease
What is the best DTF printer under $2,500?
For most buyers, the Procolored K13 Lite. At $1,999 for the starter bundle, it's the most affordable 13-inch A3 DTF printer we carry, wide enough for full-front shirt designs, with a printhead safeguard and G7-certified color built in. If you don't own a curing oven yet, the K13 Lite oven bundle gives you a complete setup under $2,500. On a tighter budget with smaller designs, the 8.2-inch Procolored F8 is the lowest-cost way to start.
Written by the DTF Gears team, an authorized Procolored distributor based in Burien, WA.
Our top picks at a glance
Short on time? These three cover most buyers. Full reviews of all five are further down.
Best complete setup
Procolored K13 Lite + Oven Professional Bundle
Starting from zero with full-front shirts in mind
- 13 in (A3)
- Oven included
$2,499$3,599
Best budget pick
Procolored F8 Starter Bundle
Beginners printing logos, kids' tees and hats
- 8.2 in (A4)
- No oven
$1,899$2,499
Compare all 5 bundles
Every bundle includes the printer, a CMYKW ink set, powder, film and RIP software. The differences that matter are print width, the printhead, and whether a curing oven is in the box.
Our pick K13 Lite Starter Bundle
|  K13 Lite + Oven Bundle
|  F8 Starter Bundle
|  F8 + Oven Bundle
|  F13 Starter Bundle
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999 | $2,499 | $1,899 | $2,399 | $2,599 |
| Max print width | 13 in (A3) | 13 in (A3) | 8.2 in (A4) | 8.2 in (A4) | 13 in (A3) |
| Printhead | LiteHead LH-500 | LiteHead LH-500 | L800 single head | L800 single head | L1800 single head |
| White ink system | Auto-circulates every 30 min | Auto-circulates every 30 min | Mini-siphon circulation | Mini-siphon circulation | White ink circulation system |
| Curing oven | Not included | Included | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Best for | Full-front shirts when you already own a curing oven | Starting from zero with full-front shirts in mind | Beginners printing logos, kids' tees and hats | Small designs and tight spaces, complete from day one | Growing shops that want the long-proven F-series |
| Buy | View bundle | View bundle | View bundle | View bundle | View bundle |
Not sure which one? Find your match in 30 seconds.
We'll match you to the bundle we'd buy in your position, based on what you print and what you already own.
Full reviews, ranked
What each bundle does well, where it falls short, and exactly what arrives in the box.
#1Save $1,000
Best overall
Procolored K13 Lite Starter Bundle
The K13 Lite is the newest printer on this list and the cheapest way into 13-inch A3 printing. It adds an infrared printhead safeguard, G7-certified color and a touchscreen with one-touch ink pumping, all features you'd normally pay more for. If you already have a way to cure powder, this is the one we'd buy.
- Print width13 in (A3)
- PrintheadLiteHead LH-500
- White inkAuto-circulates every 30 min
- Curing ovenNot included
What we like
- Lowest-priced 13-inch A3 printer we carry
- Infrared safeguard scans for film warping and debris as small as 2 mm
- G7-certified color with pre-calibrated curves, no manual tuning
- Touchscreen and one-touch ink pumping
- Full 100 m A3 film roll in the box
Keep in mind
- No curing oven included
- Newer platform with a shorter track record than the F-series
What's in the box
- K13 Lite A3 roll printer (white or pink)
- CMYKW ink set, 5 x 250 ml
- 500 g adhesive powder
- A3 DTF roll film, 100 m
- Procolored Studio Lite software and USB dongle
- Printhead moisturizing device
- Nozzle protection fluid, 250 ml
- Cables, ink tubing, cloth and syringe
$1,999$2,999or pay over time with Affirm
#2Save $1,100
Best complete setup
Procolored K13 Lite + Oven Professional Bundle
Everything in the K13 Lite Starter Bundle plus a curing oven, so you can print, cure and press from day one. For someone starting from zero who wants to sell full-front shirts, this is the best-value complete setup we sell under $2,500.
- Print width13 in (A3)
- PrintheadLiteHead LH-500
- White inkAuto-circulates every 30 min
- Curing ovenIncluded
What we like
- Complete print-to-cure setup in one order
- All the K13 Lite features: printhead safeguard, G7 color, touchscreen
- Only $100 more than the F8 oven bundle, with 13-inch width
Keep in mind
- Includes the Professional oven; the smokeless oven is in the higher-priced Deluxe bundle
- Heat press sold separately
What's in the box
- Everything in the K13 Lite Starter Bundle
- Curing oven (Professional)
$2,499$3,599or pay over time with Affirm
#3Save $600
Best budget pick
Procolored F8 Starter Bundle
The lowest-priced way into DTF we carry. The F8 is compact, quick to learn and self-cleans automatically, which makes it a comfortable first printer. The trade-off is width: at 8.2 inches it suits smaller designs, not full-front adult prints.
- Print width8.2 in (A4)
- PrintheadL800 single head
- White inkMini-siphon circulation
- Curing ovenNot included
What we like
- Lowest price on this list
- Compact: 21 x 11 x 7 in and about 10 kg
- Auto-cleans every 10 hours using about 1 ml of ink a day
- Video tutorials and manuals make setup approachable
Keep in mind
- 8.2-inch width is too narrow for most full-front adult designs
- RIP software runs on Windows only
- No curing oven included
What's in the box
- F8 A4 roll printer
- CMYKW ink set, 5 x 250 ml
- 500 g adhesive powder
- A4 DTF roll film
- Procolored RIP software (Windows) and USB dongle
- Printhead moisturizing device
- Nozzle protection fluid, 250 ml
- Cables, ink tubing, cloth and syringe
$1,899$2,499or pay over time with Affirm
#4Save $1,000
Best for small spaces
Procolored F8 + Oven Professional Bundle
The F8 Starter Bundle with a curing oven added, so a small studio or spare room can run the full DTF process. Pick this if your designs stay small. If there's any chance you'll want full-front prints, the K13 Lite oven bundle costs only a little more.
- Print width8.2 in (A4)
- PrintheadL800 single head
- White inkMini-siphon circulation
- Curing ovenIncluded
What we like
- Complete print-to-cure setup with the smallest footprint
- Same easy, self-cleaning F8 printer
- Good fit for home-based and side businesses
Keep in mind
- Limited to 8.2-inch width
- The K13 Lite oven bundle is only $100 more and prints 13 inches wide
- RIP software runs on Windows only
What's in the box
- Everything in the F8 Starter Bundle
- Curing oven (Professional)
$2,399$3,399or pay over time with Affirm
#5Save $1,000
Proven A3 workhorse
Procolored F13 Starter Bundle
The F13 is Procolored's established A3 printer, built around the L1800 head with an enhanced roller feeder and adjustable ink preheating. It's a dependable choice for growing shops that prefer a platform with a long track record.
- Print width13 in (A3)
- PrintheadL1800 single head
- White inkWhite ink circulation system
- Curing ovenNot included
What we like
- Long track record and easy-to-find parts
- Enhanced roller feeder reduces film jams
- Adjustable preheating keeps ink flowing smoothly
- Auto-cleans every 10 hours
Keep in mind
- Priced just over $2,500
- RIP software runs on Windows only
- No curing oven included
What's in the box
- F13 A3 roll printer
- CMYKW ink set, 5 x 250 ml
- 500 g adhesive powder
- A3 DTF roll film
- Procolored RIP software (Windows) and USB dongle
- Printhead moisturizing device
- Nozzle protection fluid, 250 ml
- Cables, ink tubing, cloth and syringe
$2,599$3,599Just over $2,500or pay over time with Affirm
How to choose a DTF printer under $2,500
Five things that decide whether a printer fits your business, in the order we'd check them.
Print width
A4 printers like the F8 print up to 8.2 inches wide: left-chest logos, kids' tees, hats and sleeves. Most full-front designs on adult shirts are wider, so if front prints are your core product, choose a 13-inch A3 printer like the K13 Lite or F13.
White ink handling
DTF white ink contains titanium dioxide, which settles if it sits still and causes clogs. Every printer here circulates white ink automatically. The K13 Lite adds an infrared safeguard that watches for film warping and debris before they reach the head.
Curing
After printing, the adhesive powder must be melted before the transfer can be pressed. Starter bundles don't include an oven. If you don't own one, an oven bundle gives you a complete setup and still comes in under $2,500.
Running supplies
Each bundle includes starter ink, 500 g of powder and film. When you run low, our DTF supply bundles combine all three in one order. You'll also need a heat press to apply transfers.
Your computer
The Procolored RIP software with the F8 and F13 runs on Windows only. The K13 Lite uses Procolored Studio Lite, which applies color curves for you. On a Mac? Call us before ordering and we'll confirm your setup.
Frequently asked questions
Can't find your answer? Call 877-576-8415 or email sales@dtfgears.com.
What is the best DTF printer under $2,500?
For most buyers, the Procolored K13 Lite. It prints 13 inches wide, which handles full-front shirt designs, and adds a printhead safeguard and G7-certified color. The starter bundle leaves room in your budget, and the oven bundle gives you a complete setup that still comes in under $2,500.
Is an A4 DTF printer big enough for t-shirts?
An A4 printer like the F8 prints up to 8.2 inches wide. That's enough for left-chest logos, kids' shirts, hats, sleeves and small graphics. Most full-front designs on adult shirts are wider, so choose a 13-inch A3 printer if front prints are your main product.
Do I need a curing oven for DTF printing?
Yes. After printing, the adhesive powder must be melted onto the film before the transfer can be pressed. Starter bundles don't include an oven. If you don't have one, choose an oven bundle.
What else do I need besides the printer bundle?
A heat press to apply the transfers. Ink, powder and film are included to get you started, and you can reorder them together in our DTF supply bundles.
Does the software work on a Mac?
The Procolored RIP software included with the F8 and F13 runs on Windows only. The K13 Lite uses Procolored Studio Lite. If you work on a Mac, call us at 877-576-8415 before ordering and we'll confirm your setup.
Can I pay over time?
Yes. Affirm and Clicklease are available at checkout, so you can spread the cost of any bundle on this page.
What warranty and support come with these printers?
Every Procolored printer we sell is genuine equipment from an authorized distributor, with a 1-year manufacturer warranty. Our technician also offers remote setup support to help you get printing.
How fast do orders ship?
Orders placed before 12 PM PST ship the same day. Shipping is free on orders over $299 within the continental US.
Still deciding? Talk it through with a DTF specialist.
Tell us what you print and how many shirts a week. We'll recommend a bundle, then help you set it up remotely when it arrives.