Instructions to print using the direct to garment printer.
A membership or day pass is required to access Digital Textiles. The following Shop Safety Class is required to access the direct to garment printer and dye sublimation printer:
You can make machine reservations in the following ways:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
• Sturdy, close-toed shoes must be worn at all times in all shops.
For more information on shop safety visit Digital Textiles under "Safety."
If the printer is not on follow the Turn On and Setup the Direct to Garment Printer SOP
The printer will print “upside down”. You’ll want the collar of your shirt away from the printer.
If you’re printing a teeshirt or other garment you’ll want to “dress” the platen. Meaning you’ll feed the shirt around the platen like you’re dressing a person.
You substrate cannot have any obstructions and must completely cover the platen. Zippers, pockets, wrinkles, seams etc. will effect your print.
The drawer will retreat into the machine and will beep if it's too high & will say nothing if it’s too low. I recommend starting at a higher height and lowering it until the printer is ready.
Double check your work.
Time to print!
Make sure the computer is powered on and you’re signed in. Open Garment Creator.
There should be a menu on the right side and the word “standby” at the top. If the top doesn’t say “Standby” make sure your printer is on. If it still doesn’t say “standby” check the “network connection” SOP to trouble shoot.
Please see Create a Design in Garment Creator SOP for more information.
Make sure you’re changing your setting based on the fabric you are using. Please see Create a Design in Garment Creator SOP for more information.
It’ll take a moment for the design to upload onto the printer.
Make sure the file name is correct on the printer screen.
Press the big blue start button.
The platen height may be too high still. Make any necessary adjustments.
If you’re printing on a dark substrate it will first print a layer on white then it will lay color. You have the option of using a heat gun or hair dryer to slightly dry the white ink before it prints the color. This will help with any potential bleeding. To increase the “dry time” make sure you change the “dry time” settings in Garment Creator prior to printing.
The ink is wet! You want to be as careful as possible moving the design from the platen to the heat press. To remedy this slightly you can take the heat gun or hair dryer to keep the print from easily smudging. This is not a replacement for heat pressing.
Keep your printed substrate on the platen until you’re ready to heat press.
You have successfully printed a design using the Epson SC F2100 direct to garment printer!