Showing posts with label DTF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DTF. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 6, 2024

DTF-Direct To Film-Information

 Direct To Film

What is Direct To Film?  It's a newer type of heat transfer technology that allows home crafters to create full color heat transfers that don't require weeding, and can be heat applied to nearly any fabric and any color.  No special pre-treatment needed.  

For information on what it takes to get started, please refer to my previous post.

Today I'm going to share some tips and tricks on how to troubleshoot issues that are sure to come up and files you need to help get those inks flowing.  

Direct to film printers are just Epson 6 color or more printers that have been converted to be used as such.  Conversion consists of adding auto reset chip cartridges,(or chipless firmware) clearing the printhead of regular ink, installing cartridges with dtf ink, removing all but the two end sets of feeder wheels and having a level exit tray for the film to eject to.  Printers must have a compatible rip software, that tells the printer how to distribute the inks.  And although this all sounds pretty easy, there are sure to be a few hiccups along the way.  With the exception of the XP-15000, these printers are used and their conditions will vary.  I've have purchased all of my wide format printers from ebay.  Each printer was discribed as having a minor issue.  "Yellow won't print", "Doesn't feed paper", "Computer doesn't recognize printer" and so on.  Of these, only one needed a new printhead, and for the most part, these were easy to convert.  But you have to be willing to take a chance on the printer, and you can't be afraid to take it apart.  I have learned how to remove the printhead, and how to install an external waste bottle.  These are both things you need to be willing to do.  

In addition to the actual printer and supplies, there are a few utilities and print files you should have to troubleshoot and keep things printing smoothly.

Wic Reset Utility  This tool will help you identify errors, shows you the waste tank counter, does head cleanings, ink charges and nozzle check.  When the time comes to reset the waste tank, it can do that too for a small fee.  This is a must have.

Purge Files  CMYKW Cyan Magenta Yellow Black White

                     White Only

Purge files are good to help get ink flowing when you have just cleared a clog.  You want to avoid doing head cleanings, when possible.   Purge files are also a great way to keep the inks from drying out if you aren't printing everyday.  Keeping cleaning cartridges in when not in use is good, but purge files can help you spot a problem before it shuts you completely down.  

Maintenance is a must.  You must put in your cleaning cartridges and let them charge if your printer is going to be idle for even a few hours.  If you aren't printing everyday, then keep the cleaning carts in and have them do a charge everyday.  Then when you are ready to print, you won't have to fight clogs.  Shake your ink cartridges daily and keep them stored with the top down to keep ink from drying in the outlet.  If the ink carts aren't going to be used for a prolonged time, put tape over the outlet and store them in a zipper bag to prevent drying and settling of the inks.  Shake them often.  If you find that the inks look watery, then give them a good shake.  That's usually a sign that the inks are separating.  Then let them settle for a few minutes before putting them in your printer.

Film feeding problems are a common issue with a lot of these printers.  Make sure the paper feeding area is clean of dust, hair and debris.  Wipe the area down with a lint free cloth and some alcohol.  Be sure to clean the wheels.  Even with a clean paper feeding area, some printers will not take the film.  There are a few things you can try. 

1. Frosted or Kapton tape over the paper sensor.

2  Fold a sheet of paper in half, then put alcohol on half of that and feed it thru the printer.  The paper should not be wet, just damp.

3.  Sticker paper with 1/4 of the backing removed.  Feed it in with the sticky area at the top.  Make sure to feed it thru both front and back.  Do this 2-3 times both ways.

4.  Put several sheets of film in the feeding area.  You might try to place a stack of regular paper behind the film, or even some cardstock.

The film does have a special coating that allows the ink to adhere, and this will cause a buildup on the main feeder wheel.  Keep it clean with alcohol.

For information on how to convert a printer for dtf and maintain it, be sure to visit my YouTube Channel, Crafting On A Budget

Monday, August 9, 2024

Giving Sublimation Another Try

 When I found out that you could convert an Epson ecotank printer into a sublimation printer, I ran out and bought myself a ecotank 2720.  I already own a 2720 and a 4760.  The savings in ink is unbeatable.  But when I started trying to make things, the excitement didn't last.  Even though I had purchased a highly recommended ink, I wasn't getting the results I wanted, or saw others getting.  Before long I was listing that printer for sale on marketplace.  


I had found a new love.  Direct to film.  But, I had already invested money into a mug press and sublimation paper.  And there were still a few projects I really wanted to try.  So, while converting wide format printers over for dtf, I realized I could convert one of these into a sublimation printer.  I already had the refillable cartridges and a printer, so I just needed the 6 color inks.  I decided on Printer Jacks.  The difference in the outcome is amazing!  I'm looking for things to sublimate again!   Peek a boo shirts, mugs, and even some custom fabrics.  The printer I chose to convert is an Epson Stylus Photo 1400.  The colors that it's producing are vibrant and wonderful.

It makes me excited for sublimation again.  Not the all over shirt designs that you can find online, but the projects, that are more my skill level.  The all over shirts take a great deal of skill.  

So, if you tried sublimation with an ecotank, and it fell flat for you too, you might want to consider an Epson Workforce printer or a wide format cartridge based printer.  You need to be sure there are refillable, chipless cartridges available on the market, or it won't work.  

This week on my facebook page, I'll be giving away mugs, sublimated with the winners design.  So if you have ever wanted a personalized mug, be sure to go to the Crafting On A Buget facebook page and enter!

Sunday, July 25, 2024

Giveaways On Facebook!

 Every week I try to give something away on Facebook.  Here are images of some of the items I have given out.

ICT potholders/2 sets

3D printer slipper for mouse ears

3D printed carriage for mouse ears



Workbooks for kids preschool to 5th grade

More 3D prints for mouse ears in child size

So be sure to go to our facebook page, like and share for your chance to win!

Monday, July 12, 2024

Finding Inspiration and Failing

 Where do you find your inspiration for projects?  Are you a Pinner?  Do you scroll through Facebook for ideas?  Do you like to thumb through magazines?  

I belong to a couple of crafty groups on Facebook and I follow a few people on YouTube.  I need lots of visual inspiration.  I personally have a hard time pairing colors and just being creative on my own.  I can have a vivid idea in my head, but when it comes time to make it a reality, I'm often disappointed.  That's why I like to find budget friendly ways to create.  That way, if I totally fail at the project, the loss is mostly my time.  Example, I had found some child size red and blue ball caps at the Dollar Tree, that I thought would make cute July 4th hats for the grandkids.  I printed out my DTF design and went to heat apply them to the hats.  Unfortunately, I did a poor job measuring the area that could take a design and made my design too big.  But I still tried that design on each hat.  The design split and the hats were ruined.  But instead of $20 or $30 down the toilet, I only lost $6 in material and my time.  

Practicing on budget friendly finds is a great way to improve your skills and gain confidence in what you're doing.  I like to walk thru the Dollar Tree and look for items to create with.  They have a great crafting section that carries felt, canvases, paints, brushes, sometimes fabric square, yarn and so much more.  Be sure to check there when you have a project in mind.  You might be suprised at the selection of crafty items to keep you on a budget!



Wednesday, July 7, 2024

New Giveaway Winners and Life

 

Be sure to visit our Facebook page

First let me congratulate the winners for this weeks giveaway!  The two lucky winners will receive ICT potholders!  All they had to do was comment and share the giveaway post!  How easy is that!  Be sure to visit Crafting On A Budget's facebook page often for your chance to win.  Why not just follow and sign up for notification?

I have declared July as Craft Your Stash month and with that, I decided I would dig out some crafting equipment I have purchased in the past to utilize, instead of looking for new things to buy.  One of those items is the Provocraft Your Story laminating and book binding machine.  I bought it, but I have never "fired" it up.  One reason was the binders that went with it were very expensive.  And if I'm being honest, I was a little intimidated by it.  I was hoping to get it out this weekend and make something with it.  But life got in the way.  It was a holiday weekend and getting ready to celebrate with family took up the time I was hoping to have for crafting.  But it is still the next thing on my list to do.  I suppose if I had an actual project in mind, I would feel more excitement and urgency.  So today, I'll troll the internet and youtube to see if I can find some inspiration, and then I'll share that with you.

So, stayed tuned for some project on the Your Story and be sure to check the facebook page for the next giveaway!

Remember, Crafting on a budget means making beautiful things affordably!

Thursday, July 1, 2024

Let's Make July Craft Your Stash Month!


 I have a bad habit.  I like to hoard craft supplies.  I also like collecting craft tools, like die cutting machines, and embossers and laminators.  Not to mention printers.  I have regular color printers, sublimation printers, DTF printers, and 3D printers.  And of course all the supplies that go with them.  I can bind books with a glue spine or with a ring binder.   I have too much stuff.  But I need every single thing I have.  When the new mug press came out, it was another thing I really thought I needed to have to make great gifts and to sell as a side hustle.  I opted to get a regular mug press that would press 4 different sizes of mugs.  I did make a few great gifts with it.   As I was cleaning and organizing my craftroom a few weeks ago, I decided to start using what I already had, instead of going out a purchasing more.   At least until I had run out of something, I wouldn't buy more of it.  I also made a personal commitment to do something in my craftroom every day.  So far I have only missed one or two days since making that personal pledge.  It has encouraged me to learn more about designing things in Tinkercad and Photoshop.  I have printed and mailed out stickers for my grandkids.  I have 3D printed toys on demand for a grandkid.  By engaging in all these activities, it helps me be more creative.  I see new projects that I can complete.  So I decided that I will make July a Craft Your Stash Month.  No new purchases.  I can only use what I already have.  During this month I am even going to get out and use the Provocraft YourStory that I have never, ever used!  (I hope it works)


So follow along as I journey into the world of forgotten craft supplies and see if you can draw inspiration to Craft Your Stash this month.

First episode Provocraft YourStory, Monday July 5.

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