Star product: Resolute R-Jet Pro DTF

What is it used for?

Claimed to be a “game-changer” by its developer, the Resolute R-Jet Pro DTF is a digital inkjet system that prints heat transfers onto special film, intended mainly for decorating textile garments. It’s suited to cotton, polyester, high-viz, workwear and sportswear. It can also be used to decorate hard substrates, packaging and promotional items – where a product can be placed under a heat press.

When was it launched and what’s the target market?

After field testing in 2020, the product was officially launched in 2002. It’s being promoted as an alternative to existing DTG technologies. Resolute founder Colin Marsh says: “The system outperforms conventional DTG printing, sublimation, white toner and print-and-cut methods in both speed and costs. This system is popular with screen printers because it does not require any pre-treatment. It has a smaller footprint than an automatic carousel and requires only one person to run it.”

Identity Printing, Manchester, was the first to use Ricoh DTG inkjets. Zar Ali, production manager, says: “The film transfer gives a really nice clean finish, unlike DTG where if the fibres are rough they spoil the quality and you have to keep cleaning the printheads.

“There’s no pre-treatment. It takes only 15 minutes to warm up for the morning. We do gym-wear polyesters with it too and there’s no stretching or cracking even at maximum.”

What is the secret to it?

This system consists of a roll-fed A3 format printer with two Epson OEM printheads. They print dual CMYK and dual white onto special film. After printing, the film and semi-cured Ink are fed to an inline finishing device that applies heat-activated adhesive powder. The ink is then heat-cured. 

The film images are then transferred to the substrate using a standard heat press, usually taking 15 seconds at 130-165°C. There is no need to pre-treat or weed. You can group small images and have them cut individually.

Marsh says: “The Resolute Premium DTF ink is a water-based hybrid ink, pigmented but with the characteristics of latex for durability and softness.” These produce vibrant prints with excellent stretch and durability in the wash, he says. “The key to the product’s success is the combination of high-quality film coating that reacts with the ink and adhesive during curing. With a gamut range twice that of traditional DTG inks the colours produced are not only vibrant but also accurate.”

Resolute’s own film is recommended as it “is profiled and is unique to its durability in the wash,” Marsh says. “Other films can be used but the performance will be affected.”

Resolute RIP Pro software is included with the printer. It allows for automatic image nesting, variable and barcode job creation, job costing, as well as driving it.

Is it intended to replace an older product?

This Resolute DTG printer is the only one that uses the film transfer process. 

What’s the USP?

“The R-Jet Pro DTF’s USP is the combination of exclusive own-brand consumables coupled with my 40 years’ experience in the printing industry,” says Marsh. “A lot of hard work and investment has gone into making sure the R-Jet Pro DTF outperforms other systems whilst retaining a very competitive price.”

It is how fast/productive it is.

Marsh says: “It can produce in excess of 1,000 chest prints per hour of 100x90mm when running in full production mode. Two heat presses and two operators can produce approximately 900 finished garments an hour. This includes loading and unloading. In a five hour print run this equates to 4,500 finished garments.”

What kind of training and support are available?

“The system requires only an afternoon’s training as it is a very easy automated process,” says Marsh. “Remote support and on-site support is included by Resolute’s own technicians.” 

How much does it cost?

The R-Jet Pro DTG system costs £14,950. Ink is available in 1,000ml and 500ml bottles, priced at £75 per litre. Marsh estimates that the average cost of an A4 sheet made with DTF is around 30p

Resolute offers products for purchase. However, the company also has a sales deal with The Magic Touch. This Dunstable-based specialist on transfers for textiles and other substrates, The Magic Touch. 

What number are you using?

“The UK installation base has already exceeded 50 and is set to hit 100 before the end of this year,” says Marsh. “We are currently in talks with a large US-based firm as an exclusive partner for the R-Jet Pro DTF system.” 

SPECIFICATIONS

Printable width 580mm

Output 16m/hour at 1,800dpi

Colours Five (dual CMYK plus dual white)

Type ink Water-based pigmented Ink

Ink system Bulk feed

Printheads Two eight-channel Epson OEM

Footprint 2×3.6m

Software Resolute RIP Pro

Price £16,950

Contact Resolute DTG 01246 202686 www.resolute.ink/r-jet-pro-dtf The Magic Touch 01582671444 www.themagictouch.co.uk

ALTERNATIVES

Marsh believes there are no alternatives in terms of capability. Marsh believes there is no direct alternative in terms of capability. However, there are many established alternatives. To transfer and fix the image onto the textile, all use heat presses. 

OKI Pro8432wt Space Control

A package of an OKI toner printer that offers CMY plus white options together with The Magic Touch’s Space Control software for transfer creation and colour ordering. It’s suitable for most fabric types as well as solids such as mugs, etc. 

Format A3-plus

Colours CMYK plus white or CMYY+

Software Internal PostScript 3 Rip

Price £3,695

Contact The Magic Touch 01582671444 www.themagictouch.com

Brother GT361

The GT361 inkjet prints CMYK as well as dual white using a platen printer that has interchangeable shapes to print different styles. For coloured garments, pre-treatment is required. 

Maximum printing area 35x40cm

Colours CMYK plus dual white

Software Windows printer driver

Price £7,995

Contact MHM Direct 0115 94 2285 www.mhmdirect.co.uk

Epson SC-F2100

The Epson DTG printer, which is the entry level model, uses pigment inks. It also comes with interchangeable platens. This allows you to support garments as small as a tee shirt. For dark fabrics, pretreatment is required. 

Process Inkjet using aqueous pigment inks

Colors CMYK plus White

Software Drivers for Windows and Mac printers

Price £13,194

Contact Epson UK 01442 26144 www.epson.co.uk