30 Day Review Direct To Film Printer Epson L1800

This week, we're doing a review on our new DTF Transfer A3 L1800 printer! It's been about 30 days and we've completed about 100 prints. We've laughed, we've cried and learned some new lessons along the way and are ready to share!
Stuff We Used:
DTF Transfer Printer A3 L1800 T Shirt Printer: amzn.to/3Q1Y5Z9
HPN Black Series 16" x 20" Auto-Open High Pressure Heat Press Machine: shrsl.com/3mu6p
www.amazon.com/shop/kimandgarrettmakeit
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FYI: We are not professionals, and we don’t claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. We have just enough woodworking skill to make some basic furniture. Safety first!
FTC Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored video. All opinions are genuinely our own. This post may contain affiliate links and we earn a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. It doesn't cost you any extra. Thank you for your continued support to keep Making It!

[@candacelinville5749]

The review! What nobody else is telling you. Leave it to the ROCKSTARS to tell us everything they’ve learned to make things easier for us!! Thanks Guys! You’re amazing!!! Happy Friday!

[@candacelinville5749]

I’m so glad you showed all the methods, on the shirts, at the end. You never miss one detail. This was the perfect video! Thanks guys… Add another machine to the list of “Toys I need…”

[@chitowntexan]

Loving all the details you both include in your videos. Thank you 😊

[@terriadams824]

You two are a joy to watch and yet very informative. Great show.

[@YEET-sj6qo]

best review I have seen about this, very detailed and professional.keep at what you guys are doing, this was a very informative video 10/10

[@triciabrooks4447]

We have the L1800 printer also BUT we use a XL table top oven (toaster oven) to cure the adhesive. We get consistent results. We lay a Teflon sheet on the racks to prevent uneven curing. Also recommend using outdoors or in a ventilated area. There are fumes.

[@deannabowden1589]

What kind of oven did you get?

[@teezthatpleez6873]

Excellent and Honest review. Much appreciated. You guys are Awesome!

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Much appreciated!

[@cynthiahogg8137]

Thank you so much for this. Mine arrives next week and I'll watch these again!

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

YAy!

[@diannekamphuis4033]

Wauw !! Great review.. totaly honest.. Greetings from the Netherlands!

[@a.j.carrera7905]

Thanks for the honest review. This really helps in my decision to purchase a DTF printer.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thanks AJ! Glad it was helpful! ~garrett

[@frapino]

jpeg doesnt support transparancy so all white is treated as transparent in the printer otherwise you would get a white box around all jpg prints, png supports transparancy so printer can recognize difference between transparent backgrounds and whites.

[@crumble7598]

Really appreciate the video guys. I'm taking notes

[@donnierearden8334]

Great review… thank you for your knowledge…. Eventually I’m wanting to do some dtf but still deciding on which printer to get

[@MissNoyola77]

Thanks for this !! I have this exact machine and before you all posted there was very little info for me to go off of ! Appreciate y’all

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bradsarganis8479]

Good stuff. Thank you 2!

[@julesmarcu5635]

This is a great review, I love that your telling us all the things that you learned. I'm not sure I can afford one yet. I think Garrett needs a 3D printer. I'm a automotive technician by trade (pretty mechanical), and I can't even begin to tell you the things I have repaired by designing and making the parts on the 3d printer.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for the feedback, that's a great point

[@thesqaanalyst]

Yes, you helped to dissuade me. Thank you! You saved me from headaches.

[@fayyisrael7699]

So what printer are you getting?

[@thesqaanalyst]

@@fayyisrael7699 Xerox

[@Chunographx]

God protect y’all soul, you are 2 beautiful souls thank you for all that you do! 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿💐💐💐💐💐

[@annagurrola3502]

Thank you for the information, I just purchased a dtf printer.

[@AdityaxLucid]

Really informative video ❤️

[@ixtydesign]

Great review… I’m still learning to use mine… eps (vectors) also work for me. Thanks guys, you are awesome!!! ☺️

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thanks!

[@DriveMeCrazy]

gr8est review thanks a million

[@anitacalivas8315]

Love your reviews! TFS 👻

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

You are so welcome!

[@teshawilliams1474]

Wow you guys helped me a lot. I am one looking to purchase a DTF printer so thanks a lot.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Great to hear!

[@Cooking_Through_Time]

I'd been worried about my sawgrass printer for sublimation. I got Covid in Dec 2020 and was sick with long haul Covid for 14 months. Most of those months I wished I was dead. I hadn't used my sawgrass for about 1.5 years. I was surprised when I finally got it out to use a few months ago that it was not clogged and printed perfectly. I guess I was one of the lucky ones. Thanks for honest opinion of all ur gadgets. You all always tell it like it is. Most times I don't trust peoples opinions but ya never fail to tell us like it is. Thanks for all ya do.

[@HalfAssHomestead]

DTF ink is nothing like sublimation ink. DTF is a much thicker ink, which will tend to coagulate, where sublimation will stay in it's liquid form and not create the skin type covering. Plus, the white ink is always thicker than the rest, so that is why it causes so much maintenance.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thank you susan! So happy to hear you're feeling better!

[@vee5194]

Great review. Could you knock out the black so it has some of the shirt in the design? Would be interested to see how that turns out. I have a white toner printer that I rarely use bc the print feels like paper, but they say to knock out the shirt color to help with the feel.

[@valdrumgole2585]

Great video. I have the same printer and it should print up 13×19. AA Prints supply has a few tutorials on this particular set up as well.

[@blessson2639]

How long have you had it? Im looking to get one but wanna make sure I’m not blowing my money

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Cool, thanks!

[@sandragentz9442]

Good morning all. We're at camp Edison this weekend. LOL can't miss my peeps. 😂

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Have fun

[@orvillewright8928]

I have the same DTF printer, will set it up tomorrow

[@fayyisrael7699]

How do you like it? I’m thinking about getting it.

[@orvillewright8928]

@@fayyisrael7699 it works well print quality is amazing prints are solid on shirts, I had some issues at first with the white ink but figured it out, only thing is that dtf ink is really expensive.

[@dianahegseth6279]

Thank you for sharing

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thanks for watching!

[@kellya8718]

I do a nozzle check and a printhead cleaning each day i decide to print. I have never had to flush anything. I have never left it unused for more than 2 -3 days. It took me a little bit before I figured out print size.

[@vanessaherrera8574]

Hello! That was a great review. I am currently looking into purchasing this same model. Any idea how many t-shirt prints you can get out of it before buying more ink? Thanks

[@boneal9462]

Uuuum I think I need this!

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Good~

[@suiren_vt8819]

I recommend after you’ve transferee your print onto the shirt to heat press it again with butcher paper over top just to set it in. The colours might dull just a little bit it’ll last longer

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Great tip!

[@jeffreyroy4167]

I'm not sure if it's the same as butcher paper but there are finishing sheets.

[@danaegilliam]

Do you have a video on how to clean the back drain?

[@MohamedFaizoul88]

This is a very useful video! I have been doing research on this and this helped a lot! Thanks! I have one question, however. Can I do batch prints with this and have it sit overnight. E.g. If I have an order for 45 pieces, can I print all 45 sheets, put the powder on, put it in the oven, and then do the actual transfer the next day?

[@amybrouer6183]

What rip software did you have to buy for it?

[@susanorona7896]

Ok Kim, Garrett needs a 3D printer! Bought one for my grandson a few years ago for Christmas and his dad, my son, used it more than he did.

[@HalfAssHomestead]

I offered them mine which has never been put together, and is still in kit form. Garrett will love it, if Kim will just let him have it to play with....lol

[@nimgarza8131]

How long does it take this printer to print a full 11.5 x 16 print. I just want to know how long it will take for my larger prints.

[@phototec]

What brand of glitter vinyl did you use that lasted hundreds of washes? Thanks

[@djlilone505]

I feel your pain but you'll get it. I started with vinyl 2021 then went to heat transfer paper and that really hold the prints but getting started on DTF was another head but I went through hell converting a Epson 8550 biggest headache never do it again went through so much film and ink so I gave up on converting 8550 🤦🏽🙆🏽 I'm looking in looking to get one but debating on if I should buy on from Alibaba cus that's a lot of money to lose... I converted a Epson l805 and she works awesome but only 8 1/2 -11 and I need a bigger Print...keep up the awesome work

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thanks, DJ LIL ONE! Converting printers can definitely be a headache, but it seems like you've become quite the expert! Just remember, the bigger the print, the bigger the challenge (and the reward!). YOU Keep up the awesome work too! ~garrett

[@freshMila]

Hello thanks for sharing ! What your recommended DTF or HTV ? How they both different

[@ssy75]

The software I'm using on mine does not look like that what software is that?

[@trappyadvice2492]

I'm a fan of your KZbin channel. I'm curious, can your dtf machine print images of persons onto shirts? If so will it be high quality?

[@cregsmith8397]

My wife and I just ordered our DTF Printer & Oven and thanks for the presentation you guys are showing us. My wife and I are already in the Printing business which is Ink Jet Heat Transfer, htv vinyl, and Sublimation. I think the DTF Printing is going to be way better than my heat transfers for which we do a lot of Car shows t shirts, Business t shirts, Sports Jerseys. I'm really curious on how the DTF will stay on 100% color polyester ? It says use for Cotton, polyester, silk, Canvas, Linen, and Denim so, I guess using Our DTF Printer we made the right choice over a White Toner Printer. I also wanted to say have you guys tried the black rubber powder yet on the back of your print like you do using the white powder using a black t shirt ?

[@pamelamoore1081]

Curious were did you order your DTF printer

[@GAZDA82]

Hey what brand is the DTF printer you got?

[@lindseyharris3173]

I am having a really hard time setting up the software! I need pointers!!

[@summerhudspeth3307]

Do you use hot or cold peel transfers? Does the ink matter with either one?

[@zulemaacosta9459]

Is the software only for PCs or will it install on a Mac?

[@danisswag7347]

I have a Prestige A3+ and i love and hate it. Surly a struggle and a lonnnngggg journey with DTF. Frustrations are making me want to throw it out the 2 story window...IDK what my thought are!

[@keithsnonsense4231]

did yall have an iissue with blank prints? im on day #3 with the printer and its not printing anything now. ink flow to waste bucket is good. print heads are not clogged. but no print. even nozzle check isnt porinting

[@marlettaengland1513]

I understand the maintenance required but what do you do if you’re out of town for two weeks and no one is home to maintain the printer

[@mrsriverjai4642]

Ok did the actual ink come in the crate or did it come in a separate box cause I didn't see the ink in the crate

[@touchstonepropertymanageme8513]

Just purchased a punehod L1800. Im having trouble downloading the rip software. Any advice? Is it compatible with Mac book?

[@angolaafrica1501]

I love the review thanks guys, I don't know where to start buying the t-shirts, but I would love to have a high help on it.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Glad you like them!

[@shannonaitken8039]

look into jiffy shirts.

[@sueshaw3429]

@@KimandGarrettmakeit jiffy shirts or direct to Gilden

[@fernandoasu]

Have you guy's had any issues with the printer in regards to not turning on? Just purchased ours and on second day the power box apparently went out. :(. Printer turns on, but not the thermostat part of it.

[@ShadoowCity]

What printer do you recommend for conversion to DTF printer? What will be good to start? Budget 800$

[@nalyatenas5626]

Hi congratulations for the way your help people ,I have printer epson l 1800 amd we do everything ,clean head , ,flossing ink everyday but today he is totally laziness, tray to send a design to printer , nothing happens , star printing but design is not appear in the film ,you guy have any idea for me ,same thing we need to do in the software or same thing thank in advance for your answer

[@HalfAssHomestead]

Just curios. Rather than using the oven which you've stated doesn't really do the job right, and I have seen others hover a heat press over the print to set the adhesive. Any idea if a low end flash dryer may not be the better answer?

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

I've never tried to heat press the glue, mmmm I might try

[@sueshaw3429]

@@KimandGarrettmakeit i use a griddle saw some lady do it and it was very fast

[@cierradowns4991]

Goodmorning I recently purchased the same dtf printer you have and I wanted to know if I could ask you a few questions

[@ericthomas9551]

Hi do we have to reset the waste ink counter with a code purchased on the web when the printer is at end of life. Blinking lights?. Thank you.

[@sueshaw3429]

get a code resetter all you have to do is touch it to the the chip on the waste box. i use a external ink waste system that way you never have to get a code or re-set

[@AdityaxLucid]

After 2 or 3 back to back print my white gets thin and see lines in white back , I have Epson l1800 how can I fix this

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Same thing happened to me! I used the syringe to pull through serval ounces of ink and squirted it back into the tank. Like 2 syringes full of ink from each white carriage. Now, it seems to be working fine. I don't think mine was pulling the white ink through the tubes fast enough and the carriage was running out of ink. Hope this helps! ~garrett

[@hannah9758]

May I know the wattage of this printer? Thanks!

[@davidburstein9446]

What's the warranty on a printer?

[@bigred4994]

Sounds like a nightmare. I love my Uninet icolor560 white toner printer. The A & B sheets marry great & no worries on messy ink. No oven.

[@shannonaitken8039]

toner prints don't hold up very long, been there done that.

[@bhutch216]

White toners are a huge scam. Prints crack and peel after 2 washes.

[@bhutch216]

It’s a 13 x19 printer and the print area is 12.8 x 18.5

[@zonarie1983]

where did you buy the unit?

[@alialaradi8874]

Great review, i am not able to get the back white , i did all the procedure 😢

[@sueshaw3429]

you need rip software

[@snoopyny]

You can make many designs and save them for when you need to have them ready or it is necessary to make the designs fresh so that the glue does not damage?

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Yep, you can save them. We just pressed one that was 4 months old and it looks just like that one we did the day we printed the transfers.

[@aintsheprecious]

@@KimandGarrettmakeit do they need to be stored flat or can they be stacked against each other? I’m thinking for shipping purposes

[@davetavares6118]

Hello how are you doing today? I'm reaching out to you to keep my sanity I purchased a Epson DTF printer and I can't get a hold of customer service or tech support from the company I got it from and I have been watching you I don't have how to upload from my phone to my laptop or put the images in a folder that I can take and use on my printer? Oh by the way I don't know a thing about computers thank you and you have a blessed day looking forward to talking with you

[@AmberRoomProductions]

Excellent video! Not sure if I want to get that set up seeing the maintenance. Maybe I'll look into something more automated... But the price..... can't beat it.

[@HalfAssHomestead]

Look into Ghost white printers. It is much the same setup but without the high cost of maintenance. The big difference of course will be the cost per print, because the adhesive is an actual sheet "B" that adheres to the print using a heat press.

[@AmberRoomProductions]

@@HalfAssHomestead I think I've seen videos of it - on tik tok.... I will look into this thanks!

[@shannonaitken8039]

@@HalfAssHomestead ghost white uses toner and toner prints simply do not last long. I have a $3500 white toner printer gathering dust because I refuse to sell a print that wont hold up.

[@addinabernard2312]

Would it work with svgs ? You said pngs worked well but most of my designs are done in svgs will it work or do I have to convert ?

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

You would have to convert them. If you have Illustrator, you can just open it and export it as a PNG. I also saw some online tools that will do it. ~garrett

[@stephanieammons]

Where did you purchase it?

[@stephenculver]

So did you buy from “procolored” the seller on Amazon that currently is showing available? Just wondering if it’s the same so we know if they are trustworthy.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

I don't think so! We worked with Punehod

[@maiger712]

Ty for the video! I’m not sure it’s worth it. On top of the cost and the maintenance you still have to print once a day at a cost of 1.25$ that adds up. I would need to sell a lot more stuff to pay it back.

[@Technobby]

You can print on regular paper which could be around $0.1 - $0.5 depends on your ink price.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

I totally agree!

[@JORGINHODONASCIMENTO]

Hi Mai, IMHO, it is worth the investment. Or you can have a company like printify or printful to do DTG for you and you don't have to do anything but your margin profit will be extremely reduced. I have Dye Sublimation printers and a DTF printer and they're awesome because the savings are way higher than you expect them to be.

[@MatthewsFabrication]

Excellent review. What do you think of the Prestige A3+ Printer & oven? They look identical, but this one is about $2000 more. Worth that price or should I stick with what you got? Would you upgrade your oven? Or possibly try a Hovering heatpress to melt the powder?

[@missyricketts6673]

Ive been looking at both too. Curious to see which one is better

[@Poptart29]

Did you have to purchase the software separately?

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

The software came with it on a thumb drive.

[@brendanj8344]

How do you feel about the wagner heat press?

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

We haven't tried it, maybe we should?

[@2LIVCREATE]

What brand are your oven and heat press? Thank you!

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

This oven came with the printer.

[@2LIVCREATE]

@@KimandGarrettmakeit Thank you.

[@mauricioherrera7731]

dtf super store has some good powder

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Oh! We'll check it out!

[@blessson2639]

How is the Machine still going any other problems?

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

nope! It's great aside from the ink management, we're working on our white balance as well

[@cierradowns4991]

i cant get my white to work at all

[@unclippedcoupons2319]

6:30 minute mark you say you press for 10 sec cool down 30 seconds peel and ready to wear. why are you not pressing a 2nd time for 10 seconds as recommended

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

We started to press it a second time, but at the time the glue powered got on the of the heat press and it was sticking to the Teflon sheet. Then the Teflon sheet became sticky on both sides and was becoming a mess. They screen printer next door said is we were using cheap Teflon sheets. Now we press it, peal it, put the transfer sheet back on top and press it again for 10 seconds. Thanks ~garrett

[@mariol6095]

This is one printer that has just as many bad reviews as it does good if not more. Some people have very minimal maintenance while others are daily doing maintenance on these. Good review though, thanks

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thanks! It's definitely different person to person

[@GAZDA82]

@@KimandGarrettmakeit are you using ink from the supplier or purchased your own from local?

[@MGsModShop]

its difficult to understand how frustrating the learning process can be with equipment like this. its so unintuitive and extremely wasteful initially. thanks for your continued dedication.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thank you !

[@marklola12]

I am just not sure this looks any better than printable vinyl, or the other printable for dark and light that you heatpress onto a top

[@mrscbury]

But with printable vinyl, you have to cut it out...

[@juanmcsweeney4503]

When is Garrett allowed to talk?

[@mauricioherrera7731]

1440x720 1440x720 is little faster

[@elfuturodetunegocio]

PNG respects Transparency. JPGs don't; it will always have a white background. I use a different software (Digital Factory) and it reads PSD, PDF and Illustrator files easy.

[@angolaafrica1501]

I do have the dtf printer 🖨️

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

!

[@Karenm1969]

Why do you say it is an Epson; it isn’t labeled as such.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

We bought it from a company that buys them and converts them. We have seen videos of people converting them, but it looked HARD. Thanks Karen! ~garrett

[@bhutch216]

Seems like most of the issues you had were just lack of research before purchasing.

[@tonka8080]

So goofy when people tuck their ears in their cap

[@Bobster986]

Sounds like too much of a hassle to me, especially for the money.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

It's not for everyone!

[@jpimprint]

Basically junk product. Just added continue ink bottle with lot of trouble. Please tell true no one use everyday. We dont want bring to our vacation with

[@omahaspick]

I just purchased the L1800 and it's possible I'm doing something wrong but I feel the images I have printed are blurry. Could we chat by email or by phone,? Need advice

[@DriveMeCrazy]

gr8est review thanks a million