Oki C711WT - White Toner Laser Printer
During the CommuniToy R&D project I have been researching into making bespoke printed graphics for soft Toy Hack creations. I have started to experiment with the heat press using heat press vinyl, but would also like to experiment with making some full colour tee shirt designs. Some of the young people I work with at Brighton Self Managed Learning College have started to make some interesting tee shirt designs but quite a few of the designs include white in the full colour image.
Printing white is not a cheap process. The first solution would be to use a Direct to Garment (DTG) printerer, but these cost £10K upwards, so this is not a viable solution. We have looked into the DIY hacking of seven colour printers that can be customised to become DTG printer but I'm not sure in the long term that this solution will produce the quality prints we require.
The third option would be to use a full color laser printer that also prints white. Oki manufactures two printers that print white.
OKI C711WT (A4) = £2K
OKI C920WT (A3) = £6-8K
Theses printers are not cheap, but if you read the blog post below from Digital Heat FX.com you will start to uderstand the tru cost of printing onto garments, and why using lazer printers might be a viable option.
Direct to Garment (DTG) Compared to Transfers Using White Toner Laser Printers FAQ
Question: What is the price difference between white toner laser printers and DTG machines?
Transfers: The OKI 711WT for up to 8.5 x 11 size transfers is $3,395 and the 920WT for up to 11 x 17 size transfers is $7,495.
DTG: The majority of all the new DTG printers sold range between $16,000 to $20,000. Some new DTG machines can be purchased for around $10,000 with the highest end models selling for up to $200,000.
Transfers: The OKI 711WT for up to 8.5 x 11 size transfers is $3,395 and the 920WT for up to 11 x 17 size transfers is $7,495.
DTG: The majority of all the new DTG printers sold range between $16,000 to $20,000. Some new DTG machines can be purchased for around $10,000 with the highest end models selling for up to $200,000.
Question: Can one printer be used for both light and dark garments?
Transfers: Yes, you can use the OKI 711WT for up to 8.5 x 11 size transfers or the 920WT for up to 11 x 17 size transfers. These CMYW laser printers print white toner and allow for a no cut/no weed/no background transfer for both light and dark garments using our laser transparent transfer papers. No special treatments needed for dark garments.
DTG: Yes, but dark garments have to be pretreated/precoated before the ink can be applied. This can be done either by a second machine or by a hand sprayer. A pretreat/precoating machine can cost between $3,000 - $7,000.
Transfers: Yes, you can use the OKI 711WT for up to 8.5 x 11 size transfers or the 920WT for up to 11 x 17 size transfers. These CMYW laser printers print white toner and allow for a no cut/no weed/no background transfer for both light and dark garments using our laser transparent transfer papers. No special treatments needed for dark garments.
DTG: Yes, but dark garments have to be pretreated/precoated before the ink can be applied. This can be done either by a second machine or by a hand sprayer. A pretreat/precoating machine can cost between $3,000 - $7,000.
Question: How long does it take a DTG machine to image a garment?
Transfers: The OKI 711WT or 920WT take about two seconds to print each transfer sheet with about 45 seconds needed to heat press the transfer onto the garment. Transfers can be printed and stacked immediately as the toner is dry as soon as it is printed.
DTG: DTG machines take on average two to five minutes for just imaging the shirt not including pretreat/precoating or any heat press steps.
Transfers: The OKI 711WT or 920WT take about two seconds to print each transfer sheet with about 45 seconds needed to heat press the transfer onto the garment. Transfers can be printed and stacked immediately as the toner is dry as soon as it is printed.
DTG: DTG machines take on average two to five minutes for just imaging the shirt not including pretreat/precoating or any heat press steps.
Question: What other substrates other than cotton can a DTG printer print?
Transfers: The OKI 711WT or 920WT can produce transfers that apply to cotton, 50/50 blends, polyester, nylon, leather and practically any fabric available.
DTG: DTG machines can only print onto cotton.
Transfers: The OKI 711WT or 920WT can produce transfers that apply to cotton, 50/50 blends, polyester, nylon, leather and practically any fabric available.
DTG: DTG machines can only print onto cotton.
Question: Does the DTG printer offer the capability to image on hard surface materials such as mugs, acrylic, metal, leather, wood and many other substrates?
Transfers: The OKI 711WT or 920WT have the ability to produce transfer papers for imaging to the widest array of substrates in the industry including hard goods.
DTG: DTG machines printers are generally limited to imaging cotton based substrates.
Transfers: The OKI 711WT or 920WT have the ability to produce transfer papers for imaging to the widest array of substrates in the industry including hard goods.
DTG: DTG machines printers are generally limited to imaging cotton based substrates.
Question: What daily maintenance is required of the DTG unit?
Transfers: The OKI 711WT or 920WT printers do not have printheads, and as such, do not require any type of ongoing daily maintenance. Even if the printer is not used for an extended period of time, it will work without any issues and the humidity and temperature of the environment is not anywhere near the factor it is for a DTG printer.
DTG: DTG machines have a daily morning and evening routine to ensure the printer does not clog. Additionally, if the printer is not going to be used for any period of time, there is a complete in-depth procedure which must be implemented to ensure the printer does not clog and ruin the ink delivery system and printheads.
Transfers: The OKI 711WT or 920WT printers do not have printheads, and as such, do not require any type of ongoing daily maintenance. Even if the printer is not used for an extended period of time, it will work without any issues and the humidity and temperature of the environment is not anywhere near the factor it is for a DTG printer.
DTG: DTG machines have a daily morning and evening routine to ensure the printer does not clog. Additionally, if the printer is not going to be used for any period of time, there is a complete in-depth procedure which must be implemented to ensure the printer does not clog and ruin the ink delivery system and printheads.
Question: What are the costs for a new DTG printhead and the cost for the technician to come change it?
Transfers: The OKI 711WT or 920WT LED array is warranted for five years.
DTG: If a DTG printhead goes bad, the cost to replace it ranges from $400 to $3,000 depending upon the type of printhead. Additionally, if the printhead is out of warranty, there is a service charge between $400 to $1,000 to replace it.
Transfers: The OKI 711WT or 920WT LED array is warranted for five years.
DTG: If a DTG printhead goes bad, the cost to replace it ranges from $400 to $3,000 depending upon the type of printhead. Additionally, if the printhead is out of warranty, there is a service charge between $400 to $1,000 to replace it.
Question: How much DTG ink is wasted on cleaning and flushing?
Transfers: No toner is used is wasted as cleaning and flushing is not necessary.
DTG: It is estimated that between 5-10% of ink is used by DTG printers to clean, flush and keep the printhead moist so that it does not clog. An eight ounce bottle costs around $90 and between $4.50 - $9 is wasted on flushing.
Transfers: No toner is used is wasted as cleaning and flushing is not necessary.
DTG: It is estimated that between 5-10% of ink is used by DTG printers to clean, flush and keep the printhead moist so that it does not clog. An eight ounce bottle costs around $90 and between $4.50 - $9 is wasted on flushing.
Question: What is the average cost for imaging a CMYK and CMYK plus White using DTG?
Transfers: CMYK images cost about $.90 for paper and toner and approximately $2.50 with white for letter sized images.
DTG: DTG costs an average of $.75 for CMYK and $1.75 for CMYK plus white for the same sized images and $.30 - $.80 per print for pretreat fluid.
Transfers: CMYK images cost about $.90 for paper and toner and approximately $2.50 with white for letter sized images.
DTG: DTG costs an average of $.75 for CMYK and $1.75 for CMYK plus white for the same sized images and $.30 - $.80 per print for pretreat fluid.
Question: How many light shirts and how many dark shirts can be produced per hour using DTG and white toner printers?
Transfers: Approximately 70 light colored shirts per hour and 35 dark shirts per hour under normal circumstances (560 light shirts in an eight hour day or 280 dark).
DTG: Approximately 50 light colored shirts per hour and 15 dark shirts per hour under normal circumstances (400 light shirts in an eight hour day or 120 dark).
Transfers: Approximately 70 light colored shirts per hour and 35 dark shirts per hour under normal circumstances (560 light shirts in an eight hour day or 280 dark).
DTG: Approximately 50 light colored shirts per hour and 15 dark shirts per hour under normal circumstances (400 light shirts in an eight hour day or 120 dark).
Question: How long does it take to train on the DTG RIP software and how intuitive is it?
Transfers: The OKI 711WT and 920WT laser printer uses an onboard Adobe RIP which is just like using a normal desktop printer. There is very little training needed for its use.
DTG: Most DTG units use complicated RIP software which often must be used with a server and where the training to use the RIP is between one to three days.
Transfers: The OKI 711WT and 920WT laser printer uses an onboard Adobe RIP which is just like using a normal desktop printer. There is very little training needed for its use.
DTG: Most DTG units use complicated RIP software which often must be used with a server and where the training to use the RIP is between one to three days.
Question: What type of warranty is offered?
Transfers: The OKI 711WT and 920WT includes a one year onsite warranty.
DTG: Most DTG providers offer a parts only warranty and in some cases, do not cover the ink delivery or printhead at all.
Bespoke CommuniToy
Transfers: The OKI 711WT and 920WT includes a one year onsite warranty.
DTG: Most DTG providers offer a parts only warranty and in some cases, do not cover the ink delivery or printhead at all.
Bespoke CommuniToy
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