Have you heard the news about the brand-new Epson SureColor F1070 printer coming out this spring? We’ve gathered everything you need to know about this awesome new printer before you buy!
We’ll cover:
- What the printer does (spoiler: it does both DTF and DTG printing)
- All the specs
- Pros and cons
- Who it’s best for
And more! So grab a warm drink and find a comfy chair—we’ve got a lot to cover!
What is the Epson SureColor F1070?
The Epson SureColor F1070 Standard Edition printer is a new entry-level hybrid printer that handles both direct-to-film and direct-to-garment printing in one compact machine.
It’s rectangular and small enough to fit on a desktop, making it perfect for small to medium businesses, crafters with limited space, and people who want to try out DTF or DTG printing for the first time.
(The name sounds similar to the SureColor F170, which is our favorite sublimation printer for beginners, but they are not the same!)
So what can you do with this printer? Let’s take a closer look.
What can you do with the F1070?
Thanks to its capability to print on both garments and DTF film, this printer throws open the doors to more printing possibilities for the hobbyist and small business owner.
The printer contains a single platen that measures 10” by 12” for printing. That’s where you place your garment (up to 1” thick) or DTF film for printing.
What’s the max print area for the F1070? The print area is defined by the platen, aka metal base where you set the garment or DTF film for printing. The platen on this printer is 10” x 12”, so that’s the max print size for this printer.
Flat garments can be printed on directly with the printer, but for uniquely shaped items like hats, you’ll need to print on film and transfer with a heat press instead.
You can also buy accessories, like a smaller platen (7” by 8”) or sleeve platen (4” by 4”) for more versatility.
What can you print on with this printer?
The DTG function can print on natural fibers like 100% cotton, linen, and hemp up to 1-inch thick. It doesn’t work on polyester, which repels the printer’s water-based inks. Learn more about DTG printing here.
The DTF function prints on sheets of DTF film (sold separately). Learn more about DTF printing here.
Who is this printer best for?
This compact hybrid printer is great for hobbyist crafters and business owners who want to try DTF and DTG printing but don’t want to invest in a full-sized, industrial-strength machine.
The benefits?
- It does both types of printing (DTG and DTF) in one machine for way less than the cost of owning two specialized machines
- The compact size of this machine (35” x 28” x 17”) means you can fit this printer in most workspaces, even in smaller spaces
- The printer automatically adjusts the printing height for each garment, which makes it easy to get good results
- Most DTF printers need daily use to stay in working condition, but this one is self-cleaning and requires less maintenance by the user
What are the pros and cons?
Pros:
- It’s affordable and beginner-friendly compared to more advanced machines
- Maintenance is easy thanks to the self-cleaning mechanism
- You get the versatility of two printing methods in one
- It contains Epson’s industry-leading PrecisionCore technology, which means super hi-res printing
- Supports wireless printing
- Has an easy-to-use touchscreen
- Comes with a companion app to monitor production
- The rectangular shape makes it easy to store
- Has a cool design that displays the inner workings of the machine
Sounds good, right? But what about the cons? There are a couple:
- As a beginner-level model, it’s not going to print at the same high speeds you’d expect from an industrial-level machine. This is better for smaller batches of around 100 to 200 garments per week.
- It won’t print images larger than 10” by 12”
That said, if you’re doing smaller batches and don’t need a large-format printing size, this will go above and beyond what you need in a printer.
And all this for under $10K, which is a crazy good deal.
What about maintenance?
All DTF and DTG printers require regular maintenance to keep them from clogging or running into issues.
This printer does contain an automated maintenance system which wipes the printhead and cleans internal parts so you don’t have to do it by hand.
But the most important thing is to use your DTF/DTG printer every day or every other day so ink doesn’t dry up and clog the tubes. (This goes for any printer in this category.)
Luckily, Epson printers are some of the best-quality printers out there, so much so that many other DTF and DTG printer manufacturers use Epson printheads and parts.
So while there will be regular maintenance required, you are getting one of the best printers out there if you buy an Epson.
What kind of ink does it use?
The F1070 uses Epson’s UltraChrome® DG2 Ink (also called Epson T55A ink), a type of DTG and DTF-friendly ink designed for this printer. It’s said to produce vibrant colors, solid whites, and ultra-crisp images on cotton and cotton-polyester blends.
The ink is OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT certified and safe for adults, children, and infants alike.
The printer comes bundled with 6 ink packs, including one pack each of CMYK and two packs of white ink.
Ink comes in 250ml packs, not cartridges, which means you can get more prints out of every pack and have an easier time refilling ink.
What are the specifications?
Here’s what you can expect:
- Size: 35” x 28” x 17” (89.9cm x 69.6cm x 42.6cm)
- Weight: 152 lbs. (69kg)
- Platen Size (aka Max Print Size): 10” x 12”
- Works With: Flat garments and fabrics up to 1” thick (cotton or cotton-poly blends are best) or DTF film
- Ink Type: 250ml packs of DTF and DTG-friendly ink, uses CMYK and white ink
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Software: Comes with free copy of Epson Garment Creator 2 and works with popular RIP software titles
- Cables: Uses USB 3.0 and can be connected to other devices through ethernet or wi-fi
- OS: Windows 8.1 (64 bit) or later, macOS 10.12 or later
How much does the Epson SureColor F1070 cost?
This printer is listed at $7495 MSRP for the starter package, including:
- The printer
- The small garment platen (10” by 12”)
- Six 250ml ink packs (one each of CMYK, plus two white ink packs)
- Maintenance liquid
- Small grip pad and grip pad tool
- Power cord
- Maintenance box
- Maintenance Kit and User Guide Kit
- Epson Garment Creator 2 software
- 1-year Epson Preferred Limited Warranty
Each 250ml ink pack is listed at $129.95 MSRP.
Where can I get one?
You can pre-order the Epson SureColor F1070 from MakerFlo Crafts right now! (Printers are expected to start shipping in May 2024.)
Pre-Order the Epson SureColor F1070
So there you have it! Are you planning to buy the Epson SureColor F1070? Or are you waiting to see some reviews first before making your decision?
Either way, let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 💬
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference between the SureColor F170 and the SureColor F1070?
The SureColor F170 is a sublimation printer, while the SureColor F1070 is a hybrid DTG and DTF printer. They sound alike, but they’re completely different!
Is Epson a laser or inkjet printer?
Epson produces inkjet printers that use tiny pieces of metal called micro piezo elements to shoot teeny tiny drops of ink with high accuracy. We’ve written a whole article about this technology and why it makes Epson printers uniquely suited for sublimation.
What software should I use with the Epson SureColor F1070?
It comes with free Epson Garment Creator 2 software and works with leading RIP software titles (according to Epson’s documentation).